The Point Inn was situated about one mile from Mitcheldean on very high ground and commanded magnificent views over the Severn Valley. The earliest reference is from 1857 when the inn was known as the Miners Arms and was the meeting place of a Friendly Society with 130 members. When Mr G Hobbs took on the tenancy c1863 the name had changed to the Point Inn.
In 1884 there was a skirmish between Morris dancing sides from Ruardean and Mitcheldean meeting at the Point Inn. It is said that an argument between the two sides started following a dispute on who had the right to dance there. During the fight a dancer fell to his death down a well. Was it an accident or was he deliberately pushed? After the incident Morris dancing is said to have faded out in the Forest
The Citizen, Tuesday 26th April 1887: Point Inn, Plump Hill (nr Mitcheldean) TO LET, with immediate possession, this delightfully situated fully licensed inn with about two anf a half acres of excellent garden ground, in a good state of cultivation. The business of a Grocer, Flour, and Meal Factor was for many years successfully carried on there, and might be with advantage again; in going not too heavy. For rent and particulars apply to Thomas Wintle, Forest Steam Mills and Brewery, Mitcheldean.
Gloucester Citizen, Wednesday 23rd May 1888: TO LET – The Point Inn, Plump Hill, Mitcheldean, with about two and a half of good garden; illness the sole cause of present occupier leaving. Apply on the premises, or to Mr Thomas Wintle, Forest Steam Mills and Brewery, Mitcheldean.
Gloucester Journal, Saturday 21st June 1890: Sudden death near Mitcheldean: Mr M.F. Carter held an inquest on Friday evening last, at the Point Inn, Plump Hill, near Mitcheldean, on the body of Sarah Jones, a widow, aged 87 years, who had been found dead. Death from syncope was the verdict.
Gloucester Citizen, Saturday 5th March 1892: Alfred Teague, collier, Plump, was fined 5s. and costs for being drunk at the Point Inn, Plump Hill, and William Woodward, the landlord, was summoned for permitting him to be so. According to Teague the landlord refused to serve him a pint of whiskey, for which he asked until he promised to take it home; witness sat down however, and as he had neuralgia till he was “ramping mad”, and did not think it worth while to take two bites from a cherry he disposed of the whole pint, two wineglassful in the house and the rest outside. Evidence was given that Teague was sober when he left the house, and Mr Whatley having submitted for Woodward that there was no case to answer, the Brench dismissed the case.
The licensing books of 1891 and 1903 give detail that the Point Inn, an ale house, was free of brewery tie and had an annual rateable value of £25.5s.0d. Caroline Mason was the owner in 1891 and Samuel Harris in 1903. Closing time was at 10 pm.
Gloucester Citizen, Saturday 8th January 1921: George Matthews, collier, of Drybrook was fined £2 for being drunk and refusing to quit the Point Inn, Plump Hill. There was a further charge of damaging a window, but this had been settled out of court.
In 1923 the brewery and the property estate of Francis Wintle’s Forest Brewery, Mitcheldean, were put up for auction. The Point Inn was described as being ‘substantially built with rough cast front and slate roof. On the ground floor there were two bars, a smoke room, sitting room and kitchen together with two beer stores, coal and other stores, coach-house and a small yard with a well. On the first floor there were four bedrooms, sitting room, store-room and a large club room. Outside the Point Inn was a two-stall stable, pig cots, urinal, etc and to the rear ‘a good garden and meadow, in all about two acres’. The sale particulars went on to say that ‘the property is of freehold tenure and let to Mrs Mary Grimshaw, a tenant of about 27 years’ standing on quarterly tenancy, at total rents of £32 per annum.’
The Point Inn was demolished in January 1971 to facilitate road improvements on the A4136.
Landlords at the Point Inn include:
1863 Mr G. Hobbs
1885 William Richard Hopkins
1891,1892 William Woodward
1902, 1906 Peter Grimshaw
1919,1923 Mrs Mary Grimshaw
1927 Miss Beatrice Mary Hopkinson
1939 Ronald George Meek
1969 Gwen May Long
