|
|
 |
Bell House
The
publican 'Tim' Brookes outside The Bell in the 1940s
This house was formerly the Bell Inn and probably dates from
the eighteenth century, or at least its predecessor on the same
site does.
Documents show that the Bell was one of the two village pubs by
the second half of that century. Before the second world war,
there was a skittle alley at the back.
The pub closed for a period in the 1960s and then re-opened until
1975, when it ceased to be a pub. After that it was a post office
for a time.
Since then it has served various commercial uses, with a large
shed being built to the rear. This currently serves as a printing
works, and the Bell itself is a private house.
There were formerly three cottages attached to the pub, to the
left as you look at the front. Two were in line with the front
of the Bell and the third at right angles, making an 'L' shape.
These appear in a number of old photographs. They were thatched
and were demolished in the 1930s.
Mrs. Burton, the publican's
wife, and their daughter at the door of the 'Bell' in about 1910.
The Bell Inn
can be seen in this picture from the 1920s, when the fire brigade
came to deal with a fire in the thatch of one of the cottages
attached to the pub.
|
