Local Faces: Gower Family Wendover went into mourning for Pat Gower’s funeral on 3 June 2020, 57 years landlady of The Packhorse, see https://bit. ly/2VzlZ7C. Her family have benefitted greatly from the wisdom and business acumen shown by Pat and her husband Bert, see also https://bit.ly/3fuBLYn. Pat and Bert had been landlords of the Packhorse since 1963 when they became tenants of Aylesbury Brewery Company. They had the opportunity to buy The Packhorse through Moorlands Brewery in 1991. Bert jumped at the opportunity of securing Pat’s future after he had gone, as his health was deteriorating. After Bert’s death in 1992, her daughter, Pauline and son-in-law Jim joined Pat on the licence. Pat was still the beloved matriarch of the family, locally famous as the welcoming landlady of The Packhorse where she continued to pull pints until she was 80. In 1996, Pat and Jim decided to invest in a second pub, The White Swan, in Wendover High Street. The solid family partnership of Pat behind the bar, Jim doing the heavy lifting
and cellar work, and and survive. Pauline and family Pauline controlling were devastated when Pat died the books very tightly of pneumonia on 18 May 2020 meant that The but proud that this was the day Packhorse was able to after the 57th anniversary of her maintain a traditional name being on the licence! pub atmosphere, including games When re-opening finally became and participating in possible this year, the entire a local darts league family came together to make which extended Members of the Gower Family plus sure The Packhorse would look its into Aylesbury with the now long-lost best to welcome back friends and customers. Ex-Servicemen’s Club and the recently saved Rothschild Arms in Aston Clinton. With Paul Mother and daughter, Pauline and Stacey (not a family member) looking after The set about re-upholstering the chairs. Son Swan, Wendover still had a place to play Joshua, an electrician, replaced the lighting cribbage and dominoes, too. No food other and the floor was renewed. Grandson Kieron than snacks has ever been needed to attract stripped and repainted the outdoor tables. Pauline’s daughter Emma painted the new punters to these venues. sign and tiles for the fireplace. Emma added Come the Coronavirus epidemic, the entire her own sentimental touch in remembrance hospitality industry was challenged. Tenants of Pat and Bert as robins in the Packhorse of the big breweries could not pay their sign. After learning the opening date, loyal rents but as owners, the Gower family did customers were queuing outside and Pauline not have that expenditure, could rationalise and Jim welcomed them in with open arms.
Our bespoke Garden Rooms are tailored to suit and improve your home & garden Completely customisable Fully insulated Professional build
Indian Cuisine
01296 620377
from design...
to completion
batcavegardenrooms@gmail.com batcavegardenrooms
For reservations and takeaways call 01296 620500 / 620050
info@thespicegarden.net www.thespicegarden.net ONELINK FOR WEBSITE + APPS: http://onelink.to/74js8e
Banquet every Sunday & Wednesday Only £14.95 per person BanquetBB
Choose: 1 Poppadom, 1 Starter, 1 Main Dish, 1 Side Dish, 1 Rice or Naan followed by Coffee (Dining in only) New windows and Doors! Repairs & Installations
10% DISCOUNT on collected orders over £15.00 FREE Home Delivery on orders over £20.00 (within 3 mile radius)
57 Tring Road Wendover HP22 6NU Call us on 01296 630650 for more details! …...or log onto www.smashingwindows.com
www.wendovernews.co.uk
01296 624270
FREE PRIVATE PARKING AT REAR OF BUILDING
editor@wendovernews.co.uk
Wendover News September 2021
31
