Blunham Pubs : The Oak

By Bill Exley

The Oak, c1914	91 High Street, 2001

The Oak Beerhouse, now 91, High Street used to be a favourite with the land workers, along with others in the village, for all had their regulars. They were all open most of the day, then later tougher drinking hours came into force.

The site  is unchanged with the passing of time, it's past can easily be recalled , the weathered space where the old sign was fixed can still be made out. Today it has a small plaque near the door -  'The Old Oak' - so preserving a part of our Bunham history, in the same way as plaques at - 5, High street /  The Ragged Staff and 12, The Hill /  The Old Post Office,

• Bygones - during the early 1970's, a yarn was related to me by a village character, who said late one summer afternoon, years ago, a local woman stormed into The Oak and threw a plated dinner over one of the drinkers, shouting "here's your dinner" and stormed out fuming. Note the Horse waiting for his driver, then take him home, on it's own ! For interest see 'The Beerhouse' origin via my link to Misc & Mash' - ref. 12

Thomas Winters - buys The Oak for £100 - and gets first Licence	1849-1872
- o - Also known as 'The Generous Britain' - o -
George Thomas, - now Simpsons of Baldock / Brewers	1872-1884
Thomas Winters - as records show , (again, Son ? )	1884-1899
Arthur James Nears	1899-1901
Charles Gamer	1901-1903
Geo. Battle (a one armed man)	1903-1907
. Now the Blunham population is 603 - Served by the Eight Pubs in -	1909
Geo. Henry Davey (now The Oak , name change unproven)	1907-1910
Thom Stevens, now we have Wells & Winch / Brewers	1910-1914
Archibald and May Hull	1914-1924
Hector Rawlins	1924-1928
Annie & Henry / Harry Lovell - with daughter Betty	1928-1958
Annie Lovell	1957-1958
The Oak now closes down	15/9/1958
Mr and Mrs Jack White (nee Lovell)	c1984

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Last Revision / on 5th-Nov -2021 / by Bill Exley

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