A PARISH council chairman has defended villagers who were accused of not supporting their local pub. The Woodman s Cottage at Gorefield has been boarded up since Ian and Debbie Ribbands moved out saying residents had not backed their new venture. But Coun

A PARISH council chairman has defended villagers who were accused of not supporting their local pub.

The Woodman's Cottage at Gorefield has been boarded up since Ian and Debbie Ribbands moved out saying residents had not backed their new venture.

But Councillor Michael Humphrey says villagers are not unfriendly and the parish council also did its best to support the couple by organising a highly successful luncheon club at the pub.

He said: "We helped to set up the luncheon club which was held on a monthly basis. The club might not have been a big money spinner but it was certainly big on PR.

"I think it is unfair to blame the village because it is a large pub and it has always relied heavily on visiting trade when its reputation for good food spread far and wide."

Cllr Humphrey added: " I am concerned about is the potential loss of a very important asset to the village and community and I will be bringing this up at the next parish council meeting.