Eric Hargreaves (1948 - 2011)

" A True Gentleman "


Eric Hargeaves peacefully passed away on February 23, 2011 at his home in Waddington after being diagnosed with cancer nine months previously.

Eric also leaves his wife, Trish, daughter, Katie, son-in-law, Mark and granddaughter, Matilda.

Eric loved pubs and he loved people. He was never more at home than when spending time at the bar with customers and had a natural way of making people feel at ease.

Pubs were his life and he was passionate and enthusiastic about them.

He had run the Royal Oak, Riley Green, with his wife Trish for the past 15 years and had previously spent 17 years at the Higher Buck in Waddington.

In his early career he ran the Great Tree, Rising Bridge, and was launch manager in the 1970s at the Falcon, Burnley.

He had run Thwaites pubs for more than 30 years.

Andrew Buchanan, director of pub operations at Thwaites, said: “We’re all incredibly sad that Eric lost his battle with cancer and he will be missed by everyone.

“He was a fantastic local character and a shining example of how a great landlord can light up a pub.”

Mr Hargreaves’ funeral service was held at St Helen’s church, near to his home in Waddington.

More than 100 people listened to the service outside via a speaker as the church was full.



Mrs Hargreaves said her husband was a mentor and father figure to many in the village.

She said: “When we had the Higher Buck if any of the young lads stepped out of line he would take them for a walk on the fell at the back of the pub and tell them the error of their ways.

“He’d bring them back in, buy them a pint and nothing more would be said.

“At his funeral, all of his pallbearers had been “on the fell’ with him, but they said they loved and respected him for it.”

Mr Hargreaves was also known as the ‘man in the Merc’ as he always drove a new silver Mercedes convertible.
Those that knew him will also fondly remember the ring tone on his mobile "The Great Escape", which was most commonly heard on a Sunday just before he set off home back to Waddington.

Patricia Hargreaves will continue to run the Royal Oak in the same way as it is has been run for the previous 15 years.

Donations in memory of Eric if so desired may be given for Cancer Research U.K., c/o Mrs S. Blackburn, 14 Montague Street, Clitheroe, BB7 2EB.