Looking for the "Bear Inn"

[ShaunJ]

"The Clock
         
The clock in the Tower, with its single hand and blue exterior face, was placed in the church in 1772 by the Will of Jane Beresford, the last Tyringham of Nether Winchendon House (she left Nether Winchendon to her cousin Sir Francis Bernard Bt). It is a fine example of an early 18th Century clock, of which only about six remain in the country. A 14 ft. pendulum, a 60 lb. bob and a Graham dead-beat escapement, unusually fitted upside down, still ensure a high degree of accuracy. In 1993, the clock was converted to automatic winding, with the added benefit of lighter weights. The exterior face, with gilded figures on a blue background, was painstakingly refurbished in 1995."

http://www.netherwinchendonhouse.com/contii---church-of-st-nicholas.html

[KGarrad]

A couple of piccies!

[alanmack]

Reading up on Nether Winchendon it seems to be the perfect example of a feudal village.
Sounds lovely!
Hope that is your Bear Inn , Alanmac

I'm sure that it is. thank you Looby. And thank you too to ShaunJ and KGarrad for going the extra mile and finding the pictures.

I should apologise for leading you up the garden a little as my recall was not as good as i thought. But with the usual lateral thinking and tenacity of RootsChatters the problem has again been solved.

Again my thanks to all who contributed.

alanmack

[Ruskie]

Well found Looby!!

I've found the ex-Inn (now a house) on google maps - it looks lovely. I hope when it was converted to a house that they retained all the features and character you remembered alanmack. It certainly looks very nice from the outside.

[alanmack]

Well found Looby!!

I've found the ex-Inn (now a house) on google maps - it looks lovely. I hope when it was converted to a house that they retained all the features and character you remembered alanmack. It certainly looks very nice from the outside.

I think I read on one of the links that it had been "Grade II Listed" for some considerable  time, before I saw it even. Alteration of its exterior would be very difficult to get official sanction, even improving the habitability (heating/insulation) can prove difficult and expensive. Despite this I'd estimate we're talking of a house,  that would certainly attract the much vaunted "Mansion Tax" and at the highest rate at that.

[Ruskie]

Yes, listed in 1951. The description says it has a slate roof (unsure if that was when it was listed?) but it is thatched today.
I thought your friend's Aunt was living in an Inn - I didn't realise it was a private house by that time.
I am off to google "Mansion Tax" .... 

Added: Don't like that at all.  For starters, it would have been nice if Listed Buildings and those over a certain age were exempt from this tax.

[KGarrad]

I thoght RootsChat had a "No Politics" rule?!

[Ruskie]

I thoght RootsChat had a "No Politics" rule?!

Oh I didn't know that. 
I am exempt though because I do not live in the UK so am able to comment on UK taxes and it doesn't count. I don't think my comment is political anyway (not intended to be  ) ...

[alanmack]

Neither was my inclusion of the term. I only used it to illustrate the value of the property on the open market, rather than put a figure to it.