When the working day is done: old trades recalled in historic pub names
DUDLEY was one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution, and grew into an industrial centre in the 19th century, with its iron, coal and limestone mining. Its population grew rapidly during this period, from around 10,000 in 1801 to over 45,000 a century later. The town began to be dominated by the iron and steel industry, along with brickworks, glass-making, textiles and leather working. Not surprisingly, many of the town’s pubs recalled these local trades and industries.
Coal mining was reflected at eight pubs called the Jolly Collier, including two at Holly Hall, along with the Colliers Arms in High Street. Four pubs were called the Miners Arms, including those in High Street (1820-1964) and Salop Street (1835-1970). Pubs named the Engine, such as that in King Street (1818-1860), usually referred to colliery pumping engines, as did the Wonder in Church Street (18641928). The Whimsey in King Street (1835-1872) and Woodside (18411995) also recalled a machine for drawing coal and carrying workers in the local collieries.
Iron and steel foundries began to be established in the 19th century, recalled at the Old Foundry in King Street (1830), previously the Coach and Horses, rebuilt in 1936 and renamed in 1997, and Three Furnaces
in New Dock (1856-1965). Other parts of the process were recalled at the Hammer in Stafford Street (1871-1977). More specialised trades were recalled at the Anvil Makers Arms in Constitution Hill (1867), Moulders Arms in King Street (1867) and Shinglers Arms in Harts Hill (1867-1952). Other metalworking trades were recalled at the Smiths Arms in Hall Street (1850) and Whitesmiths Arms in King Street (1835-1870).
There were many other trades and industries in Dudley reflected in the names of its pubs. They included the Coachmakers Arms in Stafford Street (1850-1976) and Glasscutters Arms in the Minories (1830). A currier helped to dress,
colour and finish tanned leather hides, a trade recollected at the Curriers Arms in Hall Street (18191867). There were also several brickworks around the town, recalled at the Brickmakers Arms at Holly Hall (1874-1934) and Masons Arms in Salop Street (18281881) and at Queens Cross (1850).
Butchers were particularly plentiful in the town, reflected at the Butchers Arms in Hall Street (18541867) and Kates Hill (1862). Their products were recalled at the Round of Beef in High Street (1850-1884), an old licensed inn and eating house where a sign read: “If you be hungry or dry, or your stomach is out of order, there’s some relief at the Round of Beef, for both these disorders”. A Shoulder of Mutton was also a popular dish at inns and taverns, recalled by a pub at Dixons Green (1851-1973).
Dudley was the “capital” of the home-brewing trade, so it’s not surprising that several pubs reflect this. James Jackson’s family brewed at the Brewers Arms in Fisher Street from 1780 for almost a century, but it was taken over by Peter Walker (Warrington) around 1900 and closed in 1931. There was a similarly named pub in Stafford Street (18601919). Two pubs were named the Barrel, in High Street (1861) and Upper High Street (1819-1915), along with the Little Barrel, also in High Street (1869).
The Bottle and Glass is the onsite pub at the Black Country Living Museum, formerly a Wordsley Brewery pub, reconstructed brickby-brick in 1982 from its former site in Brockmoor. It’s allegedly haunted by a man with a round face and glasses and a small boy, Isaac Male, who drowned in the nearby
canal.
In Tower Street, the Malt Shovel dates back to 1819, known locally as the Madhouse. It’s allegedly haunted by the Blue Boy, 14-year old Jimmy Bayliss, who was found battered to death in his bed, and is next to the most haunted alley in Dudley, Green Man Entry. It was a home-brew pub until it was taken over by Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries in 1940 and it’s now an excellent real-ale tavern. The Malt Shovel in High Street was also a home-brew house, which lasted a century until 1920, while the one in Kates Hill closed in the 1960s.
Railways were important in the growth of the town and were recalled at the Railway in Trindle Road (1871-1996) and Woodside (1875). Other pubs included the Railway Vaults in High Street (18611975) and Railway Tavern in Bond Street (1850-1868). The Great Western Railway was remembered at the short-lived Great Western in King Street (1868-1870) and the Refreshment Rooms at Dudley’s Great Western railway station. The Station Hotel in Birmingham Road (18782021) was opposite this station, enlarged and modernised in 1936 and home to the ghost of a lecherous landlord. There was another Station in Shaw Road (1870-1978), near Netherton station. Rail traction was recalled at the Locomotive in Portersfield (1862-1901), Trindle Road (1911-1973) and Vicar Street (1861-1975).
Perhaps surprisingly, few pubs reflect the presence of canals, also important in the town’s development.
The sole examples were the Anchor in High Street (1884) and Boat at Woodside (1870-1934). However, someone who enjoys watching boats and other activities on canals is sometimes referred to as a Gongoozler, a name used for Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust’s on-site pub along Birmingham New Road, near the Black Country Living Museum.
The days of the old coaching inns were recalled at the Coach and Horses at Scotts Green (1835-2007) and Holly Hall (1835-1862), along with the Old Coach and Horses in Stourbridge Road (1830). A more basic form of transport was remembered at the Waggon and Horses, in Hall Street (1819-1914), Oakeywell Street (1851-1865), Stourbridge Road (1820-1987) and Woodside (1862-1877). The Old Waggon and Horses in Stourbridge Road (18301994) was known locally as the “Duck Hole”.
In the early days, Dudley prospered from the surrounding agricultural areas, with local pubs recalling some of those trades. They included the Old Farm in Harts Hill (18641975), Plough and Harrow in Hall Street (1872-1907) and Barley Mow in Constitution Hill (1850-1993). Farm animals were not forgotten, at the Bulls Head in Hall Street (18191909) and Two Bulls Heads in Stone Street (1819-1975). The Hen and Chickens in Castle Street (18201982) was rebuilt in 1934 and is remembered for its popular jazz club. The Dun Cow in Wolverhampton Street (1850) and Dixons Green (1861-1872) recalled a monstrous
beast that went on a murderous rampage until it was slayed by Guy, the Earl of Warwick.
The woollen trade was remembered at the Old Woolpack Inn in Castle Street, one of the oldest recorded pubs in Dudley town centre, established in 1622. By 1861, Isaac Aulton was advertising his “Prime Home-brewed Ales” and, as a cooper, the pub had beer barrels instead of tables. But it closed in 1960 after being bought by Hanson’s (Dudley).
Forestry trades were recalled at the Foresters Arms in Fisher Street (1872-1932) and Woodman in Wolverhampton Street (1869-1882). Bee-keeping was a popular hobby, recalled at the Beehive in Stafford Street (1861-1919) and Tinchbourne Street (1851-1965), originally known as the Red Cow.
Dudley had many pubs recalling its local industries and trades. Few survive today, but those that remain retain many memories.
With acknowledgement to Tony Hitchmough, Leslie Dunkling andgordon Wright.