CELEBRATIONS were in the air at an old riverside country pub as the family who runs it marked a significant milestone.

Bunting was draped across the garden at The Camp House Inn in Grimley as people celebrated the 85th anniversary of the same family running the pub.

CHEERS!  L-R Jo Wainwright-Scarrott, Jim Wainwright, Lyn Wainwright and Alan Wainwright at The Camp House Inn in Grimley. (Image: Newsquest) Percy Wainwright and wife Hilda took over the pub in 1939 at the beginning of the Second World War and now their son, Jim Wainwright, and his wife Lyn run it.

Friends, old and new, braved the rain to join the family in their celebrations today (Saturday) in the Camp House garden.

ALL WELCOME: Families joined in on the festivities. ALL WELCOME: Families joined in on the festivities. (Image: Newsquest) Mr Wainwright said: "It feels really great to celebrate today.

"I have been ill recently and only just got out of hospital, and I'm improving and feeling a lot better.

Banners were draped across the garden, marking the Wainwright milestone.Banners were draped across the garden, marking the Wainwright milestone. (Image: Newsquest) "I never expected to get to 85 years  - you never think that far ahead but I have certainly enjoyed all of it.

"When we first took it on, it was brilliant."

When the couple first took over the pub, Mr Wainwright said punters would still visit during flooding season and would only leave when the water got high enough to put the fire out. 

TUNES: DJ C Hill performed throughout the day.TUNES: DJ C Hill performed throughout the day. (Image: Newsquest) He said times have changed greatly since then, but The Camp House is still going strong, and hopefully, another generation will come through its doors.

"Amongst my favourite moments are days like today, when a lot of my old friends turn up, and for some, I didn't even remember them," he said.

LIVE MUSIC: Six-year-old Teddy-Ray sang at the pub, followed by a performance from her grandad, Chalky Martin. LIVE MUSIC: Six-year-old Teddy-Ray sang at the pub, followed by a performance from her grandad, Chalky Martin. (Image: Newsquest) "Then you can reminisce about your shared memories and the times you spent together.

"We have had so many nice people come here through the years."

The all-day party featured performances from  Chalky's Mod, Soul, and Ska Show at 2pm and Nice and Sleazy at 8pm.

There were also special cardboard cutouts of Ed Sheeran and Ant and Dec.

RAIN OR SHINE: Guests still sat in the garden despite the rain.RAIN OR SHINE: Guests still sat in the garden despite the rain. (Image: Newsquest) DJ C Hill also performed throughout the day.

The pub sits snugly by the River Severn out in the wilds of Worcester's riverside hinterland, reached via an interminable labyrinth of narrow lanes. 

In the past it has endured, weathering the onslaught of besieging storms as she has done since before the English Civil War, an enchanting survival from a bygone age.