WELLWISHERS turned out in force to say farewell to their pub landlord and landlady.

This was the scene outside the Radcliffe Arms in Jericho, Oxford, in 1988 when Bob and Mary Moore decided to move on. It was a fitting finale to an exciting period in the history of the 100-year-old ‘Raddy’.

The pub had served not only a good pint during the Moores’ tenure, but had provided some of the best live music in the city.

Sadly, as we reported (Oxford Mail, July 22), it may join the growing ranks of pub closures.

No-one is more upset at the news than Bob, now living with his second wife, Mary, in Dartmouth, Devon.

He writes: “As landlord through most of the 1980s, it bring pangs of sadness for lots of good times there. My late wife, Ann, and I tried to make the pub a traditional house and a centre for all-comers in what was a rapidly changing area.

“We inherited a long-standing music theme dating back to the piano sing-songs of the late 1940s and we welcomed musicians of all styles from all over the world, as well as encouraging and giving a platform for our excellent home grown talent. Your article pulled at the heart strings of the town we both know and love – a town with many happy personal and family memories.

“Good luck to the ‘Raddy’ and all who continue to drink there! Cheers, I thank you!“ As the Mail reported, the pub closed after a Thai food venture failed to find favour with locals and its future is now uncertain.