A popular Wiltshire duo have recorded a campaign song to help save a historic pub in Semington.
Ian Gould and Catherine York, known as Gouldy and Caff and performing as Sound Affects, discovered the Somerset Arms seven years ago while boating on the Kennet and Avon Canal, when the pub was hosting a music festival and invited them to perform.
Catherine said, “We must have played there at least a dozen times since then. We’ve spent many a happy hour there. It’s very sad that it’s closed. We want to be part of the campaign to save it and we really hope we can play there again.”
The campaign song, Open Up the Old Pub Doors, was written by the vice-chair of the Semington Community Benefit Society, which was formed to buy the pub for the village. The duo will perform the song at local gigs.
Andy Cobley said, “I wrote the lyrics, but AI provided the rest. It’s great to hear it performed by real human beings, especially when they have the following of Gouldy and Caff.
“We’re in the middle of a pledge appeal, asking supporters how they’ll respond to a forthcoming share offer. It’s going well, but it’s a big ask for a village the size of Semington and we need all the help we can get.”
The pledge appeal closed on 3rd June. The Somerset Arms is on the market for £395,000 plus VAT.
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