Blunham Pubs : The Salutation

The Salutation is a large building situated in the High Street and the centre of Blunham and one time 20 High Street. This would then mean, the entrance to the Wells Field bungalows area, plus the Horseshoes car park area is where other cottages would have occupied ? - It has also been called The Old Salutation and Ragged Staff but records show an Auction day it was The Salutation in 1849.

The front facade changes, from the 1906 photo (L.H.S.) such as Bay Windows , Roof change and wooden add on's must have been carried out between 1910 and the 1940's perhaps ? - Now it's a pseudo Medieval Style we have around the 1700 & 1800's as in Lavenham, Suffolk, so I suggest all was carried out perhaps with the Roof Change.

The pub name outside is one of the oldest used , its origin dating back to horsemen taking a 'Stirrup Cup' or 'Salutary' drink in the old days of Hunting etc. ( L : Salus, health to or Salutare, ones' good health) . During my researches it was found that the original name was The Ragged Staff, The Salutation in 1849 , then changing to The Old Salutation during 1768 for reasons unknown.

It is of interest to note, The Queens Head pub in the square was also called The Ragged Staff and The Salutation in its time. - also 2, High Street starts in the square with 'The Ovens' thatched cottage of today. - I think that two mates would say, "see you Bob at 6 o'clock in the Old Sally" , for a defined meet up, to play cards, dominoes such as Crib etc. to meet up at the right Sally' for a Pint.

Here follows a listing of Occupiers to date, from records researched at Bedfordshire Archive Service, plus information kindly supplied by Greene King, Brewers at Biggleswade. - In 1961 a merger of the Wells & Winch Brewery and Greene King, (formely of Suffolk) had taken place, then closing down in 1997, demolitshed and now a Supermarket.

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Free House now, owner Countess Cowper, Wrest Park in Silsoe

THE SALUTATION DEBATING SOCIETY :

: A Motley band of drinkers who came to the 'Sally' for a pint (or two) on a Friday evening around 8pm for conversation, banter, a laugh with enlightenment. It was made up of the following characters, Ted Jeffries a Land Worker for a Mr John Quince a local Land-owner, then Jim Goodwin and his best mate Cliff Payne (or Paynie) who had his own farming business, They were both very good Dart players, and hard to beat.

: Jim was always the one with a deadpan face, always observing, yet full of dry humour, a twinkle in his eye, and soon quick to spot any chance for a quick joke, but never personal. Jim always remarked on the amount of holidays taken by local teachers as they entered, or a character who wore smart jackets and he would say, "is your Coach parked around the back ? " - He always enjoyed a challenge to a game of Darts or Pool.

Joe Norman a quiet man, astute and always a smile, with his daughter Mary a nurse, who was also as sharp as a razor within the male company. He was a very good dart player and made his own flites of huge proportions. On a 'Bull Start' game we often played, I saw him place 3 darts into the Bullseye, (tiny) so the flites were no barrier. I saw this only twice in my life time (Andrew Brown and Lawrence (Lol ) Charteress) - I once had 2 bulls and and a 25 on a lucky night, also many 180's in my playing days.