Prince William has quietly donated £1,000 to the Semington Community Benefit Society, a local group committed to saving the Somerset Arms, the last remaining pub in the South West village of Semington, Wiltshire.
The pub, situated between Trowbridge and Melksham, closed its doors in 2023 and was placed on the market for £395,000, sparking fears that the village would lose its cherished community hub forever. The Prince’s unexpected financial support offers a vital boost to the campaign aiming to rescue the establishment.
This donation follows Prince William’s visit to the Prince of Peckham pub in south London, where he expressed a heartfelt commitment to supporting local pubs, saying, “I want to do as much as I can to support them because I love the community. We need to protect our pubs.”
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Remarkably, the Prince made the donation under the name William Wales, a pseudonym recalling his father’s former title, preserving the low-profile nature of his gesture.
Accompanying the donation was a letter emphasizing the importance of rural pubs as “lifelines” to their communities, highlighting their critical role beyond mere business operations—as centers of social cohesion and local identity.
Andy Cobley, vice chair of the Semington Community Benefit Society, shared the community’s reaction: “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. It is fantastic that His Royal Highness can recognize what is going on in these small villages and help us out.”
The society has invited Prince William to celebrate the pub’s reopening by pulling the inaugural pint, a gesture welcomed by Ian Williamson, chair of the society: “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.”
In his letter, the Prince 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.”
Earlier this year, Prince William described pubs as “the glue and fabric” of communities, highlighting the invaluable role that pub teams and patrons play in fostering connections.
The campaign on Save the Somerset Arms’ Facebook page expressed immense gratitude: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have Prince William’s support for our campaign to save the Somerset Arms! His Royal Highness has donated £1,000 and recognized the role pubs play as ‘lifelines’ for rural communities. This has given our campaign a huge boost, with pledges already rising since the news broke.”
Donations continue to pour in through Crowdfunder, where contributions include the Prince’s £1,000 gift, made under the name William Wales on June 16. The fundraising effort aims to cover startup expenses like marketing, IT, administration, events, and professional fees, with any surplus aiding the purchase and refurbishment of the pub. A larger share offer will follow during the summer to secure the bulk of the funds needed.
The Somerset Arms stands as a crucial pillar of Semington’s community life, and with Prince William’s encouragement, the villagers are more determined than ever to preserve this treasured gathering place.