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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Will Maule

Widow, 81, brings pillow with late husband's face on it to pub every New Year's Eve

Surrounded by the sound of clinking glasses, chatter and cheers, Molly Webb clutches her favourite pillow, which is emblazoned with a picture of her late husband.

Welcoming in another new year for Molly wouldn't be the same without it.

She lost the love of her life, Brian, seven years ago, but always vows to take him with her before the anticipated New Year's countdown.

And this year, it was no different.

On New Year's Eve 2022, the 81-year-old was enjoying the celebrations at Stockport's famous Chestergate Pub, and sat on the seat beside her, as ever, was her special pillow.

Molly had Brian by her side to usher in 2023 (MEN Media)

Before he died, Molly and Brian would make an effort to go out and celebrate New Year's Eve, always making sure to quickly nip outside for a moment together, wishing one another a happy new year before heading back in to join the countdown.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, she said: "The last few years haven't been great so it's nice to be out tonight again, everyone is lovely to me here.

"A couple from Australia came and said hello to me earlier.

Molly Webb always brings in the new year with her late husband and her pals at the Chestergate (Manchester Evening News)

"I bring my husband (Brian) out with me every year at it was always a special night for us.

"We'd always leave wherever we were at about 11.50pm and say happy new year to each other before going back in. I always have him by my side."

Molly is a familiar face at the Chestergate and loves venturing out to the south Manchester pub.

She says everyone is "so nice" to her when she visits.

Molly is a hugely popular character at the Stockport boozer (MEN Media)

The pub hit the headlines in 2022 after a video surfaced of punters enjoying a night of drinking and karaoke.

Pub manager Steph Armstrong, 34, was stunned by the reaction to the video after being told it had been seen by over one million people and liked and shared by thousands, with many hailing The Chestergate the "best pub on earth" thanks to its feelgood vibes.

She said at the time: "We try and do live feeds and a bit of insight into what goes in the pub, and show everyone enjoying themselves. But we couldn't believe it when we saw this one had reached over a million people.

"There's quite a lot of regulars here, they're just a really lovely bunch. It's like a little community pub, they're all friends and there's a lovely atmosphere where everyone sings and dances and feels safe and happy."

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