In 1889 the Newbury Weekly News printed an article recording the reminiscences of an unnamed, but evidently elderly resident of the town. It is in essence, little more than a list of lost pubs, but from a perspective now far distant most will be utterly unknown to the current population. We reproduce it here in full.
LOCAL CHIT CHAT, Newbury Weekly News, 9 June 1889, p8
I was talking the other day to an old inhabitant who was remarking on the great change for the better there had taken place of late years to the public buildings and business premises. I was rather struck with the number of public houses which he alluded to, which have now disappeared, being in most instances, replaced by thriving business establishments.
Amongst those mentioned were the White Horse Cellars,” now occupied by Mr James, fishmonger; the “The Royal Oak,” now Mr Porter’s shop; another where Mr Wareham’s shop now stands; one in Jack-street; one at the bottom of Northbrook-place. There was also the “Constitution,” now Mr F Tombs; the “Kennet House,” and “The Sergeant,” are of more recent extinction. Also, the “Britannia” where Mr Moss’ shop now stands, and the “Queen” at the top of Craven-street, the latter being kept by an old woman, known as Mother Wideawake. The “Green Man” in West-fields, the “Three Trouts,” Northcroft-lane; the “Lamb and Flag,” Bartholomew-street, are now amongst the memories of the past. The “Fountain” has nothing left of its former appearance in the Conservative Club, while the younger generation can hardly realise that a beerhouse stood on the site of Messrs Godding and Edwards’ shop and the “Eagle” public house where Mr A Jackson’s shop now stands. Where Mr A Cary’s music warehouse is now, there used to be a beerhouse, another where Mr T Cole now lives. There was yet another on the site of Mr Fabry’s shop.
I daresay there are many others which older inhabitants can recollect. The old “Globe,” is well within recent memory, having been replaced some twenty years since by the handsome premises of the Old Bank, the name having been subsequently transferred to the house which in former days was known as the “Royal Exchange,” nor is the transformation of the “Three Tuns” into the “Queens” a matter of ancient history.
Some of the signs by which houses are still known are not always familiar. For instance recently when a constable incidentally mentioned “Gooden’s Coffee-house,” a magistrate remarked, “Where’s that?” and it had to be explained that this is the sign by which Messrs’ Hunt’s premises at Speenhamland are known.