Villagers who brought a historic pub in Helions Bumpstead under community ownership have been named runners-up in the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) Pub Saving Award.

The 19th-century Three Horseshoes pub was closed in May 2014, and villagers from Helions Bumpstead - which has fewer than 500 people - launched a survey which found there was overwhelming support for the pub to be restored.

Shortly afterwards, the Helions Bumpstead Community Benefit Society was established, which set a fundraising target of £400,000 to buy the pub as a community asset.

In March 2019 the pub successfully came into community ownership, and underwent major refurbishment work both inside and outside the pub.

During the refurbishment, there were regular pub nights and events held for the village at the Three Horseshoes, as well as 'landmark' events with the villagers, press and MP all invited.

Initially the pub was due to reopen in spring 2020, but this was thwarted by Covid. Instead a grocery store was established at the pub to offer basic supplies which were otherwise unavailable in the village, and there were 'off sales' of real ale at weekends.

Once restrictions were lifted in July 2021, the pub opened for occasional weekend events while tenant recruitment continued, with a full reopening taking place in December 2021.

The pub's tenants Rob and Rhanny Carroll said: "Since reopening, the pub has traded very successfully and always has three real ales (usually including at least one ‘LocAle’) and a growing reputation for its food.

"It has also been recognised by CAMRA North West Essex with a place in the 2023 Good Beer Guide, which is a real honour."

Richard Russell, chair of the Community Benefit Society, spoke about the success of the campaign to save the pub. He said: "This is exactly what we had in mind from the outset- a traditional country pub in the heart of the village which ticks all the boxes, saved for posterity thanks to community ownership.

"Everybody in the village and surrounding area is delighted. This award is great news for us all and a fantastic reflection on Rob and Rhanny’s success."

The overall winner of this year's Pub Saving Award was the Plough Inn in Longparish, Hampshire, while the Three Horseshoes placed as runner-up.

Ian Fitzhenry, Chair of CAMRA’s North West Essex Branch said: "I am delighted that the efforts of the villagers of Helions Bumpstead have been recognised with this prestigious award.

"It makes a very satisfactory 'double' for the branch following the success of the Railway, Saffron Walden in last year’s Pub Saving Award'."

Coordinator for CAMRA's Pub Saving Award, Paul Ainsworth, said: "Huge congratulations are in order for the dedicated villagers who have saved both the Plough Inn in Longparish and the Three Horseshoes in Helions Bumpstead.

"Pubs play an irreplaceable role in bringing people together, and the decision to purchase a pub as a community is a real commitment to preserving its future for generations to come. It is a real privilege to be able to highlight these efforts."