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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Stirlingshire => Topic started by: Doddie on Tuesday 03 June 25 23:28 BST (UK)
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Hi, I am trying to establish if there was only one public house in the village of Avonbridge in the early 1900s and what its name was. My girlfriend has a family connection to a pub in the village. As far as I can ascertain the pub was owned by Slamannan based businessman John Wilson. I have managed to find a map of he local area dated 1910. I can only see one pub in Avonbridge marked. It is next to a smithy. I think this pub is still operating under the name the 'Avonbridge Inn'. If any one has any relevant information about the history of the local area, I would be grateful for any help.
Regards
Doddie
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This 1913 25 inch map has the Bridgehill Inn marked to the north of the river, and a P.H. south of the river. I think the latter is the current Avonside Inn.
https://maps.nls.uk/view/228782762#zoom=6.0&lat=7714&lon=3879&layers=BT (https://maps.nls.uk/view/228782762#zoom=6.0&lat=7714&lon=3879&layers=BT)
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The PH/Avonside Inn is not marked on this 1896 map:
https://maps.nls.uk/view/82906305#zoom=5.1&lat=9761&lon=13302&layers=BT (https://maps.nls.uk/view/82906305#zoom=5.1&lat=9761&lon=13302&layers=BT)
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The first newspaper mention for “Avonside Inn” is in 1988.
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Thank you for the prompt replies. Much appreciated. Alan, here’s a strange thing. I have come across the name Avonside Inn. As far as I can ascertain this pub is now called the Avonbridge Inn. I’ve seen a gphoto of it and that is what it says on the front of the building. I think it is a recent change of name. I will try to send the photo by attachment. I would appreciate any opinions of the building’s age. My girlfriend’s connection to the pub has a that her g. grandfather was a barman at a pub in Avonbridge and he also lived there with his wife and family.
Regards
Doddie
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Most of the evidence that I have found so far relates to the Bridgehill Inn.
I have seen one newspaper ref in 1892 to the Avonbridge Inn, but unfortunately no mention of the innkeeper.
Trade directories from 1893 and from 1921 both mention a single sprits dealer in Avonbridge, John Ponton in 1893 and David Adams in 1921. Unfortunately no names of establishments are given.
John Ponton was definitely at the Bridgehill Inn at that time, but I haven’t managed to tie down David Adams yet.
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In 1895 the proprietor of the Bridgehill Inn was Dan. Stewart, hotel keeper, South Queensferry, occupier John Ponton
In 1905 John Ponton was proprietor and occupier.
14 October 1903 Newspaper: Falkirk Herald
has, under Stirlingshire, new license applications, new premises
John Wilson, grocer, Avonbridge, Slamannan, Public-House, Applicant & Proprietor
Then in November the same year he was fined for selling watered-down whisky, so it seems he did get the license.
At this time John Ponton was definitely at the Bridgehill Inn, so I think we can rule that establishment out, if the John Wilson connection is a firm one.
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23 April 1904: Bridge of Allan Gazette
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Hi Alan, yes the John Wilson connection is solid. My girlfriend's g. grandfather is mentioned in a newspaper article from 1909. It refers to him working at a pub in Avonbridge owned by John Wilson. Alas, the name of the pub is not mentioned.
Regards
Doddie
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Hi Alan here is the pub photo I previously mentioned.
Regards
Doddie
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I’m seeing references in newspapers in the 1940s to The Athletic Arms, Avonbridge, but not earlier.
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Is it possible, because of the way it evolved from a licensed grocers, that while John Wilson was running the public house it didn’t have a name? It would just go on being known as “Wilson’s” to the locals. I don’t imagine there was a large passing trade to be tempted to come in.
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Hi, here is the 1910 map. I have highlighted the pub in blue. As far as I can see it is the only pub. Further north I see an 'Inn' marked. Not sure if this refers to an hotel set-up rather than just a pub.
Regards
Doddie
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The pub that you have coloured blue is the one that appears in the period between the two maps that I linked to earlier. The timing of its appearance (between 1896 and 1913) is consistent with it being John Wilson’s establishment and the pub that’s still there.
If you compare that map to those that I linked to earlier you will see that the northerly ‘Inn’ is the Bridgehill Inn. Everything that I have seen in newspaper articles is consistent with it being simply a public house, but it may have had a couple of rooms I suppose. The site also had two houses, mentioned in the 1905 Valuation, but unoccupied. They are also mentioned when the Inn went up for sale at some point (don’t recall). The last newspaper mention of the Bridgehill was in 1957. I suspect that the site was redeveloped at that time.
Added: I think you have coloured the wrong building, I think the pub is immediately north of that by the main street.
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Hi Alan, can I just clarify. You don’t think I have marked the correct pub, which is quite possible. However, you also say that it is the only that is consistent with being John Wilson’s one. As my girlfriend’s g. grandfather worked in a pub in Avonbridge owned by John Wilson, wouldn’t that mean it would have been the one marked in blue?
Regards
Doddie
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Apologies, I was being pedantic about exactly where your blue colouring was. It’s all much clearer in the large scale map linked in my reply #1 but in terms of your map, and to clarify what I am saying, blue is ‘Wilson’s’ and red is the Bridgehill Inn. So yes, it is the blue one that is relevant to you.
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Thanks Alan, you've been very helpful indeed. I appreciate you taking the time.
Regards
Doddie