WEEK 42

Robin Hood, Swinton

This early 20th century building appears to have replaced an earlier structure named the, Robin Hood & Little John Inn.

Landlords have included:-

• Frank Goodwin – 1936
• Mr. Jarvis – 1950s
• Dennis & Marlene Wicks – 1980s
• George Jowett – 1990s
• Terry & Sue McGowan – 1990s / Early 2000s
• Jason & Rhiannon Cassidy

Don Hotel, Swinton

This 19th century public house closed for business in early 2010 and it was planned to convert it into residential accommodation. It is currently the home of Lane Emporium.

Landlords have included:-

• John Gaunt – 1891
• Luke Barber – 1901
• Derek & Ivy Wall – Early 1970s
• Tom & Rita Prescott – 1970s
• Pickering & Dorothy Goddard – 1980s
• Geoff Salmons – Early 1990s
• Dave Evans – Late 1990s
• Steve & Jane Burton Early 2000s
• Michelle Hathaway – Circa 2005
• Philip Dungworth
• Bob Ingham
• Craig Sutton

A familiar face that drank here whilst Geoff Salmons was the Landlord, was Paul Shane, the actor.

The Moorings & Hamshaw Bridge, Swinton

This 19th century public house was renamed, firstly, to, ‘Tow Path’, ‘Bar G’ (mid 1970s) and finally, ‘Canal Bar’ in the early 1990s. It closed for business circa 2006 and was demolished soon after. It is now the site of modern residential accommodation called ‘The Moorings’.

Landlords have included:-

• George Hampshire – Mid 1800s
• Lucy Hampshire (nee Newton) – 1860s/70s
• John Bingham – Early 1900s
• Harry Taylor – Early 1970s

I believe that Hamshaw Bridge, near to this public house, was named after George & Lucy Hampshire.

Travellers Rest, Swinton

This public house dates back to the 19th century but was considerably extended in the mid to late 20th century.

It was sold to the Mansfield Brewery in the early 1990s by owners, Gerry Wade, Joe Foster & Nigel Haigh.

In 2013, it was converted into private residential accommodation and ceased to trade as a public house.

Landlords have included:-

• Fanny Knowles – Late 1800s
• Jack & Daisy Probert – ?
• John Percival Fieldhouse – ?
• Gordon & Maureen Rayner – Mid 1970s
• Tom & Wendy Stead – ?
• Brenda Skelton – ? to circa 1982
• Paul & Sherry Clamp – ?
• Frank & Jean Rollett – Early 1990s
• Eddie Miles & Diane Trow – May 1991 to January 1993
• Eddie Miles & Margaret Barker – January 1993 to circa April 1996
• Tom & Wendy Law – Circa April 1996 to ?
• Graham ? – Late 1990s
• Lorraine Lidster – ? to 2004
• Darrell ? – Circa 2004
• Paul & Sheila – ? to 2011

Over the years, there have been many claims that this pub is/was haunted by the ghost of Fanny Knowles. Partial research conducted by myself found that Fanny moved away from Swinton after leaving the pub.

Charles Peace, the infamous murderer, occasionally conducted shady deals here in the 19th century.

Fitzwilliam Street, Swinton

This public house was located at 87 Fitzwilliam Street and on the 1901 Census was occupied by Joseph Purcell and his family.

Cresswell Arms, Swinton

The current structure was built in the 1940s having replaced at least one earlier building.

Landlords have included:-

• Jonah Jones – 1890s
• Fred Walker – Early 1900s
• Joseph Cooper – Early 1900s
• Mr. Jarvis – 1950s
• John Franney – 1970s
• Arthur & Pat Jones – 1970s to 1980s?
• Karen & Malc Wilkinson – 1990s
• Ernie & Rita Law – 1995 to 2007
• Sharon & Trev Mace – Since 2007

Woodman Inn, Swinton

The Woodman Inn is a 19th century building and originally had terraced housing attached.

Landlords have included:-

• Bill & Florence Western – 1950s to 1970s?
• Anthea & Gordon Walker – 1970s?
• Rita & Tom Prescott – 1980s?*

*Tom sadly suffered a heart attack and passed away in the tap room of the pub, circa 1985.

Red House, Swinton

This public house was named as such due to it being a regular for the nearby glass blowers. In the 2000s, its name changed to Bridge Bar and closed for business in early 2012. It reopened in 2013 under the name of Nautical Decades. In 2016, its name changed again, to, New Red House.

Landlords have included:-

• Gertrude & James Phillips – Circa 1925 to circa 1933
• Don Wall – 1960s?
• Joan Stead – 1970s?
• ‘Conway’ – 1990s?
• Brett Jones – 2000s?

According to Donald Hancock, Joan ran the pub for 21 years and the clock in the bar was 21 minutes fast (1 minute for each year that she was in the pub) before selling it back to the brewery who then modernised it.