PULLING pints at a Wanborough pub has proved a culture shock for a mother now taking orders from her son after 18 years at the top of Wiltshire Police CSI.

Barbara Lockwood, 58, went into business with son Jon Beeden last autumn when New Calley Arms in Ham Road came up on the market. But police rules had denied the force’s former director of forensics from getting behind the bar until now, after she took redundancy amidst regional changes in her department, led by Avon & Somerset Police. In the interim, Jon, who has also become head chef at the village boozer, has taken charge, with promising feedback so far. “Jon is primarily running it, but it’s strange to go from being in charge of a major police department to taking orders from your son,” said Barbara, of Whittingham Drive, Wroughton.

The mother-of-four spent 10 years as a crime scene investigator, before rising to head of crime scene investigation and then director of forensics.

When the opportunity arose to swap murder scenes for pints of bitter and lemon slices, it wasn’t something which immediately appealed.

“I said absolutely not, but came up to have a look at this pub and I loved it,” she said, adding she loved the listed building and the attractive local area.

The paperwork was soon signed and Barbara was in business with her son, who had been looking for such an opportunity to enter the industry.

“It was more of an opportunity for Jon, who wanted to get more into cooking,” she said.

“We could go in with him and mentor him until he eventually took over or found another place.” Although initially a challenge to watch Jon sweat behind the bar, because serving alcohol was seen as a conflict of interest for a police officer, Barbara is keen now to make amends.

And so far the feedback has been positive, with the community welcoming the family team, which includes husband David Lockwood, 56, and son Sam Collier, with open arms.

“It's been really good. They [the customers] heard he was a bit cheffy and they were relieved we kept it as a local pub and introduced food,” she said.

Barbara is working three nights behind the bar, but wants to put her policing experience to good use and help homeless charities, as well as dyslexia among schoolchildren.