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By Bill Exley
The Idea : of tracing the history of our Blunham Pubs and Beerhouses, came about by interesting conversations with an old Blunham gent called Ernest Jeffries. We used to walk slowly up The Hill, due to his advanced years, and he would point out the old sites to me with his walking stick and nostalgic comments. I then wanted to compile a comprehensive listing of these sites using Bedford Archive and records held at County Hall, (now re-named Bedfordshire Archive Service - 30/8/2022 - with visits to Charles Wells, brewers of Bedford and Greene King brewers in Biggleswade, - later to be demolished in 1997.
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Newland & Nash - Susan Nash now 79yrs old and a recent Widow, she seeks help and joins up with the Newland Brewer on 5/8/1890 // Greene King of Suffolk, later to be the Biggleswade-Brewery, (later to be demolished in 1997) // Wells & Winch : Biggleswade, merging with G.K. in 1961 // Charles Wells of Bedford .. records show Bedford was well known for its many Breweries, e.g. on Duck Mill Lane, Lurke Street, - St Marys and other sites around the town.
A Mystery 9th Pub : - of Blunham, as recorded by Central Beds / Archives and Also Recalled to me by locals - during my researches in the 1980's, Now with hindsight, the question, "where was it ? " - Their White Hart may have been in nearby Gt. Barford, as a Bolt-Hole, - "The Gaffer won't walk in here" ? - Visit The White Hart of 1737 - to see a Record / Ref in - PM2846 - also Not mentioned in the Swaffield Report of 1909 within The Wheatsheaf - Beerhouse data. - (why ?)
Today : there is only one pub left in Blunham village / on 23 Feb 2022 , that is - The Horseshoes - See its Ref. to an evening wifh a Mr Bobby George / during the mid 1980's / a popular world - class Dart Player, and his kind contribution to a Charity and Blunham Villagers. - Links to The White Hart of 1737, - The Horseshoes
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The 7 other pubs of Yesterdays' Blunham - shown in closing order, from most recent & links to my other work.
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Acknowledgements
Greene King & Charles Wells, Brewers and Bedfordshire Archive Service for Records held.
Colin Hinson - for all his Expertise, Inputs, Tuition and Patience.
Guernsey Press Office - re. Geoff Baker & his 'Theo's Wreck' article - Billy Hill, Philippa Exley and John Lihou.
Last Revision made by Bill Exley on - 10th Feb / 2023