The Tamworth has established itself as a favourite meeting place for friends, families and colleagues.

Barry and Ann Rumble attribute the longevity and success of their business to the people of Tamworth.

“Tamworth is a great town with great people and we sincerely appreciate all the help we have received over the years,” Mr Rumble said.

Mrs Rumble recalls the lyrics of John Denver in commenting on her life as a publican.

“‘Some days are diamonds and some days are stones’ but we wouldn’t leave the business, which has become our home, for anything.”

The Tamworth Hotel is the Rumbles’ fourth hotel.

Prior to moving to Tamworth in 1982 and taking a seven-year ownership of The Good Companions Hotel, they operated The Dudley Hotel, Woollahra, and the Bayswater Hotel, Rushcutters Bay, in Sydney.

The couple, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next year, say they live and breathe pubs and happily brought up their three boys (now grown men) in their hotels.

“It’s very hands-on,” Mr Rumble said.

“We’re still running pubs the same as we did in 1969 – with consistent, quality service.”

Mrs Rumble, who was the licensee of the hotel for its first 10 years before her son Roger returned to the family business to take the reins, said living and working at the hotel allowed her to be at home while co-running a business.

Son Mick also keeps the premises looking sharp, maintaining the plants and gardens.

Mr Rumble said when he heard the then Town Talk Hotel was put on the market back in 1989, he sent his wife and her friends to check it out for lunch.

“We walked in and I asked a member of staff where we were to sit for lunch,” Mrs Rumble said.

“‘We don’t do lunch,’ the barmaid told me, and we walked around and I wondered what we were getting into.”

Other than the major renovations of 1995, the Rumbles said not much had changed behind the bar at The Tamworth.

“We still welcome a friendly clientele and people enjoy coming here,” Mrs Rumble said.