Colin Griffin former landlord of the Swan with Two Nicks

Together with his wife Linda, Colin ran The Swan With Two Nicks, Drummonds and The Lunar Bar in New Street for more than 40 years before retiring in 2015.

His training for publicanship had been unusual, as his previous jobs had included a greengrocer, milkman and bus driver.

During the last, one foggy night he was forced to follow the rear lights of a bus in front, which led to both vehicles ending up in a field.

As Mine Host he was considerably more successful and together with Linda, turned their city centre ventures into the go-to places in town.

His daughter Caroline explained: “Dad took pride in the quality of the drinks offered in The Swan. "He sought out local small brewers and always offered their beer on draught.

"He was very pleased when it was featured in the CAMRA real ale guide.

"He also brought together a selection of over 60 whiskeys – some rare and expensive – but having them available by the shot meant that customers had the opportunity to try them without the expense of buying a full bottle.”

All this was well in the future when Colin Griffin was born in Selly Park, Birmingham in January, 1949.

He began working life in a greengrocers shop and then, to earn more money to boost his fledgling romance with Linda, who lived in Worcester, became a bus conductor on West Midlands Passenger Transport, working every available shift.

The couple were married in June 1969 and bought their first house in Lower Wick, whereupon Colin switched jobs to a milkman with a round which took him to the Fernhill Heath area.

However trouble was again not far away and one day he got his float entangled in a hedgerow.

When he pulled away the roof came off.

To help the family finances, Linda started a part-time job at the Swan with Two Nicks in 1972.

Colin took over these shifts when their second daughter, Lucinda was on her way in 1974 and so began their involvement in pub life, firstly as managers and then as owners.

This would carry on until retirement four decades later.

Caroline added: “The Swan with Two Nicks was a great pub with a history stretching back to 1550. My parents enjoyed doing research into the pub’s previous users and occupants and them becoming a small part of that long history.

“There was always a lot of fun in the pub, fancy dress nights, Halloween parties and many music events.

"In the early days in the 70s there was a Go-Go dancing competition, followed by a knobbly knees competition for the men. The pub was also the first to feature local female DJs Suzy and Twink. “The Swan with Two Nicks was a proper pub with two football teams, pool teams, darts team, two quiz teams, a netball team and many, many years of crib teams.

"All of which brought the customers in, but, more importantly, were where solid friendships were formed, many that lasted a lifetime.”

The Green Room was a well-known bikers bar when Colin and Linda first took over the pub.

Many evenings saw rows of motorbikes lined up outside on New Street, an impressive sight but a bit noisy at closing time.

In 1988 Colin and Linda led a major refurbishment of the Green Room, turning it into Drummonds cafe-bar.

Drummonds was the first of a new breed of bars. It didn’t serve pints of bitter, preferring bottled lagers or draft served in smart, fluted glasses. It was an immediate hit with local people who wanted something more sophisticated and was popular with the successful Worcestershire cricket team of the time.

It hosted lots of events and live music and was used as a space for local clubs and small groups. There were also charity fundraising events, notably for Worcestershire Air Ambulance, which received several thousand pounds from events at Drummonds.

Colin was also a member of the Worcester Licensed Victuallers Association, becoming secretary and treasurer.

Worcester LVA organised many events including trade fairs at Perdiswell, the Grandstand and the Tower Ballroom, Birmingham.

Among his lesser-known achievements. Colin Griffin was Birmingham Schoolboy Chess Champion and secretary of Droitwich Bridge Club.

His enthusiasm for bridge even led to him setting up a popular Sunday Bridge Club in Drummonds. In their retirement, Colin and Linda bred prize winning Norwegian Forest Cats at their home in Kempsey and they also had a dog Poppy, an Italian Spinnone.

Caroline explained: “When they retired dad said: ‘Let’s get a dog’.

But mum replied: ‘No thanks, we’ve had enough animals.’ Then she discovered a collar, feeding bowl and lead in the house and added: ‘It looks like the dog we’re not having is moving in!’ ”

Colin Griffin leaves wife Linda, daughters Caroline and Lucinda, grandchildren Seth, Eric, Iris and Mavis and sister Carole.

His funeral will take place at The Vale Crematorium, Fladbury at 3pm on Friday, October 18. Family flowers, only but donations to the County Air Ambulance.