The Bell Inn once brewed its own beer. Thomas Skinner & Son are recorded as brewers at the Bell Inn in 1863 and 1885. Smith & Sons of the Brimscombe Brewery had acquired the Bell Inn by 1891.
Gloucester Journal, October 1887: Whereas on the evening of the 24th of September last, was left at the Bell, in Painswick, an aged bay-horse, about 15 hands, with the near leg before and hinder legs white, a star in the forehead; the man going off in the morning without paying his reckoning; it is supposed the horse is stolen; any person proving it their property, may have it again, on defraying the expenses, by applying at the Bell aforesaid.
I received an email from Eril Jolly in Australia who told me that his ancestors were inn-keepers in Painswick. James B. Pegler is listed as landlord at the Bell in 1820 and 1830. His father, Leonard Pegler, was a victualler in Painswick from at least 1791 until his death in 1806 and his wife Elizabeth (James’ step-mother) also described herself as a victualler in 1817. She died in 1819 and Eril thinks that it is possible that they all had connections with the Bell.
I have found no references to the Bell after 1919, which suggests that it closed down sometime after the Great War 1914-1918.
On the night of 14th of June 1941 Friday Street in Painswick took a direct hit by a stray German bomb, demolishing the building that was once the Bell Inn, surrounding houses and chapel. It is thought that the air attack was targeted at the Glo’ster Aircraft Company further to the north at Brockworth.
Map Reference: SO 867097
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Smith & Sons, Brimscombe Brewery
Rateable value in 1891: £25.10s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: Smith & Sons, Brimscombe Brewery
Rateable value in 1903: £25.10s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Landlords at the Bell Inn include:
1781 William Knight
1820,1830 James B. Pegler
1863,1885 Thomas Skinner & Son (brewers)
1891 Henry Smith
1902 William Robert
1902 George Worgan
1903 Joseph Larner
1906 William Alfred Ryland
1919 Mrs Emily Steele
