Public Houses - Pictures From The Past

NORTH MYMMS PICTURES FROM THE PAST

The White Swan at Bell Bar, licensee in 1891 was Charlie Chatman - it was open from 8am to 10pm
the stables contained two broughams, a wagonette, a Victoria, a trap and a dog cart
which were used for taking people as far as Hertford

Public Houses

This is one of a dozen sections from North Mymms Pictures From The Past, a book published in 2002 by the former North Mymms Local History Society, featuring more than 100 old photographs of the parish. The majority of the photographs are on the Images Of North Mymms collection of CDs. To access all sections, please scroll down to the index at the foot of this page.

Ale houses, beer houses, inns and taverns have always played a central role in the community, and ours have a historical background.

Bell Bar, because of its location on the old Great North Road, gave rise to The Bell (1556), The White Hart (1721), The White Swan (1850), the latter being built on the Great North Road. The Cock O' The North followed in the 1930s.

The Hope and Anchor, Welham Green, was referred to as a beer house in 1838 when James Hutson, who was also a shop-keeper and church organist, paid the North Mymms bell-ringers in beer.

The Sibthorpe Arms, Welham Green, was originally, in 1750, known as The Duke of Leeds Arms, after the Lord of the Manor of North Mymms. By 1850 it was called The Sibthorpe Arms, after the Sibthorpe family who owned the Manor of Potterells.

The former White Swan, Bell Bar, in 1982, now a private residence

Cock O' The North, Great North Road, Bell Bar
with Hartsman advertising airship flying above - July 1985

Opposition to the building of a beer house in 1936 led to the Hadley Brewery Company
submitting new plans for an hotel in Brookmans Park
Building commenced in 1939, shown here in 1964
Merrilegs the pony lived in the field on the corner

The Sibthorpe Arms, Welham Green, c.19th century

The Hope and Anchor, Station Road, Welham Green, August 25, 1915

 The Old Maypole, Water End, 1920
It claims to date from 1520; the building appears to be 16 or 17th century
In 1871 the licensee was Mary Ann Massey
whose brother Walter ran the blacksmith shop adjoining the pub

An advertising card for The Old Maypole Water End
The Barnet By-pass became the A1 road in 1954

The Woodman at Water End. Probably known as The Tollgate in 1700s
Purchased by Charles Bradshaw, a Hatfield baker and brewer in 1851
who sold out to Edward Pryor and Percy Reid in 1888
The premises were shown as a grocers shop as well as a beer retailer during the 19th century
In 1881 the licensee George Dickens also gave his occupation as a gardener
The 1891 census shows George Dickens (54) publican and labourer,
Harriet Dickens (58) wife, and Annie Day (24) niece. c 1890

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NORTH MYMMS PICTURES FROM THE PAST

Chapters

• Introduction
• Welham Green
• Transport
• North Mymms Park
• Water End
• Public Houses
• Brookmans Park
• Landmarks
• Little Heath
• Farming
• Bell Bar
• People of North Mymms
• Marshmoor

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