Family and friends pay tribute to long-serving Derby landlord

A GREAT-GRANDFATHER who was one of Derby's longest-serving landlords has died after a long illness.

Ray Watson stood behind the bar at the Furnace Inn, in Duke Street, for 27 years – which family and friends said must have been the longest anyone had been at the same pub.

Before that he enjoyed a varied life. In his youth he was spotted by football scouts to play at Luton Town Football Club.

Later he spent 20 years down the mines before helping construct the runways at East Midlands Airport.

He died, aged 80, at the Royal Derby Hospital after battling various illnesses for more than 10 years.

He celebrated his diamond wedding anniversary this year.

His widow, Alma, 79, of Oxenhope Close, Littleover, who ran the Furnace Inn with her husband, said Mr Watson made the pub the social capital of Derby.

She said: "Everybody liked him and people said, when they came to the pub, they had the best time of their lives.

"People would come from far and wide to the pub and he'd get them all standing and singing around the piano. He could put his hand to anything."

Born in Buchanan Street, Derby, in 1929, Mr Watson, known as Watto, played football at Matlock Town before being spotted by scouts from Luton Town. But his future at that club was short-lived when his mother died of cancer, leaving him and Mrs Watson to help raise some of his siblings. Deferring his service with the Royal Air Force to be at home with his family, Mr Watson embarked on his career as a Bevin Boy down the pits.

He worked at both the mines at Mapperley and Denby Hall Colliery from the age of 18, before moving on to work at East Midlands Airport.

Around the age of 38, Mr and Mrs Watson brought the Furnace Inn from a friend. The couple retired to Littleover when Mr Watson turned 65.

The landlord also enjoyed fishing, travelling to Scotland once a year to take part in the sport, as well as being a former choir boy and keen musician.

After retiring, Mr Watson became a steward at Derbyshire Cricket Club, once appearing in a television stunt with presenter Liza Tarbuck.

Mr Watson, who died on November 21, leaves two children, along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr Watson's daughter, Tina McEvoy, 50, of Deborah Drive, Chaddesden, said: "He was such a lovely chappie. He would welcome anyone and help anyone.

"His spirit was amazing, as was his dedication to the pub – I grew up there with a lot of happy memories. The response from family and friends to my father's death has been so incredibly supportive and I'm proud of him, because he touched so many lives."

Friend June Lomas, who worked at the Furnace Inn with Mr and Mrs Watson for 20 years, said: "He was one of the long-serving landlords at the same pub and working with him was so much fun.

"There won't be another landlord like him."

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