Is this the oldest publican in Britain?
Staying sprightly runs in the family for licensee Frank Collins, as his mother Mabel made it into the Guinness Book of World Records – in her late eighties – for being England’s oldest and longest-serving landlady.
Collins, who celebrates his 90th birthday on 14 June, took over running the Dog and Partridge Inn in Huddersfield just before his mother passed away in 2001 at the age of 95.
Commitment
He added that he has “absolutely no intention” of giving up pulling pints any time soon and boasted that being a publican keeps him healthy and on his toes.
“My mother was 51-years-old when she took the reigns at the Dog and Partridge,” Collins recalled.
“She came over from Holland, where she worked in dozens of pubs, and when she came over to England it was her life dream to run one of her very own.”
The pensioner affirmed that running the pub at 90 would be a massive feat, especially considering the fact that he has survived three major cancer scares.
Hard work
And he’s determined to keep managing the popular watering hole for as long as he can, saying: “I will continue to work here while I am in good health – I don’t want to retire just yet."
"I love the people that come through our doors and I enjoy playing the piano to keep them entertained," he continued.
“As long as I am fit, I shall keep going – it keeps my mind busy and, in my opinion, if the mind is healthy, the body will follow on."
Incredibly, Collins, who spent two years in the navy from 1947 until 1949, also owns and runs a second business called Frank Collins Textiles.
Lasting traditions
The experienced pint-puller even works five nights a week at the village pub as he refuses to let his old age hold him back.
For his 90th birthday next Sunday, Collins says he wants to celebrate at the pub with family and dozens of local customers.
The party, being held the following day on 15 June, is expected to see around 200 guests in attendance.
“As they often say, the show must go on,” the pensioner concluded.
