Stan with Donna Petrie and Mica-Jade Loft from the Harps Inn

by Lewis Dyson

As far as regulars go, they don’t come more committed than this Sheppey resident.

Stan Mills, uncle of EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy, has been going to The Harps Inn, in Minster Road, Minster, seven days a week - for the past 50 years.

The 84-year-old arrives without fail at 1pm and has two half-pints of Dunbar ale. Then at 2pm, he has four double scotches.

“I come in and have a read of the newspaper and do the crossword,” he said. “In the old days, you used to sit and play dominoes.”

The Noreen Avenue resident said he chooses to go to the pub because: “It’s extremely clean and well presented and it’s the only one I know of that will allow me to come in with my mobility scooter.

“It’s close to home, it’s very accessible, people here have always been nice and I thoroughly enjoy the company.

“I’m even drinking on the odd occasion with the grandsons of people I met years ago.”

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The former naval serviceman said he has only been absent a handful of times in the last five decades.

He has seen changes to the building unfold before his eyes from his favourite spot beside the bar and estimates he has seen the pub change hands 17 times.

Sue Ganderton, who leases the pub with husband Pete, held a party to celebrate recently - exactly 50 years since his first visit.

She said: “We have only been here for about six months and we noticed he would come in every day.

“We checked with some of the other regulars and they told us he had been doing it for the past 50 years.

“I think it’s great. Every pub has its regulars, but not one who has been coming in at the same time for the past 50 years.”

Originally from Islington, London, Stan moved to the Island in the late 1950s.

His famous niece Natalie said: “I haven’t seen uncle Stan for years but it sounds like he is a very loyal customer and I wish him many more happy years of supporting his local pub.”