A pub landlady is being remembered for her loving and caring nature.

Jan Morris, who ran the White House pub in West Farleigh, near Maidstone, died at Maidstone Hospital last month, aged 82. She had suffered a stroke at the pub, which was also her home.

Friend Simon Ells had various spells working there alongside Jan and her late husband, Arthur.

He said: “She was a very independent lady. She knew how she wanted the pub to be run.

“She was lovely. She would help anybody out and was very, very popular with the customers.

“We often had people who had never come in before, saying it was like walking into somebody’s lounge because Jan was always friendly and welcoming.”

Born in Penenden Heath, Mrs Morris spent her early years showjumping at Invicta Park.

She met Arthur in 1962 while he was doing National Service and, four years later, they got married.

They initially lived with Arthur’s family.

The couple took the tenancy of The One and Only pub on Shepway Green in the mid 1960s.

They then moved into the White House in 1971 after buying it at auction for £11,000.

Mr Ells, 57, said the White House became an integral part of the community and was well-known for charity fundraising. Jan and Arthur secured nearly £100,000 for good causes.

Mrs Morris continued to run the White House after Arthur died in 2007.

She was also heavily involved with the White House Petanque Club and had been president.

“The petanque club has been going for years now. They have got six Pistes - playing areas - down there and they have around 50 members,” Mr Ells said.

“That has been very successful. Jan was very enthusiastic about that and she was the president of White House Petanque Club.

“She always liked that."

Animal-lover Mrs Morris owned sheep, rabbits, ducks, goats, parrots and cats during various stages of her eventful life.

A private funeral service took place today, while donations can be made to Buttercups Sanctuary For Goats through https://bit.ly/3dyqHbX.

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