Tributes paid to loved Ludlow landlord

Tony Banks, a well loved pub landlord and member of the Licensed Victuallers Association has died aged 75.

Today tributes were paid to a man who cared passionately about the importance of creating a warm welcome.

Tony was born in Tottenham and moved to Ludlow when he was only 18 months old.

He married Yvonne in 1963 and they had two sons, Jason and Steven and two grand-daughters, Zoe and Lucy.

In the late 1960s Mr Banks became manager of the Kiln Park caravan site in Tenby, in 1977 took over the Royal Oak pub in Kington and in 1979 he took over as landlord of The Portcullis in Ludlow.

In 1986 he became the licensee at The Blue Boar, in Mill Street Ludlow, the pub he is best known for running and which he did until he retired in 2001.

In his retirement year, he was awarded an Honorary Life Membership of the Licensed Victuallers Association, given to him for over 22 years of service to the LVA.

Jason Banks, 40, said: "My father was well known for running a tight ship and was not afraid to inform you if you stepped over the mark.

"It was dad's way or the highway and because of this he was highly respected by both customers and other landlords and landladies - he had a huge friend base.

"One story he loved to tell was about when he went to the bank in Tenby to pay in the week's takings. He called in for a quick pint and bumped into Acker Bilk.

"He had a gig on at the town hall that evening, they started playing darts and obviously drinking, time went on and eventually Acker's band came to get him, finding him rather the worse for wear.

"They had played half of the set without him but the crowd were getting restless – he and my dad had been drinking and playing darts for more than seven hours."

During his years at The Blue Boar many celebrities stayed with him, including Christine Keeler, Sylvester McCoy, Brian Blessed and Toyah Wilcox.

They were all playing parts in the Ludlow festival and as Mr Banks ran the festival pub that is where they chose to stay.

Following his retirement, Mr Banks and his wife travelled extensively, visiting over 18 countries as they both loved other cultures and mixing with the locals.

Jason said that in his leisure time, his father enjoyed fly fishing and went as often as his busy working life allowed.

He said: "Dad also liked cars and would change his often, much to mum's dismay, but she never complained.

"His other great love was for his dogs and he had German Shepherds for much of his life as a publican.

"He was known for having the dog with him wherever he went and he had a personalised number plate K9 XAB - the dog and Anthony Banks."

Tony died on July 8. His funeral was on July 17.