Eric 'Ric' Sainty passed away on 16th July 2008 whilst holidaying in France with Chas Wright of the Uley Brewery, his best friend of over 30 years. He died of a heart attack, whilst doing one of the things he loved most - having a good time! He was 74.

Ric Sainty was the owner of the Old Spot in Dursley. Fortunately Ric was in fine fettle last February and was able to celebrate when his pub was crowned CAMRA National Pub of the Year 2007.

Ric was one of the best loved and most respected of pub landlords. He could charm anyone with his good nature. His sense of humour was legendary. On one occasion a customer wearing a garish Hawaiian shirt stood at the bar next to Ric and ordered an ice cool pint of lager. Ric silenced the Old Spot in seconds by booming:

"Quiet please, some w~nker in a loud shirt wants to drink lager in my pub!”

On the day of Ric's funeral his horse drawn hearse was paraded around the streets of Dursley. On the way to St James Church the cortege passed the Old Spot and customers were amused to see a bronze plaque by his coffin with the words 'More Beer!’- one of Ric's favourite sayings.

The Reverend Janet Bromley conducted the funeral service. Janet was well known to the locals at the Old Spot. The pub supported the charitable appeal for the restoration of St James Church. Dursley's rector was even seen on a few occasions pulling pints behind the bar at the Old Spot.

Uley Brewery once brewed a beer called 'Reverend Janet'. As a result Janet knew Ric well and the service was passionate and sincere. Tributes were also given by Jackie Sainty and Nigel Cant. The great man's memory was toasted repeatedly with foaming pints of real ale after the service at the Old Spot. No one dared to drink fizzy lager! Ric was keeping a careful watch from that great alehouse in the sky.

Old Ric may have passed away but his memory (and his beer) is still very much alive.