A FORMER publican has died at the age of 77.

Harold Bailey, of Ashworth Street, Baxenden, passed away peacefully in the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Saturday.

In his early years, Harold attended St John’s Primary School in Padiham before moving up to St Mary’s in Burnley.

He then became an apprentice electrician and worked at Bank Hall Pit and Bellings in Burnley.

He later went into the licensed trade and ran several pubs over the years.

His first was the Balaclava in Blackburn, before he moved to another pub in Bastwell.

He then ran a fish and chip shop in Great Harwood before returning to the pub scene at the Old England Forever in Clayton-Le-Moors, before taking on the Dog and Partridge in Baxenden, where he started the Baxenden Pool League.

Golf has also been a large part of Harold’s life and most of his spare time was spent at Baxenden Golf Club, where he was captain in 1999, and was a member there since 1980.

As and when he got the chance, he spent a lot of time on holiday in Spain in La Carihuela, between Torremolinos and Benalmadena.

He especially enjoyed cruising, together with his wife of 57 years, Maureen.

They have cruised around Alaska, the Caribbean, the Baltic and the Mediterranean.

On his last cruise he travelled from Alaska to Beijing.

He also enjoyed places closer to home, such as Blackpool.

Harold leaves behind wife Maureen, children Terry and partner Bernie and Kevin and his wife Janet, grandsons Darryl, Gavin, Matthew and Jake and also Maureen, Ronald, Anthony and Michael.

His funeral service will be held at 3pm on Monday at Accrington Crematorium.

The family wish only family flowers to be laid on the day, but donations are welcome for the ELHT – Cardiac Fund in memory of Harold c/o Barton & Hallworth Funeral Service, 136-8 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.