VILLAGERS gathered to show the impact of people power in a bid to keep their village pub.

Newnham residents are worried that proposed plans to change The Old House at Home into residential living would leave villagers with no community hub.

As previously reported in The Gazette 1,000 villagers signed a petition objecting to owners Red Oak Taverns’ plans.

After hearing of the petition, a BBC crew witnessed villagers set up a pub outside last Saturday to signify how vital it is, for a documentary series showing the power of people in protest.

With beers and pumps supplied by Andwells Brewing Company, the crew, led by artist Bob And Roberta Smith (also known as Patrick Brill), filmed villagers marching around the green outside the pub with placards saying “Save the Old House at Home”.

Newnham parish councillor June James, who set up the petition, said: “It was great for the whole village to come together.

“This has been an issue that had been talked about by many people at kitchen tables, but this was the first time everyone came together with a shared message.”

She added: “I was so delighted with the turnout and I hope it was significant enough to make a difference.”

The pub has been shut since January 2015, and was bought by Red Oak Taverns in the summer last year.

The villagers ended the demonstration outside the pub, changing the sign to read “Old House is Our Home”.

The parish council has been working with villagers to come up with plans on how to use the pub if the application is overturned.

Cllr James added: “It was a viable pub in the past and we believe it can be viable once again. There are a number of community run pubs up and down the country, which are run successfully, so we hope to follow suite.”

The documentary is on BBC 4 in October.