A RURAL Dorset pub has finally reopened its doors to the public following a tireless and well-supported campaign by villagers.

The Elm Tree pub in Langton Herring near Weymouth poured its first pint in over two years earlier this month, after the success of a campaign to get it reopened launched following its closure in November 2023.

Dwindling footfall and rising costs resulted in the pub closing, but villagers set up The Friends of the Elm Tree group to raise enough money to open its doors after they were told this could be a possibility if they could raise £650,000.

In just six months, the group raised more than £550,000 thanks to drawing attention with Gen-Z-inspired TikTok trends, but more funds were needed to reduce the amount of loans they had to take out to buy the pub in the timescale set.

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The pub’s new tenants are Katharine and James Parsons, who oversaw the pub’s opening on July 14.

Friends of the Elm Tree said: “We would like to thank everyone for their support, buying shares, making donations, entering the prize draw or even just liking or sharing our posts over the last few months.

“However, fundraising continues to reduce the amount of the loans taken out to reach the final amount we needed.”

People can become shareholders from as little as £200.

The pub has served villagers since the 18th century, when it was a community hub.

Throughout the First World War, The Elm Tree provided a sanctuary for those who remained in the local villages.

It hosted both Barnes Wallis and Winston Churchill, who sampled some local ales during interludes between the tests of the fledgling “bouncing bomb” in the Fleet.

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