An Unusual Pub Record (picture)

January 1965

South Yorkshire Times          January 9th 1965

AN UNUSUAL ‘PUB’ RECORD

barmaid

Mrs B Richardson (left) wife of the licensee of theReresby Arms, Denaby

with Mrs lily Winfield, Mrs Ethel Ward and Mrs Emily Pass

Mrs. Ethel Ward, Mrs. Emily Pass and Mrs. Lillie Winfield are a trio who have been filling pint pots at the Reresby Arms, Denaby, for a combined total of just under 80 years.

Mrs. Winfield, of 16, Adwick Street, Denaby, and Mrs. Ward, of 64, Braithwell Street, have each “clocked up” around 30 years’ service behind the hotel’s bar, and Mrs. Pass, of 48, Ravensfield Street, has 19 years’ service.

“We are all very happy working together,” Mrs. Ward told the “South Yorkshire Times”. “I shouldn’t want to work anywhere else now.”

Not long ago the total stood at over 90 years, Mrs. Nancy Bromfield, now of Acacia Grove, Conisbrough, leaving the hotel after 12 years’ service.

Of course, things have changed behind the bar over the years. The introduction of electric beer pumps to replace the traditional type is perhaps the most significant of the changes.

“Somehow I think it was more interesting pulling a pint in the old way,” said Mrs. Pass.” And although it used to make your arm and shoulder muscles ache, it never did me any harm. Things are easier all around these days.”

Curiously enough, although Mrs. Winfield, wife of Denaby miner Mr. Richard Winfield, spends her working life serving beer, she herself doesn’t drink. Like her colleagues, she likes the friendly atmosphere of the Reresby Arms. “You get to know just about all the customers as the years go by,” she added.

Licensee Mr. Bernard Richardson said, “We don’t get many of the young people in here, and the customers we have like to see a friendly and familiar face behind the bar. I don’t know of any other pubs around here with a record like ours.” (Photo on back Page).barmaid