Catherine Wilson is listed as the owner of the Sudeley Arms in the 1891 licensing book. It was classified as an ale house and had an annual rateable value of £25.10s.0d. Of interest is that the lease of the property was taken by the Stroud Brewery Company but twelve years later the Sudeley Arms was fully owned by their rivals the Nailsworth Brewery. If the details are correct it seems that the lease had either been relinquished or held on a short term that expired. Did Catherine Wilson negotiate the property transaction with the Nailsworth Brewery, maybe as a result of a dispute with her tenants? The annual rateable value increased by four pounds and five shillings to £29.15s.0d. in 1903.
Gustav Holst, composer of the “Planet Suite” was born nearby. I wonder if he ever nipped into the Sudeley for a pint?
In 1960 the booklet celebrating the 200th anniversary of brewing at Cheltenham and Stroud (West Country Breweries) noted that Mrs. Matilda Craddock, then aged 97, was Englands oldest licensee. The Sudeley Arms, occupying a corner position of Prestbury Road and Portland Square.
Landlords at the Sudeley Arms include:
1859 George Holland
1870 Mrs Ann Holland
1878,1891 Mrs Ann Mary Stone
1902,1906 Harry Charman (Harry Frederick Charman in 1903)
1919,1960 Matilda Craddock
2001, 2007 Gary Hyett
