The Old Saw

Dating back to the 18th century and located on what was the main Leeds to Elland turnpike road...now known as Spen Lane. Was allegedly named after one of the occupants who was a sawyer by trade. As can be seen from this map from 1854 the original premises were much lower down Spen Lane than it's present location, which are both arrowed on the image. It is not known, at this stage, when the premises moved further up the road.

30 Mar 1851 - Census - Saw Inn, Spen. Landlord recorded as Thomas Hardhill, wife Mary and family.

4 Apr 1856 - Inquest - Landlord recorded as Thomas Hardill.

7 Apr 1861 - Census - Spen Lane, Gomersal. Although premises not named, other records suggest it was here. Landlord recorded as Thomas Hardill.

2 Apr 1871 - Census - Old Saw Inn, Spen Lane. Landlord recorded as Joseph Lang, his wife Priscilla and large family. Joseph was also a butcher. (Priscilla being the daughter of the earlier mentioned Thomas Hardill)

26 Jun 1875 - Inquest - Landlord recorded as Joseph Lang.

22 Apr 1880 - Inquest - Landlord recorded as Joseph Lang.

3 Apr 1881 - Census - Old Saw, Upper Spen. Landlord is Joseph Lang, wife Priscilla and family.

5 Apr 1891 - Census - Old Saw Inn, Spen. Landlord recorded as Joseph Lang, Priscilla his wife and family.

6 May 1895 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Joseph Lang to Priscilla Lang.

6 Mar 1899 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Priscilla Lang to Nancy Lang.

1 May 1899 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Nancy Lang to David Holdsworth Stott.

31 Mar 1901 - Census - Old Saw, Spen. Landlord recorded as David H Stott, wife Hannah and family.

1 Aug 1910 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from David Holdsworth Stott to Luther Kemp.

Jul 1910 - Brewery - Acquired by Joshua Tetley & Son.

2 Apr 1911 - Census - Spen, Gomersal. Although premises not named, other records suggest it was here. Landlord recorded as Luther Kemp and family.

2 Feb 1914 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Luther Kemp to John William Robert Mitchell.

7 Dec 1914 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from John William Robert Mitchell to George Henry Fawthrop.

4 Oct 1915 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from George Henry Fawthrop to John Slater Watts.

4 Oct 1916 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from John Slater Watts to Fannie Watts. (transferred to his wife due to war service)

5 Feb 1917 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Fannie Watts to Arthur B Drury.

14 Jun 1917 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Arthur B Drury to Annie Parton Drury. (transferred to his wife due to war service)

7 Mar 1927 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Annie Parton Drury to Ben Wilkinson.

1 Jun 1931 - Licensing Register - Transfer of licence from Ben Wilkinson to George Laycock.

4 May 1934 - Licence Extension request at Dewsbury Magistrates. Licensee of the Old Saw Inn, George Laycock applied for extended selling hours for Whit Tuesday, due to the Yorkshire Merit bowling competition played on the Spen ground. Granted.

26 Oct 1944 - Death Notice - George Laycock, aged 79 years of the Old Saw Inn. To be buried at Batley cemetery.