It was with great sadness that the Trafford & Hulme branch learnt of the untimely passing of John Glover from the Old Market Tavern in Altrincham. He passed quietly in his sleep on 21st June. John had always loved this pub in its various guises going from The Unicorn to the Hogs Head and latterly to the Old Market Tavern.
John was abroad with his wife Linda, when he heard that the OMT was up for sale in 2005 and he wasted no time in finding out how he could acquire the pub. He and Linda moved in in April 2006 where he soon established a bar full of 11 hand pumps and an ever changing list of local bands playing you out every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. He won the Trafford & Hulme Pub of the Year in 2008 and has remained in their top 5 ever since, narrowly missing getting this coveted award again.
He is pictured here being presented the Pub of the Season, Summer 2014.
John was from an engineering background so if he couldn’t get what he wanted he would just design and make it for himself. I had the privilege of him proudly showing me his self made stillaging system in the cellars of the OMT. Very impressive. He not only designed his own equipment, but he also helped George Wright’s brewery design a few of their beers, the most famous one, and one of my own favourites, is George Wright’s, Northern Lights.
I attended his funeral service at Dunham Crematorium on Monday 6th July along with Roger Wood, John Ison, Mike Ginley, Francis Ginley and Caroline O'Donnell from Trafford and Hulme branch. He would have stood proud to see all the people that turned out in the pouring rain to show their love and respect for John. There were family, friends and customers of the OMT. There were bikers, rockers and musicians of all kinds. Standing room only, we just about made it into the lobby and out of the rain.
The pub is now being admirably run by one of his Grand daughters, Amy Glover with cellar assistance from 2 of John’s sons. Next time you go in there, raise your glass and say a big Thank You for the OMT to John Glover.
Beverley Gobbett – Trafford & Hulme branch CAMRA