THEY say diamonds are forever, but it’s a Ruby who has been at the heart and soul of Llanidloes for more than half a century.

But now aged 80, pub landlady Ruby Holmes is calling it a day, a mere 53 years after pulling her first pint at the Crown and Anchor, Llanidloes.

The sixties were swinging and the price of a pint was two shillings (around 10p) when Ruby became Mrs Holmes – and joint landlord at the pub – after marrying Cecil, the existing landlord of the cosy establishment on Long Bridge Street, back in 1965. It was an adventure for the then 27-year-old Llanidloes born farm girl.

“I suppose I got into the industry by marrying a landlord!

I met my husband all that time ago, we got married and when I moved in here, I had no idea I’d still be here 53 years later,” she said.

“I was the youngest licensee around when I got in, and now going out I’m the oldest around.

“A lot of people have said to me about it being the end of an era but I don’t know about that, people come and go all the time don’t they but people have been absolutely lovely.

“My phone hasn’t stopped ringing.”

As a fixture in the town for more than five decades, Mrs Holmes, who is also a vice president with the Llanidloes branch of St John’s Ambulance and a keen supporter of the local hospital, has seen her fair share of changes as the town’s industries, including the pub industry, have evolved and changed.

“I’ve seen it all over the years, in terms of comings and going in the town. Pubs have opened and closed and people have come and gone but the best thing is the customers of course. People come in here and they ask me ‘do you know who I am?’ and the truth is I do because I’ve probably served their parents in here when they were courting!”

The pub will be given a fresh lease of life when new tenants take over on Friday, January 26, but a retirement party attended by friends, family and well-wishers served up one last hurrah for the current owners, and Ruby says she’s been overwhelmed by all the good wishes she’s received.

“The place was packed, it was just like it was in its heyday.

“I’d like to wish John and Jane who take over on Friday all the best, and I’d just like to thank everyone for their support and good wishes. I’m really grateful to Chrissy and Jane who’ve been tremendous in keeping the pub open for the last year while I’ve not been so well, and I’d like to thank all my staff because I’ve had some very good staff over the years and I couldn’t have done it without them,” she added.

“And finally to all of my loyal customers from past and present and of course my wonderful friends and family.

“I’m so grateful to all of you.”