Licensee celebrates half a century at Bucket of Blood in Phillack, Hayle, Cornwall

Shackelton has been at the 18th-century pub since 1963 when his parents, Dick and Ida, took over.

After Rick’s father passed away in 1965, Ida ran the inn until 1974 when she handed the reins to her son. The St Austell pub is still very much a family business, with
three generations working at the venue.Saturday, 23 March will mark 50 years to the day that the Shackeltons arrived at the Bucket of Blood, with the family hosting a party to celebrate.

Shackelton said: “Things have changed a lot in the past 50 years. But it hasn’t got easier running a pub, and lots of tenants don’t make it nowadays. I think there’s no point despairing when things get hard, though, you just all muck in and carry on. Here’s to the next 50 years.”

Ken Ascott, West Cornwall area manager for St Austell Brewery, said: “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Rick and his family for the past 10 years. It is a rare thing in this day and age to have so many generations dedicated to a pub."