THERE was a fond farewell to the owner of The Three Little Pigs pub in Crediton recently just ahead of the transfer to new owners.

Prior to leaving, Sandy said: “After running the pub firstly with Maurice for 25 years and more recently for the last 5 years with the help of all the amazing staff both past and present, I have made a very difficult and emotional decision to sell the pub.

“The Three Little Pigs has been my home and life for the past 30 years along with Maurice, Ashley, Ben, Aidan and Taylor (multiple dogs and a cat).

“A pub we are all proud of and one I have taken great pride in running.

“This has not been an easy decision to make but running a busy pub takes a lot of time and hard work and after recent personal losses it has made me think about all the valuable time I’m missing out on spending with family and friends.

“I would like to take the opportunity to say thank all our customers for your support and friendship over the years and I look forward to catching up sitting on the other side of the bar.”

A farewell event was held at the pub on May 2.

Leading pub company Punch Pubs & Co has added The Three Little Pigs to its growing portfolio.

The pub, which sits in the market town square, has joined Punch’s Management Partnership estate and will be run by James and Heidi Belton, current Management Partners of another Punch Pub, The Star in Liverton.

Experienced operators, James and Heidi, will be overseeing the running of the pub, alongside its existing team, with a joint ambition of carrying on Sandra and her late husband Maurice Wannacott’s fantastic legacy.