NEARLY 100 people have signed up to join a carol singing evening in a newly re-opened public house on the Blackdown Hills above Wellington on Friday (December 19).

Ben Porter and partner Maddie Beaumont have taken over the Candlelight Inn, in Bishopswood, less than four miles from their other pub The Cotley Inn, Wambrook.

The award-winning Candlelight closed suddenly last May but Mr Porter and Ms Beaumont, who met when they both worked in the pub nearly 10 years ago, took it on in October and held a ‘soft’ opening at the beginning of December.

Despite Somerset Council not issuing a licence in time for the couple to sell alcohol on opening night, the couple turned it into a quiz night and raised £2,466 for the Brain Tumour Charity, which is the chosen good cause this year for their company Redefined Hospitality Ltd.

Ms Beaumont said: “We were determined to celebrate this new chapter with you, so we opened our doors anyway and turned the night into a fund-raising celebration.

Villagers were invited to bring their own bottle, while soft drinks and food was available from the bar.

Now, fully open and serving alcohol, the couple are organising their first Candlelight carols night on Friday, starting at 6 pm.

Ms Beaumont said: “Belt out your favourite classics under the stars and join us in sharing the warmth and buzz that this festive time of year creates.

“Enjoy a mulled wine and a mince pie next to the fire or stay for supper in the restaurant and make an evening of it.

“Thank you so much for the incredible support at our opening night.

“We were absolutely blown away by the turnout and are so grateful for all the cards, well wishes, and love you have shown us.

“We are delighted to say that we are finally open and the drinks are now flowing.

“Thank you to everybody who has already joined us, the support has been incredible and it has been a joy to see the pub full of friendly faces again.”

Ms Beaumont said the Candlelight and the Cotley would both be serving food throughout December with ‘everything from comforting dishes, proper roasts, and seasonal treats from the pub kitchens’.

The Candlelight would run a slightly smaller menu of pub classics and a handpicked selection of bar snacks, ‘offering a little taste of what is to come in January’.

Ms Beaumont said: “Each dish has been chosen to show off our style and make sure every plate that leaves the kitchen is full of care and flavour.

“From January 14, we will be rolling out our full menu, packed with hearty British pub classics, tasty daily specials, and fresh seafood.”

However, Ms Beaumont said the Candlelight would be closed on New Year’s Eve, although a ‘Night at the Movies’ party would be held in the Cotley from 6 pm with a Hollywood dress code encouraged.

She said: “Join us for dancing to music from The Untold Band, fireworks, sparklers, and the biggest party of the year.”