Beerhouses

Whilst we would not recognise the distinction today, in the 19th century not all licenced premises were the same. Whilst Inns were able to sell a full range of alcoholic beverages, following the 1830 Beer Act there was another type of establishment that was also able to sell alcohol, but only in the form of beer. These 'beerhouses' were prohibited from selling wines or spirits although they were able to sell food and non alcoholic beverages alongside the beer. The collective term for all these establishments - both inns and beerhouses was 'publick houses' and it is from this term that we derive the name 'pub', a description that only became common in the latter half of the 19th century.

In addition to its inns, Ancaster also had at least two beerhouses, The Cross Keys and The Railway Tavern.

The Cross Keys

The Cross Keys was positioned at the Wilsford Lane junction. Being on the eastern side of Ermine Street in Ancaster it was, like the Red Lion, actually then in Wilsford parish.

Although sometimes referred to as an inn this property seems to have been a beerhouse selling beer as the only alcoholic refreshment. A grocer shop was however attached.

No information has been found about the Cross Keys until 1871 by which time George Castledine had become the publican, as well as a grocer, living here with his wife Jane and children. George Castledine was formerly landlord of the Butcher's Arms but left that establishment having been the victim, in 1870, of the exploits of a dubious character called George Toone, a self-proclaimed 'Professor of Phrenology'.

George Castledine died in 1876 and was succeeded by his wife Jane who was licensee in 1881. Henry Knowles married the widowed Jane Castledine in 1882 and he was recorded as innkeeper and grocer at the 'Cross Keys Inn' in 1891.

On 16 March 1872 a meeting⁵⁶ of labourers from Ancaster and neighbouring villages was held at the Houblon Arms, Oasby to consider the rules of a Society to meet at the Cross Keys, Ancaster for the purpose of fixing the rates of wages, the hours of work and the mode of payments to the members who should be 'on strike'. The need of such a Society to 'protect the labourer from the tyranny of the farmer' was urged by a tradesman from Welby. His views had support but others, including the Vicar, were opposed to such a Society, and urged labourers not to join. It was reported that 'good sense' prevailed and that 'the mischievous attempt of strangers to destroy the kindliness of feeling which exists in this parish between employer and employed' was frustrated.

However, many years later⁵⁷, Mr. Rex Russell, organising tutor for the Workers Education Association, whilst researching the history of the farm worker in Lincolnshire, and the growth of the trade union movement in the 1870s, apparently found that a meeting of between 200 and 300 labourers had taken place at the Cross Keys, Ancaster on March 17 1872. A trade union had been formed and nearly 100 men had joined immediately!

In 1891, the old-established BEERHOUSE known as the CROSS KEYS, with SHOP attached was advertised⁵⁸ (below) for sale. Henry Knowles, the occupier had then purchased the property.

In 1906 the number of licensed houses in Ancaster was under discussion⁵⁹, specifically with regard to the licence of the Railway Tavern having being refused. Thomas Woolerton, a farmer and grocer who had owned both the Railway Tavern and the Cross Keys said he had closed the Cross Keys in 1897 wanting to make it into a shop. The Cross Keys beerhouse was no more.

The Railway Tavern

The Railway Tavern was next to (and north of) the Butcher's Arms in Ermine Street , Ancaster. This would suggest that the existing stone-built house was formerly the Railway Tavern.

The Railway Tavern, like the Cross Keys seems to have been a beerhouse, but perhaps selling food as well as beer. As the railway did not come to Ancaster until 1857 we can assume this property did not exist as such before that date, except, perhaps under another name.

It did exist however, in 1858 when William Leachman, the landlord, gave notice⁶⁰ that a steer had been left at the Railway Tavern, Ancaster and that it would be sold to pay expenses if not claimed within the next fortnight. The 1861 census records that William Leachman then had a beer shop.

In 1871 John Henry Teat was publican at the Butcher's Arms. Next door, Alfred Whalley was also a publican. This property was unnamed in the census, but can be assumed to have been the 'Railway Tavern'.

It is not clear who may have then become the landlord. A Pig Club Supper was held⁶¹ at the Railway Tavern in 1882, with 65 members attending. The supper was provided by Thomas Palmer, who was presumably the landlord.

In 1891 John Maddison was the publican who had taken over from John Gray.

By 1901 Thomas Hather Dennis had become resident landlord at the Railway Tavern, living there with his wife Mary and 11 children (they had 13 children by 1911, all living). Thomas Hather Dennis, however, moved next door to the Butcher's Arms in 1905 and was succeeded by Henry Taylor, who was to be the last host.

In 1906 , the licensing authorities refused to renew the Railway Tavern's licence. They were of the opinion⁵⁹ that Ancaster had too many public houses. The issue was discussed and it was revealed that the Tavern was then owned by Messrs Mowbray & Co. Ltd. of Grantham, having been sold to them by Thomas Woolerton in 1898. The Railway Tavern seems to have been popular, and it was argued that it provided for those customers who preferred a beerhouse to a fully-licensed place. Such customers were likely to have been the many labourers who worked at the maltings, in the stone quarries and on the farms.

The closure of the other beerhouse, the Cross Keys some years before had narrowed their choice of hostelry. The Railway Tavern was also said to have six good bedrooms, with accommodation in Ancaster being in short supply. The police reported that there was not much drunkenness in Ancaster, and the business at the Tavern was well conducted, but they could not properly supervise the establishment due to a extremely narrow passage at the side, which was also the access for a number of cottages (five cottages on Ermine Street with another cottage to the rear of the inn). All appeals and objections were rejected. It seems that he licensing authorities were determined to refuse to renew the license of the Railway Tavern, and Ancaster's remaining beerhouse was forced to close.

56. Grantham Journal 23 March 1872

57. Sleaford Gazette 15 July 1955

58. Grantham Journal 14 Nov. 1891

59. Grantham Journal 19 May 1906

60. Stamford Mercury 14 May 1858

61. Grantham Journal 18 Feb. 1882