A CAMPAIGN has been launched to keep a former Conwy Valley drovers’ inn alive and develop it into a community hub.

Already more than £75,000 has been pledged to secure the future of the Bull Inn at Llanbedr-y-Cennin, and a second public meeting is planned by the Save our Bull campaign organisers tomorrow (Wednesday August 29) at Talybont Memorial Hall at 7.00pm.

The 400 year old Bull Inn closed last May, but a group of local villagers has launched a campaign to raise £200,000 to buy the pub run it in the traditional manner, and also develop it into a hub for local community activities.

The group envisages it becoming more than just a place for local residents, farmers and tourists to meet at lunch times and in the evenings. They want to develop it into becoming the heart of the village and surrounding area. It would remain a pub but will also become a centre for other activities, events, clubs, meetings, local competitions and various services for the village including a parcel pick up and delivery point.

Chairman of the group John McGuiness, a retired insurance loss adjuster, said: “We held a public meeting at the beginning of August and since then the pledges have flooded in. Already in just a few weeks we are 40 per cent of the way to our £200,000 target.

“We hope to add to the momentum at our second public meeting and really get things happening.”

“Llandbedr, with nearby Talybont, Dolgarrog and surrounding area, have a population in excess of 1,100 and a centre, such as we propose, would add hugely to community life.”

The Bull has traded for many centuries as a hostelry serving the local farming community and cattle drovers. It was also a place where a change of horses could be made having crossed the estuary at Tal-y-Cafn.

In more recent times, the pub has hosted students from nearby Caerhun Hall who were studying for accountancy qualifications and many of whom who have made nostalgic return visits.

The Bull has been at the heart of community life and has welcomed many tourists from elsewhere in the UK, also the U.S.A., Australia, Holland and other European countries who holidayed in the many letting properties in the area.