A LONGPARISH pub had some famous visitors on Sunday, February 4, to the delight of fellow customers and the landlords. 

After performing in the EngineRooms Southampton, indie rock band Kula Shaker travelled along the A303 and visited The Plough Inn for Sunday lunch.

The legendary band are currently on their sell-out UK tour and were on their way to a show in Bristol when they decided to stop at the pub.

Established in 1721, The Plough Inn is run by Steve Howard, 49, and Lucy Holmes, 28. It is a community-owned pub which was bought and refurbished by the community after it was at risk of being turned into a home.

Kula Shaker frontman Crispian Mills lives in the village.Andover Advertiser:

Steve said: “We went to see Kula Shaker in Southampton on Saturday, so it was fantastic to have them in the pub for Sunday lunch. Crispian lives in the village, and he managed to get us to the show – we had a brilliant time. We’d tried to get them in the pub last week, but we were fully booked!

“We managed to get them in on Sunday which was fantastic,” he continued. “It was actually the first time they’d been in the pub. They had Sunday lunch, and it was great having them in here with everyone.

"They were lovely and friendly, and to have a band stop in while on a sell-out tour was a first for us. We had a great time and hope to welcome them back again soon.”

The Plough Inn was reopened in September 2021 after closing its doors, seemingly for good, in December 2015. It was initially sold to a property developer but, following a campaign by villagers, planning permission was denied.

When the pub went on the market, the village bought it using grants, donations and a community share scheme – which attracted 240 investors from the village and further afield.

“The community around here worked so hard to get the pub back to where it deserved to be,” Steve said. “Around 80 per cent of the work was done by volunteers. Everyone should be so proud of themselves. Without it, the pub wouldn’t still be here, and we wouldn’t be reaping the benefits. We have done some great business since reopening, and long may it continue."