Tributes paid to old-style Haworth pub landlord (From Keighley News)

Tributes paid to old-style Haworth pub landlord

4:03pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in Keighley By Miran Rahman

A Haworth pub landlord who regarded his job as “a way of life” has died aged 76.

Terry Barnes passed away in Airedale Hospital on March 1. He had been landlord of the King’s Arms from 1976 to 1991, working with his wife Elsie, who died in 1996.

Enid Thornton, who was later Mr Barnes’s partner, said: “He was a gentleman – a lot of people really respected him.”

His son, Peter, said: “He was a very intelligent person – he could talk for hours about anything. He had a keen interest in railways and rugby league.

“He liked to stay active. Even when he had breathing problems in later life, he’d still go out walking.”

Mr Barnes was born in Queensbury and initially worked as a motor mechanic. He met Elsie in 1960 and they were married in Halifax in 1962. They had one child, Peter.

The couple took on the Fleece pub at Greetland in 1964 before moving to Haworth in 1976 to manage the King’s Arms.

Even after he retired from the licensed trade, Mr Barnes, left, continued working, delivering copies of The Target free newspaper. He also worked part-time for Superdrug, collecting prescriptions and delivering medicines.

Enid, who was Mr Barnes’ partner for 16 years, added: “We enjoyed travelling a lot to Ireland and Scotland. He couldn’t do with sitting still.

“When he was a landlord he saw it as a way of life. He was very well known in Haworth and Halifax.

“He was an old-style landlord – he wouldn’t have any messing about in his pub.”

The funeral service takes place at noon today at Haworth Parish Church and will be followed by cremation at Oakworth Crematorium.