The history of The Clickham Inn/Station Hotel, Blencowe, Nr Penrith

[Keith Sherwood]

I was wondering whether anyone knows anything about the history of The CLICKHAM INN, which stands on its own at a crossroads at Blencowe, near the village of Greystoke, not many miles from the town of Penrith.  I have seen an  undated photo showing a couple of women in white aprons standing some way apart in front of the same building, and on the back someone has written "The Misses Hanna (sic) and Dorris (sic) LANCASTER.  There is a sign on the inn/hotel behind that says "J.Bell  Station Hotel"
I have come across mention of a 1924 will of a John LANCASTER, of The Fish Hotel at the time of his death, who bequeaths sums of money to "daughter Hannah" and "granddaughter Doris".  There is of course no guarantee whatsoever that these are the same two women who perhaps carried on a family tradition of running a hostelry in the area.
Blencowe Railway Station nearby apparently opened in 1865.
That's all I know so far, and I would greatly appreciate it if someone could supply any local information  about the history of the building and its use, or at least tell me where to start looking for it...
Many thanks, Keith

[Geoff-E]

Hi Keith

I realise your post is 18 months old and by now you may well have all the answers.

The 1939 Register has the alleged dates of birth: Hannah 5/3/76, Doris 18/4/98 which seems right for Doris at least.  Both were single.  They were living at the Station Hotel, Blencow.

[Keith Sherwood]

Hi again, Geoff E,
And thanks so much for chipping in with that very useful information.  Exact date of births in the 1939 Register are such a valuable resource, aren't they?  I shall get back to the landlord of the Clickham Inn and tell him that we now know when exactly those two women in the photo he has hanging on the wall of his pub were born.
And 18 months is nothing in the life of a thread on here!  I've had threads I've started twitching back into life after a pause of over 10 years sometimes.
Have twice been back to this area of Cumbria for a week's holiday since we visited this pub in May 2021 (on our daughter's birthday in fact, for a very nice meal).  But not to the Clickham Inn about  which I have discovered absolutely nothing more of its past.
Very best wishes, Keith

[hanes teulu]

https://maps.nls.uk/view/102340860
This map (surveyed 1860, published 1867) shows a "P.H" where the Clickham Inn now stands. I'm assuming the map reflects the survey date, which was before the railway arrived 1865 and it didn't begin life as the Station Hotel.
Being described as a "P.H." rather than a beerhouse I had hoped to spot it named on a '61 Census or earlier - but no luck. Nor can I find (as yet) a newspaper article that might fit a pub in that location.

I did wonder why "Blencow Station", given its location but an 1865 newspaper item explains a Newbiggin Station already existed and Greystoke was ruled out because the local landowner "did not care to have the station called after his pleasant demesne".

[AlanBoyd]

Carlisle Journal - Tuesday 30 October 1877

Sale of the Station Hotel, Blencowe —  On Friday evening last Mr. Wm. Bowerbank offered for sale upon the premises the Station Hotel near Blencowe, Penrith, long well-known by the name of "Clickem Inn” and three acres of land adjoining, the rental which  is £50. The property was sold to Mr. W. Robinson, Kegdale Lane, at £1,272. Messrs. Cant and Fairer were the vendors' solicitors.

and here is the sale notice

Cumberland and Westmoreland Herald Oct 6 1877

VALUABLE FREEHOLD PUBLIC HOUSE AND LANDS NEAR BLENCOWE STATION, FOR SALE.
To BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION, on FRIDAY, the 26th of OCTOBER, 1877, at Six o'clock in the Evening, upon the Premises, at the Station Hotel, BLENCOWE, all that desirable MESSUAGE or PUBLIC HOUSE, called and known by the name of the STATION HOTEL, situate in the Township of Newbiggin, in the Parish of Dacre, in the County of Cumberland. And also all those TWO CLOSES or INCLOSURES of LAND, called respectively, "LONGLANDS CLOSE" and "MOSS CLOSE," situate closely adjoining the Hotel, and containing by estimation about THREE ACRES, be the same more or less.

The whole of the premises are in the occupation of Mr. ROBERT TINNISWOOD. as yearly tenant, and possession can be given at Whitsuntide next. This property, late the estate of Mr. John Robinson, deceased, is offered for Sale by the Trustees under his Will, and offers a very favourable opportunity for profitable investment, as the land is of superior quality, and the Hotel, being within a quarter of a mile of Blencowe Station on the Keswick Railway, is much frequented by travellers both by road or rail.

The Tenant will show the premises, and further particulars may be known on application to Messrs. THOMAS TODD and MARK WALKER, of Newbiggin aforesaid, Trustees for Sale ; or at the Office of Messrs. Cant and Fairer, Solicitors, Penrith.
WILLIAM BOWERBANK, Penrith, Auctioneer.
Penrith, Oct. 3rd, 1877.

[Keith Sherwood]

Hi again Hanes Teulu!
Thanks so much for that map.  I suppose the Record Office at Carlisle might have directories of the area beyond 1939  which would give further clues to when The Station Hotel there became The Clickham Inn.  And possibly who ran it as a pub.  It was certainly thriving when we visited it in May 2021 after having visited Nicky Richards' NH Racing stables just up the road at Greystoke to look at a horse he has in training there and of which we have a very tiny share.  And a good chat after an excellent meal with the landlord who showed us that b/w photo that is displayed on one of the walls, and who was wondering about the history of his hostelry, which I think he'd only taken over since 2018...

[AlanBoyd]

The widowed Jane Robinson selling up before the 1877 sale. She and her husband John are at the Station Hotel in the 1871 census.

Penrith Observer - Tuesday 08 May 1877

HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE FOR SALE
WILLIAM BOWERBANK hu received instructions from Mrs. Jane ROBINSON, to SELL BY AUCTION, on FRIDAY, the 11th day of MAY, 1877, at the STATION HOTEL, near BLENCOWE STATION. nearly the whole of her HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, BAR REQUISITES, etc., comprising 1 Camp Bedstead, Feather Beds, a number of Chairs, Longsettle, Pictures, Case of Stuffed Birds, Carpets, an excellent Dining Table and other Tables, Pots, Pans, Fenders, and Fire Irons.

An excellent Mangle, Ladders, Firewood, etc. Joiner's Bench and Tools, and a good Grindstone.

The BAR REQUISITES include Spirit Kegs, Pewter Measures, Wine and Tumbler Glasses, etc. etc.

The Sale to common at One o'clock, for Ready Money.

[Keith Sherwood]

...ah, Alan Boyd, posts crossing in the ether.  I need to have a good read, but very interesting to learn that the Station Hotel was previous to 1877 known as "The Clickem Inn"...Thanks so much for your input.
Keith

[AlanBoyd]

The Lancasters prosecuted in 1935.

Penrith Observer - Tuesday 14 May 1935

BLENCOWE LICENSEE CHARGED.
Drinks Before Time.
At Penrith Police Court this morning Hannah Lancaster, licensee, Station Hotel, Blencowe, Penrith, was charged with supplying through her agent (Doris Lancaster) intoxicating liquor to Henry Kenny, plate-layer, Oulton, and John Jacques, labourer, The Thorpe, Greystoke,  for consumption either on or off the licensed premises, during non-permitted hours, at 5.45 p.m. on May 7th.

Doris Lancaster, Station Hotel, Blencowe, was charged with supplying the liquor and, Kenny and Jacques were charged with consuming.

Mr. C. Arnison appeared for the female defendants. All four pleaded not guilty.

P.C. Renwick in evidence spoke to entering the promisee and finding defendant Kenny seated with a glass continuing brown liquid. He said he was drinking a "dash " and that he did not know whet the time was. He went to the kitchen and saw Jacques put a glass containing liquid into a small cupboard just where he was sitting. He saw Hannah Lancaster and asked her for an explanation. She said "They have just come in to hear the news." The wireless was then playing orchestral music. Witness took the glass out of the cupboard and told Jacques had been drinking beer, but he said it was not his. When he told defendants they would be reported they said they thought it was after six o'clock.

Cross-examined by Mr. Arnison witness did not agree that he had made a mistake in the time and that it was later than he had stated.

Giving evidence, Hannah Lancaster stated that Jacques had been cutting wood for her and when he came into the house a few minutes before six she gave him the drink as a friend. Kenny came in and her daughter asked her the time and witness told her it was five minutes after six by the kitchen clock. Thu policeman arrived almost immediately after.

Replying to Deputy Chief Constable Barron, witness denied that Jacques hid his glass.  The cupboard was more convenient than the table and was used by men for putting their glasses on. With regard to the time they were going by the clock and not the wireless. The set was " on " Athlone.

Doris Lancaster stated that she was sitting by the front window and saw the constable coming. but thought they were alright as it was after six. She corroborated the evidence and Mr. Barron cross-examined.

Kenny and Jacques also gave evidence.

John Taylor, Newton Reigny, stated he had been with Jacques a few minutes before he went into the house. The time was then about three minutes to six by his watch. The kitchen clock was at five minutes past six when witness's watch was at six o'clock.

Alfred Rowe, Penrith, stated he took out a pair of shoes he had repaired. He was there at a quarter to six and stayed about quarter of an hour and there were no customers in the inn then.

After a retirement the magistrates found the case proved and ordered Hannah Lancaster to pay a fine of 10s. and 3s. costs and the other three defendants 5s. each.