A working group has been set up in Erwarton to buy the Queen's Head pub for the community.

Half a dozen volunteers, led by Erwarton Parish meeting chairman William Wrinch, stepped forward last night at a meeting in St Mary's Church, to form the new group.

The group will explore the best way forward in terms of raising sufficient cash to put in an offer, with share options one of the ideas put forward.

Concerns were raised at the £350,000 valuation placed on the 400-year-old pub building by the current owners Marek and Claire Niewiarowski, which is being marketed by pub sales specialists Everard Cole and questions were asked about the condition of the building inside and out

Nineteen people attended the meeting and doubts were expressed at the actual willingness of the owners to sell the Queen's Head or whether the marketing was another step in the process of being granted permission to convert the downstairs into living accommodation, to that already allowed upstairs.

Mr and Mrs Niewiarowski have been denied permission for the change of use, and lost their appeal against that decision by Babergh District Council. The pub, which has been closed for 11 years, was put on the market in March, 2021. (full story here).

Meanwhile, the parish meeting has agreed that Mr Wrinch will further explore the possibility of Erwarton becoming a full parish council as the village grows in population.

A plea was also issued by Gloria Coleman for volunteers to come forward and serve of the Parochial Church Council in order to keep St Mary's open.