Eddie Menday: Calling last orders

Jun 12 2009

OVER the centuries, inns and ale houses were a central part of the life of the community, whether in towns or the countryside.

In rural communities, the village inn was the centre of activity and work, alongside the local parish church. In some parts, it was the custom for the local church, to hold harvest services in the local inn, with a pint or two to follow. So it is sad when one sees a local pub, empty and boarded up.

In Feltham, at the time of writing, two of our local pubs, The Crown and Sceptre and The Mansion, better known as The Rose and Crown are now closed to customers.

There has been a Crown and Sceptre on the Staines Road for many years, and being on the coaching route to the south west, was probably a quick stop for some coaches, though it was never a coaching inn as such.

It would have had a busy time before the Great West Road was built, and the traffic for Ascot Races passed its door.

It has been recorded that a Rose and Crown has been in Feltham village, since the 1700s.

In an old indenture granting a parcel of land to the Independent Church of Congregationalists in 1797, it mentions The Rose and Crown in Feltham Street, the old name for St Dunstan's Road. This building is still there, and was in danger of demolition in recent times.

In the late 1930s a new Rose and Crown was built facing the new village by-pass which was built in 1938.

In the building of the new Feltham shopping centre, several old pubs saw their demise.

The Railway Tavern and The Prince of Wales both made way for the new shopping centre, and, further down Bedfont Lane, the Locomotive is remembered with a block of flats.

Then there was The Feltham Hotel, which served the town faithfully over many years as a venue for dinners and dances and, in particular, wedding receptions - I have lost count of the number of times I was MC or toastmaster at events there.

It was later the headquarters of the Community Association. The building now stands forlorn, needing renovation by its owners, Hounslow Council.

Hounslow, which was the home of many inns and alehouses left over from the coaching days, has lost most of these in recent times.

One of the first to go, was The Red Lion, which had its roots in the Victorian era.

Later it was the venue for many civic and business and Rotary lunches and banquets. I remember acting as MC there a number of times.

Another old coaching inn was The George Hotel sometime known as the Royal George Hotel, which later became Henekey's Wine Bar - now swept away, as was The Duke of Edinburgh, the Old Mail Coach and The Lion and Lamb and others in the High Street and Hanworth Road.

A poem that named all the pubs in Hounslow,

was published in the Middlesex Chronicle some time ago.

Isleworth and Brentford have also suffered, losing most of their old Victorian pubs to so called modern progress.

It is a good thing when the buildings are retained and used as a restaurant, such as the former Chequers in Isleworth, but it seems that demolition is an easy option, and changes a familiar landscape forever.

FROM THE ARCHIVES JUNE 11 1909 THE grounds of the Berkeley Arms, at Cranford had an interesting and perhaps unique gathering of members of the Caravan Club of Great Britain and Ireland. This lasted for four days, breaking up on Monday when some 13 caravans attended including those of Lady Edwards, Mr. Harry Keep and Mr. Hopkins DSO. The weather was very unfavourable at the start, but later as the vans arrived from various parts of the country, where members had been touring, improved. Each night a club dinner is held followed by entertainment, and Mr. Parlby of the Berkeley Arms is

doing all in his power to make his guests appreciate the rural beauties of this part of Middlesex. The founder of the club, Mr. J.Harris Stone explained to the representative of the Middlesex Chronicle that the object was to organise the numerous caravan travellers who tour, to enjoy the rural beauties of the country, and to do for them what yachting, automobile, and other clubs do for their members. They regard travelling by caravan an ideal mode of seeing the country at a speed of not more than four miles an hour and no packing and unpacking is needed. Tents are also used for entertaining visitors.

MRS. BURGE appeared before the Brentford Magistrates to answer a summons taken out by the Heston and Isleworth District Council for occupying a tent in the Worton Road, which was not watertight and in contravention of the Council by laws. It was shown in previous evidence that the structure consisted of sheets and blankets spread over poles with a covering that was not watertight. Inside was a collection of beds, boxes and chairs, and there was no sanitary accommodation. The place was occupied by the defendant and her son who was aged 25. Mrs. Burge stated that she had been turned out of her house close by, and had taken refuge under this covering. It was stated that the woman had been notified to remove the structure but had not complied. The Medical Officer and the Sanitary Inspector had visited the place, and declared that all the by laws had been contravened. The Chairman of the Bench said that they had no alternative but to inflict a penalty of 2 shillings or 14 days imprisonment.

MEMBERS of the Bedfont Mothers Meeting were conveyed to Windsor, by Mr.J.Drake of Staines, for their annual summer outing. The were accompanied by Mrs. McKee the President. The Vicar, after offering prayers, gave the party a hearty send off. Unfortunately the weather was wet to start with, but ceased when they arrived at their destination. The Congregational Church Hall was placed at the disposal of the party by the minister the Rev. P.T Lansdowne, who addressed the mothers in the evening. A capital meat tea was provided by Mr. E.Dowsett of Old Windsor.

The State Apartments of Windsor Castle were visited, as well as St George's Chapel, the Round and Curfew Towers and the Royal Stables. The party arrived home safely after a most enjoyable day spent in the ancient royal town.