The Berkeley Arms, Chepstow

[chepstowgirl]

Does anyone know anything about the history of the Berkeley Arms in Chepstow? Its situated in Station Road and is now a centre for adults with learning difficulties.

I understand it used to be a public house/hotel but googling finds nothing at all.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, especially if someone can point me in the direction of photos or press cuttings.

Thank you very much

Jules

[cardiff]

Hi
I cannot tell you the history but the following info from the census might be of interest?
1871 census  piece 5294 folio 99 page 44
Does not give a name  . Just address No.10 &11 Station Street Chepstow
Robert Griffith head b 1846 Chepstow Mon Beer house keeper
Jane Griffith wife b 1844 Exeter Devon

1881 census piece 5219 folio 62 page 49
Still no name just an address No 10 &11 station street Chepstow
Robert Griffith head b 1846 Chepstow Mon Innkeeper
Jane wife b 1843 Exeter Devon
John Hutchings nephew b 1871 London Middlesex
Mable Eden sister-in-law b 1849 Exeter Devon Inn domestic servant

1891 census 4336/19/32
Still no name No 10 Station Road Chepstow Mon
Robert Griffith b 1846 Chepstow Mon Inn keeper
Jane b 1843 Collaton Devon
Amelia Ebdon b 1876 Exeter Devon Barmaid
Emma Hulin b 1872 Bream Glou domestic servant

1901  Census  piece 4917 folio 33 page 15
 Berkely  Arms Station Rd Chepstow
George L R Hutchings b 1865 London  Inn keeper Licenced victr
Sarah wife b 1864 irland
Emily W b 1888 eth Kent
Violet b 1889 East Ham Essex
Eva b 1891 Becton Essex
Kate Cripps b 1888  Chepstow  domestic gen servant

I note that in the 1881 census Robert had nephew named Hutchings could the new landlord be a nephew also?
1911 census same family but again does not give Inns name only address as 1871-1891
Wartime Memories of Chepstow mentions The Berkeley Arms

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history

Hope this is of some help unable to track down the Inn in 1861 Station Road had not been named, if you look up an old map at the library they may be able to stay what road it was on.
Cheers cardiff

[KGarrad]

A Google search reveals this from another forum:

Inns & Taverns of Chepstow & the Lower Wye Valley, by Ivor Waters, I found George Hutchings mentioned as the landlord of the Berkeley Arms, in Chepstow (1886-1911). There is a lovely picture in the book of a woman with what looks like her four daughters standing outside the pub in 1902, when it was decorated for the coronation of Edward V11.

[cardiff]

Hi
Oh well you win some you loose some
cheers cardiff

[KGarrad]

Sorry, Cardiff!

I had only intended to give a reference to the book, and picture!

[cardiff]

Hi
Oh no I just thought it had come from another forum, and it can be irritating when I may have duplicated  info that had already been given.
  thanks KGarrad
cheers cardiff

[chepstowgirl]

Thank you both for this information.

I understand that the inn was badly damaged by fire at some point, so I wonder if it was in 1861 and that is why there is no census record? Or it could be listed under Exmouth Place, which is the name of the row of houses on the opposite side of the road.

Thanks Cardiff, you went to a lot of trouble on my behalf as you have done before.

 

[cardiff]

Hi
thats ok always willing to help
I noted but did not mention that the house next door no9 was always unlived in.
Exmouth Place is not coming up on an address search for 1861
cheers cardiff

[Jane Swintek]

I stayed there many times as a little girl during and after the Second World War. My great grandmother was the publican, Laura Annie JOHNSTON, née Bowen. She was born in 1867 probably in Tintern or maybe Brockweir. I know as a child she lived on a farm next door to the Abbey.  I am guessing she took over the license after her husband retired from the merchant navy as a chie f engineer.  After her death my grandmother Ruby JOHNSTON took over and ran the pub until she retired in about 1960. I think it was only licensed to sell beer, maybe spirits but certainly no wine.  At some point  I remember it was modernized, installing electricity and a bathroom. Prior to that it was gas lit and baths were had in a tin bath in front of the coal fire in the bar. There were two rooms, the bar and a ? (lounge). The Loos were outside. The garden was enclosed by a brick wall and at the back were a row of beautiful blue hydrangeas. I hope this helps.  I don't have any photos of the pub but I do of my grandmother etc.