Old Horn Inn Spennithorne opened following community buy out

The doors of the Old Horn Inn, in Spennithorne, Lower Wensleydale, were closed two years ago after planning consent for its conversion into private houses was refused.

Villagers in Spennithorne and neighbouring Harmby set up a community pub society to raise the money needed to buy the pub.

Marguerite (left) and Norma cutting the ribbon to mark the official reopening. Community Pub Society chairman Richard Wortley looks on (Image: THE OLD HORN INN) The money they raised in a share offer was matched by Government funding through the Community Ownership Fund and a programme of renovation was launched.

The refurbished pub reopened unofficially at the beginning of summer.

And on Thursday (September 12), a red ribbon was cut to mark the formal reopening of the venue.

Win and Tom Stelling behind the bar of The Old Horn (Image: THE OLD HORN INN)

The ceremony was performed by two women who were born in the pub – Norma Croft, and Marguerite Mawer, whose parents, Win and Tom Stelling, were mine hosts for more than 40 years, from 1936.

“This is a marvellous end to a brilliant campaign by the communities of Spennithorne and Harmby,” said Richard Wortley, the chairman of the Old Horn Community Pub Society.

“We are so grateful to all who have helped to save this vital centre of community life, and it is excellent that Norma and Marguerite agreed to perform our opening ceremony – a fitting symbol of the continuing importance of a thriving venue for social activities in rural areas like ours.”

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As well as providing the traditional amenities of a village pub – serving ales such as Theakston’s and Wensleydale Brewery’s products, and offering food made with local produce – the Old Horn is now the venue for community activities such as quiz nights, coffee mornings, and a Knit and Natter group.

The new tenants of the Old Horn, Mirela and Kornel, moved to Spennithorne from Blackpool, where they had been running a successful restaurant for ten years.

Kornel is a chef with more than 30 years of experience.