Drinks Are On The House For Guinness Jim! 

Shin Splints birthday surprise for Sun regular of over 50 years

 

Pensioner Jim Mahoney savoured a very special pint of the black stuff this week at the Swindon pub he's been visiting nearly every day for over half a century.

 

 

In fact, the elderly Irishman remembers well that it was only 'a couple of shillings a pint' way back in the early 50s when he first made The Sun Inn at Coate his regular.

 

"And since then I've probably drunk enough to buy the brewery!" he joked.

 

 

And to mark his 87th birthday, gentle Jim - known in the pub by everyone as 'Guinness Jim' for his liking of his favourite tipple - was surprised by landlady Kes Sumner and runners from Swindon Shin Splints, who meet there every Wednesday, with a chocolate cake (made with a splash of Guinness, of course) and presents to enjoy.

 

The best being a specially engraved pint glass full to the brim of Jim's preffered brew and a rousing rendition of 'happy birthday' from everyone in the bar.

 

"He's such a friendly, welcoming chap," said Verity Brooke-Maples, who helped organise the celebration.

 

"We all speak to him on Wednesdays and he mentioned it was his birthday and how long he'd been coming here, so we thought we'd make a real effort."

 

 

Not that well-dressed Jim has ever considered swapping his jacket for a running vest and joining his friends at the Shin Splints for a Wednesday evening jog.

 

"I live just 10 minutes up the road and walk here and back everyday," he explained, "and that's plenty of exercise for me!"

 

"That and a couple of pints of Guinness has keep me fit and still coming after all these years.

 

"In fact, they used to say Guinness was good for you, so I'll definitely drink to that!"