TRIBUTE has been paid to a well-renowned former pub landlord who has died at the age of 72.
Nigel Donovan owned the New Inn at St Owen's Cross, along with his wife, Jane, for 16 years after moving there in 1989.
Nigel died after a short battle with cancer at St Michael's Hospice in April, just 16 days after being diagnosed.
He became a familiar face to many during his time at the New Inn, but was known to frequent it every Friday night even after he left the business.
His son, Jack, said his father had become heavily involved with cricket in his life, and was not only a well-known member of Herefordshire Cricket, but had been a scorer for many of the county groups, and had more recently regularly officiated for the National Counties Side, as well as being the official scorer for Monmouth School.
Herefordshire chairman, Richard Prime, described Nigel as an "excellent scorer and a valued member of the cricket community."
Jack described his father as both a "much-loved and respected member" of the cricket community, and a well-loved family man who would look after "absolutely everybody and anybody", and would give his time to anything.
He had a "massive passion" for his retirement hobby of wood-turning, and would spend many hours in his workshop making pieces for people in the community.
Anybody who knew Nigel is invited to The New Inn on Monday, May 18, for a celebration of his life.
The family have requested that attendees do not wear black.
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