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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Paul Byrne

Pub landlady, 74, one of UK's longest-serving publicans still pulling pints after 60 years

Pub landlady Jean Williams is still pulling pints after 60 years behind the bar.

Jean, 74, is now one of the longest-serving publicans in the UK.

And she has no plans to call "time" and retire.

For the past 48 years, she has been running The Griffin Inn in Gresford, near Wrexham, North Wales.

But she started learning her trade when she was just 14.

Jean, who has lived in pubs since the age of eight used to help her late father, Pryce Griffiths, when he was the licensee of the White Lion pub in nearby Hope.

And when the members of the local constabulary popped in, the young schoolgirl she would have to make herself scarce.

“That was when I started helping behind the bar, though I really shouldn’t have done at that age,” she said.

Landlady Jean Williams has been pulling pints for 60 years (© Andrew Price / View Finder Pictures)

In 1973m she got her name above the door at The Griffin and the village pub has barely changed in all that time.

She has never served food and has shunned modern attractions such as a jukebox, a pool table and satellite TV.

“I don’t have any gimmicks” she laughed.

There is a pub piano and Jean, who used to play the organ at the village church, can still knock out a tune when asked.

She said: “I need to get the piano tuned to be honest, although I’ve been saying that for the last 20 years!”

Jean Williams with her father Pryce Griffiths (© Andrew Price / View Finder Pictures)

One thing that has changed over the decades is the price of beer.

“When I started here it was only 14 pence a pint,” she said.

The mum-of-one added: “It is very hard work. People don’t realise how hard it is.

“It’s a tough life but I have enjoyed it and I like what I do. It is a way of life for me.

An old picture of the Griffin Inn (© Andrew Price / View Finder Pictures)

“The customers are fabulous. They keep me going, they are a great crowd.

“I suppose I will have to retire some time but not just yet.”

Pub regular Andrew Price said: “Jean is a real character and it’s great to come into a pub where you can sit down, have a chat with friends over a pint without loud music, though from time to time Jean is asked to accompany a singalong on the piano."

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