Blunham Pubs : The White Horse

By Bill Exley

Rear of 'The Old White Horse' c1946-from Park Lane
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 it was a car park, then a house, 1a-Park Lane was built. In bygone years (c1903) locals called this quiet walk to the River Ivel the 'Back Lane'.

o * . * o

A RECORD OF LANDLORDS & TENANTS

John Ravens c1767
Benj & Eliz Palmer - Cottage / 1st Site - fm records Prior 1785
Mary Eyre - Now buys Te Cottage & 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 1st. Lic. granted 1832/ 1877
Thom. Strickland of Potton, 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
. N.B. - Now a Blunham population of 603 - served by the 8 Pubs in - 1909
Caleb Prout 1908 -1924
Wells & Winch of Bedford - Brewers during
1922
Wm. Hawkins - later goes to The Salutation 1924 - 1934
Chas. Wm. James Albone 13/06/1934
Herbert, John & Emily Harding - see photo below* 9/8/44 1960
Wels & Winch now merges with Greene Kimg
1961
New White Horse - Opens by G.K. Brewery (Rep / temp a Mr Odell), then - 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

Herbert, John & Emily Harding and dog, outside the rear of The Old White Horse - c1946


Page last revised - 5th Oct - 2022 - by Bill Exley

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