Author Topic: Pubs in Avonbridge in the early 20th century  (Read 238 times)

Offline Doddie

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Re: Pubs in Avonbridge in the early 20th century
« Reply #9 on: Wednesday 04 June 25 15:33 BST (UK) »
Hi Alan here is the pub photo I previously mentioned.

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Doddie

Offline AlanBoyd

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Re: Pubs in Avonbridge in the early 20th century
« Reply #10 on: Wednesday 04 June 25 15:37 BST (UK) »
I’m seeing references in newspapers in the 1940s to The Athletic Arms, Avonbridge, but not earlier.
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Offline AlanBoyd

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Re: Pubs in Avonbridge in the early 20th century
« Reply #11 on: Wednesday 04 June 25 16:13 BST (UK) »
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.
Boyd, Dove, Blakey, Burdon

Offline Doddie

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Re: Pubs in Avonbridge in the early 20th century
« Reply #12 on: Wednesday 04 June 25 16:30 BST (UK) »
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.

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Doddie


Offline AlanBoyd

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Re: Pubs in Avonbridge in the early 20th century
« Reply #13 on: Wednesday 04 June 25 16:40 BST (UK) »
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.
Boyd, Dove, Blakey, Burdon

Offline Doddie

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Re: Pubs in Avonbridge in the early 20th century
« Reply #14 on: Wednesday 04 June 25 17:39 BST (UK) »
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?

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Doddie

Offline AlanBoyd

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Re: Pubs in Avonbridge in the early 20th century
« Reply #15 on: Wednesday 04 June 25 18:50 BST (UK) »
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.
Boyd, Dove, Blakey, Burdon

Offline Doddie

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Re: Pubs in Avonbridge in the early 20th century
« Reply #16 on: Wednesday 04 June 25 19:47 BST (UK) »
Thanks Alan, you've been very helpful indeed. I appreciate you taking the time.

Regards

Doddie