Ryeford is a hamlet one mile to the east of Stonehouse. The Anchor Inn was located on the banks of the Stroudwater canal.
The Anchor Inn had a long association with the Lewis / Brunsdon family. In one of Arthur Brunsdon’s many obituaries it says: “he had been the licensee of the Anchor Inn for 41 years.” He must have taken on the pub before 1903, possibly when he married Annie Mastin in 1898. The obituary goes on to say “When there was a considerable amount of traffic along the Stroudwater Canal the Anchor Inn was often crowded with canal workers, and the inn has witnessed many exciting times.”
Gloucester Journal, Saturday 26th June 1926 – Stonehouse Auctions: The Anchor Inn, Ryeford. Let to Messrs. Godsell and Sons, Ltd. Stroud, on lease expiring on 24th June 1928 at rental of £44 per annum (tenant paying rates). The Inn, which has been in the occupation of the Brunsdon family for over three generations, and which is subject to a tithe charge of 13s.8d., was knocked down to Mr. Arthur Brunsdon for £1,400.
Gloucester Journal, Saturday 22nd February 1930 – Whitminster and Stonehouse Petty Session: The adjourned annual licensing licensing meeting was held at Stonehouse today. Mr G. Trevor Wellington represented the Stroud Brewery Company for the licences of the Haywardsfield Inn and Anchor Inn, Ryeford.
The objections to the renewal of the licences of the Haywardsfield Inn (licensee, Thomas Ruebinson), situated on the main road between Ryeford and Ebley, and that of the Anchor Inn, Ryeford (licensee, Arthur Brunsdon) were heard jointly. Supt. Wayman, having stated the objections, said if the magistrates were inclined not to refer both licences, in his opinion the one that should remain was the Haywardsfield Inn. Both from the points of view of supervision and structural fitness, it was the house best suited to serve the needs of the public.
The Anchor Inn, 508 yards away, was situated in a ditch, was difficult to access, and was so structurally unsuitable for licensed premises that in his opinion, the only way to effect an improvement would be to pull the house down and erect new premises. In reply to Mr Wellington, Supt. Wayman agreed that the most reliable test of redundacy was consumption. Mr Wellington: And as figures show that the trade of the Anchor is rather more than than double that of the Haywardsfield Inn, that is the strongest evidence as to which house the populace require.
Mr Wellington said that in his opinion a decision to refer the Anchor Inn would not be supported by the Compensation Authority. As to the structural suitability of the Anchor Inn, the Stroud Brewery Company would be prepared to effect any improvement required. Mr W.G. Downing managing director of the Stroud Brewery Company Ltd., said the place where the Haywardsfield Inn is situated was locally known as “Nowhere”, and there was hardly any population. The Anchor Inn, Ryeford, had not long been the property of the Company, and they had an opportunity of making the structural alterations required, but such improvements would be undertaken if the licence were renewed.
The Justices referred the licence of the Haywardsfield Inn and renewed that of the Anchor Inn on the undertaking that the premises would be reconstructed.
Gloucester Citizen, Friday 6th January 1939 – Death of Mr. Arthur Brunsdon: The death has occurred after a short illness of Mr Arthur William Brunsdon, of the Anchor Inn, Ryeford, who was well-known as a haulier in the Stroud district. Mr. Brunsdon, who was 74, had suffered from heart trouble, but on Monday went to Gloucester Market, and he appeared to be in his usual health on Tuesday. A native of Cranham, Mr Brunsdon had been connected with the haulage trade all his life. He began business on his own, and later became associated with Messrs. A. and F, Brunsdon at Ryeford. Subsequently he again carried on business on his own account with the aid of his sons. He held the licence of the Anchor Inn for about 40 years, and was a very popular landlord. The inn has been in the hands of the Brunsdon family for over 100 years. His wife predeceased him over 20 years and he is survived by five sons and and four daughters. The funeral will take place at Stonehouse Church tomorrow afternoon.
The Anchor Inn finally closed in 1966.
The old pub is now a private residence called Tankard House. It is close to Wycliffe College.
Licensing Details:
Rateable Value in 1891: £23.0s.0d.
Owner in 1891: Miss Lewis of Standcombe, Devon (leased to Godsell & Sons, Stroud)
Type of licence in 1891: Beerhouse
Rateable Value in 1903: £27.0s.0d.
Owner in 1903: Miss Lewis (leased to Godsell & Sons, Salmon Springs Brewery, Stroud)
Type of licence in 1903: Beerhouse
Closing time in 1903: 10 pm
Owner in 1928: Stroud Brewery
Landlords at the Anchor Inn include:
c.1855 Henry Lewis
c.1886 Miss Elizabeth Lewis (upon the death of her father, Henry Lewis. She had died by 1888)
c1888,1891 Thomas W. and Annie Mastin (Annie was another daughter of Henry Lewis)
1892 Mrs Annie Mastin (widow)
1903,1930 Arthur William Brunsdon (Annie’s second husband)
1939 Miss Gwendolyn Mastin (she took over the pub upon the death of her stepfather and left about 1944/46 due to illness)
1950’s Mr and Mrs Bennett