Community celebrates after saving much-loved pub

After more than a year of negotiations, a beloved 17th Century pub has been bought by the community.

The Grade II listed Ivy Inn in Heddington near Calne, Wiltshire, is now owned by the Friends of the Ivy group, which aims to reopen it by Christmas.

The group said it is looking forward to the challenge and plans to put on community events as well as sell food and drink.

Chairman Paul Moyle-Harris said: "The vision has always been community first, pub second."

After closing in May 2024, the pub was designated as an asset of community value thanks to the efforts of locals.

They then began fundraising for a minimum of £350,000 to buy it.

They managed to raised £436,000, but need more to cover renovations before they can reopen it.

Moyle-Harris said: "We've got this dream target of Christmas this year but that is completely dependent on how quickly we can get the funding, how quickly we can get the planning and then how quickly we can get the 70 odd volunteer workers organised."

Moyle-Harris said it had been "been a long, hard road" to buy the pub.

He said the next steps will involve applying for grant funding.

Speaking about the pub's long history, the chairman previously said: "The first timber frames for The Ivy were being put up at about the same time the keel was being laid for the Mayflower around 1600 – that's 20 years before the ship took the first pilgrims to what became the USA."

Formerly a destination pub, The Ivy is close to The Ridgeway National Trail ancient path, the White Horse Trail and the Wiltshire Cycleway.

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