When the Three Horseshoes shut in May 2011 the 1,270 households in Charsfield and the surrounding villages were left without a local pub.
FROTH was set up an informal group running events in Charsfield Village Hall and pop-up-pubs around the area.
The Charsfield Three Horseshoes Community Pub Limited was also then set up as a Community Benefit Society. That's like a company, but for democratically-run community projects. That was to provide a formal way for the community to buy and re-open the Three Horseshoes.
But that has proved not necessary because, in December 2012, we welcomed Sharon & Jerry Bird to the Three Horseshoes. They have an 8 year lease from Edward Bolton, who owns the freehold of the building.
So - great news - the Charsfield Three Horseshoes is open again!
And FROTH wishes Jerry and Sharon every success in providing good beer and food to locals and visitors alike.
Meanwhile, The Charsfield Three Horseshoes Community Pub Limited remains in existence as a legal entity with over 90 members from the local area and beyond. It will remain essentially dormant (simply holding an AGM, as the legal minimum requirement) in case Charsfield ever finds itself in the unfortunate position of having a closed pub again. And with the pub now registered with the Council as an 'Asset of Community Value', local people would be guaranteed an opportunity to buy it were it to come up for sale, thus ensuring we have the chance to prevent any future attempt to close the pub and change the use of the building.
Anyone wanting to become a member of The Charsfield Three Horseshoes Community Pub Limited should email on froth@charsfield.org.uk for more details.
