New manager for Tally Ho in Hungerford Newtown

THE Tally Ho pub in Hungerford Newtown has a new manager.

And he might look familiar because Kain Cook was born and brought up in the area.

The 28-year-old, whose partner Kirtsy is expecting the couple's first child, has helped to run pubs in Bristol and in Paignton, Devon.

He said: "I left Hungerford around six years ago. Then I heard about this, my dream job."

The pub is hailed as a community success story and its recent history has provided an encouraging blueprint for others aiming to buy their local to save it from would-be developers.

Hungerford Newtown residents were dismayed when, in 2012, the ‘Tally’ was sold by brewing giant Wadworth.

The buyer, Acres Developments, sought planning permission to convert it into a terrace of three three-bedroom homes.

However, planning permission was refused.

A convoluted battle followed, but villagers, backed by the West Berkshire branch of Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and then Newbury MP Richard Benyon, prevailed, eventually buying the building back.

In 2014, The Tally Ho won West Berkshire CAMRA’s award for Best Community Pub.

Mr Cook said: "People come here from miles around for the food.

"But on a Friday night, all the tables are filled with locals, which is really good to see.

"Everyone knows each other and it's a real community pub."