CELEBRATIONS Couple celebrate 25 years at pub

A COUPLE who have been serving generations of punters at a much-loved pub have celebrated 25 years behind the bar.

Paul and Pauline Williams run the Dynevor Arms country pub in the village of Groesfaen, near Pontyclun.

The couple, from Cardiff, last month celebrated their 25th anniversary of getting the keys to the pub.

The pub, on Llantrisant Road, is known for its wonderful atmosphere, the great beers and delicious food.

Paul, originally from Grangetown, and Pauline, originally from Adamsdown, have been in the pub business for around 37 years.

They used to run the popular Robin Hood in Pontcanna, Cardiff, and have looked after three pubs together.

Now leasing the Dynevor Arms, the couple celebrated 25 years behind the bar on February 24 with a party for family, friends, staff and regulars.

Pauline said: “It’s a long time. We’ve been in the pub game about 37 years and we’ve been in this pub for 25.

“It was a really, really good night. The staff were brilliant.”

There are 22 members of staff who work at the pub.

Asked about their highlights over the years, Pauline said: “There’s been lots and lots of best moments.

“Most of them are meeting such lovely people and people who support you. The customers you meet and the support you get off them.”

She said some members of staff had been at the pub for more than 15 years.

“It’s nice to celebrate being somewhere so long with lots of friends. It was a good party night.”

Parents to children Paul and Leanne – and grandparents to six – the landlord and landlady will this year celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary.

Pauline said pubs have to change in the current climate to be able to survive.

“We all have to change. We wouldn’t survive without food. We’re a very busy food pub.”

They said they hadn’t moved around very much in the business because they enjoyed it so much at the Dynevor.

“We just liked it so much and there’s still so much potential here,” Pauline said. “There’s a lot of things that could be done now.”

The couple wanted to say thank you to all who had supported them over the past 25 years.

“Because we’ve been here so long, we’ve had people come here courting, married and their children are grown up. You see different generations. You feel like you’re part of a little family – it’s nice.”

Paul and Pauline celebrated with a holiday in Tenerife the week after their party.