The landlady of a loved community pub was awarded for her long career during an Easter lunch to combat loneliness.

Chesham residents gathered to mark the sunny Easter Sunday over food and conversation at The Griffin pub.

The event had been put together at a short notice by the pub’s landlady Patricia “Pat” Miller and Chesham mayor Majid Ditta with sponsoring from the local Tesco.

The well-known landlady, who runs the pub on Bellingdon Road with her husband Steve Miller, received an award from the mayor for 24 years of outstanding service for the community.

Mrs Miller said: “I was overwhelmed by the award, I wasn’t expecting it!

Bucks Free Press: The Easter Sunday lunch ensured no one was alone over the Bank HolidayThe Easter Sunday lunch ensured no one was alone over the Bank Holiday (Image: Wilford Augustus)

“When you do stuff to help people you just do it, I don’t expect anything from it.”

The days leading up to the Easter celebration were a whirlwind.

She ended up in hospital the week before the after the arthritis on her legs flared up.

She had just come back from the hospital when she started preparing for the big Easter Sunday lunch and another buffet on Good Friday.

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“It was busy but it was lovely to see all the happy faces and it was really nice.

“I knew a lot of them because I do a senior citizens lunch every second Wednesday of the month and I’ve been doing that for a long time, and I know a lot those ladies and a couple of gentlemen are on their own.

Bucks Free Press: Chesham mayor Majid Ditta and deputy mayor Wilford Augustus joined the lunch guestsChesham mayor Majid Ditta and deputy mayor Wilford Augustus joined the lunch guests (Image: Wilford Augustus)

“Thank God for the weather because on Sunday it was amazing lovely weather and a lot of people could sit inside and outside. 

“It was so much joy then to actually be able to provide this to the senior citizens or the vulnerable, elderly and the lonely. It was really fantastic.”

Mr Ditta said: “The turnout was outstanding with over 60 residents came along the highlight and memorable part of the day was seeing so many elderly people happy and enjoying each other’s company they were also picked up and dropped off by my family members who volunteered to do this.”

Bucks Free Press: Chesham mayor Majid Ditta thanked Tesco for providing funding for the lunchChesham mayor Majid Ditta thanked Tesco for providing funding for the lunch (Image: Wilford Augustus)