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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Durham => Topic started by: jac on Friday 02 March 07 11:15 GMT (UK)

Title: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: jac on Friday 02 March 07 11:15 GMT (UK)
Hi,

My great grandfather was innkeeper at The Bird in the Bush Inn, Penshaw Staithes, Houghton le Spring. (1901 census).
Does anyone have any photographs or information about this Inn? or suggestions of any local historians, libraries, museums that I might contact.

Thanks, Jacqui
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: stanmapstone on Friday 02 March 07 13:42 GMT (UK)
If you go to http://www.tomorrows-history.com/ you can see the historic maps of the area. The 'Bird in the Bush Inn' is shown from the earliest maps and is shown as 'Bush House' on the 1960-69 map, but has gone on the 1970 map.
Stan
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: jac on Friday 02 March 07 22:44 GMT (UK)
Thanks for that info Stan and the Link to the old maps. I have added it to my favourites. 
Cheers, Jacqui
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: justmej on Monday 12 March 07 22:35 GMT (UK)
Hi Jacqui

Noticed your message and am wondering if this might be the same place with another name now of The Bird in Hand, Penshaw.  The area is right and the name very similar (maybe changed since 1901?).  Have heard that the present Bird in Hand is now boarded up (unsure when that happened), but is situated in what is now called Railway Terrace, Penshaw.

Jan
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: jac on Wednesday 21 March 07 22:25 GMT (UK)
Hi Jan,
Sorry but have just caught up with your message. There were definately two pubs "The Bird in the Hand" at Penshaw & "The Bird in the Bush" at Penshaw Staithes. Kelly's Directory 1890 lists both pubs.
Thanks for your interest.
Best regards, Jacqui
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: paulr_1 on Wednesday 18 April 07 19:44 BST (UK)
Hi Jacqui,

I live fairly close to what was Penshaw Staithes and have old pictures of the area in books which I could scan if you are interested. There is also a grainy, small (poor)  "drawing" in a book which shows the Bird in the Bush Inn, but don't get your hopes up too high, it is of poor quality so not sure how well it will scan. The staithes area is now park land and a lake was created there in the 1970s.

What was your g.grandfather's name, because there is also some mention of previous landlords too.

Cheers,

Paul
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: jac on Tuesday 15 May 07 18:23 BST (UK)
Hi Paul,

Once again I have left it a while before checking for new posts to my message. Please accept my sincere apologies for not acknowledging your reply sooner. My g.grandfather's name was John Malcolm. He was innkeeper of the Bird in the Bush on the 1901 census but not on the 1891 census. It would be great to have some pictures of the area, especially of the inn if you would be so kind to have a go scanning them I would be extremely grateful.

Many thanks, Jacqui
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: Billy Fish on Tuesday 18 November 08 22:27 GMT (UK)
Strangely enough my g.grandfather was the Landlord of this Pub in 1919!
I don't know when he took it over but he is noted as living there in 1919 on some military service records of his brother who died in WW1.
From family chatter I know it was at one time a temperance bar Similar to Jacqui I would welcome any photo's etc of the old place and area.
It has been demolished for quite some time now but I remember going on quite a few riverside walks past the site of it with my Dad when I was a young'un.
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: Mrs Penshaw on Wednesday 13 January 10 23:47 GMT (UK)
Hi Jacqui
I live in the area of Penshaw Staiths. This photo was taken circa 1904 & the white building (as if you hadn't guessed) is the pub. Hope you get the attachment ok
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: Billy Fish on Thursday 14 January 10 09:49 GMT (UK)
Thanks Mrs P. that's a great photo with the added bonus of Penshaw Monument in the background!

The attached photo is of my g.grandfather and grandfather outside the pub whilst it was a temperance bar. Grandfather went on to be a part-time jockey for Lord Lambton when he wasn't down the pit. The photo would be circa 1914.
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: jac on Saturday 16 January 10 00:25 GMT (UK)
Hi, I have to agree with Billy Fish. A great photo & many thanks for sharing it with us. Do you know when it was demolished?
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: Mrs Penshaw on Saturday 16 January 10 15:26 GMT (UK)
I've no idea at all when it was demolished. I don't know how you'd find out either. I'm glad you like the picture
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: iliad1 on Saturday 21 November 15 10:04 GMT (UK)
More info here https://sites.google.com/site/fatfieldsite/inns/bird-in-bush
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: Billy Fish on Saturday 21 November 15 14:54 GMT (UK)
My Great Grandfather, Thomas William Flannigan, was living in the Pub when he enlisted into the Army in 1915, known then as "The Bush" and later Bush house. I think it got demolished sometime in the sixties
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: bibliotaphist on Saturday 21 November 15 16:47 GMT (UK)
Quote from: iliad1 on Saturday 21 November 15 10:04 GMT (UK)
More info here https://sites.google.com/site/fatfieldsite/inns/bird-in-bush
That's a great website; thanks for the link. (My great-great aunt was the landlady of the Biddick Inn at Fatfield, also listed on that site.)
Title: Re: Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw
Post by: Malleycat on Tuesday 24 October 23 10:36 BST (UK)
My grandfather was Thomas William Flannigan. Trying to work out what that makes me to you.