THE WILD Duck Inn in Ewen is going up for sale after its current owner announced the end of her 24 year residency.

Tina Rowley-Mussell, the current owner of The Wild Duck Inn has owned several pubs during her varied and highly successful career.

Speaking about moving on she said: “I think I’ve done my bit, I’ve been in the business for thirty five years."

Suggesting that she was hoping to spend more time gardening and looking after animals on her forty acre farm, Ms. Rowley-Mussell said: “I’d like to think it’s going to be a leisurely retirement, but you never know.”

The pub itself, which has been a local institution for many years, is a GradeII listed building with an original sign painted by Sir Peter Scott and a flying duck clock presented to the then-owners by famous Swiss clock maker Longine.

Dino Mussell, her son and business partner started washing pots at the business aged 11 and later returned to help his mother run the pub, leaving his career in London on hold.

Recalling favourite guests, Dino said: “Over the years we’ve had so many celebrities and members of the Royal family. Once Princess Anne came in through the front door and the bar went silent. She insisted on helping clear the table and thanking the staff afterward.”

The pub itself has changed a lot over the years. According to Dino, at one point “you had to have a jacket and tie to get in”, but his attitude was that “everyone should be welcome to have a pint after work.”

Dino is moving on from the pub when it is sold and described working with his mother as “a fantastic partnership” saying that he “wouldn’t want to continue without her”.