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Pub names of Chesterfield and North East
Derbyshire
Lost pub names of
Chesterfield (part 3)
Parts 1 and 2 can be found in below
From: InnSpire - Issue 58 – December 2005
There
is a tendency to think that pub name changes are a
modern phenomenon. Well, that’s not really the case.
These examples demonstrate that the names of pubs have
always changed, albeit this used to be at the discretion
of the landlord, rather than that of someone 250 miles
away in the PubCo Marketing Department.
Brunswick Hotel (Whittington Moor) : This is the
original name of the Derby Tup; indeed the pub still has
an etched window bearing the name. The ‘Tup’ only came
into existence in 1983 and is an all too rare example of
a well-thought out pub name change. It is derived from
the popular ballad “The Derby Ram”, the Ram being the
badge/emblem of the wool trade. The Derby Ram ballad is
the basis of a traditional song/sketch routine - the
Derby Tup - that was performed, particularly around
Christmas, in North East Derbyshire pubs up until the
1960s.
Double Six (Stonebroom) : A reference to the popular
pub game of dominoes. The name has now changed to the
‘Stone & Broom’, which must be unique, if somewhat
corny!
Great Central (Brimington) : Now known as the Mill
and situated at Wheeldon Mill on the outskirts of
Brimington, next to the Chesterfield Canal. Until 1991,
the pub was called the Great Central, a name inspired by
the railway that used to run nearby. Prior to that, it
had been known as the New Inn (until 1903/4). A gruesome
murder occurred near to the pub in March 1886. The
victim was Mr. Herbert Crookes, a businessman who lived
near Cutthorpe. On the night in question, Mr. Crookes
was heading home along the canal towpath from Clowne. A
boy at ‘the nearby New Inn’ heard screams about 11.30pm.
Whilst it is known that robbery was the motive for the
attack, the murderers were never caught.
Hammer & Pincers (Alton) : The name is a reference
to tools from the blacksmith’s trade. There was probably
one available at the inn (who might also have been the
landlord). Indeed the pub was also known as the
Blacksmith’s Arms. Closed in 1878.
Hit or Miss (Cromford) : An unofficial, 19th century
name for the Boat Inn, possibly a reference to (then,
not now!) inconsistent beer quality?
Miners’ Arms (Taddington) : Renamed as the Queen’s
Arms around 1887. The name change acknowledged the
decline in importance of lead mining in the locality by
the end of the 19th century, and instead the landlord
decided to show his support for the reigning monarch.
Reference Point (Apperknowle) : The Travellers Rest
is a well-known Apperknowle pub and has a prominent
position at a road junction. In March 1988 the name was
changed to the Reference Point, although the original
name was subsequently restored.
Nags Head (Wingerworth) : The original name for the
Hunloke Arms, which stands on the A61 at Wingerworth.
The name changed in the 1840s. It is said that inns were
called the Nags Head to indicate that horses were
available for hire.
(Old) Pheasant Inn (Brampton) : The Old Pheasant
name disappeared in 1906 when the Brampton Brewery Co.
rebuilt it and to signify the new beginning renamed it
as the Terminus Hotel. The pub was demolished in
June/July 2002 to make way for a development of flats.
A good starting point for anyone interested in pub names
is the Wordsworth Dictionary of Pub Names (Dunkling and
Wright) that can be obtained from Beer-Inn Print: Tel.
01422 844437. Reference: Chesterfield Pubs: A Detailed
Directory of Chesterfield Pubs, Past and Present & Lost
Pubs of Brampton (pamphlet), both by John Hirst.
Jim
McIntosh
Pub names of Chesterfield and North East
Derbyshire
Lost pub names of
Chesterfield (part 2 - part 1 below)
From: InnSpire - Issue 57
– October 2005
The second article in
this series is a continuation of our review of
Chesterfield pub names that have disappeared. The focus
this time around is on pubs that were named after
trades, leisure pursuits and people.
Boatman Inn (Canal Wharf) :
The original canal terminus in Chesterfield stood at
what was the bottom of Wharf Lane (off Sheffield Road)
and this beerhouse was situated there. Its name reflects
the fact that much of its trade would have come from
those who worked on the canal. The Boatman Inn closed
when the annual application to renew its licence was
refused in 1869. The canal terminus was moved in the
early 1890s to make way for the Manchester, Sheffield &
Lincolnshire Railway. This route is now used by the
Chesterfield bypass (A61).
Brokers Arms (Beetwell Street) :
Even the experts at the Inn Sign Society have not been
unable to come up with a ready explanation! Quite often
a pub with this type of name can be found near some sort
of commodity exchange, or market.
Daniel O’Connell (South Place) :
Known as 'the Liberator,' he lived 1775-1847 and was an
Irish politician. As an MP from 1828, he recreated Irish
Nationalism, working tirelessly for Catholic
emancipation, extension of suffrage, repeal of the Act
of Union, parliamentary reform, and Irish unity. His
link with Chesterfield, if any, is not clear. Perhaps
the first landlord was an admirer.
Dog & Gun (Dog Kennels) :
A reference to hunting.
Earl Grey (Glumangate) :
Named after Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl, who was British
Prime Minister 1830-34. He put through William
Wilberforce’s Act to abolish the slave trade in Africa
and the colonies.
Excursion Inn (Burlington Street) :
This beerhouse was originally known as the Burlington
Arms. The change of name may have been a reference to
the pub being a picking up point for trips, or a place
where trips could be booked (possibly the landlord ran
these as a second occupation). The pub closed around
1874.
Falcon Inn (Low Pavement) :
The name is a reminder that falconry was a royal sport
for centuries. The pub closed in the early 1800s
although the building remains and is now the Barnsley
Building Society.
Refreshment Rooms (West Bar Station) :
A commonly used name for Victorian station bars.
Ring ‘O’ Bells (Church Lane) :
Often a name for a pub used by local bell-ringers.
Indeed the pub, which closed in February 1909, was
situated on Church Lane close to St Mary’s Church (the
‘Crooked Spire’).
For those interested in
the origins of pub names, the Inn Sign Society aims to
make people more aware of the amazing picture gallery we
take for granted on our streets and hopes to encourage
people to delve into the history behind the names. A
colour A4 journal (‘At the Sign of’) is sent to members
four times a year. Membership is £15 per annum (£20
overseas). Enquiries to Carol Rose, 9 Denmead Drive,
Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV11 2QS.
For further information on Chesterfield Pubs, see
Chesterfield Pubs, A Detailed Directory of Chesterfield
Pubs, Past and Present by John Hirst.
By Jim McIntosh
Pub Names of
Chesterfield and NE Derbyshire
Lost Pub Names of Chesterfield
From: InnSpire - Issue 56 – August 2005
This is the first in a series of articles
on local pub names and it considers the influence of Italian patriots,
over-sized animals from Durham and racehorses (naturally) on Chesterfield
pub names. The one thing that all the names have in common is that
they have all disappeared!
Apple Tree (Brookside) : It is
probable that there was such a tree nearby, possibly a local landmark. The
Apple Tree name is only recorded in Glover’s Trade Directory, 1827-9. The
pub subsequently became the Royal Oak until its closure in the 1850s and was
situated on the Baslow Road, at Brookside. For anyone unfamiliar with the
area (I must admit I had to look it up on an OS map!), it can be found on
the A619, beyond Brampton.
British Queen (Elder Way) : A name chosen by a landlord to
demonstrate his loyalty to the monarchy. The pub was open in the 1860s so
the Queen in question would have been Victoria.
 Durham Ox (Shambles & Chatsworth Road) : These pubs derived their
name from the 2 ton prize ox that came from Ketton near Darlington. In the
early 19th century, the ox made its owner a substantial profit as people
paid to see it on its tour around the country. An indication of its size
comes from the fact that a special vehicle had to be built to convey the
animal. The Durham Ox in the Shambles closed in the 1920s; the pub on
Chatsworth Road, opposite Hipper Street West, closed in 1957. The site is
now occupied by a petrol station.
Flying Dutchman (Packer’s Row) : It was very likely that the pub was
named after a famous race horse which won the Derby and St. Ledger in 1849,
and the Ascot Gold Cup in 1850. In turn, the horse may well have been named
after the well-known legend of the ghostly ship, feared by sailors, which
was said to appear just before impending tragedy. This tale was the
inspiration for a Richard Wagner opera composed in about 1840 entitled “der
Fliegende Hollander” (“The Flying Dutchman”) and is also the name of a book
written around 1834. This beerhouse closed in October 1910.
Garibaldi (Albert Street) : Named after the Italian soldier and
patriot, Giuseppe Garibaldi (1808-82) whose claim to fame was conquering
Sicily and Naples in 1860 with 1000 volunteer ‘red shirts’. He visited
London (peacefully) in 1864 where he received an enthusiastic welcome. This
beerhouse eventually closed circa 1964 and its licence transferred to the
Woodside Inn, Ashgate.
Reindeer (Holywell Street) : Whilst the origin of the name is not
obvious, it is known that the pub later changed name, firstly to the Stag
(1842), and then to its current name of the Buck (mid 1840s onwards). It is
now known as Carters Bar, noticeable for its bright yellow exterior décor
that is out of place with the surrounding buildings.
Ship Inn (St Mary’s Gate) : Why would land-locked Chesterfield have a
pub going by this name? The Chesterfield Canal doesn’t seem a likely source
of the name as the canal has never come right into the town centre and was
nowhere near large enough to carry ships. Maybe an early landlord had once
earned his living at sea? What can be confirmed is that the pub has been
rebuilt twice (originally it was on the opposite side of St. Mary’s Gate)
and is now known as the ‘Galleon Club’.
Skinners’ Arms (Lordsmill Street) : ‘Skinners’ was another name for
fur merchants. The pub was listed in Glover’s Trade Directory (1827-9).
Three Tuns (Market Place) : Three Tuns is a widely used name, a tun
being an enormous cask used to store either beer or wine; the purpose of the
sign being to advertise that beer and wine are served within. Three tuns
also appear in the arms of the Worshipful Company of Vintners. Not to be
left out, the Worshipful Company of Brewers also adopted the three tuns on
their arms. The original town centre pub closed in 1913 (McDonalds now
covers the site) and was rebuilt on Markham Road. Subsequently it was
re-named as the Queen’s Park Hotel (pictured below), which was scandalously
demolished with little warning in April 1997.
References: Chesterfield Pubs, A Detailed Directory of Chesterfield Pubs,
Past and Present & Lost Pubs of Brampton (pamphlet), both by John Hirst.
Jim McIntosh
This webpage was last updated on
Sunday, 02 September 2007
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