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Pub campaigners' videos prompt overseas donations

Natalia Goncherenko A large group of people and dogs standing outside the closed Elm Tree Inn. Some are carrying banners that say save our pub.Natalia Goncherenko
Villagers need to raise £650,000 to buy the pub

Campaigners fighting to save a village pub say their TikTok videos have generated donations and support from across the world.

Residents in Langton Herring, Dorset, went viral in January with their gen Z-themed clip about the Elm Tree Inn, which closed in November 2023.

Since the post, the group has gained supporters from as far afield as Brazil, Singapore, Australia and South Africa.

Campaigners previously said they had raised half of the £650,000 needed to buy and reopen the pub.

January's video saw villagers adopt youth slang in a bid to get their message across to younger supporters.

In the clip, villager Hilary Warren, urges viewers to "be an Elm Tree stan and help these boomers save their pub".

The video, which has been viewed more than 1.7 million times, has now been "remixed" to feature dogs from the village.

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Martin Pearson, of The Friends of The Elm Tree Inn, said: "People have been loving the sentiments and humour in our little videos, and pledging donations.

"We have been absolutely astounded by the love from gen Z supporters and boomers alike, and have already seen over £19,000 come in small donations and a similar amount in share purchases from over 800 local and international supporters."

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