Thank you dad, I'm so proud to be a licensee

Akin to that famous breakfast spread you either love or hate, I would say the same applies to pubs! My dad loves pubs so much that I spent most of my childhood weekends sitting in the back of the car with the boot up drinking Coke and eating crisps with my siblings.

Any opportunity for a family bike ride generally ended up at a pub. Funny how the subconscious mind works. When asked at school, "Lucy, what do you want to be when you grow up?" the answer was always a vet, a nurse or an artist, never ever a licensee. But that's what happened, all those bike rides and quick stop-offs at the local must have had some influence because licensee I am and licensee I am proud to be.

When you take the time to sit back and think about what we do for a living it's then you realise we are all things to all people. We are accountants, book keepers, marketing experts, recruitment and training experts, agony aunts, restaurateurs, gardeners, cleaners, cooks, shoulders to cry on, organisers, computer experts and so much more.

Where else are you going to meet someone with such credentials? One things for sure, not in your local supermarket.

What is it that makes us work 80+ hours a week, for little or no pay, hump barrels around, deal with pesky customers and staff excuses, (sometimes worthy of Oscars), worry about politicians deciding our future and still get up every day, open the doors and say with our best smile: "Good morning all." Are we all mad? Most likely. Surely there are easier ways to make a living?

The fact is we have decided to look after this great British institution. We are hanging on to our heritage by our fingernails in spite of all that is thrown at us.

Our pubs are unique. Nowhere else in the world can you experience the welcome and atmosphere that comes from a pub. If we can ride the storm, evolve, develop and enjoy all our roles, then we stand a good chance of delivering a lifestyle to future generations who hopefully will appreciate all our hard work.

The alternative is to get a 9-5 job and go and sit in the supermarket aisles, crack open a can and soak up the atmosphere.

I take my hat off to you, (and my incredible husband) for all the hours and commitment. You should raise a glass to yourselves, you truly deserve it. Good luck.

Lucy Barron-Reid, licensee at the Bull at Benenden, Kent​