Cheers to David and Janet on their 50th anniversary

Marriage is golden for Downgate pair

CONGRATULATIONS to David and Janet Yates of The Downgate, who celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Bank Holiday Monday.

The pair, who are Hungerford’s longest-serving licensees, threw a party for friends and family at the pub, situated on the edge of the common.

They were married, 50 years ago to the day, at Bemerton Heath in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Mr Yates said: “We’re having a party at the pub and then we’re off to Majorca for a second honeymoon. Happy days!”

Two years ago the couple celebrated a decade at The Downgate pub with a party for regulars.

Mr Yates said at the time: “We stayed because we love Hungerford and we’ve made so many good friends here.”

The managing director of Arkell’s Brewery, James Arkell, said back in March 2004: “As soon as we met David and Janet we knew they would be perfect for The Downgate.”

The couple have been considering a well-earned retirement but were persuaded to stay on, at least until later this year, by brewery bosses.

A regular fixture in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, the Downgate remains an old-fashioned watering hole, renowned for its warm welcome, Arkell’s ales and home-cooked food.

Hungerford Virtual Museum records: “This small inn, standing at the main gate to the Hungerford Port Down Common, started life as one of the many beer retailers in the early 1800s.

“It was initially called the Spotted Cow, but by the 1871 census it had become the Royal Exchange. It was renamed the Downgate in the 1980s.”