Pub Pours Pint For Late Regular Who Promised He'd Be First Back

A pub in Bristol poured its first pint on Monday (12 April) for a regular who sadly died before it reopened.

Stan Gilvear used to drink at The Huntsman Taverners in Downend seven days a week, and when it was forced to call last orders due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, he vowed to be the first back when it opened its doors.

Tragically, the 75-year-old retired factory worker passed away from an undiagnosed heart disease in January.

Tracey Sherratt

But while Stan never got the chance to return to his favourite boozer, the pub made sure the first pint when it reopened was for him.

In a post on the pub's Facebook page, landlady Helen Bull said: "Our first pint out of the pumps today is for one of our lovely regulars Stan... when we closed on 3 November he told us he was going to be the first one back in when we re-opened.

"Sadly Stan passed away whilst we have been shut therefore can't fulfil his promise.

"So Stan although you can't be here to have it... the first ones for you. We miss you lots."

The touching tribute has moved drinkers across the country, racking up 17,000 reactions.

Commenting on the post, one person said: "This actually brought a tear to my eye. A lovely gesture and I'm sure he is enjoying his pint at the gateway to heaven looking down. RIP Stan!"

Another said: "Proper respect right there from a great landlord! Don't know any of them but rip Stan!"

A third added: "What a lovely gesture to a man who clearly loved his local. Hope you've all had a great day back in his memory."

Another commented: "Tears in my eyes and I don't even know the man. What a lovely gesture to do for your customer, may he rest in peace."

Tracey Sherratt

Stan's partner of 32 years, Tracey Sherratt, said he would have been 'overwhelmed' by the response to the post.

Speaking to LADbible, she said: "It's a lovely thing to do... I would like to thank the landlady of The Huntsman, and a massive thank you to everyone that has liked or shared."

RIP Stan.

Topics: Awesome, Daily Ladness, Pubs, Community, Pub

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey