A Nottingham pub landlady in her late 80s, who said she wasn't old enough to retire, has died. Judith Birkett, who worked in the pub trade for 41 years, was 88. She was believed to be the city's oldest landlady.
Even though she stood less than 5ft tall, the no-nonsense pensioner wasn't afraid to keep customers in check if they stepped out of line at The New Castle in Sneinton . She had bought and renovated the semi-derelict pub nearly a decade ago, aged 79. Judith died on Monday, May 20 in the City Hospital after being taken in on the Friday before.
She had remained behind the bar almost right to the end doing what she loved the most. Her daughter Victoria Birkett, who lives in Colwick said: "She never stopped working in the pub essentially. Get the latest What's On news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp "She loved it.
It was her life. She loved all the different characters, just being amongst the community. She was firm, no swearing, no canoodling, although that didn't count her as she was the most kissed landlady in town.
" Victoria used to work at the pub on Sundays, cooking roast dinners, until they tapered off. She also worked full-time with her mum at her previous pub, The Castle, now called the Nottingham Legend. Victoria said: "She had got a new Monday club started, who were a gang drinking the real ales, there were people doing band practices, all sorts of things going on.
She has had a very exciting life, very varied and adventurous. She never stood st.