Robert Michael Taylor (b1940)
BOB Taylor ran the same village pub for 43 years – and left to run one in the town.
Born in Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir, he went to the village school, until his family moved to Bottesford, then finished his education at Springfield Secondary Modern, Huntingtower Road.
Ironically, he later bought the Springfield Arms at the other end of the road.
A fitter by trade, he worked variously at Newman Tractors, Steelweld, Nuttalls at Empringham, for demolition man Eric Summers and even farmwork.
He first stepped behind the bar of the Rutland Arms better known as the Dirty Duck at Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir, in 1971.
The previous year he worked behind the bar at the other village pub, The Chequers, under Alex Harley.
When the chance came, he decided to have a go for the lease of Dirty Duck, owned by Belvoir Estates.
There were 54 applicants and Bob got it because the agent was impressed how clean he kept his Matchless 350cc motorbike.
The pub was originally built in 1749 by the Marquis of Granby for his batman Waight who served with him in his military campaigns.
The Marquis, an ancestor of the Duke of Rutland, often helped to set up his former soldiers as publicans, who in turn named their pubs after him.
The pub remained in the Waight family (later Pearson by marriage) until Bob broke the tradition when he took over in 1971.
He stayed there until November 2014.
Having bought the Springfield Arms, Huntingtower Road, at the turn of the Millennium, retirement was far from his mind and concentrated his efforts on the town pub. But he did finally retire and the poub was converted into flats.
In his spare time, Bob was keen on shooting.
Should this read ‘batman’ rather than barman?
‘The pub was originally built in 1749 by the Marquis of Granby for his barman Waight who served with him in his military campaigns.’
And should it read Alec Harley rather than Ali Carly landlord of the Chequers?