A ‘CARIBBEAN EXTRAVAGANZA’ is coming to a village near Ilminster as a local pub continues to bring a taste of Barbados to Somerset.

Buddy and Kate Giles took over The Flying Fish – formerly the Square and Compass – near Ashill in January 2018 and got to work renovating the pub, wedding barn and accommodation.

The pair transformed the inside of the pub, changed the name, and brought a Caribbean twist to the menu.

This was all inspired by Buddy’s roots, after he moved to the UK from Barbados 22 years ago.

Kate said: “We’ve put our stamp on the place, most notably to the interior of the pub. It is lighter and more spacious with wooden floors and less clutter.

“The wedding barn and our eight letting rooms in the stable block have all been upgraded too.

“The most obvious improvement is the cutting down of the hedge to reveal the most amazing view across to The Blackdown Hills.

“Our neighbour and owner of the hedge, Christopher Atkins, agreed to this after it had grown to about 20ft over the years.”

As the Square and Compass had been the pub’s name for many years, there were mixed responses to the name change, but Buddy and Kate’s hearts were set.

Kate said: “Flying fish are native to the Caribbean and are a symbol of Barbados in particular. They have fins that resemble wings and jump out of the water and glide through the air gracefully - an amazing site. Buddy’s father was a fisherman, and the name change was partly a tribute to him and a link to the Caribbean which reflects our personalities, the relaxed vibe of the pub and some of the food we serve.”

Buddy and Kate will be celebrating this Caribbean heritage, as well as the improving British weather, by holding a Caribbean Extravaganza this weekend.

Kate added: “We will be serving a delicious, authentic array of Caribbean dishes. We will have a steel band playing, who hail from the Caribbean islands.

“We will also have Snakey, a talented limbo dancer, plate twirler and fire eater. The home-made rum punch will be flowing. Loud shirts are a must.”

Last few tickets available on 01823 480467.

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