THE news that Sebastian O’Donnell, landlord of the Bedwardine pub, is set to stay put as landlord, is good and welcome.

Even though the pub has been sold to Admiral Taverns, it is right that the current management should stay in place.

Our community pubs are vital and, as the old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

Sebastian and his team at the Bedwardine were worthy winners of this paper’s Pub of the Year competition in 2018, so of course they should be kept on and given the chance to continue the work they have started.

Community pubs are symbols of continuity. And even though the places around them often change, they stay the same, a place where residents can drop in and feel welcome at any time.

It would have been a harsh decision to not keep Sebastian and his team on, as this would have immediately left the new ownership shrouded in uncertainty.

Well done to Admiral Taverns for making the right call, and good luck to Sebastian and everyone at the Bedwardine.