The Kings Arms, next to the village church, is still trading as Ye Olde Inn.
After the war my parents became landlord of the Kings Arms, Westerleigh, locally known as the Olde Inn, this was in 1946, my fathers name was over the door. We took it over from Ronald Ford who was there during the war taking it over from Reg Dainty. I emigrated to Canada in June of 1954, my parents, Herbert and Gwen moved to the White Lion in Yate. In December of that year. Dad died in 1960 age 55yrs and my mother kept it going for several more years. She later remarried to Bert Smith at the Railway in Yate subsequently retiring to Downend.
There was a cellar at the Olde Inn, not used, with very worn steps of stone, a spring was more or less in the centre which reputedly rose and fell twice daily. A far wall had been bricked up which sealed a tunnel under the grave yard so I’m told. This pub or resting place was probably there prior to the building of the Church next door, over 700 years ago. During the age of the great wool industry sheep raising provided many with considerable fortunes and caused the addition of an impressive Church tower complete with six bells bequests coming from local wealthy land owners.
It’s an unassuming pub but has been a source of comfort to the good folks of Westerleigh.
John Pullin
I am now 91
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Lords of Manor of Westerleigh (free from brewery tie)
Rateable value in 1891: £15.5s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: Lords of Manor of Westerleigh (free from brewery tie)
Rateable value in 1903: £15.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 10pm
Landlords at the Kings Arms / Ye Olde Inn include:
1856,1891 Elam Gibbs (aged 63 in 1881)
1897,1906 Charles Weeks
1919 William Reed
1927 Anna Maria Reed
1939 Reginald Dainty
2003 John Alan King
