The Barley Mow originally stood at the junction of Park Lane and Tetbury Hill (Road). The Cirencester Brewery acquired the Barley Mow on 5th July 1888 with ‘cottage adjoining in Castle Street.’ It was demolished to make way for the Cirencester Museum, built in 1856, which housed the many items of Roman artifacts that were been discovered in the town as part of the re-development by the Bathurst Estate.
The license of the Barley Mow was transferred across the road to a premises in Castle Street. Bill Butler started a private hire car service when he was landlord at the Barley Mow. It became very successful. Mrs Pamela Waddell recalled that the pub had wooden tables and sawdust on the floor and that: “when Mr Butler had any adding up to do behind the bar he used to write the figures down on the counter.”
Mr Tony Woodward also remembered the Barley Mow: “it was a quaint, hole-in-corner, old fashioned kind of pub with only one window on the street as far as I can remember. It was almost next door to the Three Compasses.”
The Barley Mow closed in 1954. For many years the premises became the hairdressing salon of Maurice Dyus. It became the offices of John D. Wood, Valuers & Auctioneers and is known as the Old Barley Mow.
Gloucester Journal, Saturday 15th March 1930 – Dealer fined at Cirencester: Wilfred William Dunn (30), dealer, North Moreton, Wallingford, Berks, stated to have had a distinguished army career, was fined £5 at Cirencester Police Court Tuesday, for obtaining the sum of £2 means of worthless cheque from William Butler, licensee of the Barley Mow Inn, Cirencester. The evidence showed that on February 14th Dunn had called for two bottles of beer, and asked the landlady to change a cheque, as he was short of cash. He wrote a cheque for £2 in her presence and she agreed to change it. It was later returned from her husband’s bank marked ” no account.” A representative of Lloyd’s Bank, Newbury, said Dunn had previously had an account there, but it was closed in 1925. The cheque was taken from a book issued to another customer, whose account was also closed. When arrested Wallingford on Sunday, Dunn told P.S. Creed that had no intention to defraud, and maintained the cheque would be met within a week or two.
Dunn pleaded not guilty, and said on oath that a friend had promised to send him money draft either to Lloyds Bank or personally. He took the cheque from a book belonging to someone for whom he had managed farm. He was expecting the money when he wrote the cheque. When the money did not arrive he sent message to Butler asking him to keep the cheque, which would be all right. If he had got to Abingdon Market two days ago Butler would have been reimbursed. Supt. Welchman stated that Dunn had distinguished military career, and besides serving in the Great War had afterwards served various parts of the world.
Gloucestershire Echo, Monday 13th September 1937 – Drome Worker Fined At Cirencester: At Cirencester Police Court to-day Joseph Miles Harding, an aerodrome employee, of London-road, Cirencester, was fined £1 for being drunk and disorderly in Castle-street, Cirencester on Saturday night. Harding pleaded not guilty. William Butler, licensee of the Barley Mow, Cirencester, said that he asked Harding to leave his premises at 10 o’clock on Saturday night, but Harding refused. F.C. Robinson said there was struggle to get Harding out. Harding told him he had been a bull fighter in Spain, and said he would not leave the premises until he had finished his beer. Harding attempted to strike him with a beer mug, and when they were the street Harding pulled him to the ground and became extremely violent. With the assistance P.C. Kay, Harding was taken to the police station. When charged and cautioned the next day Harding made no reply.
Harding said that if he had been asked in proper way to leave the premises he would have done so. He said he had been invited to join the Colours for service abroad, and he asked the magistrates (Messrs. A. J. Matthews and E. Newcombe) to take that into consideration.
Mr. A. J. Matthews, addressing Harding, said: “This sort of nonsense cannot be carried on in this town, and we shall do our best to stop it.”
Daily Mirror, Thursday 19th August 1948 – Live Letters (Old Codgers): ‘Our daft readers’ – Hair-raising – here is a daft thing from “Mum”, Barley Mow, Cirencester: “I think the most stupid thing I ever did was to shampoo my hair with a bottle of varnish, accidently, of course.”
From the notes of John Tiffney
THE BARLEY MOW Park Lane, Tetbury Road
THE BARLEY MOW originally stood at the junction of Park Lane and Tetbury Hill (Road). It opened in 1841 when George Hinton was the licensee. It was demolished to make way for the Corinium Museum, built in 1856 by Earl Bathurst, which housed the many items of Roman artefacts that were being discovered in the town as part of the development of housing south of Lewis Lane. (The former Museum is now an office).
The license of the Barley Mow was transferred across the road to premises in Castle Street. The Barley Mow closed in 1954. It is now H&H Hairdressing
BARLEY MOW Castle Street
Transferred from across the road in 1855 with George Hinton the licensee and carpenter – he remained there until 1882. it closed in 1954 and is currently H&H hairdressers.
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Cirencester Brewery
Rateable Value in 1891: £16.0s.0d.
Type of license in 1891: Beerhouse
Owner in 1903: Cirencester Brewery
Rateable Value in 1903: £16.0s.0d.
Type of license in 1903: Beerhouse
Closing time in 1903: 11pm
Landlords at the Barley Mow include:
1820, 1830 Edward Perring (Barley Mow Tavern, Park Lane)
1871 George Hinton
1882 (December) ‘Transfer of the licence of the Barley Mow from Mr G.W. Ash to Mr C. Caesar.’
1884 (April) ‘A new licence of the Barley Mow, Cirencester, was granted from Mr. Charles Caesar to his widow, Mrs Mary Ann Caesar.’
1891 Frederick Uzzell
1895 (August) Mrs Bower “Advert – ‘Wanted, clean, steady active country girl, as General Servant. Apply Mrs Bower, Barley Mow, Cirencester.’
1901 F.W. Bower
1901,1903 Augustus Harman (Gloucester Citizen, 15th June 1901 – “A fresh case of swine fever was reported on the premises in the occupation of Mr Augustus Harman, Barley Mow, Cirencester.’)
1913 Wilfred Keylock (moved to the Queens Head, Watermoor, in Oct 1914)
1927-1954 William (Bill) Albert Butler (born 1880)