1 week Ago
Tributes have been paid to an outgoing Swindon pub landlord who passed away suddenly from a cardiac arrest. Paul Clabburn, 58, managed The Fox and Hounds in Wroughton with his husband James for nearly seven years before he sadly passed away on August 26. His community have rallied around to raise the required funds - £1,800 – to install a defibrillator outside the pub in memory of Paul.
The potentially life-saving device will be accessible at all times and James is hoping to promote the defibrillator so locals know where to go if an emergency arises. James said: “Paul was very fun-loving, bubbly and an outgoing person. He was without a doubt the personality of this pub and very sorely missed obviously by me but by everyone.
(Image: Contributed) “I don’t know how else to describe him really other than the life and soul of the party. He made everyone feel welcome. "Paul had health issues for many years with his heart but his passing in August was very unexpected.
“At the funeral instead of flowers we asked for donations, we didn’t know how much we’d get but we ended up exceeding what we needed for the defibrillator. That meant we have been able to give £400 to Swindon and Wiltshire Pride and £400 which we’re in the middle of deciding which charity it will go to. “The response we had was absolutely fantastic from a mix of friends, family and locals here in the pub.
It’s above and beyond what we were expecting to raise which was fantastic. “The staff have been fantastic and just got on with it as best they can because obviously, it’s affecting all of them as well. We operate very much as a family not just as employer and staff and we are one team, so it really affects everyone.
"They’ve been amazing, we’re trying to adjust to the new norm as such. “Although there are a couple of other defibrillators in the village, at this end of the village there isn’t really anything. If it can save two or three minutes or something on a journey to go and get it in an emergency then that’s fantastic.
" James added: “I’d like to thank everyone for their generosity for it, it’s meant we are able to do it." Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.
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