A WORCESTER pub is celebrating 50 years of serving pints in the heart of the community.

The Mayflower is the only remaining pub in Dines Green.

While survival has not been easy landlady Adele Price says the estate pub, in Grenville Road, is still a life-line for many people.

“We’ve got some very loyal regulars,” said Mrs Price, who has worked at the pub for 17 years and has been running it for five.

“They’re really the ones who keep us afloat.”

The pub opened on December 7, 1959, and to celebrate the acheivement the pub is having a 50s-themed party on Saturday, December 5. Everyone is invited, but especially those who drank at the pub when it first opened.

“Anyone who was here on the first night in 1959 can have their first drink for free. I know there won’t be many, but Corrs and LDW Ltd have very kindly given us a couple of barrels for free. I might be able to do a few pints at 1959 prices.”

The Mayflower, named after the famous ship that transported the first Pilgrims to America, was first run by Tom and Wyn Harris from Gloucester.

There were six barmaids – Flossy Dodds, Sheila and Mary Hollinshead, Nell Taylor, Flo Beard and Maureen O’Sullivans. Ms Dodds, now aged 74, still lives in Dines Green.

“I can remember when I started here,” said Mrs Dodds.

“The older men would line the bar and they’d be playing crib or cards or dominos. We have still got a dominos team.”

Mrs Price said the pub is held together by a core group, including bar manager Jamie Lucurssi and cleaner Edna Brace. And there is plenty for them to be proud of. Every year they raise money for Great Ormand Street Children’s Hospital and earlier this year the Mayflower was given five stars, the highest score possible, for its food safety and hygiene by Worcester City Council.

Mrs Dodds believes it is all part and parcel of being in the heart of a tight-knit community.

“A lot of people who live on the estate are out of work and it can be hard.

“If they can’t afford a babysitter then they can bring the kids to the pub when there is a disco.

“We don’t do food as a rule, but I’ll often put a spread together for the skittles team or have Christmas meal.

“It hasn’t been easy with the smoking ban and the recession but we’re still here.”