Regulars at a village pub near Wotton under Edge were treated to a rather special visitor today when Prince Charles popped in to chat about with locals about their thriving local.

The prince paid a visit to The Fleece Inn, a community pub supported by the Pub is The Hub initiative, and met with members of the societies and clubs that use the vibrant village pub in Hillesley near Wotton-under-Edge.

He was greeted by pupils from Hillesley Primary School who brought a broad smile to the prince's face with their exquisite singing.

After greeting the crowds who had braved the sub-zero temperatures to welcome the future king, the prince spent an hour in the pub talking to regulars and learning more about the flourishing pub.

Regulars at this afternoon's event paid tribute to landlord and landlady Rod Undy and Karen McGeoch who became tenant licensees in late 2016, and under their watchful eye the business was named CAMRA Pub of the Year 2018 for the South West region.

Dating from the 17th century, The Fleece is the last remaining pub in the parish of Hillesley and Tresham, and was saved by the action of villagers passionate to save the historic pub.

In 2011, The Fleece Inn closed for trading after the regional chain that owned the pub failed leaving the building under threat of redevelopment.

But locals rallied to save the pub and a specialist advisor from Pub is The Hub gave the village general advice on how they could take over the business.

Five families came together to buy the business and 120 members of the community contributed to the funding - becoming shareholders in Hillesley Pub Company Ltd.

Thanks to overwhelming support from the village the purchase was completed in June 2012, and the pub was refurbished and redecorated in order to reopen its doors again as a free house, all within five weeks.The pub trades as a traditional local with a loyal customer base from the village and the immediate surrounding area, but also attracts ramblers walking The Cotswold Way.

Two darts teams have formed as well as a golf society, and the pub is utilised by the local football, tennis, bridge and cricket teams, as well as a weekly cycle group. They also hold regular charity fundraisers and work closely with the church, the school and the Parish Council.

Pub is The Hub was initiated by The Prince of Wales in 2001, assisted by Business in the Community, of which HRH is Royal Founding Patron.

It is a not-for-profit organisation of specialist advisors for communities and licensees in England, Wales and Scotland. The organisation, of mainly volunteers, encourages communities, licensees, pub owners, breweries and the private sector to work together to match community priority needs with additional services which can be provided by the local pub.

Pub is The Hub believes that the pub should be the centre or hub of community life and provide essential services beyond the usual drinks, food or entertainment.

To learn more about The Fleece at Hillesley visit thefleecehillesley.com

  • Pick up a copy of next week's Gazette for a full report from Prince Charles's pub visit