Behind The Scenes: Farewell to Horseshoes favourite.

Byline: Tony Elves

ALL good things have to come to an end and

December 1 at the Three Horseshoes pub at the bottom of the Moulton Road witnessed the retirement of popular landlady Maureen Larcombe.

Describing herself as "21 and a bit and a bit", Larcombe has played Mary Poppins to many of the town's lads and lasses when times have been rough during her five and a half years at the helm, and the hostelry was full to the brim as the karaoke singer blasted out Tina Turner's classic Simply The Best in her honour.

In floods of tears as she showed her appreciation, Larcombe declared: "There have been some lovely times and also some sad times, but they are like my own family and I love them all."

The landlady was presented with a gold bracelet, not unsurprisingly made up of horseshoes, along with other presents. She will be taking a well-earned rest while she decides on future plans.

She says: "It's time for a change and I am looking forward to having a lie-in in the mornings. I shall still go in the pub and continue to play darts for the ladies' team, but I intend to take life a little easier."

Among those enjoying the revelry included Don Cantillon, Michael Tebbutt, Patrick Gilligan, Nick Chapman, John Scott, John Lockwood, Andrew `Smiler' Harris, Philip `Docks' Docking, Jock McMurdo, Dave McCoy, Adam and Lee Parfait, Sheila Spivey, Julie Claydon, Paul Brown. Darren Osbourne, Chris Geran, Kerry Cournane and Wendy Smyth.

The racing tradition within The Shoes will remain as the licence has been taken over by Simon Kerr and Wayne Tapp.

Kerr will also continue his duties working as a lad for Jeremy Noseda and Tapp, formerly with Mark Tompkins, will be running the pub on a daily basis.

CAPTION(S):

Landlady Maureen Larcombe at her farewell with some of the lads and lasses she describes as being "like my own family"