LOVERS of the Bull’s Head at Craswall, where owners called time three years ago, have delivered a hefty kickstart to their campaign to reopen this ancient pub in the Black Mountains.

More than 200 rallied to a call at the weekend by local artist Jim Ursell, with a good-natured though determined protest outside the widely “beloved” Bull’s Head, where a vintage bar has been preserved since times when drovers rested there on weary journeys eastward over the Welsh border.

“Stay vigilant – we shall win,” urged journalist Matthew Engel when he addressed the crowds on Saturday. He said the “beloved Bull” was a vital part of two communities – Craswall and the Golden Valley.

A petition launched by Mr Ursell has gathered significant momentum and supporters came by car, bicycle, on foot and on horseback from all over the area to watch the ceremonial unveiling of a Bull’s Head sign on the roadside outside the old pub. Farmers, clergymen, vets, artists and musicians – even the co-founder of 38 Degrees, an organisation which provides a platform for campaigns for fairness – joined the protest and there was an 81-year-old grandmother who admitted she had never been moved to take part in a demonstration before. Chairman of Herefordshire’s Campaign for Real Ale, Paul Grenfell joined protesters and performed the unveiling alongside

Mr Ursell praised the support of 38 Degrees’ Pete Myers who lives locally. Said Mr Myers: “It’s a great pub, I have very special memories of the Bull.”

Mr Engel, who lives in the Golden Valley, said this was normally an area of “unanimity”, but that it would rail against cases of injustice.

“Nine years ago there were attempts to shut schools in the area; they didn’t,” he said. “We won’t be a community if we don’t have our churches, shops, halls, schools and pubs. We need them.” Mr Engel referred to the success of the Bridge Inn at Michaelchurch Escley three miles away, and said with a rise in tourism the Craswall pub would be viable too.

But he expressed fears that the Bull’s owners, Charles and Kathryn Mackintosh could sell the pub as a private house. “This would be worth a third more than a pub so it makes a few people suspicious about what’s going on here,” he said.

“Some believe the owners have a plan as previously they owned the famous and fondly remembered Ancient Camp pub at Ruckhall Common,” he continued. “After their tenure it became a private house.”

He added: “The owners themselves know we are here, we want them to talk to us, talk to people who would like to buy it. They should put it on the market, show us they care as much as we do.”