IT’S the end of an era for the publican behind the ever-popular Moody Cow in Upton Bishop for the past 15 years as he embarks on new challenges in retirement.

Chris Burgess pulled the last pint on Sunday following a busy lunchtime trade.

But in the run up to his final weekend, Chris put a lot of his possessions, antiques and other items of interest up for auction, while other artifacts were made available through an honest box.

Chris said: “I’m drastically downsizing as I’m going to live on a canal boat and it’s not very big. I’m keeping a few cherished pieces, but every item in the auction has a story and they will be missed.

“Some have been purchased by myself, while others have been gifted or donated like the Nanny typewriter which was a result of helping to obtaining a defibrillator for the village following the death of John Griffiths.

“His wife Alison gifted me the typewriter complete with a newspaper dating from 1982.

“A percentage of the auction proceeds will go towards promoting prostate cancer awareness amongst men.”

Chris says he will be embracing the country’s industrial past as he travels along the country’s canal network over the coming years.

However, Chris will not be immediately embracing life on the waterways as he will embarking on training for another challenge – cycling up the Alpe d'Huez in the French Alpes in September.

It is said to be the world's most legendary cycling climb with an average gradient of 7.9 per cent and peaks at 1,850m and has been included as part of the Tour de France.

Chris said that any restaurant bookings received had been offered to the Loughpool Inn in Sellack, where Chris’ son James is the landlord.

Stonegate, which owns the pub, confirmed that a new tenant is due to take over on July 21.