In these tough times for pubs, and so many of them in Oxfordshire being transformed into homes and Tesco Express stores, villagers in Great Milton will surely be the toast of beer drinkers this week.

Their village has seen three pubs go in recent years, and their brave decision to buy the last village local was both brave and far sighted.

Of course, Great Milton has advantages that not many other Oxfordshire settlements could match — with impressive local expertise, financial resources and the celebrated chef Raymond Blanc, just down the road, happy to add his support and congratulations.

But if the story of The Bull does not lead to a rush of local pub takeovers, Great Milton villagers have at least reminded us all of the importance of the pub and, as Stephen Harrod reminds us, what communities can achieve pulling together to keep pints flowing.