Villagers celebrate as Arkell's reopens pub (From Swindon Advertiser)

Villagers celebrate as Arkell's reopens pub

10:00pm Monday 6th July 2009 in

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A PUB which is at the heart of a village community has re-opened thanks to Swindon brewer Arkell’s.

The Masons Arms, at Meysey Hampton, near Fairford, has reopened to the delight of villagers.

Jack Clarke, 23, one of the pub’s new managers, said: “People have been really friendly and its obvious how much they have missed their pub. They don’t even have a village shop here so it’s literally just the church and the pub.

“Our opening night was great. It’s surprising how busy this place gets on a Friday and Saturday.”

Roger Case, chairman of Meysey Hampton Parish Council, said: “After losing the village post office and shop last year, the loss of the pub in January was particularly painful. For months now it has felt a lonely place – a village with no soul. “Arkell’s have really cleaned the place up but the old character has somehow still remained.”

It took just three days and 20 decorators working around the clock to get the pub ready.

Brewery chairman James Arkell said: “I couldn’t believe the number of people who turned out to celebrate the pub’s reopening. We hadn’t advertised or announced the reopening at all – we’d simply moved in three days earlier to give the pub and its kitchens a deep clean, prepare the cellars and letting rooms for opening.”