When barmaid Pat Bown started work at The Harrow in Stanstead Road, Caterham 40 years ago, 'My Sweet Lord' by George Harrison was topping the charts and the UK currency was about to change to Decimilisation. Since then, Pat has seen over 40 different landlords at the pub, some of whom were "a bit of a challenge!" according to Pat.

Pat had previously worked in the City as a secretary for nine years, before giving up work in 1966 for the birth of her daughter Linda.

Pat recalled: "Soon after Linda started school when she was five, I saw an advert in the local paper that said: 'Woman wanted for washing-up and general kitchen duties," which would now be considered very un-'P.C.'! I applied for the job as the hours fitted in with being a mum to Linda.

After a few months working in the kitchen, I moved to working in the bar. Britain had just gone Decimilised and the price of a pint was just 15p."

During the IRA pub bombing campaign of the 1970s, Pat had to check under all the tables and chairs and in the toilets every day for suspicious packages. "It was quite scary, especially after The Caterham Arms was bombed," said Pat.

Pat is leaving on a high, having been very happy working for the latest governors of the pub, David and Becky.

Current and past customers who know Pat are invited to join David and Becky from 4pm on Saturday 5th February at the Harrow to wish Pat well in her retirement.