Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Couple call time on 30-year stint at helm of village pub
After three decades of pulling pints at a village pub, the landlord and landlady have retired with a surprise send-off from customers.
Jerry and Karen Copestake have been the genial hosts of the Griffin’s Head in Chillenden since 1986 and maintained its traditional English inn atmosphere.
But their many customers and family were not about to let them go quietly and arranged a big party on Sunday.
About 500 people attended, including many former staff and the couple’s son Nick, who flew over from Canada for the special occasion.
The pub was decorated with photos of Jerry and Karen over the past 30 years and the couple were presented with a cheque, decanter and other gifts.
Jerry, 70, said: “It was such a shock when I turned up at the pub and saw so many friends and family had gathered to celebrate with us. We had a brilliant time.
“We have stayed all this time at the Griffin’s Head because we just fell in love with it. It is such a super old building in a beautiful location.
“The fun of being a licensee is meeting people, and we have made so many amazing friends here and we thank all our loyal customers for their support.”
Jerry first started his pub career in 1973 before joining Shepherd Neame in the early 1980s at the Woolpack in Chilham. He took over the Griffin’s Head with Karen in 1986.
Karen, 66, said: “It’s been more a way of life than a job, although I’m ready to retire now.
“I think Jerry will always be a landlord at heart because he loves being front of house, where as I spent more time behind the scenes and in the kitchen.”
The couple will continue to live in the village and look forward to popping into what will now be their local, run by new landlady Helen Paraskevas.