The Yew Tree was located just before Cox’s Farm on the B4058 road to Wotton under Edge. The Yew Tree Inn was still open in 1965 but must have closed shortly thereafter. It is now a private residence.
Originally free from brewery tie, the licensing book of 1891 indicates that the Yew Tree was leased to Godsells Brewery of Salmon Springs, Stroud. By 1903 it was owned by the Nailsworth Brewery, subsequently being acquired by the Cheltenham Original Brewery.
Stroud Journal, Saturday 3rd March 1883 – To be sold at auction by Tabram and Son: At the George Hotel, Nailsworth, on Monday 5th March 1863, at five for six o’clock in the evening, precisely, subject to conditions, in one lot.
An old-established, free, fully licensed public house called ‘The Yew Tree Inn’, situate at Nupend in the parish of Horsley, for many years in the occupation of Miss Mary Ann Lord, and now of Henry Jones. The premises are in good repair, having a frontage to the road of about 42 yards, and include large garden, brewhouse, bakehouse, slaughter, salting and drying houses, stabling for three horses, piggeries and cart house. There is a good supply of water, and the premises are well adapted to the baking and brewing trades, which for many years were carried on there. Possession can be given on the 2th day of March. To view, apply on the premises and for further particulars, to the Auctioneers, Nailsworth.
Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, Saturday 7th July 1883 – Death from a fall: Mr Ball held an inquest on Saturday afternoon at the Yew Tree Inn, Nupend, Horsley, on the body of Frederick William King, a young man 25 years of age, who was employed at the brewery of Messrs Clissold & Son, Nailsworth. It appeared from the evidence that on Thursday, the 21st June, he fell from a stage in the tun-room on to the ashphalt floor, a distance of about seven feet, his duty being to stand on the staging to watch a vat of beer. No one saw him fall, but he was found lying on the ground. There was a bruise on his head, but no other injury visible. The man complained about being very bad, but could give no account on how he fell. Mr Wells, surgeon, was called in, and advised his removal home. He attended him every day, but convulsions set in, and he died on Friday morning. Mr Wells and Mr Cubitt, surgeons, discovered that there was a fracture at the base of the skull. Evidence was given that the staging was perfectly safe, and Mr Clissold said the deceased was a steady, sober man and had been a long time in his employ. A juryman suggested that the fumes of the beer might have overpowered him, but Mr Clissold said there was no gas in this beer. The jury recorded a verdict of “Accidental Death’.
Gloucestershire Chronicle, Saturday 22nd November 1890 – Nailsworth Petty Session: Gilroy Smith and William Stephens, gipsies, were summoned for taking a pig from an infected place, The Yew Tree, Nupend, Horsley, on November 14th. This pig was buried by police order on November 3rd, and on November 13th defendants got a spade and shovel and unearthed it. They were seen taking it through Nailsworth, when the cart was stopped by Sergt. Curry, who then saw it contained the pig. Stephens pleaded ignorance that the pig died of swine fever, and Smith said he had been hired to fetch it. Defendants were each fined fifteen shillings and fifteen shillings costs, or a month. The fines were paid.
Stroud News and Gloucestershire Advertiser, Friday 28th November 1902 – Dinner: On Thursday evening last the members of the Horsley Parish Council, joined by a few friends, dined at the Yew Tree Inn, Nupend, Horsley. About 30 sat down to an excellent spread, which did the greatest credit to the host and hostess, Mr and Mrs Thomas Gage. Mr T.H. Abbott (chairman of the Parish Council) presided. The loyal and other toasts were submitted and heartily drunk, whilst short speeches and some capital songs served to fill up what proved to be a most enjoyable evening.
Above: Trevor Drew of Cashes Green sent this photo of the Yew Tree Inn Skittles Team to The Citizen ‘Bygones’ feature which was published on 28th September 2001. Back row left to right: Bernard Newport, Les Ind, Vic Allway, ‘Craig’ Drew and Tom Powell. Front row from the left are Archie Hardman, Chavvy Hudd, Ted Porter, Francis Drew and ‘Nip’ Beale. The photo was taken in the late 1940’s on the occasion of the Yew Tree skittles team becoming Nailsworth Skittles League champions.
Above: Les Leach of Frampton-on-Severn sent this image of the victorious Yew Tree Inn skittle team to the Citizen ‘Bygones’ feature that appeared in the newspaper on 6th July 2005. The photograph was taken in August 1945 after the pub team won the Stroud and Nailsworth Skittles League. Les was the son of licensees Les and Anita Leach. The trophy can be seen on the table in the centre of the image. Some of those in the picture are Charlie Heaven, Stan Jones, Tom Powell, Craig Drew, Mr King and ‘Chavey’ Hudd.
Above: This is the highly successful ladies darts team at the Yew Tree, Horsley in the early 1950’s. Landlady Anita Leach is sat on the front row on the left. The woman in the middle is the team’s captain Maisie Pride while on the right is Ms/Mrs Buckingham. Back row: Unknown, Kath Sawyer, Ruby Ind and Violet Billings. Les Leach, son of Les and Anita Leach, licensees, sent the image to the Citizen ‘Bygones’ feature that was published on 9th June 2005. Les senior died in 2004 aged 92, a good age considering that he had been a heavy smoker all his life!
Map Reference: ST 833982
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: William Critchley (leased Godsell & Sons, Salmon Springs Brewery, Stroud)
Rateable value in 1891: £11.5s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: Nailsworth Brewery
Rateable value in 1903: £11.5s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 10pm
Landlords at the Yew Tree Inn include:-
1878 Miss Mary Ann Lord (‘for many years’)
1800,1883 Henry Jones
1884 William Critchley
1885,1891 Mark Mills
1923,1906 Thomas Gage
1919 Mrs Edith Gage
1927,1939 Henry (or Harry?) Edward Gage
1942 – early 1950’s Les and Anita Leach (moved to the Darrel Arms in Framilode)
1965 Mr and Mrs L. Goldstone