Between 1986 and 1996, Ian Webb was the owner of the Kings Arms, in Kings Staith. The beloved publican and household man, who lived in Southbank, sadly handed away on December 1 following problems along with his well being.
Born in Leeds in 1957, Ian moved to York as a younger man to work within the pub business. After some years, he was supplied the possibility to take over the Kings Arms by the brewery, Samuel Smith’s.
“He was simply the life and soul of that place,” stated his daughter Verity Webb.
“He’d at all times be ensuring his regulars have been properly taken care of, he’d at all times play pub jokes.
“He captivated an viewers, and his viewers have been locals.”
Ian Webb in his waders throughout a flood (Picture: Provided) Verity stated that, throughout the time Ian was there, the Kings Arms was the “centre of the town” for drinkers in the summertime – as a result of its riverside seating.
Nevertheless, the Kings Arms is maybe higher identified for its winter days when it’s usually topic to flooding from the River Ouse.
Ian would preserve the bar operating throughout floods – and he grew to become identified for his flood events.
Verity stated: “He’d have folks in canoes being served drinks, he used to additionally get folks stood in buckets when it flooded.”
Alongside his life within the Kings Arms, Ian was a key determine in organising York’s Viking Pageant.
Verity stated this led Ian to “arrange actually robust hyperlinks with the Nordic group”, because the household started to vacation in Bergen, Norway.
Ian talking to locals out of the window of the Kings Arms throughout a flood (Picture: Provided) In the direction of the tip of his 10-year tenure on the pub, Ian’s son Charles, and daughter Verity have been born, making up the Webb household alongside Ian’s spouse, Anne.
Too younger to recollect the Kings Arms days, Verity stated her brother – at simply 5 years previous – would sit atop the bar to talk to the locals.
After he left the pub, Ian moved on to a profession with Parcelforce, however inside the previous decade, he needed to retire on medical grounds.
His medical challenges led to Ian dealing with incapacity. Regardless of this, Verity stated he was “actually pushed” to see his household, and grandchildren, because the weeks started to centre across the Sunday dinner.
Ian fishing out of the window of the Kings Arms throughout a flood (Picture: Provided) “He was fairly remoted due to his particular person wants,” Verity stated.
“I believe due to his unwell well being, he didn’t get to see lots of his pals.”
Ian’s funeral might be held at York Crematorium, at 11.40am on December 27. The wake will observe at The Marcia Inn, Bishopthorpe.
Verity hoped that the funeral would see the household reunite with lengthy misplaced pals from his days on the Kings Arms.
“He was simply daft, so light-hearted and completely happy go fortunate,” she stated.
“He’ll actually be missed.”