A POWYS pub saved from closure by its customers a little over two years ago has celebrated a cracking Christmas by receiving an award.

The Seven Stars Inn, in Aberedw, was named in the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Good Beer Guide 2022 earlier this year and collected its award on Christmas Eve.

It’s a far cry from three Christmases ago, when the boozer’s future looked bleak. In June 2018, an application to convert the pub into a home by previous owners was rejected by planning officers. In September that year the pub re-opened under new ownership – but less than six months later it was back on the market again for £275,000, with concerns last orders really had been rung.

Eventually, it was the centuries old pub’s loyal customers that stepped up to the plate and cobbled together the funds to save their beloved watering hole – with the first pint after the group purchased it being sold in May 2019.

On Christmas Eve, Chris Charters, the Wales regional director for the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), played the part of Santa Claus as he congratulated pub landlord Peter Batten on its inclusion in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2022, presenting him with a certificate confirming the Seven Stars’ inclusion. The village pub, near Builth Wells, is the only community-owned pub in Radnorshire and this is the first time it has been included in the guide since it was bought by the local community.

The Radnorshire arm of CAMRA previously praised local people for saving the pub at the heart of their community.

“We are very pleased that this historic pub has been saved by the community and has a safe stable future,” said Dave Gill, from Radnorshire CAMRA.

“It has been badly missed since it closed. Now there is somewhere for local clubs to meet and for birthday celebrations to get together. Various local businesses can again use it, with campers and walkers stopping for meals.”

County Times: The Seven Stars Inn, in Aberedw, was saved from closure in 2019. Picture: Christine Matthews The Seven Stars Inn, in Aberedw, was saved from closure in 2019. Picture: Christine Matthews

A total of 34 Powys pubs have made the Good Beer Guide for 2022. Publishing the latest edition of their Good Beer Guide, CAMRA said: “Every pub or bar listed has been carefully selected by volunteers who have visited every one and tasted their beers.

“These experts know what makes a great pint of beer and which venues serve it best. Finding good pubs to drink in can be a bit of a nightmare. It’s not just about the beer, it’s also about the atmosphere and location.”

Here are the Powys pubs that made the list:

RADNORSHIRE

Seven Stars Inn, Aberedw

Royal Oak Inn, Gladestry

Watsons Ale House, Knighton

Middleton Arms, Llandrindod Wells

Fforest Inn, Llanfihangel-nant-Melan

Greyhound Inn, Llangunllo

MONTGOMERYSHIRE

Kerry Lamb, Kerry

Dovey Valley Hotel, Cemmaes Road

Horse & Jockey, Churchstoke

Stumble Inn, Bwlch-y-Cibau

Goat Hotel, Llanfair Caereinion

Black Lion Hotel, Llangurig

Crown & Anchor, Llanidloes

Beehive Inn, Manafon

Dragon Hotel, Montgomery

Railway Tavern, Newtown

Sportsman, Newtown

The Angel, Welshpool

Pheasant Inn, Welshpool

BRECONSHIRE

Fountain Inn, Builth Wells

Brecon Tap, Brecon

The Clarence, Brecon

The George Hotel, Brecon

New Inn, Bwlch

Bear Hotel, Crickhowell

Tanners Arms, Defynnog

Three Horseshoes, Groesffordd

Red Lion, Llangynidir

Neuadd Arms Hotel, Llanwrtyd Wells

Royal Oak, Pencelli

Ancient Briton, Penycae

New Inn, Ystradfellte