Long-time Banbury publican remembered with fond farewell outside town centre pub

Dozens of people lined Parson's Streetto wish a long-time Banbury publican a fond farewell this afternoon, Wednesdady July 22.

Dorothy, 'Dot', Puddifoot, aged 76, died earlier this month on July 1, but her funeral was held this afternoon.

Humphris Funeral Directors made a brief stop outside the Ye Olde Reindeer Inn pub in Parson's Street where people raised a glass in Dot's memory.

Dot managed pubs with her late husband, Tony Puddifoot, all across the country from Oxfordshire to Warwickshire and beyond for 30 to 40 years.

The Hook Norton Brewery brought out one of their horses to the Reindeer Inn pub today (Wednesday July 22) to interact with people as part of their way of appreciation for Dot and her family.

They came back to Banbury and ran the Reindeer Inn for eight years before they retired around 10 years ago.

Nia Weir joined the crowd of people gathered in Parson's Street with two of her friends, Yvonne Roberts and Jaime Townsend, who all used to work with Dot at the Reindeer Inn pub.

Nia said: "We were really close friends of hers. We can't believe this has happened. It's still a shock."

Jaime Townsend said: "We'd all be going to the funeral. But this has been a great way for everybody to be in one place at one time to say goodbye."

Three sisters, Megan Cox, Georgia Cox and Bethany Cox all turned up to the Parson's Street pub to show their appreciation for Dot Puddifoot.

Megan Cox said: "She was like our auntie. We grew up with her. She sort of took us in when our nan passed away."

Bethany Cox said: "She meant the world to us. I'm 25 now, and I can't remember a time when she wasn't there for us."

Georgia added: "She's just the most loving person. She was always about giving, not receiving."

James Clarke, managing director of the Hook Norton Brewery who owns the Reindeer pub, said Dot and Tony managed three pubs owned by the brewery during their career. The couple also managed The Gate Inn pub in the village Brailes along with the Reindeer Inn the town centre of Banbury.

James said: "They were just a lovely couple, and ran a great pub. As well as being great business partners with their pubs they were also great friends."

The brewery brought out one of their horses, often used to delivery beer to their area pubs, to the front of the Reindeer Inn pub today (Wednesday July 22) to interact with people as part of their way of appreciation for Dot and her family.

James added: "We're a traditional family brewer, and those traditional values are very important."

Kelly May Cutsmore, with the Hook Norton Brewery brought Lucas, a dray horse to the pub in Parsons Street.

She said: "The Reindeer pub is one of the Hook Norton pubs, and she was one of our landladies. She was a real big character."