All hands say farewell to pub

Wednesday 1st July 2009, 9:02AM BST.

Saying farewell: Lesly Russell, landlady of the Dolphin in Woodside, with customers and their families

Saying farewell: Lesley Russell, landlady of the Dolphin in Woodside, with customers and their families

Residents from a Telford housing estate staged a “hands around the Dolphin” stunt to mark the closure of their much-loved pub which has played a leading community role for nearly 40 years

The Dolphin, in Woodside, will be demolished to make way for shops and homes as part of the multi-million regeneration of the area. And time was called for the last time yesterday as licensees Philip and Lesley Russell pulled the final pint.

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The pub opened on December 1, 1970. Many thousands of people have enjoyed a social drink there, a game of cards, dominoes or pool, or showed off their singing talents in karaoke sessions.

Mrs Russell said: “Philip and myself have been here for a number of years now. Our customers have always made us, and visitors, feel very welcome.

“There are too many characters to mention. They made the pub what it is, and they are a great bunch.”

The couple will be continuing in the licensed trade by moving a few hundred yards down the road to the Elizabethan, where they both have played mine host previously, along with winning many Pub Quality Awards.

View more: Telford news, Woodside news.