'Raise a glass to the best pub landlady you never knew'

25 June 2023 , 18:00

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For 13 years, Jayne was the quiet, popular landlady of the New Inn, Cononley (Image: timothytaylor.co.uk)

They gathered in St Joseph’s church Ingrow, Keighley, to say goodbye to Jayne Savoury.

You probably didn’t know her, so let me do the introductions. For 13 years, Jayne was the quiet, popular landlady of the New Inn, Cononley, our next door village.

Mourners came from her immediate family and friends, and her much bigger family of local people who appreciated the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of her pub. It was community in action, something you hear about but rarely see these days: genuine sorrow, expressed openly.

Dozens attended the wake in the pub, beer with donations to a dementia charity.

After her sudden death, aged 62, a display of cards and floral tributes grew daily outside the New Inn. I counted 16 vases of flowers, one poignantly with the message: “All my love, Dad.” It speaks volumes for the affection in which she was held that 115 people volunteered to take care of Jayne’s rottweiler, Ruby.

Widow brings pillow with late husband's face on it to pub every New Year's Eve

I didn’t know her all that well, but she always made me feel at home on Saturday afternoon when I went there for a pint of Boltmaker’s after a spell on the allotment.

What more can you ask for from a landlady? This isn’t EastEnders’ country. We like peace and quiet, not shouting and a sub-culture of violence. Once a week, the Post Office operates a service in the bar and on other days Jayne would pass on letters herself to regulars, once including my allotment subs.

She was like that. Nothing was too much trouble. “Understated” was how one mourner described Jayne’s way. You don’t get a lot of that, these insane digital days.

That’s why she was so well-liked, and why she will be remembered with affection. RIP, Jayne.

Paul Routledge