THE BCH ARCHIVE

LOCAL HISTORY FOR

BIRTSMORTON

CASTLEMORTON

HOLLYBUSH

And The Surrounding District

The Lodge Inn: Golden Valley

Public Houses

Lodge Inn

Mrs Fred Reynolds & her grandson Roy Shail

1839 Tithe Map

A History of Worcestershire Inn’s describes Lodge Inn as 14th or 15th century, originally hunting lodge on Malvern Chase. Originally a black and white cottage, it was bricked over by the owners Mitchells and Butler in XX

In 1839, owned by John Boswood and rented by Mary Stevens. House, yards, outbuildings, orchards amounting to over 8 acres.

In 1841, occupied by Mary Stephenson, of Independe nt means. Presumably the Mary Stevens above.

In 1851, occupied by Mary Stephens, landed proprietor, and her granddaughter Elizabeth Stephens.

1852, 16 October, Hereford Times

GOLDEN VALLEY. CASTLEMORTON, WORCESTERSHIRE. FREEHOLD PREMISES TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY ROBERT JONES, direction of the Trustees of Mr. Richard Stephens, deceased, on Monday, the 25th October, 1852, at the Feathers Inn, Castlemorton, at Four o'clock in the Afternoon, subject to conditions to be then produced in the Two following LOTS Lot 1. AVERY Desirable FREEHOLD DWELLINGHOUSE called "THE LODGE," with Ciderhouse, and Granary over, Cider-mill House, Barn, Stables, Sheds, and Piggery, and also Part of a productive Garden and Fold-yard belonging thereto, and Three Parcels of excellent Pasture Ground and Orcharding adjoining, containing by admeasurement 3a. Or. 14p. , situate in the Golden Valley, in the Parish of Ca><tlemorton, aforesaid, and now in the occupation of Mr. John Stephens. The above Land is unusually productive both as regards Fruit and other Agricultural Produce. Lot 2.—Also, a Valuable PARCEL of FREEHOLD ARABLE LAND (except oa. Ir. Up. in the north-west corner thereof), containing by admeasurement 3a. 3r. 16p called " LEDIATTS," situate in the Parish of Castlemorton aforesaid, and now in the occupation of John Boulter. The aforegoing valuable Lots are situate near to the Malvern Hills, have the advantage of good Roads, and a valuable Right of Common. For a view and for further particulars apply to the Trustee, Mr. William Smith, Fair Oaks, Castlemorton; to Messrs. Gregg and Son, Solicitors, or the Auctioneer, both of Ledbury.

In 1861, occupied by Charlotte Stephens, widow aged 60, Ciderhouse Keeper, and her son Samuel (Agricultural Labourer). Presumably Charlotte is Mary’s daughter in law.

In 1871, William Boulter is farming 9 acres on Golden Valley with his wife Elizabeth and children Harriet, Ann, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. See Appendix 1.

In 1881, occupied by William Boulter (Farmer of 6 acres and publican), his wife Elizabeth and children Sarah, Ada and Maria. This would fit with him giving up Ledyatts (3 acres) a separate piece of land nearby, No 201 on the Tithe map.

n 1891, occupied by William Boulter, Farmer, his wife Elizabeth and their children Sarah and Maria.

In 1899, 5 June, Elizabeth Boulter, widow of William, died at The Lodge Inn.

In 1901, Lodge Inn is named as such and occupied by Joseph Tombs (aged 35), Hay Cutter and Inn Keeper, with his wife Ada (Publican) and children Gladys and Arthur. There was a cider mill at one end of the property, making cider for sale. Beer was served from the barrel. It was used by travellers passing through and by fishermen trying their luck at Mill Pond.

In 1911, Lodge Inn is named and occupied by Joseph Tombs, Innkeeper, his wife Ada and their children Gladys, Arthur, Earl, Percy and Ralph. Gladys is working ‘in the business’.

The 1928 Trade Directory shows Joseph Tombs as Beer Retailer.

The 1940 Trade Directory shows George Ernest Bradley living at Lodge Inn.

Possibly then the Biddles family.

Then by the Andrews family.

Mid 20th century by Fred and Doris Reynolds.

In 1963, a big fire burnt down a barn and badly damaged the property.

1885 OS Map

The Malvern Gazette of 13 March 1964 reported that the Upton-upon-

Severn Licensing Justices provisionally renewed the pub’s beer and cider

licence, but that it would be referred to the Worcestershire Compensation

Committee as a possible case for closure. Mr. E. Hill, for the owners, Mitchellsand Butlers, contended that as the premises were a ‘pre 1869 beerhouse’, a licence could not be refused without reference to this committee, but that the brewers had no objection to the premises and licence being declared redundant. At the hearing before the licensing justices, Mr. E.H. Eeles, for the brewers, produced a lease for the property dated 23 November 1898, together with an earlier conveyance. The police opposed the renewal of the licence, setting out a number of reasons including that the general comfort for customers was well below the standard of other licensed houses in the area; that within a mile radius there were 200 people, including children and teetotallers, yet within a mile and a half there were three other pubs — and so considered that there would be no hardship to the local population if the premises were closed. It was confirmed that trade in winter months was slack, but that it built up in the summer. In the 19 June 1964 edition of the Malvern Gazette it was reported that the Worcestershire Compensation Committee had indeed refused the renewal of a licence held by Mr. Frederick Reynolds. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds bought the property from the brewery and lived there until their deaths about 20 years ago. Since then it has been the home of their grandson, Roy Shailes.

Appendix 1

11 December 1875

Upton upon Severn. Petty Sessions, Thursday - Before the Rev. A. B. Lechmere (Chairman), Mr. C. Andrew, Mr. H. Wi11..,' Col. Webb, and the Rev. W. S. SymondsJane Trotter had summoned Samuel Shepherd for assault, but complainant did not appear, and the case was lis- ?? Hart and John Webb the younger, both of Castlemorton, fruiterers, were charged with damaging three holly trees the property of Earl Somers, to the amount of 19s. fid. William Jones, Assistant woodman to Earl Somers, stated that on the Ith inst., in the morning, j he saw that the holly trees had seen cut. He noticed J two men's footprint, in the snow, and holly leave, and I berries scattered by the way, in a direct line from the trees to Webb's house. He went there about half-past seven in the morning, and saw both defendants putting holly on a cart. He accused them of taking the holly. Webb threatened to knock his brains out if he touched it. i Webb said he bought the holly, and paid for it. PC. I Hundley said that on the morning in question he was, fetched by last witness to Webb's house. He saw thetracks from the tree, as described by last witness. He i asked Webb's mother where the holly was. -the said I John (meaning her son) had taken it to Worcester. { Witness produced two pieces of a holly branch : on* • he picked up under the tree, and the other in Webb's gardsm. They exactly corresponded. Mr. John Jams* Ken., under steward to Earl Somers, proved the value of the holly, and said the tree were much I disfigured. For the defence defendants called Joha, i Morris, a fowl dealer, living at Castlemorton, in whose ' house Sydney Hart lived. He swore that on the evening ! of the 3rd inst. Webb purchased some holly from him for 55., and Sydney Hart assisted Webb to carry it horn*. j Witness also saw both defendant, going to Worcester in • the morning, and on their cart was the holly he had sold Webb th. night before and no more. Witness bought the 1 holly from Mr. Boulter, of the Golden Valley. Ann Hart, sister to Sydney Hart, spoke as to Webb buying the holly I from Morris, and ber brother helping him t* take it away. P.C. Pott, said he had examined the tree at Mr. Boulter's, from which Morris had bought some holly, and it was a very different sort to Earl Somers' . The Bench considered the case proved against both defendants, and fined them £1 each, and to pay the damage and coat, between them.