TRIBUTES were today paid to a popular former landlord of an Ipswich pub who once kicked The Beatles out for eating fish and chips on the premises.George Reeve, who ran the Mulberry Tree in Woodbridge Road during the early 70s, has died at the age of 92.
TRIBUTES were today paid to a popular former landlord of an Ipswich pub who once kicked The Beatles out for eating fish and chips on the premises.
George Reeve, who ran the Mulberry Tree in Woodbridge Road during the early 70s, has died at the age of 92.
Mr Reeve's son Nigel led the tributes to his father, describing him as laid back, hard working and well liked.
And he also remembered the time when the fab four - John, Paul, George and Ringo - dropped into the pub before a performance - only to be told they had to leave.
Mr Reeve junior, 53, said: “I think they came in to the pub before they were performing at The Gaumont. They were eating fish and chips and my father threw them all out for eating inside the pub!
“The pub was one of the first to do lunches. We had a little Jack Russell called Paddy who used to run off with the sausages.
“One day a man came in asking for a sandwich and my father said 'I think we may have some sausages left'.
“He then went around the living quarters looking for the sausages the dog had stolen, served them to the customer and charged him!”
Mr Reeve senior was born in Stowmarket but moved to Ipswich in 1941 after marrying wife Edna, who died in 1992.
He trained as a butcher at Sainsbury's, then based in Tavern Street, before opening his own grocery store in Christchurch Street.
In 1969 until 1975, Mr Reeves ran the Mulberry Tree, later moving to the Blakenham Bell where he was landlord until his retirement in 1979.
A lifelong Ipswich Town supporter, Mr Reeve, who died last month, used to close the Mulberry Tree ten minutes before kick-off and run to Portman Road to catch the game.
His son said: “The pubs were always packed on Fridays and Saturdays. They really became his life.”
What are your memories of George Reeve? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here