Photo of the Bluebell Inn in 1911
Known as ‘The Bell’ in earlier years, believed to have been built in the 17th century; it was once a house with craftsmen’s workshops and stables, which were used by blacksmiths and wheelwrights. Situated in Woodgate, it is one of the oldest Inns in Helpston, and the only one now surviving. The land was owned by Myhill Addy and his descendants from 1792 to 1902.
c.1780 -1792 Francis Gregory
Married to Ann, he was the publican and a farmer.
1797-1816 Ann Gregory
In 1806, John Clare, the Peasant Poet (1793-1864) started work as a
13-year-old potboy, servant and errand boy for the publican. John wrote “One of my worsts layouts was to journey to a distant village named Maxey in winter afternoons to fetch flour once and sometimes twice every week”.1
In his ‘Autobiographical Fragments’, John recorded that his father, Parker Clare, was fond of ballads and he boasts that “over his horn of ale at the Bell public house he could sing or receive over a hundred”. This was probably in the 1780’s.2
1816 and 1821, Francis Wiggington, then Thomas Wiggington
1821-1858 William Bradford
From Lincolnshire, William was married to Millicent and they had 8 children. He signed John Clare’s will in 1825. On the 1851 Census it was recorded that he was also a Master Tailor and farmer of 14 acres. He was also the father of Sir James Bradford, the benefactor of the Alms Houses in West Street, which were built in 1908.
During his tenure the ‘Ancient Order of Foresters’ was formed and they met regularly at the inn. It could be described as a ‘Friendly Society’, which supports its members when they need it.3
1858 -1868 William Bloodworth
He was married to Eliza, and they had 3 children. On the 1861 Census William is described as a wheelwright, also making farm jacks and pulleys.
On 12th July 1868, “Wm Bloodworth, Innkeeper, Helpston, was brought up in custody, charged with assaulting his wife in an aggravated manner. Sergeant Garner deposed to Bloodworth’s beating his wife on this occasion, and his general ill treatment of her. Fined
£21 and 17s costs, cautions as to the effect his future conduct may have on granting his licence”.4
1869 -1873 Thomas Robinson
He was recorded on the 1871 Census as an inn keeper and carpenter, and was married to Elizabeth.
1873 -1875 John Joyce
In July 1873 the licence was transferred to John Joyce of Wyberton, Boston.5 On the
4th July he was granted an extension of the closing hours to 12.00pm for the nights of the
6th and 7th July, on the occasion of the village feast.6
1875 -1895 Charles Donson, 1895 -1905 his son Charles
The Donsons at The Bluebell, donated by Peter Wordsworth
From Lincolnshire, Charles was married to Selina, and had 5 children. On the 1881 Census, Charles and his 15-year-old son, also Charles, were recorded as being wheelwrights, and his other son Edward, as a blacksmith.
Cart at The Bluebell,
donated by Peter Wordsworth
In the 19th century inquests were frequently held in public houses. A report in the Peterborough Advertiser tells of an inquest held at the Bluebell in 1882, into the death of John Price, aged 12, who was killed on the spot by the overturning of the cart he was driving, without any reins to guide the horse.
Charles Donson died in 1895 and his son Charles becomes the publican along with his wife Elizabeth until 1905. He was recorded on the 1891 Census as also a wheelwright and carpenter. He later moved to The Parting Pot beer house in The Nook.
1905 -1910 John Thacker
1910 -1939 Christopher Ayres
From Cunnington in Huntingdonshire, he had previously been a police constable in Peterborough. On the 1911 Census he was recorded as a publican and his wife, Hannah, assisting in the business.
In 1915 the ‘Ancient Order of Foresters’ (which was founded at the ‘Bell’ during William Bradford’s tenure) had 116 members, one of whom was given 28 weeks sick pay totalling £5 18s 6d (in today’s money about £350) “After all the ailments of winter, members of the Club celebrated the old May Day with what money might be left; it was kept in the old wall chest at the Bluebell; its 3 locks could be opened only when the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer were present”.7
In the 20th century The Bell’s status varied. The Sales Deed of 1915, Hugh Fenton Gilbert Peacock sold The Bell to Soames & Co of Spalding for £700. This included “All that messuage or tenement or public house called ‘The Bell’ with the Carpenters and Wheelwrights shops, stabling, Blacksmith’s shop, dovecote, yard, garden and outbuildings. Now or late in the occupation of Charles Donson”.8
Sources:
Censuses on Ancestry.co.uk
1, 2, 3, 7 – Previous research by Frieda Gosling and George Boyden, using Kelly’s Directory and other sources
4 Stamford Mercury
5 & 6 Peterborough Standard
8 Peterborough Advertiser
[With thanks to the British Newspaper Archive]
Comments about this page
About 25 to 30 years ago my wife and I were taken to the Blue Bell by my mother who told us that some (unspecified) relatives had been landlords of the Blue Bell. However I do not recognise any of the names listed.
Add a comment about this page