Pub landlord dies

Mr Edward Atkinson, who lived in St Giles Street, spent 15 years at the helm of three different pubs from 1978 and loved his role as landlord. He ran the Brown Cow, Clitheroe, The Duke of York in Grindleton and Sabden’s Pendle Witch. He loved getting to know customers and regaling them with stories from his days working at Padiham Pit and the army.

Originally from Sabden, Mr Atkinson, known to family and friends as Eddie, spent his life living all over the area but mainly in Burnley, the Ribble Valley and, in his later years, Padiham.

His daughter, Mrs Tracy Walmsley, said her father was very well known. She said: “He was never happier than when he was behind the bar chatting to people. He was a very sociable person, he loved being around people and entertaining them. He always liked to be his own boss too and before he retired he set up his own building company with a partner and also ran a mobile mini market where he would go round selling fruit and vegetables to customers.”

A member of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, Mr Atkinson kept and showed German Shepherd dogs during his younger years and was a regular entrant at Crufts Dog Show. He enjoyed training the dogs and gave some of the animals he had trained to the police.

Mr Atkinson had suffered from emphysema in recent years and died in the Royal Blackburn Hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Mrs Walmsley added: “Before dad became really ill he was often out and about in Padiham and usually popped into the Starkie Arms and King’s Arms for a pint and everyone knew him there.”

Mr Atkinson was the cousin of another well-known landlord in Padiham, Mr Joe Atkinson, who ran the Bridge pub for several years.

Twice married, Mr Atkinson leaves six children and several grandchildren. His funeral takes place on Wednesday, July 6th, at Burnley Crematorium at noon. It is family flowers only but donations are being accepted in Mr Atkinson’s memory for the Help the Heroes Fund c/o Fred Hamer Funeral Services at 18, Rosegrove Lane, Rosegrove, Burnley.