TRIBUTES to a popular pub landlord who ran a children’s charity have poured in following his sudden death.

Barrie Short, 47, the landlord and chef of the Old Farmhouse in Northam, was found dead in his bed.

Bar manager Victoria Hamilton said that on the day of his death Barrie had complained of feeling unwell and had gone to bed for a rest.

Barrie’s body was found a few hours later by one of his friends who had gone up to check on him.

It is understood that Barrie had been in hospital for a period of weeks before Christmas after complaining of acute stomach pains and was still undergoing tests.

Victoria, 38, from Bitterne, said: “I was devastated. He was a big man who touched many, many hearts. Unfortunately that was his downfall. He thought about other people before he thought about his health. He was a spectacular man.”

Barrie started a charity ‘Southampton Doing it for the Kids’ (SDIFTK) which raised funds for disabled children in Southampton.

He took part in fun runs, a sky-dive, staged music events in the pub and organised jumble sales for the charity.

Barrie was a big music fan, especially of Ska, and he would put on regular live music in the pub including an annual all-day event called Ska Nation.

Tracy Cutler, 49, from Redbridge, who helped him set up the charity, said: “We are all absolutely gutted. Barrie will be missed by many people. He touched lots of lives.”

Traci Carroll, 46, a Farmhouse regular from Shirley said: “ Barrie was a true legend of a landlord, who will be greatly missed by many. He ran his boozer without the need of security and yet he looked after all who frequented his pub.

"To me he welcomed people from all ethnicities and backgrounds, all in all was a brilliant landlord and top bloke.”

His Friend Tony Andrews, 48 from Waterlooville, said: “He dedicated his life to the charity he ran.

“He always bought me my first pint of beer in the pub. Barrie was entertaining. He had a dry sense of humour. He made everyone welcome and everyone knew his name. He was definitely a kind-hearted person.”

His friend Sean Smith, 37 from Millbrook said: “I knew him for over ten years. I knew him from his previous pub ‘The Round the World’ first then I moved to Northam and saw him more regularly.

“He was such a big softie. He was an amazing guy that liked to help other people.”

Vanessa Gacy, 42, from Millbrook, met Barrie through his charity work as her son Brandon has severe learning disabilities.

She said: “He was our best friend. He would give you the shirt of his back.

“We first met him when the charity started. Brandon was very withdrawn. He had no speech. We started going to the pub regularly. Barrie made us one of the family.

"The barmaid learnt how to sign with Brandon. Brandon was made to feel one of the guys. He was like a father figure and best friend to him.

“Barrie got someone in to the pub to teach him and the staff to sign a bit so he Brandon could communicate. Brandon is very upset.”

Vanessa added: “Barrie changed my son’s life. Now he is quite confident.”

Barrie’s ex-partner Jo Coxon said: “We shared many adventures during our time together, and I have some happy memories. It has come as a total shock and my thoughts are with his family.”

Two events are being organised in Barrie’s memory and to raise money for his funeral and for his charity.

The Retro Diner café in Shirley will be holding a Breakfast for Barrie day on February 8 and at the nightclub The 1865 there will be a charity ska gig called Giving Something Back to Barrie where proceeds will go to SDIFTK. The Decatonics will be headlining.

The pub, owned by Enterprise Inns, closed on Monday and they do not yet know when they will reopen.

Barrie, who died on Monday, is survived by his mother and sister.