Railway Inn

[organicgardener]

My greatgrandfather Hugh Challinor who was a blacksmith ran the Railway Inn in Alphram in 1894. According to the old newspapers it was a small beer house with a smithy attached in which Hugh shod horses, Would anyone know where it was situated as on the 1891 census the next houses just state near the station, and the one before says Calveley Hall. It says in the paper it was a den for thieves and poachers and contributed to the downfall of a young clean living youth and there was trouble with tramps and a barge woman with a melodian.

[Jo Harding]

Hello organicgardener,

In the 1891 census return, The Ralway Inn is at the following reference:

RG12/2857 Folio 9 Page 11.

The Innkeeper is James Rutter, aged 33 and born Haughton, Cheshire. The household includes a Sarah Ann Challinor, aged 21 and employed as a General Servant (Domestic), born Calveley.

There would be more information on this place in the book on Alpraham by Frank Latham, a local historian who has also lived there for many years. This was one volume in a series of local history books on Cheshire. They are mainly out of print now but can be found in the Cheshire Record Office and some local libraries.

Jo.

[organicgardener]

Thanks for that Jo, I did see the 1891 census with Sarah Ann as a servant.I live in Australia so can't get to the records office. Hugh was a blacksmith all his life and took on the Railway Inn as it had a blacksmith shop at the back, however he seems to have got himself in trouble with the law running a pub and by 1901 was living in Warrington and a blacksmith again.He isn't to be found in 1911 and He died in Wigan in 1925 after falling down the stairs, seems a long way from Beeston b 1856. Thanks again Chris.

[kathb]

Hi, Chris, I am in the Chester Archives and Local Studies at the moment so looked up the site of the Railway Inn.
According to the book referred to by Jo Harding:
Alpraham by Frank A Latham, the History of a Cheshire Village
Railway Inn "if the sun is shining in the right direction the name :The Railway Inn" can still be seen on the building (now two houses) on the outskirts of Alpraham, almost opposite the Davenport Arms.
If you use google maps and enter the following postcode CW6 9JN you will see the Davenport Arms and then scan to the opposite side of the road.  I couldn't make out the name on any of the houses, but will see if I can see them on the way home on the bus.  - If the sun is shining in the right direction!
Regards
Kathb

[organicgardener]

Thanks Kath, lets hope the sun is shining for you !! it's been snowing here (well sleet really) I am going to google it and see what I can get. Thanks again Chris.

[kathb]

Hi, Chris, typical English weather, no sun on the way home on the bus.  I will look each Tuesday when I go to the archives through Alpraham.  You will probably note on Google Maps that the bus stop is called Calveley Station. There are only two sets of houses opposite the Davenport Arms so it must be one of them.  If you look at a satellite view you will see that the rail line still runs opposite the Davenport, behind the houses opposite (although there is no station there nowadays).
Regards
Kathb
P.S. Hope the sleet has gone

[Tipple]

Hi Chris,

I have also had a chance to have a look at the copy that I ordered from the library.  In 1896, "Hugh Challinor, Beer Retailer" was an occupant of "Alpraham Reading Room."  Also, in 1865 "Robert Challinor first opened an office in the village in partnership with Mr. Singleton of the Egerton Arms" (this was in connection with Beeston Market).  "Later Mr. Challinor was to become a draper in Chester where he died in 1908, but in the meantime he was the Secretary of the Cheshire Dairy Farmers Association for eighteen years."  Does Richard fit in anywhere?    Anyway, hope this is of assistance to you

Tipple

[organicgardener]

Hi Tipple, thanks for that information I had never heard of the Alpraham Reading Room connection, will have to chase that one up, as far as I knew he was at the Railway Inn when he had the licence taken away, I got this information from the Lancs Library Old Newspapers that tell all about Hugh's downfall !! I did have the information about Robert Challinor and all the judging he did at local shows as I am a cheesemaker myself, only small and it's goats cheese, we have a couple of milking goats. I can't find a connection to Robert but it was interesting, he was an auctioneer too and said to be the son of Samuel Challinor. Thanks again tp both you and Kathb for your help. Chris.

[Tipple]

Hi Chris ,

In the words of Monthy Python's "Life of Brian";

"Blessed are the cheesemakers!"

Tipple

PS  The book also mentions the family of one of the parents at Calveley School, which I am going to pass on to her to read!  It really is a small world !