Junction Inn, Grange Court, Westbury on Severn GL14 1PL

The railway junction is where the Hereford, Ross and Gloucester Railway left the South Wales Main Line (Gloucester – Chepstow). A station was built on the South Wales Railway, which opened for passengers on 19th September 1851. The branch line to Hereford, via Ross-on-Wye, opened on 2nd June 1855 with adjustments on the main at Grange Court station to enable passengers to change trains. With the closure of the Ross and Hereford branch in November 1964 the isolated station in a rural area of a few cottages and farms was no longer viable. The Junction Inn, a two minute walk from the old station, has managed to survive over 60 years since passengers last disembarked from Grange Court Station.

The Junction Inn is believed to still be trading, operating essentially as a ‘pop-up’ pub at weekends only. Irregular hours and presumably no real ale.

Above: The licence of The Junction Inn was transferred to its current location in 1903. It was previously in a property now known as Merestones (GL14 1NB) in Northwood Green. The above photograph was loaned to the Citizen by Joe Littleton in 1979. The transfer of the licence explains the considerable increase in the annual rateable value from 1891 £19.15s.0d. to £38.0s.0d. in 1903.

Ross Gazette, Thursday 19th February 1903 – Littledean Annual Licensing Sessions: Notice had been received from Mr Phillip Woodman, of the Junction Inn, Grange Court, of his intention to apply for the removal of his licence to other premises near the Grange Court Railway Station, plans of which had already been laid before the Bench, approved, and carried out.

Gloucester Journal, Saturday 21st March 1903: Junction Inn, Grange Court. Bruton, Knowles & Co. are instructed by Mr Phillip Woodman, who is giving up Perrott’s Place Farm, to sell by auction, without reserve, at the Junction Inn, Grange Court, on Tuesday, 24th March, 1903, at 12 for 1 o’clock punctually, – A herd of 30 well-bred shorthorn cattle, 3 Cart Mares, 40 capital Shropshire Ewes, with lambs. 70 cross-bred Grass Tegs, Hampshire Down Ram, Harness, Implements, Casks, etc. Luncheon (by ticket) at 12 o’clock.

The Citizen, Tuesday 15th July 1980 – Pub Profile “a typically English country pub”. By Cliff Davies.

Faith in the existence of the typical English country pub was restored the minute I walked into the bar of the Junction Inn, Grange Court, Westbury-on-Severn. Terry and Mary Antill’s pub has somehow managed to move into the present day without foresaking all we typify in our minds an English pub should be. Smart, immaculately clean, yet unpretenious, where landlord and customers are friends and where the art of good hearted banter has not been lost.

“They’ve brought the pub from the 1950’s to the 1980’s without losing anything,” said 70-year-old Bert Harris looking towards Terry and Mary. “There’s nern a better pub that this ‘un.” Bert has been a regular for 38 years and his knowing comment brought solemn nods of assent from his compatriots seated around the bar, many of them with as many years service to the Junction Inn as he.

A feature of the inn is its attraction to both young and old and the way they mix together. There is no place for age barriers. Mark King (20) echoed Bert’s sentiments about his local, stressing the friendliness that existed within its walls. “You can relax here with mates and talk about practically anything,” said Mark, who works in the family business in Gloucester.

And, as if to emphasise the undertone of humour that constantly simmers in the bar, he added: “The landlord’s a pretty fair chap too – we can put up with him,” a remark which drew a mocked scowl of rebuke from Terry Antill.

Historian of the pub is Joe Littleton, a respected 72-year-old who attends The Junction to yarn with his friends, Peter Haile (53) amd Alfred Hart (56). Joe can remember the pub as it used to be years ago when fruit markets were held every Wednesday and when trains rocked Grange Court Junction until it closed a number of years ago. He spoke warmly of the past but not with sorrow. “You have to move with the times,” he said.

Telephone engineer, Alfred, worked for the railway for 27 years, four of them as a porter at Grange Court and Pete, who works for Blue Circle Cement in Gloucester Docks, used the captain the pub’s dart team. “He can’t stand the pace now,” quipped John Gardner who, with his captain, John Plowright, and other members of the current dart team were resting from “arrow throwing” at an adjoining table playing cards.

John is from Gloucester, but married a local girl and makes no bones about why he uses The Junction as his local. “You don’t get this atmosphere in the town. This is a great pub with great people, everyone is friendly,” he said. Our chat was broken when John’s wife, Sandra, walked through the door and the bar erupted with a chorus of “Happy Birthday to you.” It happened to be Sandra’s 25th birthday and as the last of the strains of the tune died out, everything went back to normal as if nothing had happened.

The Junction Inn’s past association with the railway is evident. Pictures of the old station as it was, some of them bought by Terry and Mary as far away as Bournemouth, adorn the walls alongside drawings of the old steam masters. “It’s a pity they ever closed ‘un down,” sadly comments Charlie Young (70) who worked on the permanent way from 1938 to 1965. “I used to be able to ride to Gloucester for a tanner on the train,” said Charlie, who gave his old railway whistle to Terry to add to the pub’s railway mementos.

In the last three years they have been at The Junction Inn, Terry (40) and wife Mary (39) have built up a good local trade in a pub that doubles as a community centre.

Above: Terry and Mary Antill

The Citizen, Tuesday 7th October 1986 – The Junction Inn, more than just a country pub (advertisement feature):

Tony Ephgrave, one of the four joint owners of the Junction Inn, Grange Court, near Westbury-on-Severn, has counted no less than 47 unauthorised signs on the main A48 road between Gloucester and Chepstow. But, determined to do things properly and armed with the best professional advice, he applied to the Forest of Dean District Council for planning permission to put up his own sign on the main road. “The idea, obviously, was to tell customers and delivery drivers where are,” said Mr. Ephgrave, whose three business partners are his own wife, Jackie and long-standing friends Angela and Brian Rowe.

The old railway pub, which once adjoined the now defunct Grange Court station, is about a mile away from the main road and although set in the midst of glorious countryside, it is a little bit isolated. Unfortunately, the council did not look kindly upon the partners’ planning application. “I can’t understand it,” said Mrs. Rowe. The council wants to encourage tourism in an effort to help the jobs situation, but in this case they seem to be contradicting themselves. The more successful we are, the more likely we are to take on extra staff – and remember, this is an area where unemployment is particularly bad.”

Certainly, the venture which the two families are sharing deserves to do well. In a fremarkably short time they have made their mark upon the local community in a number of ways. The free house, offering a truly extensive range of cask conditioned ales produced, in the main, by small independent breweries, is already very popular in the West Gloucestershire area.

The pub’s thriving renaissance has been welcomed with open arms by people who clearly appreciate the impressive facilities it can offer. In addition to its ales, cask and keg, its extensive range of bottled beers, wines and spirits, there is good food to be had in both bars – “Shunters Pie” is a particular favourite at the moment.

“Steak specials” are available on Saturday nights for £4.95 and, for the same price, it is possible to enjoy a three-course Sunday lunch. For childen, it is only £2.50. The skittle alley can be converted, as an when required, into a function room. With its own separate bar, its tasteful furnishings and pleasant, relaxed atmosphere, it is an ideal location for a whole host of activities, from wedding receptions and medieval banquets to country and western evenings.

Steam buffs will be delighted by the railway memorabilia adorning the two bars, while the more discerning of them can hardly fail to appreciate the excellent qualities of Rail Ale, which is brewed exclusively for the Junction Inn. All four owners say they are grateful for the help and interest which they have received, especially from CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, and from the local community. “The people here have been very friendly and welcoming,”

Licensing details of the Junction Inn:

Owner in 1891: Phillip Woodman (Free from Brewery Tie)

Rateable Value in 1891: £19.15s.0d.

Owner in 1903: Phillip Woodman (Free from Brewery Tie)

Rateable Value in 1903: £38.0s.0d.

Type of license (in 1891 and 1903): Alehouse

Closing time in 1903: 11pm (perhaps unusual for a rural location)

Above image courtesy Inn Sign Society (Matthew Sproston archivist). The artist obviously used the photograph below of ex-Great Western 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ 6330 on a Hereford bound train. (John Strange)