A WELL-KNOWN former Chepstow publican who ran a number of pubs in the town and was championed for the standard of the beer he served has died.

Merlin Thomas, who had lived in the town for over 40 years, most recently managed the bar at Chepstow Athletic Club on Mathern Road with his wife, Joy. He died on January 23, aged 86, after suffering from lung cancer.

The couple also managed The Millers Arms in Mathern and the Two Rivers in Chepstow before working at the club.

Shirley Hardy, who now runs the club with her husband Tony, said: “He was loved. Everyone liked Merlin. When we took over [the club] people said: ‘Oh, Merlin’s not here anymore.’ He kept the bar so well.

“He got quite a few medals. He was in the CAMRA real ale guide for many, many years.

“[Mr and Mrs Thomas] retired completely about six and a half years ago but they had retired once before.”

Mrs Hardy said the couple had stopped running the club but returned came back when owners who had taken over from them left. Mr and Mrs Hardy took the club over from the Thomases in 2008.

Mr Thomas, who lived with his wife on Redwood Close, was born in Barry, raised in Malpas in Newport and also spent time in north Wales. From there, he moved to Bristol where he ran a shoe shop. He met his wife in Corsham and they moved back to Chepstow in 1971with their three sons Ian, David and Gavin.

Gavin paid tribute to his father.

He said: “He was a very good dad; he was a caring father and he worked hard.”

He added one of his father’s many accolades, as well as those from CAMRA, included a trip to Liverpool Football Club’s Anfield stadium and its Carlsberg Lounge after he won a prize from the company about ten years ago. He also enjoyed visiting Cornwall and going out, his son said.

And Mr Thomas’ funeral was attended by about 250 people on February 6 at St Mary’s Church in Chepstow.