The senior management team of a town pub have agreed to review their decision to move a plaque placed on the wall in tribute to a regular patron.
The Wind Back Wednesday Club launched yesterday (January 15), set up in memory of Angus McPherson who regularly attended a social group at Wetherspoons Ivy Wall pub in Spalding before he died last year.
Customers and friends had a whip round for a plaque to be placed – in agreement with a manager – on the wall below the clock opposite to where Mr McPherson always sat. However, the plaque has been moved to behind the bar, quite high up and in a position where it is hard to read the wording.
Angus McPherson always sat opposite the clock in the Wetherspoons Ivy Wall, Spalding. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Coun Mark Le Sage is a founder of the pub’s social group and the plaque’s wording was pertinent to their friend – which reads ‘in memory of Angus our Peroni friend, loved by all, your clock ticks on forever 1954-2024’.
Coun Le Sage said: “Following the success of the Angus McPherson Wind Back Wednesday event yesterday, I am very pleased that the senior management has decided to review the insensitive decision to move the plaque.
“Hopefully they will return it to the original place where Angus sat opposite — underneath the clock.”
Andy Cowper Johnson and Coun Mark Le Sage at Wetherspoons Ivy Wall pub in Spalding – where the plaque had been place originally. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Mr McPherson was a popular member of the group – a former PE teacher who worked with children with special needs – and members have expressed their ‘upset’ and ‘disrespect’ by moving the plaque from its prominent location to somewhere less visible.
Wind Back Wednesday will now include mental health groups – Community Mind Matters and social prescribers from Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service (Tonic Health) – available for a chat and to give advice.
A general manager from Wetherspoons said: “A lot of thought goes into the design and location of things on the walls in the pubs.
The plaque in tribute to Angus McPherson has been moved to high up behind the bar. PHOTO: JENNY BEAKE
“We appreciate the sensitivity of this and we will review and try to find a more suitable location that suits.”
Mr McPherson’s widow Jackie previously said she feels ‘proud’ that the club has been set up in tribute to him.
The next group meeting will be held at the Ivy Wall in New Road on Wednesday, January 22 between 9am and 1pm and new members are welcome.
Angus McPherson
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