Well-known former Horley pub landlord dies (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Well-known former Horley pub landlord dies

12:41pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in Local News

Larger-than-life former Horley pub landlord Frederick J Bull has died aged 74.

Mr Bull, who was the landlord of The Foresters and The Rainbow, which he re-named The Bull, and who spent most of his life in the area, died at The East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, earlier this month after an illness.

Divorced, he leaves behind son Vincent, daughter Lesley Ann and grandchildren.

Fred Bull was born in Smallfield in March 1938, and after working in other industries, became the landlord of The Foresters – then known as The Wooden Hut - in 1979.

In 1986, the Bass brewery bought the cafe next door and expanded The Foresters into what it is today. Fred then moved on, taking another Bass pub in Horley Row called The Rainbow, which he promptly closed, refurbished and then re-opened, changing its name to The Bull.

He ran The Bull until December 2008, and later took over for a short time at a pub called The Montague in Worthing, West Sussex.

Fellow publican Jerry Hudson, landlord of The Farmhouse in Horley, said: “He was a bit of an icon in Horley.

“He was very involved in things local - he supported local pubs and clubs both as a customer and a mentor.”

He said: “He was on the committee of the first Horley Pubwatch when it was formed. “In 2002, he had the idea of a charity six-a-side cricket and skittles match against another local pub which raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity over the six years it ran.”

Fred was also a lover of sport, and especially cricket, which he played and watched whenever he could as a member of Sussex Cricket Club for more than 50 years.

Mr Hudson continued: “Following his retirement in 2008, he continued to frequent local hostelries, including the Horley Constitutional Club, where he was a member for 47 years.

“Fred will be remembered by many people in the community in many different ways. “Our thoughts are with his family.” The funeral will take place at Burstow Parish Church on Thursday, February 28, at 2.30pm.