The New Inn, which was purpose built in 1855 following the demolition of three cottages known as Barley Row, is on the eastern side of Ruspidge Road (B4277). The older part can be viewed with the original arched window frames, etched glass and front door onto the road. The ‘extension’ was added some years later – this area is built with Forest stone and the current main entrance.
It was once a rare outlet for Alton Court Brewery Ales of Ross on Wye. The Rising Sun, which is directly opposite, was tied to the Nailsworth Brewery. The George Inn, a little further down the road, was tied to the Rock Brewery. I wonder if beer drinkers in late Victorian / early Edwardian times realised that Ruspidge was something of a beer drinkers paradise?
William Morse was the owner of the New Inn in 1891. Classified as an ale house it was described as being free of brewery tie with an annual rateable value of £20.0s.0d. However records show that the New Inn had been acquired by the Alton Court Brewery in Ross on Wye in 1890, so the ‘free house’ details in the petty sessional licencing records of 1891 are incorrect. Closing time was at 11 pm. The Rising Sun across the road and the nearby George Inn closed at 10 p.m. The New Inn probably did very good custom after ten o’clock!
The New Inn was sometimes referred to locally as the ‘posh pub’. Apparently, the miners working in the nearby pits only visited the New Inn when they had washed and dressed up – whilst the George and Rising Sun were working men’s locals.
Lydney Observer, 19th November 1976 – Same family at New Inn for 90 years: The New Inn, Ruspidge, known to many as “Emma’s”, has a new landlord and landlady, after being in the hands of the same family for over 90 years. The New Inn was purchased by Mr & Mrs Jack Wellington in 1954. Mr Wellington died several years ago. Mrs Wellington, known as “Emma”, continued with the business until about two years ago. It has been managed by a nephew, Mr Harold Hall, who has had to retire for health reasons.
Mr Hall writes: “Emma never had time for a holiday; the customers always came first. The New Inn was always a well conducted house and, although over 80, she was determined to carry on with the business. But a fall two years ago resulted in her having to go to hospital at Gloucester, where she has remained ever since.”
“Her late husband was remembered for his perfect chauffering and his gentle manner. It is with reluctance that I made the decision to sell, as I am the great-grandson of the owner, Mr William Morse, on my mother’s side of the family. Mr Morse took over the house in 1883, later selling it to the Alton Court Brewery in Ross on Wye and tenanted in 1890 to Mr Thomas Hall (my grandfather). The New Inn was later tenanted by Mr Arthur (Tart) Hall, who gave so much pleasure to county rugby fans. He was followed by Emma and Jack.”
Dean Forest Mercury. Friday 9th June 1972.
Dutchman Dirk van de Meyden took over the New Inn in February 2012. He has maintained it as a strong community pub. The New Inn has darts, pool and crib teams. He said, “The pub is always a hub of activity, with never a dull moment.” Sky sports is shown and the New Inn hosts monthly jazz sessions and race nights. The New Inn supports local charities, and an annual Harvest Festival in 2012 raised £1,400 for the Dilke Memorial Hospital.
Landlords at the New Inn include:
1855 J. Phelps and R. Smith
1882 G. Hewett
1883 William Morse
1890 Thomas Hall
1891 1906 Henry Baldwin (also at the Upper Bilson Inn, Cinderford in 1902)
1919,1927 Arthur Hall
1939 John Wellington
1954 – 1974 Jack and Emma Wellington (Jack purchased the New Inn in 1954 from the Alton Court Brewery who had owned it since 1890)
1976 Harold Hall
1976 Bob Cockerill
1978 Mr and Mrs D.W. Murray
1980 Jim Brickwood
1983 Glenda Brickwood
1988 Roger and Jackie Sime
2000-2003 Dave Wright and Diana Chambers
2003 Dee Savickas-Screen
2008,2009 Vic and Dee Screen
2012-2022 Dirk Van Der Meyden (Tenancy)
2022 Michelle Browill