50 St. Georges Street in 1891 reference and in 1926 directory. Joseph John Walter is listed as a brewer in 1891. G Cummings provided materials for Home Brewed Beer. The Walter family was very much involved in the licensed trade (and brewing?) at one time or another, having connections with the Noahs Ark, Adam & Eve, Engineers Arms, Wickwar Brewery Inn, Somerset Brewery, Greyhound and the Compasses Inn.
Ruth Meek was the owner of the Noahs Ark in 1891 and 1903. The premise licence was for a beer house and it had an annual rateable value set at £25.10s.0d. throughout those twelve years. Ruth Meek ran the Noahs Ark free from brewery tie.
Cheltenham Chronicle, Tuesday 24th November 1885 – Fatal fire in St. Georges Steet: We have to record today an occurrence which has sent a thrill of horror through the town. At an early hour yesterday morning fire broke out on the premises Mr. G. Wintle, undertaker, St. George’sstreet, and resulted not only in the gutting of the property, but what is far more sad, in the suffocation of Mrs. Wintle and three young children. Mr. Wintle was not in Cheltenham at the time, and is believed to have left on Saturday, in order to go to Birmingham. Mrs. Wintle, two daughters, Nellie and Annie, and son George, aged respectively about two, five and seven years were at home on Sunday, and retired to rest at the usual time at night, all sleeping in one bedroom. Nothing was heard of them till one o’clock yesterday morning, when Mr. Walters, landlord of the Noah’s Ark Inn, next door, who slept in the back of the house, was awoke by what appeared to be noise amongst the beer barrels the yard. Thinking, however, a cat was the cause of the disturbance, he took little notice of it, but a minute or two later he heard a crash, caused by the breaking of crockeryware. This induced him to get out of bed, and throwing up the window sash he saw Mrs. Wintle at her bed room window, in a state of great alarm. He asked her what was the matter, and she answered, ” Fire, fire, fire. Will one come to help me!” Mr. Walters begged her to get downstairs without delay, but her answer was, ” I cannot for the smoke.” This was the last Mr. Walters either saw or heard of the unfortunate woman alive. He slipped on some clothes, and ran as hard as he could to the Fire Engine Station, and got the bell rung. This aroused the firemen and Superintendent McRae and the police, who with prompitude were in St. George’s Street with the engine. Mr. Sully, Mr. Brown, and other neighbours got up, and all did what they could to put the fire out. As soon as possible the house was entered, and the persons known to have been sleeping there sought for. It was, however, too late to rescue them alive. Mrs. Wintle’s efforts to escape from the dense smoke which filled her bedroom, had proved unavailing, and the dead bodies of herself and three children were found in the room. Fireman Coaley brought out Mrs. Wintle’s body, and Fireman Such those of the children. A most painful sensation was caused among the crowd the fact becoming known that no less than four lives had been sacrificed by the ravages the fire. Nothing remained then but to put the fire completely out, and this was done without serious difficulty. The four dead bodies were removed to the Workhouse.
Another account says:—lt appears that Constable Selwood, who was on duty in the street, saw smoke issuing from Mr. Wintle’s front shop. He at once got a ladder, and having placed it against one of the windows, tried to make the inmates hear, but he failed to do so. He then hurried to the police-station and gave information. This would appear to be about the same time as Mr. Walters was aroused by the noise in his back yard. He saw Mrs. Wintle at the window frantically shouting ” Fire, fire.” He asked her why she did not go downstairs, and she replied, “I can’t, because of the smoke.” She also said, ” Will no one come and help me?” She then fell back, crying ” Fire.” He then went to the engine-house. In the meantime some young men also gave information at the office of Mr. Baker, superintendent of the Fire Brigade, who soon collected the brigade, and arrived at the scene of the fire. The ladders were placed against the windows at the back of the house, were the inmates where sleeping, and Fireman Such effected an entrance into the bedroom. He found Mrs. Wintle lying underneath the window dead, with one child lying beside her one in the bed, and another in another part of the room, all the bodies being severely scorched. They were at once conveyed to the Workhouse mortuary. The fire, the cause of which is unknown, appears to have been raging some time before being discovered, and had obtained great hold on the premises. It seems to have originated at the bottom of the staircase, which was completely destroyed, then reached to the bedroom where Mrs. Wintle and her children were sleeping, and afterwards it extended to the bedding, which was partly consumed. Dr Hogarth was sent for, but unhappily his medical skill was of no avail. The contents of the shop, stock-in-trade, fittings, &c., are believed to be insured to the amouut of £935, and the lives of the deceased woman and children were insured with Mr. Cutts, St George’s-street, but the policies have lapsed.
Cheltenham Examiner, Wednesday 23rd June 1886 – Sale of a Free Public house with brewery attached: Harrison & Bayley have received instructions to submit to public auction on Wednesday 23rd June 1886, commencing at 5 o’clock precisely, and subject to conditions of sale –
The Noah’s Ark – The premises are very convenient and comprise bar, bar parlour, sitting room, four bedrooms, large kitchen, two good cellars, and capital rolling way, private entrance, two WC’s, and yard in rear with compact brewery, in working order. There is a good supply of pure water, and gas is laid on.
The house is most admirably placed, being just off the High Street, and is very old established, and has always held a high reputation for the quality of ales sold.
The tenure is freehold.
Landlords at the Noahs Ark include:
1844 William Limrick
1878 George Meek
1883,1900 Joseph John Walter (listed as a brewer in 1891)
Gloucester Citizen, Saturday 2nd September 1882: Joe Walter, who for a period of 25 years has been stationed at the G.W.R. Station, Cheltenham, having taken to that old established house and extensive brewery known as the Noah’s Ark, St. Georges Street, hopes by strictly attending to the wants of his customers, conducting his house thoroughly respectable, and supplying a good article, will induce his friends and the public in general to favour him with their patronage and support. HOME BREWED ALES IN CASKS Supplied on the shortest notice.
1902,1919 Raymond Edward Walter (Raymond was the son of Joseph)
1926,1927 Herbert Hawkins
1939 Mrs Mabel Louisa Smith
Hi Geoff,
