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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Berkshire => Topic started by: Dale on Saturday 29 April 06 11:35 BST (UK)

Title: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Dale on Saturday 29 April 06 11:35 BST (UK)
Kia Ora
I have just received a death cert. for Florine Annie Fairy from 1926.
It says "of Boot Inn Stanford Dingley near Reading." Her husband John Fairy was a Licensed Victualler.

Is any one able to give me any further info? Photos or any idea of the time they spent there? An address to which I could write? Absolutely any wee gem will be seized upon with delight Down Under!
Thank you
Marlene
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: behindthefrogs on Saturday 29 April 06 17:45 BST (UK)
After a lot of searching I have discovered that the pub is a "free house".  This means that it is probably run by its owners rather than being owned by a brewery or a chain.

This means that you should write directly to the

 "Old Boot Inn"
Stanford Dingley
Berkshire
RG7 6LT

If you are lucky and they are interested they could help.  The deeds of the pub should tell you if they exist that far back.

However I have just been to the following site

http://www.a2a.org.uk/

Choose Berkshire Record Office and searched on Boot Inn.
The record office seems likely to have the deeds for the period you are interested in.  The fact that the Inn seems be sold between Breweries does how ever make me question my statement above.

If you can quote a reference, as you will be able to from that search, obtaining copies is usually very cheap sometimes free from record offices as no searching is involved.  you can find their address etc from a2a

David



 
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Dale on Saturday 29 April 06 23:20 BST (UK)
Wow what wonderful service! Thank you. I'll take a look on a2a immediately.
Thanks David. :)
Marlene
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Vicwinann on Sunday 30 April 06 05:08 BST (UK)
Hello Marlene,
Just to tell you that from 1851 through to 1891 at least (I haven't yet got the 1901 census for them) one of my families - the Laileys, first George Lailey and then his son George,  held the Boot Inn at Stanford Dingley.  Both father and son were also the village bakers.  It is possible that your Fairey family were somehow connected to the Laileys or maybe the Toms family.
If it should prove relevant for you I have most of the censuses for that address.
Regards
Vicwinann
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: liverpool annie on Sunday 30 April 06 05:13 BST (UK)


And just so you can say .....  ooh ee ooh ........  :o :o

Stanford Dingley

The Boot Inn is reputedly haunted by a man who hanged himself in its orchard. Doors and draws are said to open and close mysteriously at times.

The old rectory is said to have a ghost.

A shrouded woman is said to walk in Jennet’s Wood at midnight.

Annie  :) :)
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Dale on Sunday 30 April 06 08:14 BST (UK)
Kia Ora Vicwinann
How absolutely wonderful to meet a descendant of previous owners. Greetings!
The information on Florine's death cert came completely out of the blue to me.

John Fairy was my great gran's brother. She came to NZ in 1878 with her husband and was obviously sent, amongst other items,  a photo of John Fairy with the words "works at London Law Courts" or similar written on the back. I have tracked the Fairy family members back to the 1780s but only recently had the time to start searching forwards past 1901.

John Fairy was still working at the London Law Courts 1915/16 so I can only imagine Boot Inn was a retirement job or something to keep 'the wife happy'.
I have no idea whether they owned the Inn or maybe just worked there!
Are you aware of any deeds or lists of Licensed Victuallers I could research?
My greatgran died in 1936 and never returned to England and I guess the families lost contact as after 11 years of researching I have not made contact with any descendants of John's 2 daughters Esther Alberta (Ettie) & Annie Louise or his 2 stepdaughters Edith or Florence Julia formerly Mullins.
In 1901 the Fairys are at  37 Peckham Grove Camberwell. Still there in 1915.
Sorry I cannot help you any further but I'll let you know if I find anything!
Regards
Marlene
I have not come across the names Lailey or Toms in my search I'm sorry.
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Dale on Sunday 30 April 06 08:19 BST (UK)
Kia Ora Liverpool Annie
OOOH! I do love the ghost stories! I've just put the Old Boot Inn on my list of must sees when I visit - after I've won the Lotto!
Do you live close by? I cannot find a photo on the Net nor the ghostly heritage story.
Any ideas how I could find out more?
Very grateful for that wee gem. ::) Thank you
Marlene
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: behindthefrogs on Sunday 30 April 06 10:40 BST (UK)
Two thoughts on the previous comments.

One of my son's friends was a Layley and he obtained a grant for university from the Huguenot Society because the family was of Huguenot origin.

What was your source of the ghost story Annie?  I have another such story about the pub in whose Orchard my house was built, which I wouuld like to trace.
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: liverpool annie on Sunday 30 April 06 15:22 BST (UK)


Hi David !!

I got it from here !! hope you find your orchard !!

http://www.berkshirehistory.com/legends/ghosts_s.html

Annie  :) :)
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: behindthefrogs on Sunday 30 April 06 16:22 BST (UK)
Thank you Annie.

Unfortunately that site, like the others, just tells me that the main road outside my front gate is haunted by an old London Coach which disappeared there. I just can't find out any more.

Perhaps one of these days I will see it and get a hint of the date from the clothing.

David
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: quizmaster on Thursday 04 May 06 22:24 BST (UK)
Pre genealogy days when I lived in Berks, I went there on several occasions. It must look very much like it did 100 years ago (from the outside at least). Good luck with the hunting. If you can find photos, then that would give you a pretty good feel for the place.
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Dale on Thursday 04 May 06 23:15 BST (UK)
Kia Ora ALL
Thank you so much for your help! I haven't found the identity of the ghosts (!) but a LOVELY LADY named TANIA has sent me a photo off site.
I am thrilled to bits to be able to see where greatgran's brother resided or pulled a pint!
Many many thanks to all! Especially Tania!
Marlene in Aotearoa. :) ;) :-*
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: newburychap on Friday 09 June 06 09:20 BST (UK)
Vicwinann - you might be interested in George Lailey, the Bucklebury bowl turner.  As one of the last practising this old courty craft (he used a pole lathe) he attained a degree of fame. West Berkshire Museum have some of his bowls and painting of him. It would be surprising if he wasn't related to any Laileys from nearby Stanford Dingley.
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Vicwinann on Saturday 10 June 06 00:07 BST (UK)
Vicwinann - you might be interested in George Lailey, the Bucklebury bowl turner.  As one of the last practising this old courty craft (he used a pole lathe) he attained a degree of fame. West Berkshire Museum have some of his bowls and painting of him. It would be surprising if he wasn't related to any Laileys from nearby Stanford Dingley.

Hello,
Yes I know.  I used to watch him as a child, little realizing that he had a connection with my family.  In fact, I have several links with my Sellwoods and the Laileys.  Most of the Layley/Lailey families in that area were connected although I haven't yet managed to link them all.  Thanks anyway.
Regards
Vicwinann
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: J.J. on Friday 08 December 06 20:40 GMT (UK)
http://uk-thamesvalleyexplore.co.uk/index.cfm?Articleid=665
Would have loved to have found it as an old time photo...
No ghosts or Fairies in photo....but
... oh, look Restuarants! Whatever that is ;D J.J.


Was hoping this may be it, as this is also a " Boot Inn" in Berkshire, but apparently there are several Inns with similar names!
http://www.andrewspages.dial.pipex.com/photo/b/boot_nora.jpg
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: lfiddes on Wednesday 29 July 09 18:49 BST (UK)
Vicwinann - you might be interested in George Lailey, the Bucklebury bowl turner.  As one of the last practising this old courty craft (he used a pole lathe) he attained a degree of fame. West Berkshire Museum have some of his bowls and painting of him. It would be surprising if he wasn't related to any Laileys from nearby Stanford Dingley.

Hello,
Yes I know. I used to watch him as a child, little realizing that he had a connection with my family. In fact, I have several links with my Sellwoods and the Laileys. Most of the Layley/Lailey families in that area were connected although I haven't yet managed to link them all. Thanks anyway.
Regards
Vicwinann
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: newburychap on Thursday 30 July 09 01:01 BST (UK)
Not sure what Ifiddes was intending?

But it so happens I saw the Boot on telly this evening - in the latest Who Do You Think You Are? - Kate Humble met her father there at the start of the programme.
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Cadoganpier on Saturday 24 October 09 17:06 BST (UK)
I am going there for lunch tomorrow!
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Dale on Sunday 25 October 09 00:49 BST (UK)
OK I am green with envy![/color][ Wonder if there are any records of past Licensees?
I am looking for the surname FAIRY!
Cheers
Dale
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: newburychap on Sunday 25 October 09 01:15 BST (UK)
Wonder if there are any records of past Licensees?
What date?
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Dale on Monday 28 March 11 11:27 BST (UK)
HI Newbury Chap
I think I must have gone to bed and didn't get your message! Nor did anything arrive in my mailbox!
SORRRREEE!
The years I am looking at are possibly  between 1914 &1926.

Now I am even more curious as while browsing women's mags at the Dairy today there was an article  showing a photo of the "Old Boot Inn" ,saying Kate Middleton's mother had had "fiery words" with Landlord because he intend having a prince & princess party on the day of the wedding!!

The photo is the same as a building that a kind soul sent me! Is that the same village that Kate's family live in??

A very curious Kiwi!
 ???Dale
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Vicwinann on Monday 28 March 11 13:22 BST (UK)
Hi there,
Yes, it is the same village.  And the same pub. Some of my extended family had links with it - ie were landlords in the 19th century.
The Press hullabaloo has put me off visiting this year. I can do without all the obvious security surrounding this wedding that there is likely to be.
Vicwinann
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: HeatherLynne on Monday 28 March 11 13:24 BST (UK)
Hi Dale    I wonder if you've seen this site?

http://deadpubs.co.uk/Berkshire/StanfordDingley/OldBoot.shtml

Hopefully of some use to you  :)
Heather
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: newburychap on Monday 28 March 11 15:17 BST (UK)
The years I am looking at are possibly  between 1914 &1926.
Local directories give the landlords but there aren't many for the 1920s.  The BRO has petty session records for Newbury Division which will probably cover Stanford Dingley. These show licences being granted not always naming the pub).

The Boot appears under Bucklebury - to my amazement part of the village of Stanford Dingley, including the Boot was in Bucklebury parish. This anomaly has since been sorted out and the Boot is firmly in Stanford Dingley these days.

1914, F Price, 1915, 1916 & 1917 F Ruddle (all Cosburn's Directory of Newbury & District for the relevent year)
1915, Frederick Ruddle; 1920, Fredk. Jas. Mason; 1924, William Fairy (Fdk Wm in the classified listing); 1928, Geo Wassell (all Kelly's Directory of Berkshire)

Now I am even more curious as while browsing women's mags at the Dairy today there was an article  showing a photo of the "Old Boot Inn" ,saying Kate Middleton's mother had had "fiery words" with Landlord because he intend having a prince & princess party on the day of the wedding!!

The photo is the same as a building that a kind soul sent me! Is that the same village that Kate's family live in??
Mrs Middleton needs to calm down, why shouldn't the Boot have its party?

The Boot is in Stanford Dingley, the Middletons live in Chapel Row, part of Bucklebury - the two are close (a mile or so from house to pub). See http://tinyurl.com/68vgjln
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Dale on Tuesday 29 March 11 00:47 BST (UK)
Kia Ora all
THANK YOU very much for all the comments/leads! I was particularly interested to read of (Fredk) William Fairy as I have a Wills "missing"!   :'(

Newbury I am "geographically challenged" at the best of times so i am secretly pleased that even "locals" are amazed!

Tonight I'll search! Right now it's lunch time on a prefect blue sky Autumn day and the garden calls .

Thanks again
Dale
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Jool on Tuesday 29 March 11 01:44 BST (UK)
Hiya Dale,

I've found a photo of the Boot Inn, not much of the pub in shot but it looks a lovely location.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2597

Jool
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: newburychap on Tuesday 29 March 11 09:30 BST (UK)
Hiya Dale,

I've found a photo of the Boot Inn, not much of the pub in shot but it looks a lovely location.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2597

Jool
The Stanford Dingley / Bucklebury parish boundary used to run down the middle of that road - the cottage on the left was in Stanford, the Boot in Bucklebury.

The caption on the photo is wrong - the C15th inn is the Bull, the Boot is C18th (according to their English Heritage listings).
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Dale on Tuesday 29 March 11 12:11 BST (UK)
Guess what's on my BUCKET LIST?
Many thanks Jool and guess what John Fairy's niece married a Spooner in New Zealand! Not sure where they originated however.

We have a wee village not far from here where a main road divides a town. One side is Sanson the other Sandon. Bureauocracy and spelling errors do some strange things.
THANK YOU!
Dale
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: newburychap on Wednesday 30 March 11 00:59 BST (UK)
Guess what's on my BUCKET LIST?

The Boot is a good little pub, well worth a visit.  Good food, good beer - what more could you want?
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Dale on Wednesday 30 March 11 11:10 BST (UK)
Kia Ora
First I need a Lotto win to get me there! After appeasing my conscience with a donation to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal I'll book a plane seat !
Boot Inn will be a compulsory visit among my graveyard  tours!
Thanks for all the advice and gems of local knwledge!
Dale
New Zealand
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: newburychap on Tuesday 05 April 11 16:33 BST (UK)
Had a look in some Reading directories yesterday - some of them have local village listings, some of which include Bucklebury and hence the Boot.

The Boot Inn or Old Boot Inn:
1918 Smith's Directory - J Ruddle
1921 Kelly's Directory -  A Mason
1922 & 1923 Smith's Directory - A Mason
1924 Smith's Directory - no entry

Subsequent directories (to 1928) have no village listings.

So no further sign of your Fairy - looks like he arrived in 1924 and didn't stay very long.  Electoral rolls could tie it down further but the best bet is probably the petty sessions books if you want to find out exactly when he arrived and left.
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Dale on Tuesday 05 April 11 23:56 BST (UK)
Kia Ora Newbury Chap
I very much appreciate your going the extra mile!! Thank you!
I must admit to being somewhat surprised by the wording on the Death Cert ! BUT.... as I am tracking forward to find rellies left behind following emigration in the 1870s, anything could have happened!
I am particularly puzzled by the appearance of a William Frederick/Fredk William as the only only family member I know of was safely tucked up in Australia!

Thanks for the advice about Electoral Rolls - it seems I have some work to do!
Thanks again for your help & advice.
Dale
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: colincj on Sunday 26 February 12 12:06 GMT (UK)
Hi  I have just found this site I am related to the Laileys, Fanny Lailey 24th June 1849  was my Great Grandmother and her daughter Mary Platt nee White my Grandmother,what i can make out is the Laileys lived in Stanford Dingly for around 500yrs myself im liveing in Australia find it quite difficult to do all of the research,will be visiting Stanford Dingley this yr.If there is any thing you can tell me about them i would appreciate very much.C.Carter
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Vicwinann on Saturday 03 March 12 12:42 GMT (UK)
Hello Colincj,
Your Fanny Lailey 1849 seems to have ended up in Worcestershire in the 1881. Her husband was a coachman domestic servant so his work probably took him there with his employer.
Daughter Mary White was born there in 1880.
Fanny was dau of Thomas Lailey 1795 and Mary Ann nee Chivers b 1819  according to my research.
Vicwinann
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: colincj on Saturday 03 March 12 12:56 GMT (UK)
Thanks for that Mary White was my grandmother,she died in 1967.
Im liveing in Australia and find it a bit difficult sometimes to do research
im trying to find a piece in the Reading Mercury,Of a Frances Lailey nee Hollowaywho died in 1947, Drowned.Or read the coroners report i believe death was accidental,any ideas.
Regards C. Carter
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Vicwinann on Saturday 03 March 12 13:13 GMT (UK)
I haven't come across a Frances Holloway married to a Lailey/Layley and I can't see her marriage or death on FreeBMD  but The British Newspaper Archive might be a start as you have a date for the event.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: colincj on Saturday 03 March 12 13:22 GMT (UK)
Thanks vicwinann made a typo in that last post she died 1847 not 1947,ill look into the newspaper link but for now im off to bed thanks again
ps Frances holloway would have been my great great great grandmother
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Vicwinann on Saturday 03 March 12 13:39 GMT (UK)
Ah, that is more like it. Where did you get Frances' maiden name from? I know she was a widow when she married Richard  as Fanny Jennings in 1799, and I have her burial.

As this is now straying from the original heading, I will send you a private message with my email address and we can discuss things in more detail.
You may have the evidence that I have been looking for to unravel the three Thomas Lailey's all born around the same time. A lot of the various online sites seem to have got them all muddled up.  You also seem to have different information to me.

Yours
Vicwinann
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: colincj on Saturday 03 March 12 13:46 GMT (UK)
Hi my email address is * yes there are a few muddles but am getting there
it seems that Thomas Lailey was married twice the first being a Mary Elizabeth Bennett they married in 12th Nov 1829 she died and he married frances Holloway

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Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Vicwinann on Saturday 03 March 12 13:54 GMT (UK)
Colin,
You must not publish your email address on open forum. As soon as the administrator sees it, she will delete it. It is against Rootschat's privacy policy and to protect everyone from spammers. 
Yours
Vic
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: SeaSoldier1664 on Monday 16 July 12 20:56 BST (UK)
Colincj
I am also a descendant of the Laileys and would love to get in touch with you to discuss the family. Frances 'fanny' Lailey (nee Holloway) was my 5th Great Grandmother.

I didn't know about the drowning?

Regards

martin
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Vicwinann on Tuesday 17 July 12 00:50 BST (UK)
Hello Seasoldier
I must admit to not having followed this up to find an Inquest or Newspaper report. The burial of Fanny in 1847 at St Denys Stanford Dingley does say "Drowned in river accidentallty Coroners Inquest" on the Berks fhs burial index.

Which child of Richard Lailey and Fanny do you descend from? Unlike Colinj, my relationship is more of an intermarriage one, but am happy to share anything that may be useful to you.
Vicwinann
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: colincj on Tuesday 17 July 12 02:43 BST (UK)
Hi Vicwinann i did get intouch with Reading Historical society who passed me on to Reading Libaries,
They said the Reading Mecury dated 24th April 1842 p2 col6 :At Stanford Dingley,on view of the body of Fanny Lailey,age 74yrs who is appeared in evidence was found drowned in the parish on the 9th inst,and on a full investigation that it was accidental.

Hope this helps

Colin
Title: Re: Old Boot Inn Stanford Dingley
Post by: Vicwinann on Tuesday 17 July 12 14:24 BST (UK)
Hi Colin
Thanks for that.
The Pang claimed another victim. I did wonder whether she drowned in the "bottomless"  Blue Pool just over the boundary in Bradfield, a place I used to go to  as a child. If my mother had caught me there she would have had a fit.
I note that today the area is surrounded by barbed wire  http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2283804  for an OS picture. Anyone know why? The "Dolls House" close to it fascinated me and my sisters.
Vic