PUNTERS will be raising their glasses to one of the York pub industry's elder statesman when he finally hangs up his beer towel at the end of the month. Golden Ball landlord, rugby man of steel, antiques dealer, physical training instructor and chocolate box designer Don Butler will be drawing the curtain on more than 20 years in York boozers.

The 69-year-old is heading out to the wild blue yonder for some more golf and perhaps a spot of antique hunting.

After eight years at the Cromwell Road favourite and a healthy dozen at the nearby Cock And Bottle, big Don certainly deserves a break.

The Ball has served as a training ground for many of the faces behind York's bars, with licensees at the Blue Bell, Swan, Volunteer Arms and Minster Inn all serving time there.

In his spare time the former rugby union forward and long-standing York first team captain founded the York Unicorns team.

The Butler empire has even expanded to the York Brewery's Three-legged Mare, where baby-faced son, James, holds the fort.

Don, who is famously "deep-in-pocket but short-in-arm" as a regular tells Bar Talk, says that he's looking forward to some time away from the bar, but isn't quite sure how he's going to fill his time.

Perhaps the second-hand shops of the north-east could reveal hidden treasure for the sharp-eyed landlord? Well maybe, he says, but the accumulated injuries of more than 25 years of rugby are beginning to take their toll.

Bar manager Linda Foster, who will take over at the end of October, said Don will be remembered for his 60th birthdays - all three of them - which took place before someone smelt a rat.

And the time during a rugby international when he pledged Guinness at half price until the first try was scored. It came in after 30 seconds.

Blowing the dust off a thick file of press cuttings, Linda said there was a couple of lives' worth of personal memorabilia in there.

Well, Bar Talk can confirm that Don was awarded a house orderly badge by the 1st St Thomas Scout Group in October 1943 - the hard-work has obviously paid off.

Enjoy your retirement Don. Bar Talk hopes the scars from an evening of pint-buying at your leaving bash heal quickly.

u Plans to celebrate a quarter of a century in business at the Beagle in Foxwood Lane, York, are being drawn up on the back of damp beer mats as you read this.

And who better to lead the partying than landlord-of-two-years Keith Granger who has been drinking at the pub since it opened.

Rumours have it that the original landlord - who is still plying his trade at a city centre boozer - may be drafted in to serve pints at 1977 prices to a lucky few regulars and guests.

The cheap beer bash - for those bar hounds keen to sniff it out - is planned for early December.

u Is there no end to the culinary combinations that beer can be put to? Star Inn pub chef Susan Richardson has been showing off her skills at the 30th anniversary of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

The Weaverthorpe gourmet made more than 200 rich chocolate truffles flavoured with Young's double chocolate stout for CAMRA's gala dinner in London.

Other dishes on the menu included pork stuffed with prunes macerated in Daleside's Morocco Ale and creme brulee flavoured with Banana Bread beer (to Susan's recipe).

Back at the ranch, Susan continues to serve up award-winning food at the North Yorkshire favourite alongside husband and landlord David.

The couple, who have been in Weaverthorpe for more than 17 years, are waiting to find out how they have done in the Publican awards where they are among the final four in the vegetarian pub of the year section.

Despite all this food glory, David tells Bar Talk that despite his wife's talents he remains a lithe ten stone. Must be something in his metabolism.

u It's all coming up roses at The Blacksmith's Arms in Naburn where tenants Nigel, Robert and Jan Pamplin have plucked a runner-up prize for best garden at the Union Pub Company Awards.

The family team beat more than 1,100 other landlords in the United Kingdom to carry off the award, after they won best newcomer last year.

Landlord Robert said the success was down to the pub's gardener and regular customer Gavin Seaton, who lives in the village.

The lucky threesome were whisked off to the home of Derby County - Pride Park - where they were wined and dined with the best of them.

Gavin, meanwhile, was treated to a slap-up meal by the family, who have run the pub for almost two years.

Robert said the green well-manicured turf of the Division One club almost proved too much of a temptation for the gardener in him, but revellers couldn't get down to the pitch.

Updated: 08:22 Saturday, October 19, 2002