Bankfield Inn

Located at Bleak Street but earlier records suggest it was on Craven Lane.

At a Brewsters Session in 1874, Joseph Barber applied for a new licence. The address given is Craven Lane. His solicitor said the premises were erected for the purpose of an inn or victualling house. There is a large club room, in which a meeting of 100 members and another of about 34 are held.

Around the place was a considerable local influence and his client provided for no less than 1500 or 2000 during a year. There was no house which a spirit licence was more needed in the district, although he certainly sold the best beer in the locality.

23 Aug 1869 - Brewster Sessions - Annual session for the granting and renewal of licences was held at Dewsbury. It being the first session in which the new Wine and Beer Act was put in force. Joseph Barber of the Bankfield Inn, Gomersal had been convicted once in the last year. His licence was renewed after a reprimand.

26 Nov 1869 - Court Case - Joseph Barber, landlord of the Bankfield Inn, Gomersal was summoned for allowing drunkenness. Adjourned.

2 Apr 1871 - Census - Bankfield Inn, Gomersal. Landlord recorded as Joseph Barber & Rachel his wife.

15 Apr 1871 - Court case - 3 teenagers were charged with stealing a quantity of cigars from the Bankfield Inn, Gomersal, the property of Joseph Barber. They were found guilty. One was ordered to be given 6 lashes of the birch rod, another received 12 lashes and the last one was sent to prison for 2 weeks and then afterwards to reformatory school for five years.

24 Aug 1874 - Brewster Sessions - A new licence application was submitted by Joseph Barber of the Bankfield Inn, Craven Lane.

Jan 1880 - Brewery - Acquired by Melbourne Brewery (Leeds).

3 Apr 1881 - Census - Bankfield Inn, Bleak Street. Occupants are John Senior Preston, a mechanic, and his family.

Abt 1887 - Brewery - Acquired by Brunswick Brewery.

5 Apr 1891 - Census entry - Bank Field Inn, Bleak Street, Gomersal
James BOWEN  Head  M  39  Innkeeper  Banham, Norfolk
Susan A BOWEN  Wife  M  33  Gazeley, Suffolk
Stanley W BOWEN  Son  5  Scholar  Gomersal
Randall BOWEN  Son  2  Gomersal
Jane G BOWEN  Dau  1m  Gomersal

31 Mar 1901 - Census entry - Bank Field Inn, Gomersal
James BOWEN  Head  M  49  Innkeeper (OA)  Banham, Norfolk
Susan A BOWEN  Wife  M  43  Gazeley, Suffolk
Stanley W BOWEN  Son  15  Gomersal
Randall BOWEN  Son  12  Gomersal
Jane G BOWEN  Dau  10  Gomersal

2 Apr 1911 - Census entry - Bank Field Inn, Gomersal (5 rooms)
James BOWEN  Head  M  59  Innkeeper (OA)  Banham, Norfolk
Susan Anne BOWEN  Wife  M  53  Housewife  Gazeley, Suffolk
Stanley William BOWEN  Son  U  25  Tailor's cutter (W)  Gomersal
Randall BOWEN  Son  U  22  Letterpress printer (W)  Gomersal
Jane Gillian BOWEN  Dau  U  20  Ladies costumier (W)  Gomersal

19 Jun 1921 - Census entry - 8 Bleak Street, Gomersal (5 rooms)
James BOWEN  Head  M  70y 2m, Banham, Norfolk,  Innkeeper (OA)
Susan Anne BOWEN  Wife  M  63y 6m, Gazeley, Suffolk,  Housewife
Stanley William BOWEN  Son  U  35y 10m, Bankfield, Gomersal,  Tailor's cutter, J May & Sons, Whitehall Road, Leeds
Jane Gillian BOWEN  Dau  U  30y 5m, Bankfield, Gomersal,  Home duties

7 Apr 1924 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from James Bowen to Susan Ann Bowen.

25 Apr 1924 - Probate Calendar - James Bowen of Bank Field, Bleak Street, Gomersal died 2 Mar 1924 and probate was granted to his widow, Susan Anne Bowen and son Stanley William Bowen on an estate valued at £620 15s 3d.

8 Feb 1926 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Susan Ann Bowen to Charlie Walker.

3 Oct 1927 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Charlie Walker to John Holdsworth Pickles.

1930 - Electoral Register - Occupants recorded as John Holdsworth & Edith Pickles and Winston Armitage & Nellie Carter.

7 Dec 1931 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from John Holdsworth Pickles to Josiah Waite.

5 Dec 1932 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Josiah Pickles to George Harding.

9 Aug 1937 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from George Harding to William Asa Hardcastle.

6 Dec 1937 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from William Asa Hardcastle to George Wilson.

7 Mar 1938 - Brewster Sessions - On grounds of redundancy, the renewal of the licence for this house was referred to the Compensation Authority.

30 May 1938 - Compensation Authority - Renewal of the licence for this house was granted.

6 Feb 1939 - Brewster Sessions - Once again, the licence of this house was refused on the grounds of redundancy and the matter adjourned to the next meeting.

6 Mar 1939 - Brewster Sessions - Renewal of the licence was granted, as were plans submitted for structural alterations and improvements at a cost of approx. £2000.

29 Sep 1939 - 1939 Register entry - Bank Field Inn, Bleak Street
George WILSON  b. 1 Jan 1906  (M)  Manager (publican)
Dorothy WILSON  b. 22 Oct 1905  (M)  Unpaid domestic duties (later married name Sykes)
Geoffrey WILSON  b. 14 Aug 1931  At school
Fred WILSON  b. 29 Dec 1833  At school

1945 - Electoral Register - Bankfield Inn, Bleak Street. Occupants recorded as Stanley E Wicking, Alice M Wicking & Marjorie Clegg