Behind the newer Full Moon (now demolished to make way for housing) there is a house called the Old Full Moon, which was the original pub (in the pic’ below). This older Moon closed when West Country Breweries built the newer Full Moon Inn c.1964 and the licence was transferred.
When landlord Joe Carley was removing some thick creepers from the front of the pub he was delighted to uncover a West Country Ales plaque that had not been seen in years. The pub sign also had a metal bracket with the West Country Breweries ‘castle’ emblem.
The newer Full Moon has now been demolished and is a housing development called Reynolds Close (named after Dave Reynolds a previous landlord).
The Citizen, July 19th, 1991 – Villagers in bid to save the only pub: Regulars at a Wotton-under-Edge pub are raising a petition after learning their local is likely to close down. The Full Moon in Synwell is one of the pubs brewing giants Whitbread have singled out for sale to comply with the Monopolies and Mergers Commission ruling to reduce their stock of tied pubs.
The news came as a shock to landlord Graham Albery. He decided to dig deep into his pockets and make his own bid to buy the popular pub and keep it open for the community. But agents acting for Whitbread have now told him it is to be sold off to the highest bidder. Mr Albery said: “When the builders came round with a surveyor it immediately became obvious they were only interested in the land.
The Full Moon is the only pub in Synwell and drinkers could be forced to journey all the way into the town centre for a tipple. Whitbread Pub Partnership spokesman Alan Cameron said it was possible Mr Albery would be offered finance to help them buy pubs they were running.
The Citizen: Tuesday, August 20th, 1991 – Pub Campaign: Regulars at the Full Moon pub at Synwell, Wotton-under-Edge, are continuing their campaign to save the inn from closure by writing to the Queen and Prime Minister. The pub is one of dozens earmarked for sale by owners Whitbread.
Owner in 1891: Arnold Perrett & Co. Ltd., Wickwar Brewery
Rateable Value in 1891: £11.10s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: Arnold Perrett & Co. Ltd., Wickwar Brewery
Rateable Value in 1903: £14.10s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 11pm
Landlords at the Full Moon include:
1842 James Webb
1849,1856 Mrs Elizabeth Webb
1863,1867 John Hollis, jnr.
1875,1881 William Bradfield (aged 62 in 1881)
1885 Geo. Enos. James
1889,1891 Osborne Reynolds
1897,1903,1906 John Bignall
1910 William Bignell
1919 Thomas Webb
1920,1921 Joseph Webb
1923,1933 Francis William Henry Bennett
1934-1958 James (called Jim) Price
1958-1962 William Arthur Davies
1962-? David Reynolds
1970’s Trevor and Jan Warden
1997 Leonard Murphy
1991 Graham Albery
1998- Richard and Tania Yeomans (manager); owner Peter Wilson (Ceastan Inns)
2001-2003 Derek and Sue Woolford (owners – who eventually sold the pub, to be sold on again to developers)
2003 – Joe and Teresa Carley (the last before demolition)
