Son solves his lonely father’s drink problem with a pub-visit job share - Update

Scores applied for the position and after a series of interviews, two men were found to be up to the job of having a pint with Jack Hammond, a genial elderly gentleman in need of a regular drinking partner.

A retired doctor and a former military man have stepped into the breach and will now accompany Mr Hammond, 88, to the Compass Inn several nights a week, to discuss current affairs and military history.

A retired kitchen fitter, Trevor Pugh, 78, from Southampton, was the initial frontrunner because of his age and military background. In the end he secured the post in a job-share with Henry Rosenvinge, 58, a retired doctor. The two gentlemen will now accompany Mr Hammond to the pub several nights a week to discuss current affairs and military history.



Mr Hammond, a widower, was a radar technician during the Second World War. He professed himself delighted with the outcome. He said: “I think they are very enjoyable and I’m looking forward to continuing going down the pub with both of them.”

Mr Pugh will pocket the seven pounds an hour to boost his pension but is not claiming expenses.

His son, Mike Hammond, was convinced he had found the right gentlemen for the job. “Dad’s now going to be going down the pub several times a week - three with his new friends and twice with me. He was an extremely social person before moving into the care home and I want to give him some of his old life back. I hope things turn out well,” he said.

Photo from here.