Latest Campaign News and Highlights
Stay informed with the latest updates on our efforts to protect the Somerset Arms, including community actions, events, and inspiring stories from our dedicated members.
- Somerset Arms – site visits by building professionals – Spring 2026
- Semington Parish Council has continued to provide financial support for the project with the following having been carried out on the Somerset Arms during the early part of 2026
- an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC);
- a RICS Red Book Valuation Survey that was carried out by David Broschcomb MRICS FAVLP of DABRO & ASSOCIATES on 27th February 2026
- an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC);
- Semington Parish Council has continued to provide financial support for the project with the following having been carried out on the Somerset Arms during the early part of 2026
- Glen Watson, Company Secretary, Semington Community Benefit Society speaks live on West Wits Radio – 3rd March 2026
- Glen was interviewed live on West Wilts Radio in Bradford-on-Avon. He discussed the Somerset Arms project and how the Semington Community Benefit Society has been formed. He explained that it will be looking for funding from donations and future share offers to enable it to buy and then renovate the pub so that it is secure for future generations of Semington, wider Wiltshire as well as boaters, walkers and cyclists that use the canal for recreation and enjoyment.
- Please take the time to listen to Glen’s interview below:
- Semington Community Benefit Society Limited application approved by FCA – 23rd February 2026
- On 26th February 2026 the Company Secretary received confirmation that the Semington Community Benefit Society Limited had been approved on 23rd February 2026. The registration number is 9716 and details can be found on the Mutuals Public Register or via the below link:
- Semington Community Benefit Society application submitted to Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assisted by Plunkett’s – January 2026
- Detailed work was undertaken to look at the best legal entity to enable the acquisition of the Somerset Arms. SPAG discussed the options and decided that forming a Community Benefit Society would provide the best solution. The application included adopting Plunkett’s model rules and was signed by the 4 founding committee members
- SPAG joins Plunkett UK – January 2026
- With financial support from Semington Parish Council SPAG were able to join Plunketts UK which is a national charity. Plunkett supports community businesses across the UK, providing business advice to all types of community business, at all stages of their journey – from the initial idea, to long after the business is open and trading. They currently represent over 800 trading community-owned businesses with a further 800 currently being setting up with their help. They range from shops and pubs through to woodlands, farms and fisheries.
- Plunketts website
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- Open meeting at Semington Village Hall – 12th November 2025
- An open meeting was held at Semington Village Hall to update villagers and all interested parties on the results of the survey regarding the pub that had been carried out earlier in the year. This showed there was an overwhelming support for the pub to be retained and reopened. Responses were keen for the pub to offer good food, including Sunday roasts, alongside traditional real ales.
- Village survey undertaken – Spring 2025
- In the Spring and early summer of 2025 the village of Semington carried out a survey into the Somerset Arms. It consisted of 15 questions and the purpose was to gauge the level of support from the immediate local community. These ranged from how important it was to have a vibrant pub in the village to what sort of services the pub should offer. It also asked what sort of support respondents were prepared to offer either as volunteers during the purchase through to taking part in the renovation process after the pub had been successfully purchased.
- A short summary of the results of the survey are available if you click on the survey image below.
- Semington Pub Action Group (SPAG) Formed – late 2024
- In late 2024 The Somerset Arms in Semington, which had been closed in 2023, was put up for sale by the Wellington Pub Group. A dedicated and determined group of villagers decided to establish SPAG with the goal of saving the pub for the village and future generations
Community Campaign Events
With the release of Mother’s Pride, the heart-warming story about saving a rural pub filmed in nearby Norton St Philip hitting the screens, members of Semington Pub Action Group distributed leaflets to cinema goers in Trowbridge over the weekend. The leaflets publicised our campaign to save the Somerset Arms and introduced the recently formed Semington Community Benefit Society.
It was an opportunity to let local people know about our campaign which echoes the story of Mother’s Pride in real life,’ said Ian. ‘The leaflet was really well received, many people knew the pub and praised our campaign. We have to take every opportunity to spread the word about what we are doing ahead of fundraising.’
Cinema Leaflet Distribution
Date: Sunday 8th March
Location: Trowbridge
Group members shared leaflets with cinema visitors, linking the film’s narrative to our local campaign.
Community Meeting
Date: 1st April 2026
Location: Semington Village Hall
The meeting will provide an update on progress since the meeting in November 2025 and to outline what next steps are to saving the Somerset Arms for the local community
Latest Updates from the Semington Pub Action Group
Explore how our community efforts have evolved, highlighting campaigns like leafleting cinema-goers during ‘Mother’s Pride’ and upcoming fundraising events.
Join Our Campaign to Save the Somerset Arms
Stay informed on our latest efforts and find out how you can support the Semington Pub Action Group to protect our local heritage.