Blunham Pubs : The White Horse

By Bill Exley

The Old White Horse from Park Lane c1946
New White Horse from The Hill - 10/12/61

The White Horse of today (1960's -1980's) stands on high ground, the entrance and frontage overlooking The Hill and fields beyond, locally known as 'The Brick Fields' , recently returned to agricultural use. It was built on the corner site of Park Lane and The Hill for Greene King, Brewers of Biggleswade, opening on 4/1/61 with Alec Taylor behind the bar. The White Horse being built in the garden of the Old White Horse, then on completion the old Pub (c1800's) was demolished. Later to be a car park for patrons, then a house, 1a-Park Lane was built. In bygone years locals called this quiet walk down to the River Ivel, the 'Back Lane'. (c1903)

o * . * o

- A RECORD OF LANDLORDS & TENANTS -

John Ravens c1767
Benj & Eliz Palmer - Cottage and first Site - from records seen - Prior 1785
Mary Eyre - Now buys The Cottage and orchard 25/7/ 1785
Records show, as Mary Ayre, Ayres, Eyre or Eyres, all were used
 
Isaac Pendred - Old White Horse - on the orchard site
22/8/ 1805
John Elwood - and first . Licence granted in - 1832/ 1877
Thom. Strickland of Potton, now managers 3/9/1836
Arthur Nash of Royston 1/8/1863
George Goodship 1872 - 1879
James Holme of Potton - owner ? 1876
William Corman 1879 - 1882
James Russell. 1882 - 1891
Stephen Russell - Newland & Nash, Brewers 1891 - 1908
Now a Blunham population of 603 persons - served by the 8 Pubs in -
1909
Caleb Prout 1908 -1924
Beers supplied now by Wells & Winch, Brewers of Bedford
1922
Wm. Hawkins - later goes to The Salutation in The High Street 1924 - 1934
Chas. Wm. James Albone 1934 - 1944
   

Herbert, John & Emily Harding and dog , - 9th Aug 1944 - to Dec 1960

Rear of The Old White Horse from Park Lane - (c1946)

 

 
- Wells & Winch now merges with Greene Kimg Brewers during -
1961
   
The new White Horse Pub is Opened by a Brewery Rep / temp , a Mr Odell on . > 04/1/61
Alec Taylor - moves up from The Salutation to take over - 11/01/61
Donald and June Stephenson 20/09/61
John Dennis 09/12/64
Tom and Zina Thomlinson. 16/5/66
Hugh and Mary Baird. 17/7/68
Thom. and Josie Davies. 11/3/70
Doug and Amy Powell. 18/9/74
Nigel and Carol Gudgion 03/7/80
Roy and Susan Walsh 25/7/84

A copy of 200 years of 'History' - handed to Roy & Susan / 1st. Anniversary

To the Day, Month and Year - (1785 to 1985) ! !

25/7/85

The Wt. H. Closes - and Roy & Susan move down to The Salutation

11/9/86

Reverts to a private dwelling and now - 22, The Hill
13/9/86


Page last revised - 17h Apr - 2023 - by Bill Exley

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