Pub landlord has ashes buried at the bar

A dedicated landlord who lived from cradle to grave at the same pub has had his dying wish granted by regulars who had his ashes buried at the bar.

Jack Woodward was born in the Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne, near Towcester, Northants, and lived there until three weeks before his death aged 83. Now his remains lie beneath a flagstone with a plaque reading: "Stand here and have a drink on me. Jack 1924 – 2008."

Mr Woodward started on menial tasks at the popular 17th century Boat Inn aged 14 and worked there all his life. He stipulated in his will that he wanted the public bar to be his final resting place.



His eldest son Andrew, 52, who now runs The Boat Inn, was only to happy to oblige. He said: "He was born in the pub and spent almost his whole life here so it's not too surprising. He used to sit in the bar quite a bit but latterly he was in a wheelchair, so it was a bit difficult to get him in there.

"It was where he would have a drink with some of the regulars."

He said his father, who died in May this year, also chose the bar over the local churchyard, St Mary the Virgin, because it was much warmer.