A FORMER Weston publican has died at the age of 89.

A FORMER Weston publican has died at the age of 89.

John Farmer ran The Markethouse and The Hole in the Wall, opposite The Playhouse in High Street in the 1970s.

The Grove Road resident managed the establishments, which were effectively one pub divided by an alleyway, for five years.

The Markethouse served many of those going to watch performances at the theatre across the road.

The Hole in the Wall was the complete opposite - being the only biker pub in the whole of the town.

John's daughter Angela said: "The bikers loved my Dad and they had so much respect for him. It was sad no one took it on when he left in 1975."

The snooker enthusiast worked in a number of bars and hotels around Weston before spending nearly 10 years working for his friend Bob Cutler at the Baymead Hotel in Longton Grove Road.

John, who died in Weston General Hospital in Grange Road on Friday, moved to Weston from Birmingham in 1963.

He had two children with his wife Peggy, who he married just before he joined the army in 1939.

Angela, aged 46, said: "Dad was in the army for the whole of the second world war but left in 1945 because he hadn't seen my mum for five years."

Sadly, Peggy died when Angela was just 10 years old, so John brought up her and brother Peter, now aged 54, on his own.

Angela, who lives in Bleadon, has a daughter called Tamzi, who works as an air traffic controller and a son called John, who is a chef.

Peter, who works for Airbus, lives in Germany with his two daughters, Lea and Ella, and his son Alex.

Angela added: "I was so close to Dad because we didn't have Mum around. He will be sorely missed.

"He was a real character and loved by everyone who knew him."

Funeral arrangements are still to be confirmed, so anyone wanting to find out more details can contact Angela on 01934 811369.

Anyone who wants to leave a tribute for John can do so by logging on to www.thewestonmercury.co.uk