Prince William donates to save the Somerset Arms in Semington

Prince William has donated £1,000 to a campaign group which wants to save their local pub. The royal has given money to the Semington Community Benefit Society which is trying to resurrect the Somerset Arms, near Melksham in Wiltshire. It has been closed since 2023 and is currently on the market for £395,000. Prince William has also written a letter to the group in which he describes rural pubs as a "lifeline" to communities. Andy Cobley - vice chair of the Semington Community Benefit Society - says the royal backing has been a huge boost and said local people were "stunned" and "amazed." He added: "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 brilliant His Royal Highness can recognise what is going on in these small villages and help us out. It's fantastic." Campaigners at the Semington Community Benefit Society had previously made a public call for Prince William to pull the first pint at the Somerset Arms if it is saved. The invite came after they saw how the royal had called for pubs to be protected and supported during a recent visit to L