THE LANDLADY of a pub in Malvern is celebrating an “unbelievable” year of running the pub alongside her son.
Jacqueline Saxelby-Smith took on The Retired Soldier on Newtown Road in June 2025 with her son Jim Smith, who had previously been a regular at the pub with his late friend Chris O’Donoghue.
The mother and son had set out to make the place a “community hub” and Mrs Saxelby-Smith said she believed they have achieved that.
“It’s been quite unbelievable,” she said.
“The support from the locals has been incredible. What we wanted to achieve was a proper old-style, community hub and that has definitely been brought back.
“Without the locals, none of this would have happened. It’s lovely.”
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Highlights from the year
The landlady said Christmas and New Year celebrations had been particular highlights, with a packed pub and even cooking up Christmas dinner for regulars on the big day.
“A highlight was our Christmas Eve party, where we had over 70 people there and live music,” Mrs Saxelby-Smith said.
“Then on Christmas Day, I cooked for my family and also invited some of the locals who I knew would be alone. In times of need, people can always come along to the pub.”
MEMORABLE: Ian Smith and Jacqueline Saxelby-Smith renewed their wedding vows at The Retired Soldier, joined by celebrant Laura Dunning and Honey the dog. (Image: The Retired Soldier)
More recently, she also chose to celebrate a personal milestone at the pub, choosing to renew her wedding vows surrounded by loved ones and regulars.
“Another highlight was that my husband and I renewed our wedding vows at the pub and it was a beautiful day,” she said.
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The pub’s future
UPGRADE: The external area of The Retired Soldier (Image: The Retired Soldier)
Looking to the future, the mother and son hope to continue at The Retired Soldier in the years to come, keeping and emphasis on local support.
“We signed our five year agreement in December and we want to keep getting better and better,” the landlady said.
“It’s not about making a lot of money, it’s about the support we get from the local community.”
Over the weekend, a number of events are planned at the pub to celebrate their one-year anniversary of running it, including live music, marking Armed Forces Day, showing the England vs Panama on Saturday night (June 27), and an acoustic jam session on Sunday (June 28).
