Bird in the Bush Inn-Penshaw

[jac]

Hi,

My great grandfather was innkeeper at The Bird in the Bush Inn, Penshaw Staithes, Houghton le Spring. (1901 census).
Does anyone have any photographs or information about this Inn? or suggestions of any local historians, libraries, museums that I might contact.

Thanks, Jacqui

[stanmapstone]

If you go to http://www.tomorrows-history.com/ you can see the historic maps of the area. The 'Bird in the Bush Inn' is shown from the earliest maps and is shown as 'Bush House' on the 1960-69 map, but has gone on the 1970 map.
Stan

[jac]

Thanks for that info Stan and the Link to the old maps. I have added it to my favourites. 
Cheers, Jacqui

[justmej]

Hi Jacqui

Noticed your message and am wondering if this might be the same place with another name now of The Bird in Hand, Penshaw.  The area is right and the name very similar (maybe changed since 1901?).  Have heard that the present Bird in Hand is now boarded up (unsure when that happened), but is situated in what is now called Railway Terrace, Penshaw.

Jan

[jac]

Hi Jan,
Sorry but have just caught up with your message. There were definately two pubs "The Bird in the Hand" at Penshaw & "The Bird in the Bush" at Penshaw Staithes. Kelly's Directory 1890 lists both pubs.
Thanks for your interest.
Best regards, Jacqui

[paulr_1]

Hi Jacqui,

I live fairly close to what was Penshaw Staithes and have old pictures of the area in books which I could scan if you are interested. There is also a grainy, small (poor)  "drawing" in a book which shows the Bird in the Bush Inn, but don't get your hopes up too high, it is of poor quality so not sure how well it will scan. The staithes area is now park land and a lake was created there in the 1970s.

What was your g.grandfather's name, because there is also some mention of previous landlords too.

Cheers,

Paul

[jac]

Hi Paul,

Once again I have left it a while before checking for new posts to my message. Please accept my sincere apologies for not acknowledging your reply sooner. My g.grandfather's name was John Malcolm. He was innkeeper of the Bird in the Bush on the 1901 census but not on the 1891 census. It would be great to have some pictures of the area, especially of the inn if you would be so kind to have a go scanning them I would be extremely grateful.

Many thanks, Jacqui

[Billy Fish]

Strangely enough my g.grandfather was the Landlord of this Pub in 1919!
I don't know when he took it over but he is noted as living there in 1919 on some military service records of his brother who died in WW1.
From family chatter I know it was at one time a temperance bar Similar to Jacqui I would welcome any photo's etc of the old place and area.
It has been demolished for quite some time now but I remember going on quite a few riverside walks past the site of it with my Dad when I was a young'un.

[Mrs Penshaw]

Hi Jacqui
I live in the area of Penshaw Staiths. This photo was taken circa 1904 & the white building (as if you hadn't guessed) is the pub. Hope you get the attachment ok