Tributes after Shropshire pub landlord dies at 65
He was one of Shropshire's longest serving landlords, a friendly face for a chat over the bar.
Today tributes were paid to Roger Hotchkiss, who has died after a long illness.
He and his wife Margaret ran The Brewery Inn in Coalport since 1980 – and before that worked in pubs in Oswestry and Shifnal.
Today more than 350 Facebook messages of condolence had been left by locals who considered Roger a friend. The 65-year-old passed away peacefully on July 2.
Well known for his extensive local charity fundraising, he raised more than £7,000 for The Severn Hospice and another £7,000 for other charities including Cancer Research, Hope House Hospice, Midlands Air Ambulance and several local animal rescue groups.
Roger and his heavily pregnant wife Margaret moved into The Brewery Inn in Coalport on November 20, 1980.
Fiona, their eldest daughter, was born soon after in December 1980 and their second daughter Rachael came along in May 1982.
The couple were previously licensees at The Royal Oak in Dovaston, near Oswestry, and the The Hare and Hounds at Crackley Bank, Shifnal. In the mid 1980s they also took on The Shakespeare Inn at Coalport.
Sadly Margaret died after a battle with pancreatic cancer in 1993 and Roger went on to run The Eagles at Cressage, The Huntsman at Little Wenlock and The Six Bells at Madeley. However, The Brewery Inn always remained the family home.
Fiona, 34, said she will continue to run the business, as she has done for many years, and the pub will remain open for business as normal.
She said "The public reaction to my father's passing has surprised us – we had hundreds of messages on Facebook and so many cards and flowers, it was very touching.
"My Dad trained as an electrician but loved the pub life and that decided his career. He was so generous, would help anyone and was a very well-known member of the local community, working with the police, neighbourhood watch and always there if people needed him.
"We are having an open house at the Brewery Inn following the funeral as Dad wouldn't have wanted us to close – all past and present staff, customers and friends are welcome."
Roger's funeral will take place at midday on July 24 at Shrewsbury Crematorium.
