Blunham Pubs : The Wheatsheaf

By Bill Exley

The Wheatsheaf - Beerhouse - in Park Lane

This Beerhouse was a small room next to the main cottage, today now 10, Park Lane. - The lane itself was known as the 'Back Lane' by locals as shown in 1903 records, it leads down to a Wier and the quiet River Ivel, just 200 yds away. Here you will find a footbridge and a pleasant one and a half miles walk to Sandy market town. - The first Alehouse Lic. was granted in - 1832

• See my ref 12, - The Beerhouse / Alehouse origin, via link to 'Misc & Mash .

The exact room itself is only an assumption on my part whilst compiling this article. I would think the main property would be taken over as the dwelling, the small annexe, as the drinking room / Beerhouse.

New Information : - Re. The Wheatsheaf and the village by a Mr Swaffield from 1909. - (Courtesy - Pip Exley , on 29/09/2020)

• A Blunham Report from 1909 : Re The Wheatsheaf and the village in general. Now the owners were Messrs Morris & Co of Ampthill and we now have a Blunham population of just 603 people - and 8 pubs, so a pub for every 76 inhabitants . The following drinking figures / habits are also recorded here. For The Wheatsheaf in 1909 it was, 61 Barrels plus 11 doz Pints, ( bottled ? ), 1910 - 36 Barrels and 20 dozen pints, 1911 - 35 barrels and 34 dozen pints. ( it states Pints , Bottled or where served or from' ? ) . From these figures, plus the other 7 closeby local Pubs, The Crown only 100yds away up The Hill , every single person must have been getting about, by horse and cart or wallking, quite 'Tipsy' . (copy of report to hand) - and I think these figures look a tad high to me ? .
• Blunham Memories : by Jim Ellis, recorded at 89 yrs of age and his visits to our village during the 1920's & 30's when he was just 10 to 12yrs old. - See  Blunham Memories - / - this info was via a Colin Hinson input, and very interesting too. - Jim describes life in Blunham 100yrs ago, through the eyes of a child on his visits. It has rare refs. to the ill fated R101 Airship and The Crown Beerhouse on The Hill in Blunham. - Another story of Blunham past by Doug Chambers,
• Doug Chambers has written some Blunham History, and some of his memories of Blunham from the point of view of WWII evacuee.
• courtesy of Colin Hinson and his Home Page data - @ 23/08 / 2023
• Addendum : It has just occurred to me, that there is No mention of the 'elusive 9th pub' a White Hart Inn around Blunham in 1737 . I am sure Mr Swaffield - (above) - would have covered this site 110 yrs ago, - So why was it mentioned to me by either a Mr Rex Clarke and Len Sirkett of Grange Road or Mr Albert Sims , Barford Rd. (father of Alan Sims) during my researches in the mid 1980's ? From the 1920's to the 1980's and no mention / referal / location ? - See the Addendum on my Index page. - Spotted today. (12/6/2021) . - A record of the mystery pub does exist, - [PM. 2846] see link below.
• The White Hart : Ref - link - https://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/CommunityHistories/Blunham - it is recorded, but where in Blunham ? - c1737 - Select ' Blunham Index of Pages ' and Blunham Pubs on L.H.S. : Or see my research on The White Hart in Blunham so far.
• First ref : during my researches in the mid 1980's, via one of the following 'past' village characters , - Mr Rex Clarke and Len Sirkett of Grange Road, or Mr Albert Sims (Father of Alan Sims) of Barford Road : At this momrnt in tiime, they are away at a Big Party with the Stars - and Enjoying a Pint at the Free Bar - I will ask them where this Pub was, when we 'meet again' . * . (13/10/2022 / Mr Blex)

• For Local Interest : During the 1950s & 60's, with Maureen Belcham's parents, Reg and Daisy Peet residing here at 10 Park Lane, - Ted Ashton also lived with the family and starts a small (wet) - Fish-Shop business here. in the empty annexe ? - Later Ted takes his 'Fish-Shop' down to a site on The High Street, opposite the school, formerly a gentleman's hairdressers. Later it now becomes the quality 'Fish & Chip Shop' of the area, his 'Large' tasty Cod always drew a long queue of customers, ( Two large Cod please Ted ). - Ted and Daisy Peet later move into a new bungalow opposite The Wheatsheaf / 10, Park Lane, together with Maureen Belcham and her daughter Clare.

Last Revision made by Bill Exley on - 9th Sept. - 2023

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