A SHORT HISTORY OF BRIDGEND TOWNS PUBLIC HOUSES AND INNS. PART 1
A
SHORT HISTORY
OF
BRIDGEND TOWN`S
PUBLIC HOUSE AND INN`S.
A very old image of Bridgend before industrialization, circa 1840, showing Newcastle hill in the background.
FOREWORD
Once upon a time, Bridgend town was a very busy and industrious market town and sporting at lest forty plus buildings around the town that were used as public houses, taverns or inn`s at some point in the towns 900 years of existence.
this is my attempt to record the history of these Ale houses and the landlords and landlady's as well as any interesting events that were associated with the pubs.
All these watering holes have a story or two to tell.
Bridgend town has existed for more then 900 years in one shape or another with a number of name changes.
In the last 500 years or so the inn`s and public drinking house`s have been a focal point for the local people and to travelers coming to Bridgend.
I have endeavored to research every single inn and public house that has ever existed in the town center and the outer fringes of the town.
The research into the taverns and inn`s of Bridgend will be an on going affair and will be updated with every little snippet of information that comes to light and it will be added to the relevant pub section.
At this point in my research I have found the existence of more then 40 plus of these type of establishments.
Each pub will have it`s very own section with the timeline of it`s landlords / landlady`s, dates and any other notable events of interest and if possible a series of photos showing the pub`s through the decades of their existence.
there will also be map locations of each pub showing the whereabouts of the pub in relation to each other.
there will also be a small section on the local brewery's that supplied the pubs and taverns of the area.
The information is has accurate as possible but will undoubtedly be subject to change.
I will update each individual pub section or edit with any new information that comes to light.
There are many sources of information that I have not attempted to access at this early stage of research, but I will give these sources my attention when I have exhausted the current ones i have at my disposable.
Any CRITICISM or Information will be gratefully received with thanks.
The Pub`s and Ale houses of Bridgend will be broken down into four separate sections.
The first section will cover all the public houses in the Newcastle area, Newcastle hill, west of the river Ogmore.
The second section will cover the Oldcastle area, Nolton street.
The third will list all the pubs in the town center.
The final section will cover the fringes of Bridgend town, Cefn-Glas, Brackla, Pen-y-fi etc.
1 - NEWCASTLE ( Newcastle hill ).
2 - OLDCASTLE ( Nolton street ).
3 - BRIDGEND TOWN CENTER.
4 - The OUTSKIRTS of BRIDGEND ( Fringes ).
Each section will have a descriptive heading explaining the location of the pub in the town and a list of pubs in each section.
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The list below is not a complete list of all the public houses in Bridgend town.
Many of the Alehouses have had name changes over the years of their working existence and many of the roads that the public houses resided on have also suffered a name change during the development of the town in the early part of the 19th century.
The Ale house’s in the Newcastle area
1 - The Angel inn. ( Park Street )
2 - The Talbot Arms. ( Newcastle Hill )
3 - The Lamb inn. ( Newcastle Hill )
4 - The Horse and groom. ( West Road )
5 - The Royal Oak inn. ( Park Street )
6 - The mason’s Arms. ( Tondu Road )
7 - The Cross Keys inn. ( Angel street )
8 - The Bridgend Inn. ? ( Tondu Road )
The Ale Houses of Oldcastle
1- The Oldcastle. ( Nolton Street ).
2- The Ancient Briton. ( Nolton Street ).
3- The Welcome to Town. ( Nolton Street ).
4- The Nolton Castle. ( Nolton Castle ).
5- The Joiners Arms. ( Nolton Street ).
6- The Kings Head. ( Nolton Street ).
7- The Glove and Shears. ( Nolton Street ).
8- The Butchers Arms. ( Cowbridge Road ).
9- The Coach and Horses. ( Cowbridge Road ).
10- The Five Bells. ( Ewenny Road ).
11- The New inn. ( Ewenny Road ).
The Ale house’s of Central Bridgend
1- The Castle. ( Derwen Road )
2- The Railway inn. (market street)
3- The Cambrian. (Market Street )
4- The Tennis Court Hotel. ( Caroline Street )
5- The Red Cow. ( Caroline Street )
6- The Mackworth Arms. ( Caroline Street )
7- The White Lion. (Adare Street )
8- The Marquis. ( Caroline Street )
9- The Mitre Hotel. ( Caroline Street )
10- The Red Lion. ( Elder Lane )
11- The Bear. ((old) Elder Lane )
12- The Globe ( Elder Lane )
13- The Wyndham Arms. ( Dunraven Place )
14- The Bear. (new) Dunraven Place ))
15- The White Hart. ( Dunraven Place )
16- The Ship inn. ( Dunraven Place )
17- The star ( Market street )
18- The Leicester House inn. ( Market Street )
19- The Three Horse Shoes. ( Queen Street )
20- The Queens Head. ( Queen Street )
21- The Vaults. ( Queen Street )
22- The Newmarket. ( Adare Street )
23- The Victoria. ( Adare Street )
24- The Oak and Ash. ( Wyndham Street )
25- The Dunraven Arms. ( Wyndham street )
26- The York Tavern. ( Wyndham Street )
27- The Jolly Brewer. ( Brewery Lane )
28- The Coity Castle. ( Morfa Road )
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SECTION ONE
NEWCASTLE
NEWCASTLE HILL
The Newcastle area of Bridgend lies west of the river Ogmore.
in ancient times before the stone bridge was built circa 1425.
the only access across the river was by two fords which connected Newcastle with the Oldcastle area of Bridgend.
The Newcastle area obtained it`s name from the Norman Castle on the hill which was built early 1100`s.
There were 8 public house`s on the west bank of the Ogmore river.
A rough sketch i put together of the location of the public house`s and inn`s in the Newcastle area of Bridgend town before the modern roads were build in the early 1800`s.
( NOT TO SCALE )
This 1914 street map of the Newcastle area of Bridgend shows the exact location of the public houses, including the modern roads that were built in the early 1800`s.
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The Roads
The original lane that lead from the village of Pen-y-Fi across the high ridge was the only road that entered Bridgend from this direction until the new road on Tondu road was built in 1825 ( Original name North Road ), the old Pen-y-Fi road ran passed the Norman Castle on the hill and Saint illtyds church and linked up with the old lane called West Road from Laleston and then down what is now called Newcastle hill.
Park street at the base of Newcastle hill was built in 1821 the same time as the new bridge which was constructed a few hundred yard / meters north of the old stone bridge.
Bridgend has seen a great deal of expansion and modernization during the early part of the 1800`s, the first passenger railway came to Bridgend in 1830, this was the time when the coal fields were exploited for their resources to the north of Bridgend.
The medieval road that ran down Newcastle Hill linked up with both the old fords across the Ogmore river, the same road stayed on the west of the river after passing the fords and headed towards Ewenny Priory, this rough path was known as the Pilgrim route.
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Bridgend Expansion
The village of Newcastle officially became part of the town of Bridgend in 1851, up till that time the hamlet existed as a separate settlement to the larger town across the river Ogmore.
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Ale house`s in the Newcastle area
1 - The Angel. ( Park Street )
2 - The Talbot Arms. ( Newcastle Hill )
3 - The Lamb. ( Newcastle Hill )
4 - The Horse and groom. ( West Road )
5 - The Royal Oak. ( Park Street )
6 - The mason`s Arms. ( Tondu Road )
7 - The Cross Keys. ( Angel street )
8 - The Bridgend Inn. ? ( Tondu Road )
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1 THE ANGEL INN
THE ANGEL INN
Angel Street
Lower Newcastle
Bridgend
Glamorganshire
Wales
Park street / Angel street / Newcastle Hill.?
( Photo 1 ) . The Angel inn, photo taken in the 1970`s
Before the street layout was changed, the Angel would have been in the direct line of Newcastle hill and would have been part of the same roadway.
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LANDLORDS / LANDLADY'S
DATE NAME SOURCE
1791 David Morgan Universal British Directory
1841 Benjamin Martin 1841 Census
1844 Benjamin Martin Pigots Directory
1858 Edmund Watters? Slaters Directory
1868 Elizabeth Walters Slaters Directory
1871 Elizabeth Walters Post office Directory
1875 Alfred Grubb Worrells Directory
1876 Richard Griffiths Mercher Directory
1880 Edmund Thomas Slaters Directory
1887 Morgan Stradling
1899 Morgan Stradling
1920 Morgan Stradling Kellys Directory
2020 The Angel was closed.
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Notable Events
The event that follows was painstakingly researched by ( LOUVINE REES ), a local historian, on her blog site called Hellohistoria.
Hellohistoria.blogspot.com
Many thanks for her time and effort.
Heavily edited by myself.
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An inquest was held at the Angel Inn on the 23/8/1872 covering the murder of Selina Jones who was murdered by her husband Thomas Jones.
Selina and Thomas Jones lived on Newcastle hill and thy both worked as Hawkers ( street vendors ).
Thomas Jones was charged with Malice aforethought in killing and murdering his wife.
Selina was drinking in the Talbot arms Newcastle hill on the night of the murder.
Wittiness state that she was very drunk and was verbally abusing everyone that she passed.
Thomas was seen drinking in the Lamb Inn Newcastle hill on the same night.
South Wales Daily News
19th August 1872
On Monday evening last both Man and Wife were at the Lamb Inn Public-House near their home.
They had a dispute and a scuffle took place in the Lamb public-house. Afterwards they both went home, a great shout and screams of murder were heard in the house, in about a quarter of an hour after the rumbas at their house the husband returned to the Lamb Inn.
Thomas Jones was sentenced to 10 years penal servitude for killing his wife by beating and kicking her to death on the 12/8/1872.
He served 7 years in various prisons around the country and was finally released on license on the 31/12/1880.
he returned to Bridgend and lived at Newcastle hill for the remainder of his life.
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Weekly Mail 7/3/1880
In 1880 the landlord Edmond Thomas was charged with selling intoxicating liquor after hours.
The liquor had been supplied to a woman who said that she was going to "lay out" a man who had just then died, Supt. Thomas said the man had been dead since two o'clock on the day that the offence was committed.
The case was then withdrawn on defendant consenting to pay the costs.
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South Wales Daily News
14/3/1887
In 1887 the landlord Morgan Stradling was fined £3 for having his Inn opened after hours on a Saturday.
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1879
In 1879 the owner of the Angel Inn, H. Richard Griffiths was declared
Bankrupt.
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The Cardiff Times
23rd April 1870
FORTUNATE ESCAPE.
As a man was driving a cow and calf to Bridgend market on Saturday, the cow became en-raged at something, and when nearly opposite the Angel Inn, Park-street, rushed at a little girl who was standing on the causeway, and after butting her with her horns trampled her under feet. The poor child was much shaken and bruised, but not seriously hurt. A second attack was prevented by the timely interference of the man in charge.
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The Western Mail
31st October 1870
On Saturday Evening.
A son of Mr. Jenkin Henry, of Newton Porthcawl, was driving through Bridgend town, and, when Passing over the new bridge, lost command of the horse and was nearly upset.
The horse turned up by the Angel Inn and there stopped, when Mr. Henry got out, and was in the act of throwing the cloth over his horse when he fell backwards, injuring his head.
Dr. Jenkin was called in, and at first his life was despaired of, but afterwards rallied, and was able to proceed homewards.
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The Glamorgan Gazette
10th August 1894
STREET OBSTRUCTION AT BRIDGEND.
The case of John Davies, who was fined 15s by the Bridgend magistrates on Saturday, should help to put down one of the many forms of street obstruction which prevail at Bridgend. Davies while making a call at the Angel Hotel in Park street and left his horse outside tethered across the pavement for 10 or 15 minutes, to the inconvenience of foot-passengers. — Police-constable Sandford proved the case.
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Carmarthen Journal
Friday 23 January 1835
A Sailor, who gave his name William JOHNSON, stole from the Angel Inn, Newcastle, Bridgend. Glamorganshire, on the Night of Tuesday, the 13th of January,
---------------------------------------------------- Glamorgan Gazette
Friday 08 August 1947
BRIDGEND SPORTS CLUB R.F.C.
A Players Meeting be held at the Angel Hotel, Bridgend, on Wednesday, August 13th, at 7. 3 0 p.m. All past and intending players are cordially invited to attend. W. A. D. LAWRIE, Match Secretary.
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The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette
7th March 1857
BRIDGEND.-ACCIDENTAL DEATH.— An inquest was held on Monday last, at the Angel Inn, Bridgend, on the body of Thomas Fuller, a child about eight years of age, who was killed by a wagon passing over his head. The jury returned < a verdict of accidental death.
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South Wales Daily News
Tuesday 14 August 1888
A bicyclist traveling down the Crack-hill from Cowbridge to Bridgend, the back part of the machine snapped, and the rider was pitched on his head. He was conveyed, in a state of unconsciousness, to the Angel Inn, Bridgend, where he was attended by Dr Llewellyn.
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NAME CHANGES
The Angel Inn as also been known as :-
The New Angel.
The P.S. Bar.
The Wicked Lady.
Taffy`s Bar.
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Name Origin
The Angel name as a pub sign represents religious origins and often indicates the location of a pub to having a close proximity to a nearby church.
Directly opposite the Angle inn is The Unitarian Chapel, it was built in the 1702, it was completely rebuilt in 1795, The former graveyard of the Chapel that is situated to the front of the chapel originally extended right across to the Angel Inn and was reduced in size in 1821 when Park Street was constructed, now in 2020 the chapel is unused and in a derelict state.
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( Photo 2 ) . The Angel inn when it was renamed the The Wicked Lady, the large grey building in the back ground is The Unitarian Chapel.
( Photo 3 ) . The Angel when it was called the New Angel.
( Photo 4 ) . Inscription on the bottle, (Imperial, M.Stradling, Angel Hotel Bridgend, found by Steve Jones on southerndown Beach.
Morgan Stradling was the landlord of the Angel inn between the years 1887-1920.
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2 THE TALBOT ARM`S
The Talbot Arm`s
1 Newcastle Hill
Bridgend
( Photo 1 ) . The Talbot Arm`s 1970`s, with the Angel Inn on the far left of the photo.
Situated at the bottom of Newcastle hill, a few yards up from the Angel inn and around 40 feet down from the Lamb inn.
Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot FRS (10 May 1803 – 17 January 1890) was a Welsh landowner, industrialist and Liberal politician. He developed his estate at Margam near Swansea as an extensive ironwork's, served by railways and a port, which was renamed Port Talbot. He served as a Member of Parliament for Glamorgan constituencies from 1830 until his death in 1890, a sixty-year tenure which made him the longest serving MP in the nineteenth century. He was Lord Lieutenant of Glamorgan, from 1848 to 1890.
It is quite possible the Talbot inn was named after this very famous and influential man.
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Landlords / Landlady's
DATE NAME SOURCE
1841 Thomas Rees 1842 Census
1861 EVAN HOPKINS 1861 Census
1871 DANIEL WILLIAMS Post Office Director
1872 ELIZABETH HAPGOOD Newspaper Report
1875 JOHN JONES Worrell Directory
1876 JOHN JONES Mercher Directory
1880 TIMOTHY CORNIN Slaters Directory
1881 JAMES BARLEY 1894 William E Slater
1900 William E Slater Bennetts Directory
1911 Tim Hanson?
1914 Tom Bamon Kellys Directory
1916 Tom Bamon
1920 Tom Bamon Kellys Directory
1934 Jane Pitt Newspaper Report
1935 Spencer Pitt
1938 William Wilkinson Newspaper Report
1970`S mr Moyle
The Talbot closed it`s doors for the last time in the early part of the 1970`s.
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Notable Events
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In 1916 the landlord was a Thomas Bamon.
Tom Bamon was a Sargent serving in France during the first world war, 123rd Field Company, Royal Engineers and his wife was running the Talbot Arms while he was in the trench`s in France.
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14/5/1880
A son was born to a Mr James Bailey landlord of the Talbot Arms at the inn.
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Fred Weston Was a street copper in Bridgend town during the 1980`s, he had heard tales of the Talbot inn from older coppers who were around during the 1940`s and 50`s that The Talbot inn, was a very rough pub and was best avoided if you didn`t want go home with a black eye, it was filled with regulars who were scrumpy drinkers, it was a place where the Policemen went in twos, And the landlady was harder and rougher than the customers.
The Talbot inn during the 1940`s and the 1950`s had an unfortunate nickname of the Bucket of Blood.
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Weekly Mail
24th December 1892
SUDDEN DEATH. On Sunday afternoon a man named Francis Shorley, working as a collier in the Garw Valley, who had been staying at the Talbot Inn, Newcastle, was taken suddenly ill, and died before medical aid could arrive. The deceased was a native of Crediton, North Devon, and was 26 years of age. He was to have been married in about a month. The supposed cause of death is heart disease. An inquest will be held.
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Friday 02 June 1916
Tom Barron, landlord of the Talbot Inn; Bridgend, and sergeant in the 123rd Field Company, Royal Engineers, who was home last week-end for a short furlough from the front, after an uninterrupted spell in the firing line of 6 months ...
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the Glamorgan Gazette
04 January 1935
NOTICE HEREBY GIVEN that creditors and others having claims against the estate of Jane Pitt. of The Talbot Arms Inn, Bridgend, Glamorgan. wife of Spencer Pitt, deceased, who died on the 6th September, 1934,...
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Western Mail
Monday 12 February 1900
BRIDGEND PUBLICAN'S FAILURE. .. The first meeting of the creditors of William E. Slater, landlord of the Talbot Arms Inn, Bridgend. was held on Saturday morning
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Glamorgan Gazette
Friday 26 August 1938
Mrs Sheppard, aged fifty-four, a married woman, of Brondeigh, Court Road. Bridgend, was summoned for aiding and abetting William Wilkinson, licensee of the Talbot Inn. Newcastle Hill. Bridgend, in supplying intoxicating liquor during non-permitttal hours (a Sunday morning...
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9 September 1932
WANTED
Capable general help, required immediately, preference to country girl - apply with references.
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24 November 1935
Spencer Pitt, alehouse keeper summoned to court for permitting drunkenness.
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7 July 1911
Jame Ryan a homeless labourer was charged with having stolen a bottle of whisky from the Talbot Arms, Tim Hanson, landlord.
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Western Mail - Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales
31 December 1881
Rent Agreement.- James Bailey, jun., and James Bailey, sen., were sued by William Clements, of Gloucester, for rent due on the Talbot Inn, Bridgend.
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Not sure of date maybe 1960+ .
A landlord in the Talbot arms Newcastle hill, once dealt with a rowdy Irish customer by leaping over the bar and psychically throwing him out onto the street.
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Name Changes
The Talbot inn kept the same name throughout it`s life time as a working inn.
Origin of pub name
The Talbot arms is most likely named after a well to do family that owned much of the land around Margam and the Bridgend area.
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( Photo 2 ) . Looking up Newcastle hill with the Talbot arms on the right and a little further up the Lamb inn, almost directly opposite is the old Toll house with the windows facing down hill.
( Photo 3 ) . The Talbot arms as it looked in 2018, with the windows and doors bricked up and empty for many decades.
( Photo 4 ) . Looking down Newcastle Hill with the Talbot Arms on the right.
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Thanks to Natalie Murphy, Fred Weston and Neil Minchington for help with the research on the Talbot Arms inn.
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3 THE LAMB INN
The Lamb inn
Number 11
Newcastle Hill
Lower Newcastle
Bridgend
( Photo 1 ) . This is possibly the Lamb inn, there is some debate at the moment if the original Lamb inn would have been on the what is now a car park to the left of this building, even so, this questionable building gives a good example of it`s location and style.
( more later on this subject )
Situated near to bottom of Newcastle Hill a few yard`s / meter`s from the Talbot inn and almost directly opposite Saint Johns House, ( Hospice ).
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Landlord History
The Lamb inn may have existed before 1790 as it is listed in the UNIVERSAL DIRECTORY of the time period with a landlord or owner being a David Jenkins.
The Lamb is also mentioned in the Pigots Directory of 1830 with a David Thomas associated with the premises.
the 1841 Census shows that a John Hussy 41 yrs, who was a local of Newcastle Hill was the occupier of the lamb inn and yard.
he occupied the inn for more then 10 ten years, he was still in residence in the 1851.
the 1858 Slaters Directory indicates that a David Francis was now the occupier of the Lamb.
three years later in 1861 a John Alford 40 yrs was listed as the Publican and lodging house Keeper, John was originally from Bath in Somerset.
By 1871 the Lamb had a new Landlord by the name of James Richards 34 yrs, he to was also from the west country, he married a local Bridgend girl called Felicia and remained the landlord at the Lamb until the late 1880`s.
in 1889, the landlord of the Lamb was a Edward Thomas he fell foul of the law for flaunting the license laws by opening after hours on a Sunday.
In the 1911 Census it shows Jane Richards as being the Landlady.
the Lamb inn may have served it`s last pint in the 1950`s.
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Landlords / Landlady`s
Date Name Source
1791 David Jenkins Uni British Directory
1841 John Hussey Census 1841
1844 John Hussey Pigots Directory
1851 John Hussey Census 1851
1858 David Francis Slaters Directory
1861 John Alford Census 1861
1871 James Richards Licences Transfer
1872 James Richard Newspaper Report
1875 James Richards Worrells Directory
1876 James Richards Merchers Directory
1880 James Richards Slaters Directory
1889 Edward Thomas
1898 Edward Thomas
1900 Jane Richards Bennets Directory
1910 Jane Richards Newspaper Report
1911 Jane Richards Census 1911
1920 Mary E Young Kellys directory
1943 Rees Morgan Rees
1950`s The Lamb inn may have served it`s last pint in the 1950`s ( no information available just yet ).
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Notable Events
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ South Wales Daily News
6th September 1875
A PUBLICAN FINED.
Thomas Richards, landlord of the Lamb Inn, Newcastle, was charged by Police.
Constable Prothero with having his house open at ten o'clock on Sunday week. When the constable went in, he found a man there drinking beer out of a pint. The Bench ordered defendant to pay £2, and his licence is to be endorsed.
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Weekly Mail
12th December 1885
FATAL FALL.
A painter named Wm. Edwards, 41 years of age, who lived at the back of the Lamb Inn, Newcastle, fell down stairs on Saturday evening and sustained an injury to the back of the head, which caused his death at ten a.m. on Sunday.
After the fall he was taken up in an insensible condition and put to bed, but he never recovered consciousness. Dr. Llewellyn, who attended the deceased, gave it as his opinion that death resulted from effusion of blood on the brain, caused by deceased's head coming in contact with some door frames which were at the bottom of the stairs.
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South Wales Daily News
26th September 1898
LICENSING OFFENCE.
Edward Thomas, land-lord of the Lamb Inn, Bridgend, was summoned for keeping his house open for the sale of intoxicating liquors on the previous Sunday.
Mr Hughes appeared in support of the charge, and Mr J. H. Jones watched the proceedings for the owner.
P.C. Evan Thomas visited the house at 11 o'clock on the morning in question, and found three men there with beer in front of them, Two of them were bona fide travellers, but the third, David Llewellyn, resided in Bridgend.
The defence was that he went to the house in respect of some meat, and was given a glass of beer.
The Bench fined defendant 5s and costs, in all £2.
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South wales daily news 22/02/1876
Thomas Jenkins, of the Lamb, Newcastle, was charged by the police with an
assault upon his wife. The wife declined to prosecute, but so many disturbances occur between them that the neighbourhood is disturbed.
The wife now pleaded that he might be let off easily, but the magistrates thought ten days' hard labour would perhaps teach him a good lesson.
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The Cardiff Times
1st April 1871
Larcany.
At the county petty-sessions on Saturday, a painter, named Frederick Burns, was charged with stealing 13s 6d, belonging to James Richards, landlord of the Lamb inn, Newcastle, on Monday last, Defendant was sentenced. to three months' imprisonment, with hard labour.
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The Cardiff Times
28th November 1874
inquest at the Lamb Inn
BRIDGEND. SUDDEN DEATH
On Friday afternoon a very sudden death occurred in the neighbourhood of Newcastle. The deceased, David Hopkin, but more universally known as The Flying Tailor," was sitting down in the house about five o'clock, in company with his mother, when he suddenly fell forward on his face to the ground, and expired almost immediately.
The deceased was 26 years of age and single. He received the soubriquet of The Flying Tailor" in consequence of his athletic abilities, he having run with, and beaten several of the best runners in the country. The inquest was held on Saturday, at the Lamb Inn, before Mr H. Cuthbertson, coroner, when the jury returned a verdict of Death from natural causes."
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The Glamorgan Gazette
25th November 1910
"PICKETING" AN INN. ♦ FORMER LANDLADY OF THE LAMB INN. BRIDGEND, SUMMONED.
At Bridgend Police Court, on Saturday, Jane Richards, Lamb Inn, Bridgend, summoned Sarah Thomas, Sheba Villa, Newcastle Hill, Bridgend, for using abusive language towards her. There was a cross-summons. Alderman T. J. Hughes was for complainant, I' and Mr. J. Haydn Jones appeared for defendant.
Alderman Hughes asked that the summons might be amended for one of a breach of the County Council bye-laws of using indecent language to the annoyance of the public.
Mr. Haydn Jones agreed. Alderman Hughes said defendant and her husband used to keep the Lamb Inn, Bridgend, until this year, when they left. Since then Thomas had become bankrupt, and was at present undischarged. Airs. Richards purchased the Lamb Inn from the free-holder and went to live there with her husband.
Defendant had, however, seemed to take an objection to this, and looked upon it as a personal offence against her. The result had been defendant had taken a house immediately opposite, and it had been her practice to waylay persons going to complainant's house, and tell them some tale and so stop them from going in. On this occasion abusive language was used towards complainant and her mother-in- law, an old lady of 70. Complainant said in May she purchased the freehold of the Lamb Inn in the open market. As a result of witness's purchase defendant and her husband had to leave. They had since taken up residence opposite, and witness had to complain to Inspector Evans several times about their behaviour.
Defendant stopped persons going to her house, and on this occasion ten men came along. Nine entered the house, and were supplied with drink: the tenth was stopped by defendant, and later came in, went up to the other men, and they all left.
They went across to defendant's house. Witness's mother-in-law told defendant to leave them alone, and defendant immediately turned round and commenced using bad language towards her.
Witness was upstairs at the time, and put her head out of the window. Defendant commenced to abuse her. Witness had spent a considerable sum on this property, and it was considerable sum on this property, and it was After the luncheon interval, Mr. Haydn Jones said he had talked the matter over with his client, and she had decided to express her regret and to give an undertaking that she would not interfere with complainant in the future, and that none of her customers would be approached in any way. The Chairman said he was glad the parties had settled, and hoped defendant would adhere to the terms of the agreement.
If anything came before the magistrates in future, they would take a serious view of it. Defendant paid the costs, and the summons was withdrawn.
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1889
In 1889 the landlord Edward Thomas was charged with opening after hours on a Sunday.
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Glamorgan Gazette
Friday 15 February 1918
A meeting of the Bridgend and District National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers was held at the Lamb Inn, Bridgend. There was a good attendance of members from the outlying districts, and Bridgend
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Western Mail
Wednesday 03 March 1915
WANTED : immediately, young Lady Pianist, and make herself generally useful.—Apply Mrs. Collier, Lamb Inn, Bridgend....
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the Glamorgan Gazette
Friday 20 May 1910
The Lamb Inn, Bridgend. license was transferred from Joseph John Thomas ? ...
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the Glamorgan Gazette
Friday 11 June 1937
The late Mr. James Richards, 7 Newcastle Hill. Bridgend. Canon David R.D.. officiated. Deceased was an Newcastle inhabitant—a son of the late Mr.James and Mrs. Felicia Richards, late of the Lamb Inn, Bridgend. and was 61 years of age.
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the Glamorgan Gazette
Friday 10 February 1911
DEATH February 7th. at Lamb Inn, Bridgend. David Evan Richards —•,...
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the Glamorgan Gazette
Friday 19 October 1894
For rent, Wash-houses at the back, and a good garden ; excellent supply of hard and soft Water ; rent moderate.—Apply to Mrs. Richards, Lamb Inn Bridgend
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Glamorgan Gazette
Friday 09 November 1917
POLICE COURT
the court put down with a firm hand Licensed Victualler Chauffeur—Frank Sexing. the well-known chauffeur and licensee of the Lamb Inn, Bridgend, was charged with driving at a dangerous speed, and with not stopping when requested by a police constable. on Oct. 111th ...
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the Glamorgan Gazette
Friday 14 November 1913
THE MAN IN THE SINGING ROOM.
routine VISIT OF THE POLICE.
at Bridgend Police Court on Saturday. Samuel Richard. Landlord of the Lamb Inn, Newcastle Inn, Bridgend, was summoned for having permitted drunkenness on his premises. ...
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the Glamorgan Gazette
Friday 26 November 1920
PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT.
BRIDGEND. SALE OF FREEHOLD
PROPERTY, as THE LAMB INN. NEWCASTLE HILL, BRIDGEND.. Double-Licencsed.
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South Wales Daily News
Thursday 19 March 1891
Advertising
... Auction at the Lamb Inn Newcastle, Bridgend, on SATURDAY, the 21st day of March, 1891, at Three o'clock in the afternoon all that well-known and valuable DOUBLE-LICENSED INN AND PREMISES known as the Lamb Inn. ...
Published: Thursday 19 March 1891 Newspaper: South Wales Daily News
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8 march 1920
It was reported at the Bridgend Brewery Sessions that the sanitary conditions of the Lamb Inn were bad and the house would need to improve by the next brewery session if the licence was to be renewed.
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Name Changes
The Lamb has had no name changes that i am aware of.
Origin of the pub name
The lamb on a pub sign represents Jesus Christ.
The most common name for a pub with a lamb on the sign is the lamb and Flag, the flag representing the christian Crusades into the holy land.
A ale house`s with this name are normally placed close to a church.
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Does the Lamb inn still exist
A enlarged section of the 1914 street map of Bridgend, showing Newcastle Hill with the Lamb inn 2 and the Talbot inn 3 with four now demolished houses in between the two pub`s.
If you check the street map of Bridgend town dated 1914, you will notice that there are four domestic buildings between the Lamb inn and the Talbot inn.
the four buildings have now been removed completely and a tree covered car parking area exist in the same area were the four house`s once were.
I had been previously told that the Lamb inn had been demolished in the 1950`s, but i believe this to be a mistake and only the four domestic houses were demolished and the pub building still stands.
The 1914 street map also shows a walkway between the Lamb inn and the terraced houses that run up the hill above the pub.
this walkway can be clearly seen on the old map and can be physically checked out if you visits the site today.
based on this information, i believe that the building in the photos is the actual Lamb inn.
( Check Photo 1 for a good view of this walkway )
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( Photo 2 ) . Looking down Newcastle hill with St John`s house on the left and the the Lamb on the right.
( Photo 3 ) . Looking directly up the hill with the Lamb on the Lleft.
( Photo 4 ) . The Lamb with the car park on its left.
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4 THE HORSE AND GROOM
The Horse and Groom
West road
Newcastle Hill
Bridgend
( Photo 1 ) . Site at the top of Newcastle Hill where the Horse and groom inn once stood, Newcastle Hill is on the left of the photo,
The Horse and Groom inn was on the far end of West road, almost directly opposite Saint illtyd`s Church on Newcastle Hill.
the west road was the original track that in medieval times ran directly from Laleston ( Trelales ) to Newcastle Hill and then down the hill and across the river Ogmore and into Bridgend Town by use of the fords.
The track was the main thoughfare into Bridgend from the west until Park street was built in 1821.
very little is known about this inn and there is very limited information in the papers of the time or the trade directory's.
The majority of the traffic and travelers used this route into Bridgend from the west including the stage coaches.
the Horse and Groom`s trade must have dropped dramatically when the new road was opened in park street, the inn would have become reliant on local custom and would have had to compete with the other pubs on Newcastle Hill.
the area where the inn existed on west road gives no real evidence of the inn ever existing.
the pub may well have been demolished many years ago and replaced by the present building on the site, which in it`s self is in very poor condition.
As point of interest directly opposite of where the Horse and Groom inn you will find the first Ruhamah Baptist Chapel.
The chapel itself is long gone, as a new one was built in Wyndham Street in 1890, all you will find are the remains of the graveyard.
one of the landlords of the Lamb inn on Newcastle Hill, John Hussey was buried here in 1851, he was 47 years old. information supplied by Ian Price
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Landlords /landlady's
Date Name Source
1841 Rees Davies 1841 Census
1868 David Francis Slaters Directory
1871 David Francis Post Office Directory
1875 David Francis Worrells Directory
1876 David Francis Mercher Directory
1880 David Francis Slaters Directory
1890 Martha Francis Newspaper report
1898 Martha Francis Newspaper report
1892 Martha Francis Newspaper report
1900 Martha Francis Bennetts Directory
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Notable Events
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South Wales Daily News
15/8/1881
A John Francis of Newcastle, Engine Driver was fined 20 shillings including court costs for being drunk and refusing to quite the Horse and Groom Public House.
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Origin of pub name
In the 18th century transportation between towns for travelers became more common by stage coach.
a number of inns became coaching inns, the above name of Horse and Groom may relate to the fact that this inn at sometime in it`s life was a coaching inn, stage coach`s would drop off passengers and change horses at such inns.
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( Photo 2 ) . Location of the Horse and Groom inn on a 1914 street map of Newcastle Bridgend, the building looks big enough to have a yard and stables at the rear of the inn.
( Photo 3 ) . The possible site of the of the inn is on the far right of the photo next to the green house.
( Photo 4 ) . West road, the Horse and Groom public house is on the right side of the road behind where the children are standing, opposite the children on the left is Newcastle House.
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Name Change
In the 1841 Census, the public house was called The Horse and Jockey.
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THE BRIDGEND INN
Tondu road / North road
Bridgend
( Photo 1 ) . One of the possible sites of the Bridgend inn, this building is actually occupied by The Bridgend and district united servicemen club, known locally as the ( EX ), the Angel inn can be seen on the far left of the photo.
the address of the ( EX ) is 3A Tondu road, Bridgend , CF31- 4JA
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There is very little information regarding this ale house and what is available is confusing.
The pub is listed as being on the west side of the river Ogmore on the North road / Tondu road.
A likely location for the pub is somewhere along the line of buildings facing the new bridge built in 1912, possibly where the above photo is located.
The Bridgend inn may have stopped serving beer to customers by 1910, the EX opened it`s doors to soldiers and other military services in 1919.
any association with the Bridgend inn and the ( EX ) is total conjecture on my part, but the Bridgend inn could well have been referred to two nearby pubs called ( the Royal Oak ) and ( the Masons arms ) which may have changed their names in the past.
it is possible that sometime in the past the record of this elusive pub was scribed by someone who was not local to the area and had no idea what pub was what.
the Bridgend inn was open in the 1890`s, there is evidence of a landlord at the pub in 1880.
there is a report on file that states that the ( Bridgend United Church ) previously known as the Wesleyan church built in 1880 on north street objected to the planning committee of the time to a new build of a public house to close to the church.
The new build was being constructed on a site that was previously occupied by an older public house that was raised to the ground.
There is a reference to a James Deaven as being the landlord of an ale house called ( The Brewery Vaults ) on North Street in a trade Directory 1880.
there is a possibility that the Bridgend inn could be have been ( the Brewery vaults ) or ( the masons arms ) as they are both listed as being on North Road, less likely is the Royal Oak as it was situated on Park Street, it is possible that the Bridgend inn had a short life as a public house and that would explain why there is very little information available.
until further information comes to light the location or the even the existence of this ale house is in doubt, so until any positive identification comes to light ( the Bridgend inn ) will have to remain in the shadows.
there is also a reference to a Bridge inn in the records but with no other information.
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This newspaper cutting, may relate to the ( EX ).
The Cardiff Times
4th June 1892
BRIDGEND.
FORMATION OF A LIBERAL CLUB.
At a well attended meeting of the Liberal party at Bridgend on Tuesday evening, it was unanimously decided to at once establish a Liberal Club at Bridgend.
A sub-committee was appointed to draft rules and make all the preliminary arrangements. Convenient and suitable premises have been secured at the corner of North-street, Bridgend, and the club promises to be a success.
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( Photo 2 ) . A Photo of The Bridgend and district united servicemen club, the ( EX ) taken from the east side of the river Ogmore looking across the new bridge built in 1912, directly to the right of the ( Ex ) the tower of the Wesleyan METHODIST CHAPEL can be clearly seen. ( Photo taken in the 1980`s when the bridge was open to traffic )
( Photo 3 ) . The Ex on Tondu road / North Street.
As a point of interest The Bridgend and district united servicemen club, the ( EX ) was first opened in 1919 which was directly after the first world war.
up until 2020 the club only served alcohol to paid up members of the club and was only opened to registered members.
the club did allow visitors in for special functions nights for non-members.
during the 2019 Christmas period there was makeshift sign displayed outside the ( EX ) declaring that " all customers are welcome ".
it was announced in early 2020 that the ( EX ) on Tondu road was due for closure after being active as a club for 100 years.
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Name Origin
There may have been at lest two origins for the name of this public house, the first that the pub is named after the town, the second origin maybe that the pub lies at the end of a bridge, there at lest two other pubs in wales called Bridgend and they are both situated at the end of a bridge.
right next door to the ( Ex ) is the Methodist Chapel which was built in the 1780's.
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THE MASONS ARMS
11 / 16 Tondu Road / North Road
Bridgend
( Photo 1 ) . North road, Bridgend.
The photo was taken in the early part of the 20th century, looking north to Aberkenfig, the Masons Arms would have been on the left side of photo ( out of shot ), the building on the right was Stiles Brewery.
The Masons Arms was situated on Tondu road below Saint illtyds church and the Norman Castle.
Tondu was original know as North Road and was built in 1825.
the road linked Bridgend Town with the villages of Pen-y-fi, Angleton and Aberkenfig.
The Masons Arms was demolished many years ago, a number of domestic house have now been built on the site of the old public house.
The location of the masons was very near to the stone steps that lead up the side of the steep hill that lays behind the pub.
the steps leads up to the old part of Newcastle Hill where the Norman Castle and St illtyds church are located.
The masons address as been listed as number 11 and number 16, this may have been a typo or a mistake made by someone many years ago or possibly urban expansion where more houses were built and an incress of numbers was required.
the pubs location was opposite and quite near to the Stiles Brewery on the same road ( See photo 1 ).
Stiles Brewery owned many public houses in and around Bridgend and supplied them with beer from the local brewery.
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Landlords
Date Name Source
1844 George James Pigots Directory
1868 Samuel Rees Slaters Directory
1871 Samuel Rees Post Office Directory
1875 Samuel Rees Worrells Directory
1876 Samuel Rees Mercher Directory
1880 William Bowen Slaters Directory
1892 William Bowen
1900 S Watkins Bennetts Directory
1920 James Edwin Jenkins
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Notable Events
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The Glamorgan Gazette
17th November 1916
SAYCE'S SAUCE.
William Sayce, a Cwmfelin collier, was charged with a offence, on Saturday, Oct. 28th. Defendant denied using the language attributed to him. P.C. Frank Evans deposed that on the day named he saw defendant in Dunraven Place; Bridgend, in the company of another man. He used very offensive language, and told witness he would "have him yet." He was under the influence of drink, and followed the witness in the execution of his duty. P.C. Williams corroborated, saying that passing pedestrians could hear Sayce plainly. Defendant, who was somewhat excited, stated, with some detail, his experiences of an eventful morning. He observed We had only just come from the Police Court in the Full Moon affair,' and then we went to the faggot shop for feed. I said, I'm sure Sergt. Frank Evans is watching us,' and we went to the Masons' Arms, by the Brewery, and had lemonade. Two plain clothes men' came on. The policemen who were against us were standing waiting, and sneering and laughing. I said to one of the officers, 'Why should you follow us?' He replied, You well get out, or I'll well run you in.' I got into the Market, and was talking to a woman, when two 'plain clothes men' came looking for us. It's nothing but malice. The longer Sayce talked, the more saucy he became. He actually started to bomb the Bench with interrogatories, until solemnly warned by the Clerk (Mr. Walter Hughes) that he oouldn't be allowed to question the Magistrates. Then he turned savagely upon the poor, long suffering police, and looking upon a row of stalwarts as though he would rend them, he blurted The country is in a bad state, and here's a lot of lusty looking men who ought to be The Chairman: Fined 15s.
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The Glamorgan Gazette
9th October 1908
YOUNG MAN'S BAD BEGINNING.
William Morgan, a smart-looking young man, of Llaneily, was charged with illegally obtaining intoxicating liquor at the Masons' Arms, Bridgend. during prohibited hours. P.C. James stated that about 12.15 on Sunday he visited the Masons' Arms, and saw. Morgan sitting down, with a pint of beer in, front of him. He gave the name of David Edwards, and said he was a tin-worker, of Morriston. He said he slept the previous night at Pontyclun. Witness was not satisfied, and took the prisoner to the police station. He afterwards found he slept in the town the previous night.
Prisoner: I am very sorry, sir.
The Deputy Clerk (Mr. Walter Hughes): You have not a good record, you know.
Prisoner: I have turned over a new leaf, with the exception this.
Mr. Oliver Sheppard: Why. there are four convictions against you this year. Prisoner was fined 15s. or seven days.
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The Glamorgan Gazette
11th September 1908
William Donovan, a labourer, of Hernstone, Bridgend, was summoned for falsely representing himself to be a traveller and obtaining beer at the Masons' Arms, Bridgend, on the previous Sunday. P.C. John Thomas said Donovan. represented that he had slept at Pitcot Farm, St. Bride's, the night before, which was found to be incorrect. Defendant, who did not appear, was mulcted in 10s.
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The Glamorgan Gazette
16th October 1908
Patrick Devereaux, Bridgend, asylum attendant, was fined 10s. for falsely representing himself to be a traveller and obtaining intoxicating liquor at the Masons' Arms, Bridgend, during prohibited hours.
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Newspaper Announcement
9th / January /1880
A daughter was born to a Mr William Brown of the Masons Arms Bridgend on the 3rd / January/ 1880.
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South Wales Daily News
22nd/ august /1892
William Bowen landlord of the Masons Arms was taken to court for keeping his house open for sale of intoxicants on Sunday, fined £1.
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Name Origin
Having a trade name for a public house was a way of gathering custom, many public houses choose to associate themselves with a predominate trade in the area, crafts people moving to an area would seek out such pubs, the landlords would establish the pub as a meeting places for particular trade, it was a place to find work in their trade as well as a few drinks.
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( Photo 2 ) . A 1914 street map of Bridgend showing the position of the masons Arms.
( Photo 3 ) . The location of where the Masons Arms once stood, the flight of steps is on the right of the new houses which have been built on the pub`s old location and St illtyds Church can be seen in the top right of the photo.
( Photo 4 ) If you take a good look at this print from circa 1840`s, you will see on the far left side, a house which is approximately in the same location of where the Masons Arms once stood.
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The Royal Oak
16 ( 25 ) Park Street
Bridgend
( Photo 1 ) . The Royal Oak, Park Street.
The Royal Oak public house was situated on Park street on the opposite side of the road to the Angel inn, Park street was not built until 1821, it is very unlikely that the pub was built earlier then this time.
the pub was on the main road that ran from the coastal town of Porthcawl via the village of Laleston.
In 1995 a section of Park Street was demolished, this destruction included the Royal Oak pub, this was done to create a new access road into the town as part of an ongoing modern development of the towns road structure.
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Landlords / landlady's
Date Name Source
1841 Thomas Rees 1841 Census
1844 Thomas Phillips Pigots Directory
1858 Samuel Rees Slaters Directory
1871 illtyd Rees Post Office Directory
1875 illtyd Rees Worrells Directory
1876 Eli Evans Merchers Directory
1877 Joseph John Transfer of Licence
1877 David Richards Transfer of Licence
1880 Eli Evans Slaters Directory
1891 Eli Evans Transfer of Licence
1891 Thomas Morris Transfer of Licence
1897 David Richards Newspaper Report
1903 David Richards Advert in newspaper
1914 Ernest Arthur Asplin Kellys Directory
1920 Emily Roberts Kellys Directory
1970`s Philip Walters
Alf and Lil Vigas ran the Royal Oak pub at one time in the later part of the 20th century.
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Notable Events
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South Wales Daily News
7th October 1872
FATAL MISADVENTURE.—On Saturday last an inquest was held before Mr. Cuthbertson, coroner, at the Royal Oak, Park street, Bridgend, on the body of Henry Brinley. gardener to Ven. Archdeacon Blosse. "mr. Blosse and his family left Bridgend for Llandaff, at 5 p.m. last Thursday. Brinley went with them to the station, and returned to the house. It seems that there were two jars of a similar kind in a dark place in the house, one containing beer, the other carbolic acid (vitriol). Brinley had permission to consume the beer, but it seems he drank some of the vitriol by mistake. He was found soon after at the pump, trying to swallow water to cool his burning throat. He was carried to the house, where he died soon after. The jury, upon the evidence brought, before them, returned a verdict of "Accidental death." Brinley had been for some time in the service of Mr. Blosse, and has left a widow and two sons and two daughters to lament his untimely end.
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The Cardiff Times
25th December 1869
TRANSFER-—The license of the Royal Oak was transferred to the new landlord, Illtyd Rees.
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The Cardiff Times
6th June 1868
DRUNKENNESS - P.C. Williams charged William Roberts with being drunk. He said I saw defendant, at 1.30 a.m., on Friday, May 22nd, in Adare. street. He was in company with a woman who was requesting him to be quiet. On going up to him, he ran away. I followed and caught him by the Royal Oak. The woman afterwards came up and said that defendant had struck her in the face. Fined 5s. 10d. and 9s. 2d. costs.
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South Wales Daily News
1st January 1883
AT THE POLICE-COURT, on Saturday, John Corns, of the Royal Oak, Bridgend, was summoned for having his house open during prohibited hours on Christmas day, viz., 20 minutes past 10 p,m. He pleaded guilty, and he was fined £1, including costs.
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The Cardiff Times
4th May 1878
POLICE-COURT. On Saturday. Samuel Evans, labourer, Newcastle, was fined 10s for refusing to quit the Royal Oak. Harriet Evans, his wife, was fined £1, and costs, for damaging a spirit cask' and also 10s for assaulting the landlord.
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South Wales Daily News
3rd October 1887
A CURIOUS POINT,—At the police-court on Saturday John Corns, of the Royal Oak Inn was summoned at the instance of the Bridgend Local Board for not removing a porch from the front of his licensed house, after having been served with notice that the same was an obstruction. Mr D.Stockwood, jun., represented the ,Local Board, and Mr R. Scale defended. The question turned on the point whether the porch was an obstruction, and whether the board had carried out the law as to giving proper notice. For the defense it was shown by a memorial from the inhabitants in the locality that the porch was not an obstruction, and also that it served to indicate the premises as a place of public resort. The bench imposed a fine of 1s.
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4th October 1897
PROHIBITED HOURs.- David Richards, land- lord of the Royal Oak, Park-street, Bridgend, for keeping open his house during prohibited hours on Sunday, September 26, was ordered to pay cost 12s 6d.
This section is in a work in progress state.
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23rd August 1898
ACCIDENT.—On Monday Mr Thomas Jones, of the Three Horse Shoes, Cornelly, left his horse and trap standing outside the Royal Oak, Park street, Bridgend, while he went inside to arrange for the stabling. Something occurred to frighten the horse, and it suddenly dashed down the street and collided with the wall of the bridge leading over the river and into the principal thoroughfare of the town.
The bridge was damaged considerably and the shaft of the trap broken. The animal was not injured beyond a few scratches, and was about to continue its career in the direction of Dunraven place when, it was stopped by a man named John Howells, of Tynewydd.
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Newspaper Advert
1903
An advert in a local newspaper for the Royal Oak read as follows :-
Every Accommodation, Well Aired Bedrooms, Good Stabling.
Accommodation for Cyclist.
Landlord D Richards, the public house was trading as a Hotel at this time.
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Memories of Customers
In the 1970`s, no females were allowed into the downstairs bar or lounge area’s, they were allowed in on a Saturday night in the rooms on the first floor upstairs.
Alf Vigas, the landlord always protected his customers from their partners phone calls, he would tell the wife`s of his customers who phoned up looking for their husbands that they were not in the pub even if he had just severed them with a pint of beer.
as women were not allowed in the bar they had no way of finding them in the pub.
The pub had a low wall at the back of the pub and this was used by youngsters from the local YMCA on Angel street to sneak in for a swift half.
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Name Origin
The royal Oak is the third most popular pub name in Britain, the origin comes from King Charles II and his tree climbing escapade when he hid up an Oak tree to escape capture by Cromwell's Parliamentarian soldiers following the Battle of Worcester in 1651.
King Charles the II was also known as the Merry Monarch.
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( Photo 2 ) . The Royal Oak 1970`s, showing the access to the area of the public house, where they stabled the carts and the horses.
( Photo 3 ) . The location of where The Royal Oak once stood on Park Street.
( Photo 4 ) . The Royal Oak was located next to where the reddish / brown house is across the street.
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THE CROSS KEYS
4 Angel street
Bridgend
( Photo 1 ) . The Cross Keys inn, Angel Street.
The cross keys inn was demolished and cleared away with many other buildings in the early 1960`s to make way for the new Bridgend inner bypass.
In a 1903 trade directory the Cross Keys inn was listed as a Hotel and being in Sunnyside road and not Angle street.
The location of where the Cross Keys inn is approximately in the same area of the present traffic lights on the bypass.
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landlord / landlady
DATE NAME SOURCE
1841 Mary Richard 1841 Census
1844 Mary Richards Pigots Directory
1871 Cecil Richards Post Office Directory
1875 Cecil Richards Worrells Directory
1876 David Thomas Mercher Directory
1880 David Thomas Newspaper Report
1886 Mary Richards Slaters Directory
1900 T Thomas Bennetts Directory
1913 Mary b Wilkins Newspaper Report
1914 Mary b Wilkins Newspaper Report
1920 Frederick Bevan Kellys Directory
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Notable Events
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Glamorgan Gazette
6th July 1917
TO LET,— Cross Keys Inn, Bridgend;
possession July 16th; small on-going.—Apply personally, Stiles, Brewery, Bridgend.
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The Glamorgan Gazette
25th September 1914
CROSS KEYS" LICENSEE AND DRUNKEN MAN.
At the Bridgend Police Court on Saturday Mary B. Wilkins, licensee of the Cross Keys Inn, Bridgend, was summoned for having permitted drunkenness on her licensed premises on the 12th inst.
Mr. D. Llewellyn defended. Police Sergt. Thomas deposed to visiting the Inn at 10.1,5 p.m. on the date in question. In the bar of the house he saw twelve men. three of whom stood away from the others. In front of the three men were half- pints of beer. One of the men, named Tarr, witness requested to leave, being of the opinion that he had had sufficient to drink. On request the barmaid fetched Mrs. Wilkins, and witness informed the latter that she ought not to have served Tarr or allowed him on the premises. The defendant there- upon said to Tarr, "I have told you before to go out." When Tarr drank his beel" he staggered across the bar and left. The defendant said she did not serve Tarr and when witness drew her attention to the beer which Tarr had before him and retorted that (someone must have served him), Mrs. Wilkins made no reply.
Subsequently witness saw the man Tarr leaning against the wall forty yards from the "Cross Keys" and owing to his drunken condition he was taken into custody. Witness again went to the "Cross Keys" and told Mrs. Wilkins that Tarr was unable to take care of himself and had, consequently. been removed to the Police Station.
The defendant then said, "The barmaid served him. He came in with a man named Rees and I told them to go out as I would not serve him. I then had to go out of the bar to attend to the boss, as he had been 'carrying on' again. I have got plenty of work to do. The barmaid came to me and asked me if s he should serve him and I said, 'Yes, give him one half-pint.' When told she would be reported the defendant replied, "Well, there is nothing to be done. There it is. I can't help it." P.C. 607 corroborated the last witness. Mr. Llewellyn said that when the man Tarr came into the public house the defendant did not think his condition was so bad as afterwards transpired. It was possible for a licensee of so many years standing to make a mistake. She had mad e a mistake and when she realised it she told the man Tarr that he ought to have had a lemonade and requested him to drink his beer and go home.
If the police had come to the house ten minutes later the man Tarr would not have been there. The defendant, in the witness box, said she had held the license for the Cross Keys for two years. She was in the bar when the man George Tarr came into the public house on the date in question. He was accompanied by another man named Rees. They both appeared to be all right. Subsequently she gave the barmaid permission to serve Tarr. When she came into the bar later in the evening she noticed that the man Tarr looked sleepy and she told him she thought he had had a little too much and that she ough to have given him a lemonade.
She requested him to go home. Emma Loosemore said she assisted the defendant in the bar. When Tarr came in with Rees she turned to Mrs. Wilkins and asked if she could serve them. She did so because Tarr was a stranger to her. She usually asked Mrs. Wilkins if she could serve stranger*. It was not because Tarr was the worse for drink that she asked if he could be served. Robert Simmons said he was in the public house when the men came in. They then appeared all right. He did not take much notice of the men. The defendant was fined £ 2. Arising out of the above ease George Tarr was summoned for having been drunk on licensed premises and fined £ 1.
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Newspaper report
24/12/1880
The daughter of the landlord of the Cross keys, Bridgend, ( Thomas David ), gave birth to a son in ( TIMAU ) New-zealand on the 10/10/1880, her husband Robert Barber is an architect.
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Newspaper report
1907
In 1907 the Cross Keys inn was advertised in the newspaper that the leasehold and the freehold were open for bidding, no offers were made.
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Glamorgan Gazette
6/7/1017
TO LET,— Cross Keys Inn, Bridgend; possession July 16th; small on-going.— Apply personally, Stiles, Brewery, Bridgend.
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Name Origin
The Cross Keys inn is named after Saint Peter, the guardian of the Gates of Heaven hence the the crossed keys.
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( Photo 2 ) . The Cross Keys inn, 1942.
( Photo 3 ) . The Cross Keys inn waiting for the bulldozers to move in, 1964.
( Photo 4 ) . Looking Newcastle hill.
( Photo 5 ) . Angle street, 1956. with the Cross Keys on the left of the Photo.
( Photo 6 ) . The Cross Keys inn, at the turn of the 20th century, the Angel inn with the children playing outside and the Talbot Arms on the right side of the photo showing the pub sign.
( Photo 6 ) . The photo dated 1964 looking up Newcastle Hill, showing the demolishing of Sunnyside road and Angel street for the Bridgend inner-bypass, the Cross Keys inn as been totally cleared away.
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SECTION TWO
OLDCASTLE
NOLTON STREET
( Photo 1 ) . A 1879 map of Bridgend showing the areas of Newcastle and Oldcastle in relation to each other and highlighting the position of Nolton street in Bridgend town.
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The Roads
Ewenny road, West road and Nolton street are the original road system that existed in the medieval period of Bridgend town.
the roads lead from Bridgend to the southern and western areas of south wales and these ancient roads are where you will find the location of the majority of the older public houses and inn`s.
the taverns and inn`s lined the roads that lead into town to catch the passing custom of travelers.
Cowbridge road is a relatively new road compared to Bridgend`s original medieval thoroughfares.
the road was built in 1832 to create an easier and more direct route from Cowbridge town in the vale of Glamorgan to the market town of Bridgend.
The old route prior to the new road of 1832 came out of Cowbridge and followed the Goldern Mile then down Crack hill to Boscastle and then through the green twisty lanes to the village of Corntown.
From there the road splits into three directions, one road heads south towards the villages of of Saint Brides Major and Wick, the second road passes the nearby village of Merthyr Mawr and then over the Dipping Bridge, which is also known as the New Inn Bridge.
From there the road carries onto the village of laleston and then onto West road which eventually comes out on the top of Newcastle Hill.
the third road runs up the hill passed the pottery and into the village of Ewenny and then onto Bridgend Town.
there were two public houses on Cowbridge road, both were on the outskirts of Bridgend Town, the furthest being the Butchers Arms and then the Coach and Horse`s, the Coach and Horses is the only pub on this road which is still open to the public.
Ewenny road also had two inn`s, the Five Bells and the New inn, the Five Bells is open and still serving customers, the New inn closed many decades before.
Nolton street was the main thoroughfare into the town from the Vale of Glamorgan, the narrow street as had no less then seven public houses in a very short distance from each other.
in 2020 only two of these pubs have managed to survive and are still opening their doors to customers.
The Oldcastle inn and the Kings head.
Nolton is said to be a corruption of New town.
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The Ale Houses of Oldcastle
1- The Oldcastle ( Nolton Street ).
2- The Ancient Briton ( Nolton Street ).
3- The Welcome to Town ( Nolton Street ).
4- The Nolton Castle ( Nolton Castle ).
5- The Joiners Arms ( Nolton Street ).
6- The Kings Head ( Nolton Street ).
7- The Glove and Shears ( Nolton Street ).
8- The Butchers Arms ( Cowbridge Road ).
9- The Coach and Horses ( Cowbridge Road ).
10- The Five Bells ( Ewenny Road ).
11- The New inn ( Ewenny Road ).
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Work in Progress
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TO BE CONTINUED