Yesterday we reported that it had come to our notice that George Keene, aged 86, a great friend and supporter of the team had passed away on 6th March 2015.

George together with his wife Daphne, were the one time long serving past publicans of the Toll Bar Inn, on Chorley New Road, Horwich, and both fully supported the team in a great many appreciated ways.

Throughout the late 1970s and into the early 1990s, the Toll Bar Inn was a favoured drinking venue (one of a handful) for the team, and hosted many a fancy dress party, team romance and fundraising activities for the team.

The Toll Bar under George and Daphne’s management also hosted our Team Council (Committee) meetings throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, often till very late in to the evening when our excellent hosts – George and Daphne, eventually tired of our musings and threw us out (where meetings sometimes then carried on in the pub courtyard!)

This afternoon our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE, who knew George, represented the team at a
service and committal for George, much loved husband of Daphne, and loving father to Martin and Howard, held at 2.30pm at Overdale West Chapel, off Chorley New Road, Bolton.

The service saw a packed chapel, with family, friends and associates, including a great many who knew George from his days at the Toll Bar, including a number of men and women from Horwich Prize Morris Men.

We have learnt that very kindly donations have been invited in the memory of George, to support the work of the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team.

The condolences of the team are expressed to Daphne, Martin and Howard, and their family and friends.

Please also see website ‘News’ report dated Thursday 26th March and Saturday 21st March 2015, which mentioned a very thoughtful and sincere £20.00 donation from Jane and Keith McCabe, of Euxton, Lancashire, to the memory of the late Mr George Keene.