Huthwaites Past Public Houses

White Swan

Indebted here to Robert Holland for family connections offering some marvellous photos.

Above most clearly shows the White Swan, its sign dating licensed occupancy by Hezekiah Holland. Considering the group shots fronting the building, it must, in its time have been a very popular pub. Privileged by this view adding to a recorded history, it shows a remarkably large building.

The White Swan was one of only three public houses first identified when serving Hucknall-under-Huthwaite in 1828. Most later pubs appeared to be former farm house conversions, but whatever date of construction, could this long narrow property have been designed with rooms for sole purpose of serving ale. The victualler or publican named in 1828 was Hannah Chambers. Thinking it unusual in finding a female running what was considered a male domain, I noticed Thomas Chambers also listed as Corn Miller. Among so few village traders could it be fairly assumed they be married.

Thomas could have been the person kept busy operating a Huthwaite windmill at further profit. He did not however gain further mention, even shortly after in 1830 when Hannah Chambers still retained her position. By 1832 the victualler of the Swan was identified as Jane Chambers. Again I can only presume Jane was probably their daughter. A relative able at least to keep the Chambers family name between a handful of established village pubs.

Following dated references are also from commercial directories that cover village growth. Jumping forward into 1844 reveals Thomas Sims as the next victualler named at the Swan. Noting these references drop the White part for several decades, not sure if this has any implications towards naming the entire Swan Yard also siting a number of stone cottages at some unknown date. Anyway, by 1853 Herbert Simpson had claimed the Swan place while also listed as a hosiery agent.

Arguments could be raised answering why, or if financial necessity left publicans needing two jobs. Suffice to say, Herbert Simpson kept managing both positions, after next being named in 1864 when this type of dual role had been commonly adopted between majority of Huthwaite victuallers, joined by other beerhouse retailers. Robert Wilson had took over the White Swan Public House by 1881 through 1889, while the village housed more new workers. In 1891 George Allen ran the business, before handing keys to Hezekiah Holland.

Employed in mining the Holland family moved from Skegby into Hucknall-under-Huthwaite around years of 1876 when sinking a New Hucknall Colliery. Their children married into some notable villager families, such as in 1886 when Hezekiah wed Mabel Winifred Wright. He was listed in 1900 while holding licensed tenancy of the White Swan under the Home Brewery Company. It is from his family album, compiled covering their long genealogy by Robert Holland, we can see the building in a community role.

Thanks did first extend to Mr Paul E Harvey for supplying the following photo. Thought to show the colliery team of 1908 linking his related and very succesful Huthwaite sportsman George Reeves. Roberts original can however confirm true subject fronting the White Swan actually represents team Huthwaite United Football Club during a 1912-1913 season.

The chalked football held front displays all proof, as the photograph identifies other Holland relatives. The following press image confirms the teams prowess also continued through the next season. Again shown fronting and in association with the White Swan still being managed by Hezekiah Holland. The text identifies all shown, stating Huthwaite United Football Club retained the league champions title 1913/14, smartly dressing proud winners in a Mansfield and Forest Church Senior Cup.

Hezekiah, or Kiah as he preferred being called, comfortably retired in 1927 having built six houses upon King Street. Missing a large period of our history the final 1941 listing offered name for William Oliver Lawrence. He represented the only other known listed White Swan tenant before its 1956 closure, until this photograph kindly supplied with authoritative verification by Mavis Radford as being taken during VE day celebrations believed fronting the Swan. Revealing name G Poyser on doorway sign as Licensed Retailer may well show he was one later publican. Last 1941 listing did identify George Hall Poyser as then a Sutton Road fruiterer.

The thick walled building may well have proved inadequate for meeting stricter building regulations, but licenses needed transferring to enable opening another public house, suitably located by the brewery in Warsop. All the old stone properties forming Swan Yard were totally cleared in 1960.

Mr Eric Jones recalled when raising a family, this unlicensed building finally offered him a residential start prior demolition. Other retired miners remember visiting the pub before its closure, when horse drawn dray carts still made cellar deliveries from atop Back Lane. Descriptions include a dark interior reliant on gas lighting, and a cold stone slabbed flooring only attracting a regular bunch of patrons.

Competitive bar room games also included coin and horse shoe tossing, the latter being last seen played in Huthwaite for large stakes in the Swan Yard fronting Main Street. The addressed White Swan pub was indeed given as Main Street, although everyone referred to the local Yards, mapping the area covering Swan Yard under more recent developments.

Published 15 Dec 04   Revised 17 May 2007