Fundraising landlord and wife call time after 11 years at village pub

A publican who has raised thousands of pounds for charity has called time for the last time. 

Geoff Rutherford, mine host at the Miners Arms, Maeshafn, for 11 years, has organised various money-spinning events – from having his head shaved to staging annual toe-tapping jazz days at his hostelry.  His efforts have raised £15,000-£20,000, which has been shared among a host of charities from the North Wales Air Ambulance to Mold Community Hospital. 

Now Geoff and his wife Maureen are looking forward to retirement. 

The former training manager with Royal Life Insurance, in Liverpool, is a former captain and chairman of Northop Cricket Club.  He now hopes to play a backroom role, possibly as an umpire. 

Geoff, a native of Durham, is now in his second years as president of Buckley and Mold Lions Club.  Last year, members presented a £4,750 emergency trolley to Mold Hospital which enables staff to remove victims of medical emergencies from a car with ease, without causing trauma to the patient.  The gift was in memory of Geoff’s son Jonathan, who died at the age of 32. 

Geoff and Maureen have raised cash for the charity CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young – which promotes screening to detect heart disease in young people.  "The work of the charity has enabled a number of young people in the area to be screened," said Geoff. 

"Several were detected with cardiac conditions and are now either on medication or have been fitted with a monitor."

Geoff and Maureen are retiring to Pantymwyn, and are looking forward to spending more time with the family, including daughters Julie, who lives in Sychdyn, and Joanne, who lives in the United States. 

Taking over at the Miners are Mike and Audrey Boardman, currently licensees at the Boar’s Head, Ewloe.