Rhys Ifans joins fellow Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys in bid to resurrect community pub

Rhys Ifans has joined fellow Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys in a bid to resurrect a community pub.

The Notting Hill star has bought shares in the Vale of Aeron, in Ystrad Aeron, near Felinfach, Ceredigion, which was an old haunt of the poet Dylan Thomas.

The pub has been shut down was on sale for £325,000. Back in August a venture, The Vale of Aeron Campaign, was launched to reopen it as a community-owned public house and co-operative.

They set a target of raising £330,000 through shares by December 12, and it has raised over £152,000 so far. Each share costs £1, with the minimum shareholding set at £200 and the maximum shareholding set at £30,000.

Every shareholder automatically becomes a Member of the Society, which gives them a say in how the pub is run. Each member has one vote, no matter how many shares they buy.

In a video that was shared on the Menter Tafarn y Vale Facebook page, Rhys Ifans said: “I have just bought shares in the Vale pub in the the vale of Aeron.

“If you want to do the same thing, go to [www.tafarn.cymru], and do what you can, give what you can to save this wonderful pub. I might see you there!”

‘Follows in the footsteps’

The initiative follows in the footsteps of a community enterprise to buy the old Ty’n Llan pub in the village of Llandwrog, Gwynedd, which was also backed by Rhys Ifans. It was able to reach its fundraising target of £458,400.

In a post on Twitter, Matthew Rhys said: “I’ve just bought shares in a pub that Dylan Thomas used to frequent… Should you wish to do the same… @TafarnYVale”