The history portal for Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex, England
The sad loss (besides others) of the two southern-most buildings on the east side of East Street included the East Street Arms inn. More usually seen from a distance in photos from the church tower this rare shot reveals it in more detail. (from a Michael J. Fox photo)
Just love the questions that old photos ask. The lower one is noted as circa 1903 – the top one is undated but despite it showing the building in a more dilapidated state it, and the lady’s style of dress, seems to indicate an older image perhaps and therefore a refurbished rendering in the lower image?
The cyclists advert suggests a landlord then (circa 1903) of Harry Jas (James) Burt (rather than what looks like Harry Jasbury) but with a small poster just above it appearing to include perhaps the words ‘New Management.’ The changing management theme is further indicated by the name ‘F.Smart’ appearing to have been recently added to the pub sign.
There is also a signpost pointing south indicating I guess the carriage works but why also Brigden at 187 Western Road when there were obviously others in that road? Someone with access to a Lancing directory of the period will have the answers
An unusual shot of the Swiss Cottage bar in the 1930’s when Fred Pigott was landlord there and how it looks today. This reminds me that some years ago we were given a small collection of photos of the Clarke family (not on display) who were the previous landlords and this is one of theirs in the pub’s back garden that was, of course, once part of the popular Swiss Gardens of Victorian times.
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One of Shoreham’s lesser known pubs was The Crier’s Bell in John Street. A substantial, double-fronted building it was given its name by James Chapman, the last official town crier and landlord of the pub in the 1850’s and who’s handbell still survives in the safekeeping of Marlipins Museum.
I’ve never seen a detailed photo of it but have managed to dig up two early 1900’s images from our website. They only show it in the distance but enlarged copies do give more of an idea that surprisingly show two bay windows encroaching on to the pavement and something of an overly large pub sign.
The building still exists albeit without its bay windows.
How many of Shoreham’s old houses used to look – it’s previous use as an inn is alluded to in the 1782 Survey where it is noted as the ‘sign of the swan.’ At some time in its life it also seems to have been named ‘Church Cottage.’ The first time that name appears at the twitten addresses is in 1890 when both the house and the small westerly extension were shown as ‘Church Cottages’ but not in the singular until 1917.
Congratulations to the owners for revealing this lovely old sign!
Often missed on the 1872 map is the name ‘White Lion Street’ in the place of West Street. It was renamed as such, for a short while at least, due to the influence of the landlord of the White Lion Inn. We only have a vague aerial shot and an acute angle view of the Inn but this computerised reproduction gives more of an idea of how it looked.
Perhaps it’s older than you think? This advertisement for an auction shows it as licenced premises as early as 1833 (Sussex Advertiser 16th September 1833) – older than the Royal Sovereign for example that was first licenced in 1848 under it’s earlier name of Salmon Arms (although the building itself is 18th century). Incidentally, John Fennall, Mercy’s husband, and his brother William had been millers at the Mill Hill windmill. John also ran a bakery in the High Street and had another windmill built in Mill Lane. The brothers amassed a considerable amount of property in Shoreham of which the Surrey Arms was just one.
Also included is what is probably the oldest photo of the pub – just look at the height of that ladder!
The Royal Sovereign Pub
A short history
Built around the 1750’s it is first recorded as a tenement and garden in 1782 owned by John and Sarah Purse and occupied by Richard Lashmar. Ann Foster, a Church Street resident and landlady of a number of rented houses, then acquired the property letting it out to William Lashmar during the 1820’s and 30’s.
Continue reading “Royal Sovereign Pub”
This pewter pint measure was made by George Farmiloe & Sons of John Street, London EC1 in the 1870’s (1). It has two Victorian verification marks (official excise weights and measures) of a crown above the letters VR over the numbers 74 on one and 167 on the other – 167 was the number for Steyning district. There is also another mark of a crown above WS for West Sussex. The maker’s name is also stamped thereon – known in the pewter makers’ trade as touch marks. Finally, the names ‘A. Thorncroft, Buckingham Arms’ are beautifully engraved in script upon the opposite side to the handle of the measure.