Pub History Society

For those of you who haven't received one of our e-newsletters before, welcome. If you've received this newsletter and you want to be deleted from our list please reply to this email telling me so.

Find below a few of our notes & queries and extracts that were included in the Summer issue of our printed newsletter. Our Autumn printed issue has just been posted to our members and runs to 10 pages (20 sides) full of articles, book reviews and a clutch of sundry information. All of which is designed to keep the avid pub enthusiast buried within it's pages for hours and hours.

Membership is now being offered to those without, at about a tenner. Please see our membership page at http://www.pubhistory.freeserve.co.uk/phs/mem.htm for a form and further details. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Your Membership fee will be exchanged for our two journals produced in our early days plus three recent newsletters. Newsletters are issued 4 times a year and, I think make an entertaining an informative read. I would say that though wouldn't I!

A brief outline of what is contained in the previous printed newsletters can be found at the bottom of this page.

If anyone has any queries about the history of a particular pub then please use the Noticeboard on the website. The Noticeboard web address is http://members2.boardhost.com/natpubbrew/ . Please note WE DO NOT HAVE AN ARCHIVE where we can look up the history of your pub but hopefully some of our noticeboard visitors can help.

Diary Dates

Joint Outings with Peterborough CAMRA - hosted by PHS Member Mick Slaughter.

13th November 2004 - Visit to Nottingham - a tour of pubs in and around the city.

22nd January 2005 - Visit to Bath - a much talked about visit. A must if you ain't been.

Anyone wishing to join us on any of the above tours please email me asap.

My very best wishes

Steve Williams

Secretary

Ancient Order of Froth Blowers

I have had numerous queries relating to the Ancient Order of Froth Blowers over the last year or so and I thought it only right and proper that we set up a website to deal with them.

If any of you have any experience, memories or information relating to this social phenomena of the 1920's I'd love to hear from you. Many have already contacted me with photos of memorabilia, membership booklets and general information, my thanks to those concerned. We have also been in communication with Dave Brigden who hosts a website about the Fripp family; Alfred Fripp was the instigator of the organisation along with a friend Bert Temple. There has even been a rumour that the AOFB is still operating in a small way somewhere in the UK. Rest assured I am on the case and will find out all I can.

In the meantime you can visit the website via the Pub History Society webpage or you can go direct at

www.pubhistory.freeserve.co.uk/phs/aofb/index.htm

Please feel free to leave comments in the guestbook.

A query from Washington.

Michael Harrawood ( mharrawo@fau.edu )has been enjoying our webpages from the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, where he is working on the trial of Giles Mompesson.

He would be most grateful for any information anyone might have on Mompesson's career up to 1620.

As many of you will know Giles Mompesson was responsible for issuing Inn Licenses in the 17th century usually for private profit.

It was Mompesson who held the patent for the licensing of inns, giving him the right to prosecute those which were without a licence.

A story goes. One night, Mompesson set an agent to walk along the Holyhead road in the remoter part of Staffordshire. The man knocked on a door, saying he was lost, benighted and frightened. The cottager turned out of his own bed to let the agent sleep in it, and went to sleep with his cow. In the morning, to his great surprise, he found himself prosecuted for keeping an unlicensed inn. This story was told in loving detail at Mompesson's subsequent impeachment. It goes to show how dangerous the profit motive can be when let loose in law enforcement.

PHS Member Bob Jarrett has done much study in this field and was responsible for an article in the Rutland Record. The article includes:- A contemporary cartoon (one of the earliest in England), a copy and transcription of the Rutland entry in the account book, and details of the earliest references to Inns in Rutland.

If anyone has further information you can email Michael Harrawood directly or via the PHS.

Trotters at the Clarendon pub near Chatham

PHS Member, Roy Murrant has been given a picture of a group outside the Clarendon pub in Luton near Chatham, Kent. It dates from 1896.

The group are named the 'Trotters'.

Does anyone know what they might be? Some have top hats, some straw boaters and there even appears to be an Al Johnson lookalike on the far right! Music group, actors or just the locals dressing up for some reason. Answers on a postcard please.

Have a look at the photo at www.pubhistory.freeserve.co.uk/phs/trotters.jpg

Researchers Corner

Access to the 1901 census can now be gained via the official website www.census.pro.gov.uk.
It contains the results of the 1901 census for England and Wales and I recommend you have a look

www.RootsChat.com – is an online forum for Local and Family History for the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is divided up into counties and might prove useful to pub researchers.

Visit the Public Record Office

The National Archives now offers visitors the chance to see ‘behind the scenes’ every Saturday. These behind the scenes tours provide a terrific opportunity to see the inner workings of Britain’s most important archive and will give you a thorough introduction to the collection and workings of this immensely important resource.

Tours last approximately two hours and start at 11.00am and 2pm. The tour is suitable for wheelchair users and wheelchairs can be made available on request.

Places on the tours are limited and booking is essential. To book your free Saturday tour call 020 8876 3444.

Comedy of a violin

Kentish Publican cleverly tricked by a wandering musician Extract from ‘World's Fair’, December 11th 1909

It is dangerous to mention the word "violin" just at present in the hearing of the landlord of a certain hostelry in Gillingham, Kent and this is why.
A few days ago a wandering violinist dropped in, and after playing a few airs made the usual collection. Then, on the pretence that he was going to sing at a local concert in the evening, and would not want his violin, he asked the landlord to mind the instrument until the affair was settled.

Mine host consented, and placed the fiddle on a shelf at the back of the bar.
Shortly afterwards, a well-dressed stranger entered, called for refreshments and engaged in conversation with the landlord. Presently he remarked, "That's a fine old instrument you have, guv'nor." He asked to be allowed to examine it, and handling the instrument with the critical air of connoisseur, tried it and offered to give £5 for it. The landlord explained the circumstances under which it had been left there, and said it was not his to sell. But the stranger was keen, and gradually increased his offer to £15, without effect. Eventually, he departed, promising to call again and see if the owner would sell.

When the seedy violinist reappeared the landlord without alluding to the stranger's visit, offered £5 for the violin. The poor strolling player said he could not part with the instrument. As it was his sole means of obtaining a livelihood, but after a good deal of haggling he agreed to accept £13 for it. The landlord paid it willingly, thinking how easy he was going to clear £2.
But the connoisseur has not yet returned, and the landlord is convinced that he has not been cleverly "fleeced".

(Article reproduced by kind permission of Dr. Vanessa Toulmin, Director, National Fairground Archive, University of Sheffield

(www.shef.sc.uk/nfa/))

Some websites worth a look

www.HeanorHistory.org.uk/heanor.htm is part of a larger site dedicated to the history of this Nottinghamshire / Derbyshire border town. Contained within is a section of local pubs.

www.norfolkpubs.co.uk is looked after by Richard Bristow who has included every town and village in the county. Lots of information on lots of pubs including lists of licensees.

www.aletrails.com Pub heritage walks in London organised by a member of CAMRA's London pubs group.

www.alanroulstone.com is the website dedicated to the life and drawings of pub artist Alan Roulstone (1918-1989). During his lifetime he sketched hundreds if not thousands of pubs and they are now available on CD, details of which can be found via the website (follow the link to Michael Roulstone Publications).

Having renewed my acquaintance with Bill Lloyd of Chapel Books in deepest Monmouthshire I thought it only right and proper to acquaint everyone else with him too. Bill is a dealer in ancient documents and associated material, usually of use to family historians. Just occasionally he comes across deeds relating to pubs and inns from many parts of the country ( I have extracted a couple of items below). If anyone would like to contact Bill to inquire if he has anything from your county, please do so at the address below. He also has a website which can be found at www.chapelbooks.co.uk

Some items held by Chapel Books:-

Boars Head Inn, Braintree from 1740’s.
Castle Brewery Tap and the Elephant and Castle Inn, Colchester
The Jolly Farmers Public House, Cumberland Market, St Pancras, Middlesex.
The Swan Alehouse & Adjoining Property in Heather, Leicestershire (collection of deeds dating back to 1732)

Chapel Cottage, Llanishen, Chepstow NP16 6QT
tel 01600-860055
fax 01600-860100
Email info@chapelbooks.co.uk

For Sale

Brewing and Malting and Laboratory Companion

J. Ross-Mackenzie

Technical Press Ltd, Surrey

1927

Mr Ross - Mackenzie F.C.S., F.R.Mic.S, was the scientific & technical editor of the Brewer's Guardian

"It is a throughly revised and considerably augmented work based on " A
Handy Book for Brewers" by H.E.Wright M.A, embracing the conclusions of
modern research"

One page (an advert) has been carefully removed on page iii.

Price £25 postage extra (probably about £5). Contact Derek Gibson derek.gibson@virgin.net

Notes & Queries

Can any member provide me with some information on the Hempsheaf pub, Diss Road, Stradbroke, Suffolk ? My great great grandfather was publican in 1881. I am curious about the name which would not be acceptable nowadays !
cecchester@tiscali.co.uk

Does anyone know of a pub called the Ballot Box in Horsendon in Middlesex.
It is mentioned in some notes left by my father-in-law. However, he was quite elderly when he made these notes and he guesses his family were involved there in the late 1800's or early 1900's. I know they were at the White Hart in Greenford in 1901, so he might be off-track.

Thanks, John
ctayelor@mweb.co.za

The Ballot Box is still there although I believe that the original building was demolished in the 1930's. For West London it is in a surprisingly rural setting at the foot of Horsenden Hill. [Ed]

I'm looking for information about Old Hicks public House, King Street, Soho (now Shaftesbury Avenue) about 1837 - 1857.

Any help welcome, thank you.
pdelfed@beeb.net

I am trying to find information about the Ship Tavern in Canute Street, Southampton. Probably open in the late 19th early 20th century. On the wall of the building is still written LONDON & DUBLIN STOUT HOUSE. It is no longer a pub although we plan to turn it back to a pub/cafe/restaurant - opening September 2004

We do have an old photo of the building.
Any information would be most welcome.

Kind regards Jenny Fox-Johnson
chiefs@world-ok.com

I live in Dudley, West Midlands and I am interested in finding out the history of a pub called the Gypsy’s Tent. This is of interest to me because my father Mr A.F.Frederick may be a distant relative of the former owners. I would be grateful for any information you could give me.

yours faithfully R.J.frederick
KF004e4356@blueyonder.co.uk

I'm an expat living in Cumberland, Maryland that has recently purchased an old Vaux breweries pub sign. The pub's name was the Ring O'bells and I'd like to find out where this pub was/is located and as much other information as I can find. I was a bell ringer as a teenager in London and obviously like real ales so the sign was a no brainer.

Thanks for any help Vic Ward.

PS. I can Email a picture.
britbat@hereintown.net

I have recently moved into a house in Llangynog, Mid-Wales that was a pub, "The Powis Castle Inn" between 1900 and 1945 and the Brewer was Lassell & Sharman.

Any info would be gratefully received
invigilation@aol.com

I am searching for a photograph of the houses on both sides of a Charrington's pub called "The Crown and Shears " which stood up till 1956 (?) at the south end of The Minories in the City of London overlooking Tower Bridge. Can anyone help? Photo archives in London cannot help nor Glasgow Uni archives

martin.sugarman@westking.ac.uk

One of my ancestors was inn keeper at the Elephant and Castle and later at the Bowling Green Inn in Ludlow, Shropshire during the early 20th century. For my family history I would like to understand better the nature of pub life then, both for customers as well as for staff. I am interested particularly in obtaining pictures of the Elephant and Castle in the early 20th century and generally in any anecdotes your members may have relating to either of these pubs.

Great web page guys - my congratulations, John
raiswell@ripnet.com

I hope you can help in our search. We are taking over the tenancy of the Infirmary Hotel on Bolton Road, Blackburn, and Lancashire. We would like to know the history of the pub as far back as possible. Can you also let us know were we can obtain photographs and memorabilia.

Thanks, Stewart and Veronica
sturon@ntlworld.com

I am looking for information about my family's (Lashmar) involvement in brewing and pubs in Oxted, Surrey between about 1800 and 1900. They apparently were involved in growing hops, as brewers, maltsers, and also ran a pub on High Street in Oxted. I heard also that at some point the name Lashmar was apparently fairly well known in the business. I'm from Vancouver, Canada, and would greatly appreciate some suggestions.

Many thanks! Murray Lashmar
mlashmar@axionet.com

I am interested in a Isaac Habgood from Bowerchalke nr Salisbury, Wilts who was a Beerhouse keeper from about 1881-1911. Whether this was at the Bell Inn I do not now. Do you have any further information that may assist me. Thanking you in advance for your help.

redford457@hotmail.com

Researching pubs of WISBECH in Cambridgeshire...just the town & outskirts...not surrounding villages. I'm fully conversant with 'The Inns & Taverns of Wisbech' by Arthur Oldham (written 1950). I require anything to do with Wisbech pubs especially old photos, also any family tree info relating to Wisbech pubs. I've scoured nearly every directory (Pigot's, Robson's & Kelly's etc) & am tackling the newspapers from 1845 onwards but it's the odd casual contact that very often brings the new info....Please help. PS Wonderful website!!

Andy Ketley
andy.ketley@care4free.net

Printed Newsletters available to Members of the Pub History Society.

The Spring 2004 issue of our printed newsletter covered the following.

Book reviews

Public Houses, Private Lives: An Oral History of York Pubs in the Mid-20th Century By Mike Race

A Directory of York Pubs 1455 - 2003 by Hugh Murray

London’s Historic Inns and Taverns by Donald Stuart

The Pubs & Publicans of Cheslyn Hay (Staffordshire) by Pat Everiss

Cheslyn Hay Working Men's Club & Institute, the First 100 Years

Time, Gentlemen please: 300+ years of pubs and brewing in East and West Ilsley by Suzanna G. Burnay

Researching Publican and Brewery Ancestors by Simon Fowler

The World of the Tavern: Public Houses in Early Modern Europe

A-Z of Enfield Pubs 2 by Gary Boudier

Researcher's Corner

A look at a few places that might bear fruit for those researching pubs.

How to Find Out Owner(s), Mortgage Ties etc. of Pubs (How to use the Land Registry to your advantage)

Allied Breweries Slide Collection (Where to find the huge collection of pub pictures contained within)

We updated our members on a few previous articles.

Trouble House Inn, Tetbury, Gloucestershire.
Chichester Pubs.

We also like to have a look at the unusual!

The Quest for Britains most quirky pubs

Part 1 Pubs of the Cloth - pubs connected with the religious side of life.

Eccentric Pub News

It's always amusing to uncover the more unusual side of pub life.
This issue: Black Pudding throwing in Lancashire.

We like to finish our newsletter off with some odd occurance or perculiar event. This time we heard of a pub in Australia that had closed leaving the locals a round trip of 400km for a pint.

The Summer 2004 issue of our printed newsletter covered the following.

Articles

Reading Pubs A request for help from John Dearing

Ancient Order of Froth Blowers

Giles Mompesson, issuer of licenses. A query from Washington.

Trotters at the Clarendon pub near Chatham

Barmaids – Help Required

Saving the Past: The rescue of the Allied Breweries Archive

The Inns of Darts By Patrick Chaplin

Whatever became of Museum Taverns? By Mervyn Edwards, Spokesman of the Potteries Pub Preservation Group.

The Warwick Arms Public House, Maldon The Early Years By Stephen P. Nunn

Pub Heritage & Preservation - by Geoff Brandwood

Quirky pub news - Toe Wrestling in Derbyshire

And finally- smoking in pubs - experiences of a victorian publican

The Autumn 2004 issue of our printed newsletter covered the following.

Follow up to last issue

The Barmaid Question

Museum taverns

Froth blowers

Articles

“The Festering Slum” - Narrow Marsh, Nottingham a century ago By Peter Gurd

“It vanished in 1973” – The Magpie and Stump By Patrick Chaplin

A Historic Walk Through Bonsall, Derbyshire By Jim McIntosh with additional material from John Hirst and Ann & Alan Webster

“Some people have died of thirst trying to find it” The Mole Trap – Stapleford Tawney By Patrick Chaplin

Book reviews

Ye Olde Alehouses, Beerhouses Hotels, Inns, Public Houses, Taverns and Alcoholic Anecdotes of Loughborough through the ages by Bill Wells.

Images of London: Hammersmith and Fulham Pubs by Chris Amies

Historic Pubs in and around York 3rd Edition - Published by the York Pub Conservation Group.

Yesterday’s Pubs on Old Picture Postcards A review by Peter Gurd

Hull Pubs & Breweries (just a mention - hopefully full review in Winter 2005 issue) by Paul Gibson

Beer, Brewing & Pub History from Old O S maps: A study by Peter Gurd

The Alan Roulstone Collection

Heritage Open Days

The Geoff Brandwood files

Quirky Pub News - The annual ‘World’s Biggest Liar’ competition

And Finally an inflatable pub

END