Kentish Express Ashford & District
Retiring couple leave their pub in safe hands
A couple who retired from a pub after almost 30 years can be sure the place is in safe hands as their daughter and son-in-law have taken it on.
Clive and Lynda Guest’s 28-year run in charge of The Locomotive in Beaver Road came to an emotional end on Saturday evening with a farewell party for regulars, family and friends.
Regular Jim Keleher gave a speech that included amusing anecdotes and words that reduced several people to tears.
Paula, 46, and Matt, 50, Barham officially took over on Sunday and have been busy moving into their new home above the pub, which is just metres from their old house in Christchurch Road.
Matt said: “We’re both looking forward to it.
“We know we have a tough task ahead in the current pub climate, and if we can achieve half of what Clive and Lynda have in their 28 years we will be grateful.
“We’ve obviously been involved with the pub for a while and Paula has worked behind the bar for as long as her parents have had it. We use it regularly ourselves and I’d say 90% of the regulars are within our close circle of friends.”
Within a year The Locomotive will be refurbished inside and out and a play area created.
The couple plan to introduce live music on a Satur- day night and hold a variety of events, some for charity, alongside the sports events that already take place there.
Karyn Welsby, a pub regular and a family friend since she moved to Ashford 17 years ago, said: “Clive and Lynda are the longest standing landlord and landlady in Ashford. They are legends to the customers and are like second parents to so many people.
“They created such a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Anyone, male or female, could walk in there on their own and there’d be someone to talk to. It was just how a pub should be.
“It was a fantastic and emo- tional evening. It was pretty clear that everyone who drinks in there regularly thinks the world of them.”
Matt said his in-laws will spend their retirement travelling around England and holidaying in Tenerife.
He added: “They will be sadly missed by many but everyone wishes them well.”