Dear Editor, I was interested to read about the life of former Mayor, Betty Smith, née Russell in the Ross Gazette, May 27th.

My parents, Tom and Mabel Jones were tenants at the Game Cock Inn from 1939 to 1951 and served many local characters – and also a few who were not so colourful. I remember Betty's father and mother, William and Eileen Russell very well. They were quite regular customers.

At that time the family lived around the Nursery, not far from the Game Cock.

I remember that Bill had a problem with his leg and walked with a limp. But these were austerity days, the war and post war years of the 1940s, and people didn't have the NHS to go to with any medical problems.

I remember also that Eileen was one of the few lady customers to use the public bar - most ladies at the Game Cock used the 'Jug and Bottle'. Bill was definitely one of the local characters and someone you would remember.

Michael Jones, Gloucester