Our article on Alan Course stirred up plenty of interest in the popular cartoonist, policeman, publican, artist and entertainer.

Many readers have fond memories of the jovial character who brightened the local scene for more than 40 years.

We were reminded of his immense contribution to city and county life when we reproduced one of his cartoons which appeared in the newsletter of the Oxford City Police Association, representing former city officers (Memory Lane, September 6).

Read again: One of Oxford's smallest pubs has outdoor seating for 95

Educated at Bedford School, he began his working life as a commercial artist, but left to come to Oxford, shortly before his 21st birthday in 1934, to join the city police force, in which he served for 12 years.

He became a cartoonist for the Oxford Mail, combining his artistic work with running the Bear Inn in Alfred Street, Oxford.

Oxford Mail:

It was here that he started a collection of nearly 3,000 school, college, club and regimental ties, which became world famous.

Customers would be invited to have the tail end of their ties cut off and added to the collection.

In 1958, he moved to the White Hart at Wytham and three years later, to Woodstock where he took over the Star Inn, retiring to a canal-side cottage at Thrupp, near Kidlington, in 1967.

However, his thirst for life didn’t end and he then joined the night staff at Telephone House in Oxford.

Among his many other activities, he worked as a fire extinguisher salesman, tried twice unsuccessfully to become an Oxford city councillor and helped run the Oxfordshire Association of Boys’ Clubs.

He was a born entertainer and organised the Oxford team which took part in the popular Top Town television show.

He even appeared on screen himself, drawing cartoons on the backs of the young Vera Legge dancers.

He once admitted he had a “12-year itch” – he had to look constantly for new challenges.

He died in the Radcliffe Infirmary in 1975 the day after his 62nd birthday following major heart surgery.

The village church at Shipton-on-Cherwell was packed for his funeral, some friends and colleagues travelling miles to attend.

Read more: Pub landlord Alan Course was a talented cartoonist

A tribute in the Oxford Mail by an unnamed admirer read: “A man who could have made a fortune had he been so minded is how I shall remember Alan Course.

“He was a relative success at everything.

“The reason he didn’t make a million was simply he turned his hand too often, always seeking fresh fields to conquer.

“He was popular wherever he went and lived life to the full.”

The Bear Inn has one of the smallest bars in the whole city.

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Earlier this year, when pubs were still not allowed to open inside due to the pandemic, staff arranged tables outside to seat 95 people. Some customers in April braved the snow to enjoy a drink outside with friends. Staff said it would be impossible to accommodate 95 people inside because it was too small. Until pubs reopened inside in the summer drinkers were asked to use 18 tables outside.