The Devon Arms in Teignmouth is to celebrate 40 years of being in the same family on Monday (May 20).

Landlady Jackie Wolstenholme is planning a low-key ruby anniversary celebration. She is inviting customers and friends to the pub throughout the day to raise a glass and reminisce over memories of the good times and the friends made over the last four decades.

Most of the memories will be centred on Jackie’s partner, the late Ian Hudson, who died in 2022. ‘We needed to mark the occasion, but it doesn’t seem right to celebrate without him,’ said Jackie.

Ian took on the Devon Arms on 20 May 1984 after moving to Teignmouth from Cornwall, He was the longest-serving publican in Teignmouth at the time of his death; and the pub is still owned by the family: Jackie; and Ian’s children Eliza and Matthew.

Jackie and Ian got together 20 years ago, having been friends for years.

Non-regulars to the pub might be forgiven for thinking that, decoratively, the pub is still in a time capsule from 1984. ‘Whenever he decorated, he used the same colours so people didn’t think he’d done anything,’ laughed Jackie. ‘Ian didn’t like change.’

Celebrations on May 20 will be a chance to ‘look back at all the friends made through the pub, some sadly gone’, said Jackie. ‘And the wonderful staff, who are brilliant. I wouldn’t have got through the last few years without them,’ she adds.