THE strong community spirit in Budleigh Salterton came to the fore on Friday when hundreds attended the funeral of popular pub landlord John Salt. As the town came together to lend support to John's wife, Joan, and sons Jonathan and Neil, St Peter's Paris

THE strong community spirit in Budleigh Salterton came to the fore on Friday when hundreds attended the funeral of popular pub landlord John Salt.As the town came together to lend support to John's wife, Joan, and sons Jonathan and Neil, St Peter's Parish Church was packed.The town's mayor, Chris Kitson, joined fellow councillors, traders, Lions and pub regulars for a moving service of thanksgiving.With John being a former president of the town's Lions Club, it was fitting that Lion Geoff Paver gave the reading.A regular at John and Joan's pub, The Feathers, businessman Mike Smith paid tribute to the couple who had created not a pub but a social club at the heart of the community.It was the kind of place where a group of men could meet for the "Five O'clock Club" and talk "jibberish" as they put the world to rights.The Reverend Robert Charles spoke warmly a family man who had led a full life with charity at its centre.But the emotional moment came when John's seven-year-old granddaughter Lauren read out a poem she had specially written -I remember you."I remember you opening the door for me"I remember you looking after me when I was poorly."I remember you loving and caring for me."I remember you kissing andcuddling me."I remember you."John, 60, used to run a shop on Exeter's Quay before taking over the Exeter Inn, Newton Poppleford, and, five years ago, The Feathers. He leaves his wife Joan, with whom he would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year, Jonathan and Gemma, Neil and Sandra, and grandchildren, Lauren, seven, and Kian, three.Donations in John's memory were made to Hospiscare.