Blunham Pubs : The Salutation

The Salutation is a large building situated in the High Street and the centre of Blunham and one time 8 High Street. This would then mean, the entrance to the Wells Field bungalows area, plus the Horseshoes' car park is where 2,4 and 6 High St. may have occupied ? The front appearance 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 a pseudo Medieval Style we have around the 1840's 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, to wish ones' good health) . During my researches it was found that the original name was The Ragged Staff, changing to The Salutation during 1768 for reasons unknown.

Here follows a listing of Occupiers to date, from records researched at Bedfordshire Archive Service, plus information kindly supplied by Greene King, Brewers of Biggleswade. - (closing downin 1997, demolitshed and now a Supermarket).

o * O * O * o

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, Landowner , 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, yet always non personal. Jim always remarked on the amount of holidays taken by local teachers, or a character who wore smart jackets and he would say, "is your Coach round 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 in the Bullseye, so the flites were no barrier. I saw this only twice in my life time (Andrew Brown and Lawrence Charteress) - I once had 2 bulls and and a 25 on a lucky night, also many 180's in my playing days.