Pub used as refuge for services during crisis

A PLYMOUTH pub was used as a mini-refuge for police officers, firefighters, Royal Navy personnel and council staff who were helping with the evacuation of residents from Keyham.

- CARL EVE

The Ford Inn, in Alexandra Road, has already once suffered at the hands of the Luftwaffe. Outside the blue-painted pub is a foundation stone, laid on August 12, 1954 by Eric G Clarke ESO, notably the grandson of Joseph Godfrey, the founder of hte Octagon Brewery. The stone notes how it was laid "on the rebuilding of the hotel completely destroyed by enemy action in 1941" It adds that it was "the first licensed house rebuilt in this city.

Plymouth hairdresser Owen Hannant and his husband only took over the running of the pub three weeks ago and were woken on Thursday by a knock on their front door and the sight of part of the bomb cordon just a few yards from their pub.

Owen said: "We got a knock on the door at about 8.30am - it was the police.