Prince William has made a private £1,000 donation to a campaign group striving to save their local pub. The Prince of Wales contributed to the Semington Community Benefit Society, which is fighting to preserve the Somerset Arms near Melksham in Wiltshire. The establishment has been closed since 2023 and is currently listed for sale at £395,000.
Under-the-Radar Donation
The donation was made under the name William Wales, a moniker the prince used during his school days, reflecting his father's former title as the Prince of Wales. This discreet approach allowed him to avoid public attention.
William also penned a letter accompanying his donation, describing rural pubs as a "lifeline" for communities. Andy Cobley, vice chair of the Semington Community Benefit Society, expressed astonishment and gratitude, stating: "We are over the moon that Prince William has made this donation and also at his recognition of how important pubs are within the community. We are incredibly excited and stunned."
Community Reaction
Cobley added: "It is brilliant His Royal Highness can recognise what is going on in these small villages and help us out. It's fantastic." The group has extended an invitation for William to pull the first pint at the Somerset Arms if it is successfully saved.
Ian Williamson, chair of the Semington Community Benefit Society, noted that William's recent comments about the importance of saving local pubs align perfectly with their efforts. "This is exactly what William was talking about. We're writing to thank him for supporting pubs like ours, and we'd love to welcome him when we get it reopened," he said.
William's Support for Pubs
In his reply to the society, William wrote: "I am very keen to support the role that pubs play, not only as businesses, but as community hubs that contribute so much to the fabric of our nation. I look forward to coming down to pull a pint and celebrate your success."
Previously, in June, William emphasised that pubs are "the glue and fabric" of a community, adding: "It's the people – the team – around a pub that make it." Speaking about the owner of a recently renovated pub, he remarked: "It's a family business, which is good, because that makes the pub."
The gesture follows William's visit to the Prince of Peckham pub in south London, where he was overheard telling patrons: "I want to do as much as I can to support them because I love the community. We need to protect our pubs."
