Farewell to pub boss Jim

May 3 2007 By Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

HUNDREDS of mourners were today meeting at Birmingham's oldest pub to raise a glass and say goodbye to the landlord of 13 years.

Regulars were this afternoon meeting at the Lad In The Lane pub, in Erdington, before going to Sutton Coldfield Crematorium for the funeral of Jim Sturdy.

Jim, a born and bred Brummie, died aged 60 after a short illness.

The father-of-three had run the Bromford Lane pub for 13 years with wife Maureen.

Previously the pair had also run the Ansells Arms, in Bromford, and the Pheasant, Warley, during a 32-year career in pub management.

Mareen said: "He was a good husband, a marvellous father and wonderful grandfather.

"He was a moaner, he loved to complain. He could moan for England, and he would not suffer fools gladly."

She said that his reaction to finding their pub is the oldest building in Birmingham, churches aside, was to say: "That will put a few thousand pounds on the value."

Jim, who was born in Newtown, was known for being smart. "He was old school, always wore his suit, shirt and tie and kept his shoes polished," she added.

He also enjoyed fishing and would take every Wednesday off to enjoy his hobby.

Maureen said she has been overwhelmed by the tributes and delighted that Jim was so respected.

Jim, the oldest of four children, attended the Elmer Street School in Newtown and Pitmaston in Hall Green.

He had two children, Darren, aged 40, and Carron, aged 34, and two grandchildren, Darcy and Tyler.

Reckoned to have been built in 1306, The Lad In The Lane is Birmingham's oldest building, apart from churches, and was formerly a coaching inn.

It has featured in the Good Beer Guide.