Bob Powell and Patricia Harris Powell were regular diners at the Blue Boar, Mancetter, several times a week. It was a place they both enjoyed going as the staff knew them both very well, and they felt it was a second home.

Late in 2018, Bob and Patricia visited the blue boar, had their food, and as was the norm, Bob went to the toilet whilst Patricia went to pay the bill. Unfortunately, Bob never came back from the toilet as he had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Staff called for an ambulance and carried out CPR. Despite the best efforts of the staff and the ambulance crews, Bob passed away.

Janine and Donna, who are staff members at the Blue Boar, felt that the best way to remember Bob was to do something positive. They embarked on a journey to get a Defibrillator installed on the outside of the pub for the use of the community. They felt this would be a fitting tribute to a valued and well-loved customer, and that this vital piece of equipment, when installed, could possibly save a life.

Fund raising was started, and North Warwickshire First Responders were contacted for advice on what was best to purchase. On hearing their story, the team were more than happy to help and spread the word.

A few weeks after funding had started, Councillor Mejar Singh Gill contacted North Warwickshire First Responders to offer a donation towards the project from the Athelstan Lodge 1333, which was gratefully received. A few days later, Mejar contacted the team again to offer a fully-funded Defibrillator from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire.  With the money already donated, including a further £300 from Athelstan Lodge, and the defibrillator funded by The Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire, all that was left was to cover the shortfall for the cabinet to house the defibrillator, which the North Warwickshire First Responders were happy to do.

Bob and Patricia were together for over 40 years; he was a loving husband, father and grandfather and is greatly missed by everyone. Patricia has said how wonderful all the staff have been since Bob passed away, and she is forever grateful for all their support,

On 28th March 2018, the following people attended an unveiling of the new cabinet and defibrillator at the Blue Boar, in loving memory of Bob Powell and Craig Sperrin. Craig was the owner of the Blue Boar, and sadly passed away in 2016 from a heart condition.

Patricia Harris Powell
Janine Cassidy and Donna Davis – Staff members and the driving force behind the project at the Blue Boar
Samantha Hall – Coordinator, North Warwickshire First Responders
Eddie Stephenson – North Warwickshire Community Responder, based in Atherstone
Bobby Qayum – Community Response Manager, West Midlands Ambulance Service
Councillor Mejar Singh Gill – Member, Athelstan Lodge 1333
Brain Whitmore – Secretary, Athelstan Lodge 1333, a Past Provincial Officer
Peter Weightman – Immediate Past Master, Athelstan Lodge 1333
Tony Pritchard, Master Athelstan Lodge 1333

Posted 29 March 2019