Pub animals
Shell-shocked licensee upset over missing pub tortoise
Punch-owned the Fighting Cocks pub in Horncastle was the temporary home of Squeaker the tortoise, who has been in the family of licensee Paula Sylvester for almost 40 years, and she is urging the community to help her find the family pet.
She said: “He belonged to my Auntie Pat and has been in the family for 37 years. He usually lives with my mum and dad but I was looking after him.”
Regulars at the pub and staff have joined forces in the hunt for Squeaker. Sylvester explained: “We have had customers helping us look for him and one of the bar staff has been helping too.”
Sylvester took on the pub in West Street as part of a tenancy-at-will agreement with Punch around 14 weeks ago. “Squeaker has been with us here for about six weeks but the pub we were at before, we were there for 22 years and he was with us the whole time.
“I tried not to make a big thing about him being here but people were always asking about him because he is a bit of a character.”
The pub posted on its Facebook page: “Squeaker has gone missing from the pub garden this afternoon. If anyone could come help look for him, it would be massively appreciated. We’ve had him 37 years and he’s a much-loved member of our family. Please keep your eyes open if you’re around Horncastle and please share.”
The post has been shared more than 160 times and seen by thousands of people.
