The Golden Lion (or Red Lion)

The Golden Lion (now 108 High Street) functioned as a pub or beerhouse from 1861 to 1956. The photo below shows the north side, next to the lane which now leads to the Recreation Ground. Note the beer cellar behind the bicycle. It was originally a butcher's as well as a pub, with a slaughterhouse at the back.

The Golden Lion seems to have started as outbuildings for John Elley, whose bakery business at the time was at 75 High Street. The Church Rate Book refers to "Buildings" 1856-9 and "Stables" in 1861. By 1863 they had been sold along with no.75 to John Colgrove and his son Joseph, described as "beer retailer & butcher" in Kelly's Directory 1864.

The following unsigned affidavit by Mr G.D.E. Wigley has been donated to the Winslow History Archive. It concerns an issue which must have arisen when the Golden Lion was sold in 1901: were the same premises known as the Red Lion? It seems that the Red Lion was its original name.

Dated 1901
In the matter of the title of Sir Richard Byam Martin Baronet and Henry Alfred Hubbersly Esquire to “The Golden Lion” Inn at Winslow in the County of Buckingham.
Statutory Declaration of G.D.E. Wigley Esquire as to indentity of the property.
Geo V. G. W. Rands, Northampton
A De M. Severne, Wirksworth
In the matter Of the title of Sir Richard Byam Martin Baronet and Henry Alfred Hubbersly Esquire To “The Golden Lion” Inn at Winslow in the county of Buckingham.

I George Davys Edward Wigley of Winslow in the county of Buckingham Esquire F.S. I do solemnly and sincerely declare as follows:-

1. I am well acquainted with the public house and premises known as the Golden Lion with the tobacconists and confectioners shops adjoining at Winslow aforesaid and which said hereditaments I offered for sale by public auction on the twenty sixth day of July one thousand nine hundred and one and the same were purchased by Messieurs P. Phipps and Company (Northampton and Towcester Breweries Limited.
2. When the property was built it had a painted sign of a Red Lion with a Golden Chain around its neck and was then variously called by the inhabitants of the town both by the name of the Red Lion and the Golden Lion and it is on this account that it is described by the name of Red Lion in the mortgage of the said properties with the Chandos Arms and other hereditaments belonging to the late John Ingram dated the twenty third December one thousand eight hundred and seventy five. The property however is the same as that now commonly known as The Golden Lion the sign and name of the Red Lion having of late years fallen into disuse.  The premises now occupied as a tobacconists and confectioners shop were built for the purposes of a butcher and were for some years used and occupied by Joseph Colgrove as such but on his quitting the premises they were converted into and used for the purposes of the businesses now carried on thereon.  There is no other {other} public house in Winslow known as the Red Lion.
3. I am able to declare as above from having lived at Winslow aforesaid for                years and remembering the property being built and having been well acquainted with the Ingram family to whom the property formerly belonged and of whose estate I am one of the Trustees.

And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act One thousand eight hundred and thirty five.

Declared at             in the County of
This                               day of
One thousand nine hundred and one
Before me
                A Justice of the Peace for the County of Buckingham

The photo below shows three adjacent houses, one a tobacconist's shop with plate glass window, also sold by Mr Wigley in 1901 (now nos 106-102)

1871: Census
High Street

William	Ridgway	Head	married	28	Butcher & innkeeper	b. Thornborough
Ann	Ridgway	Wife	married	27		b. Aylesbury
Ann	Ridgway	Dau		3	Scholar	b. Great Horwood
Thomas W.	Rigway	Son		2		b. Great Horwood

1872: Return of Public Houses
Occupier: William Ridgway. Owner: John Ingram, Winslow. Leaseholder: Wroughton & Threlfall, Aylesbury

1872: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 9 Jan
THEFT.- At the petty sessions on Wednesday last, Robert Edwards, who was described as a railway labourer, was charged with stealing 3lbs. of pork from the shop of Mr. William Ridgway, of Winslow, on the evening of Saturday, December 30th.  Wm. Coxhill said: I am an apprentice to Mr. Ridgway.  I saw the piece of meat safe about a quarter to nine on Saturday night, the 30th December.  It lay on the front board  and I left the shop to go out back way, and on my return was told that a man had taken a piece of meat, and I at one missed the piece produced by Seargent Clear.  Can identify if from the way in which it is cut at the joint.  It is worth 3s. 6d. Rebecca Colton, wife of James Colton, deposed that she saw the man take a piece of meat from Mr. Ridgway’s board, about a quarter past nine on the night in question.  She was standing at the front door [she lived opposite the Golden Lion on the other side of the High Street].  Could not swear to the prisoner as the man, although he was very much like him, and wore a Scotch cap, the same as prisoner.  She told Mr. Ridgway what she had seen, and that the man was gone up the road.  Police-Sergeant Clair deposed that from information he received he went in search of the prisoner, and found him in the house of a man named Jennings, at Steeple Claydon.  Jennings pointed out that the meat in the presence and hearing of prisoner, as having been brought in by Edwards.  Prisoner said, “That’s right enough; that’s mine.  I brought it home from Winslow to-night.”  He took him into custody.  The prisoner, appearing sorry he was placed in his present position, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment.

According to the Aylesbury Gaol records, the prisoner was actually Thomas Edwards, a bricklayer's labourer aged 24 originally from Devon. Click here to see his photo on the Bucks Archives website.

1872: Bucks Advertiser & Aylesbury News, 20 April
PROSECUTION UNDER THE DEBTORS’ ACT 1869.
    On Wednesday at the Petty Sessions (before E. W. S. Lowndes, Esq.), William Ridgway, of Winslow, cattle dealer, was charged for that he being a person whose affairs are in liquidation under the Bankruptcy Act, 1869, did not disclose to the trustee administering his estate for the benefit of his creditors as all his property, but concealed part of such property to the value of £10 and upwards.  The charge contained other formal counts but they all, in fact, referred to the same specific offence, namely, the alleged concealment by the prisoner of a cheque for £41 0s. 8d. received by him from Mr. Turpin, a London salesman, to whom he had consigned two oxen for sale in the Metropolitan Market shortly before filing his petition in the court of Banbury.  Mr. Stockton prosecuted.  In stating the facts to the Bench he said he appeared on behalf of Mr. Dudley, auctioneer and estate agent, Winslow, the duly-appointed trustee, acting under the liquidation, and who had been directed by the Court of Bankruptcy at Banbury to institute the present prosecution ...
  Meetings of the prisoner’s creditors were held in January and February last, at which the affairs were discussed, and ultimately liquidation resolved on, and at those meetings many questions were asked of the prisoner referring to large sums of money which it was known had reached his hands only a few days before he filed his petition, and the prisoner had given answers verbally, and also furnished statements in writing purporting to account by means of legitimate payments for all the sums so  received ...
  He admitted that on the morning of the 12th of January, the very day on which he filed his petition in the Court at Banbury, he received at his own house at Winslow a cheque from Mr. Turpin for about £41, the proceeds of the sale of two oxen, and that an uncle of his who was then staying at his house, gave him change for the cheque, and that he gave part of this money to his wife, and put the rest in his pocket, and had not said anything about it to his trustee or to any one else until then.  Upon this statement and a report thereon by the trustees, the present prosecution was ordered ... 
   After hearing the evidence, the Bench decided to commit the prisoner for trial at the Quarter Sessions at Aylesbury, and required security for his appearances, himself in £800 and two sureties in £350 each.  Only one satisfactory surety being forthcoming, the prisoner was removed in custody.

1872: 20th July, Bucks Herald, 20 July: Bucks Quarter Sessions
  William Ridgway, 29 (on bail), butcher and dealer, was charged with fraud under the Bankruptcy Act, 1869, in concealing his property, to the value of £10 and upwards, with intent to cheat and defraud his creditors.
  Mr. Athewes and Mr. G. L. Browne prosecuted; the prisoner was defended by Mr. Metcalfe and Mr. Graham ...
  The creditors were summoned to a meeting at Buckingham, which took place on the 30th of January.  At that place he handed in a statement of his debts, which amounted to £2,079 18s. unsecured, and the amount of his assets was the miserable sum of £306 ...
  At that meeting he offered a composition of 4s. in the pound, but some of those present, having reason to believe that a few days before the filing of his petition he had received some moneys which he had not accounted for, strictly questioned him as to whether he had not received £41 0s. 8d. for some cattle in a check for that amount, for two bullocks which he sold to a salesman named Turpin at Smithfield.  He said he had received it, but had paid it away.  At that meeting it was arranged that a second meeting should be held, and he was requested to come to that meeting with a statement showing how he had paid it away.  At that meeting he put in a statement which shewed receipts to the amount of £481, and disbursements to the amount £498 16s. 4d. in the way of trade and otherwise.  In the receipts was entered the sum of £41 0s. 8d.  He was again strictly examined as to this check, and he adhered to the statement on this paper.  It was determined at the meeting to carry his affairs through by private liquidation, and Mr. Dudley was appointed trustee of the estate.  At the meeting on the 5th of March, he made a statement on oath, before the Registrar, that he gave the £41 check to his uncle, Mr. Horne, of Dunstable, on the day upon which he filed his petition, for him to change.  He never told his uncle he was about to fall, or that he had seen Mr. Shepherd on the matter; he said he had not given any account of the £41 till that time; that his uncle gave him cash for the £41 check in notes and gold, £5 or £6 of which he kept in his pocket, and that he gave the remainder to his wife ...
  S. B. Dudley, auctioneer and land agent, Winslow, said he was creditor of the prisoner for £350.  Was at a meeting of his creditors at Buckingham, on the 30th of January.  Nearly all the creditors were present.  It was adjourned to Winslow on the 6th of February, at which witness was again present.  The prisoner was there asked if he had any moneys besides those shown in the account, and he said he had none, he wished he had ...
  Examination continued - On the 6th he was again asked if he had any moneys, and he said he had not.  I was appointed trustee and engaged Mr. King to do the work.  I have received £20 1s. 4d. from the receiver for meat sold, and a cheque from Mr. George, salesman, for £76 13s.  That was shown in the accounts.   I have not received a cheque in money for £41 0s. 8d.  I did not hear of this till after the Banbury meeting on the 5th of March.  I read it in the prisoner’s examination, and in consequence of that I applied to the registrar for leave to prosecute.
  By Mr. Metcalfe - I applied at the suggestion of several creditors, Mr. King among them.  An account for receipts and expenditure was produced on the 6th of February.
  James King said he was creditor of Ridgway’s to the amount of £312.  He heard nothing of the £41 until at the examination in March, when it quite took him by surprise.  He had examined Ridgway’s accounts but found nothing more respecting the account, or in his books.  Two papers, containing the receipts and disbursements, were put in at the meeting in February, in which there was an item of £41 paid for two London bullocks.  I have collected the proceeds of the estate, but did not receive the £41.
  By Mr. Metcalfe - I saw the two papers which were produced at the January meeting, but they were for £41, not £41 0s. 8d., and I had no idea that referred to the cheque.  I did not ask the bankrupt about the cheque at the meeting.  On the 3rd Jan., the prisoner bought goods at my auction sale for £123, which I refused to let him have till he gave me a cheque for £100, which he paid into my account.  That was between the 4th and 12th of January.  I did not persuade people not to become bail for the prisoner, but some persons told me they would offer themselves as bail, but asked me to object to them.  (Laughter).  Stephens was one of these who came forward in this way, and I objected to him. (Laughter) ...
  Mr. Metcalfe, for the defence, contended there was no attempt at concealment, the defendant had debited himself with this £41 check as the result of the sale of two bullocks, in the statement he gave to the creditors, and in stating that he paid away the proceeds in various things, he meant, as afterwards explained, that he gave the largest portion to his wife to conduct the business, which was still carried on, retaining £5 for himself to pay his solicitor, Mr. Sheppard.  In that statement he gave details of receipts and disbursements for large amounts, furnishing details and names, and no attempt had been made to show that it was incorrect; and it was perfectly scandalous to try to bring a charge of concealment against him in reference to this comparatively small sum, when the very amount was given in the statement required of him by the creditors.  He was not a bankrupt on the 12th January, but simply proposed to make an arrangement with his creditors.
  The jury, after a short consultation, acquitted the defendant.

At another hearing in February 1873 at the County Court at Banbury, it was decided that Ridgway still owed £41 0s 8d to the trustees, minus £6 15s for the sale of some grass (Bucks Herald, 22 Feb). Ridgway appealed, and at the Court of Bankruptcy on 28 April the earlier decision was overturned, and S.B. Dudley was ordered to pay the costs from the County Court (Bucks Herald, 17 May). Ridgway also complained about the local press publishing the earlier decision, which he said had been made at a private hearing. He then brought an action for malicious prosecution in the Court of Queen's Bench against S.B. Dudley "and another", and was awarded damages of £80 (Buckingham Advertiser, 27 Dec).

In 1874 Ridgway brought an action against Richard Coxhill for £100 for breach of apprenticeship contract by Coxhill's son William. William left in April 1872, saying that the trustees had authorised him; he went to work in Wolverton and was now living in Hertfordshire. According to Ridgway the business was only in trusteeship for about a month from February 1872. The jury decided in favour of Coxhill (Bucks Advertiser & Aylesbury News, 25 July). Ridgway gave some details about his career:

A person of the name of Lorkin worked for me about that time.  I was not a professional butcher, having served my apprenticeship to a baker.  Lorkin left me in 1872.  I was not porter to a grocer.  I was an ostler, and after that I went into the dealing and butchering.  I became a butcher about eight years ago.  My liabilities, when I became a bankrupt, were about £2,300, and my assets were £300... I have had one or two executions against me lately – a distress for rent included – but I am not under notice to quit...

William Coxhill said: Up to Christmas, 1871, plaintiff was doing a pretty good trade.  A man named Lorkin, a butcher, taught me my trade.  At the beginning of 1872 plaintiff fell into difficulties, and discharged Lorkin, as there was no work to do.  Plaintiff was very often out, being in gaol and out at different times, between January and April.

In 1876 William Ridgway was sent to prison for 12 months for passing a forged cheque at the Royal Oak.

1876: Buckingham Advertiser, 17 June
THE whole of the serviceable HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, Mahogany, Arabian, and French Bedsteads, Feather and Flock Beds, Glass and Earthenware, Butchers’ Tools, and Utensils of Trade, Public House Requisites, 3 Casks of Ale and Stout, Quantity of Cigars, about 3 acres of capital MOWING GRASS, and numerous effects,
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY Mr. GEO. WIGLEY,
On TUESDAY next, on the Premises, at the Golden Lion Public House, Winslow, under a bill of sale.
The Sale will commence at 12 for 1 o’clock punctually.

1881: Census
The Golden Lion is not identified by name or function and the premises seem to have been occupied by John Keys, carpenter, aged 43.

1886: Bucks Herald, 17 April
Births: At the Golden Lion, Winslow, on the 2nd inst., the wife of Mr. George French, of a son.

1891: Census
High Street, Golden Lion

Jesse	Smith	Head	married	40[?]	Coal Merchant & Beerhouse keeper	b. Broughton, Beds
Fanny R.	Smith	Wife	married	36		b. Maids Moreton
Eleanor	Smith	Dau		13	Scholar	b. Akeley
Maud E.	Smith	Dau		12	Scholar	b. Akeley
Elizabeth A.B.	Smith	Dau		10	Scholar	b. Akeley
Walter W.	Smith	Son		8	Scholar	b. Winslow
Clara E.	Smith	Dau		6	Scholar	b. Winslow
Violet	Smith	Dau		2	Scholar	b. Winslow
Herbert W.	Smith	Son		5m		b. Winslow

Walter Smith later ran the coal business from 34 Station Road.

1895: summarised from Bucks Herald, 19 October
Mr Wise, Surveyor to Winslow Rural District Council, had "great difficulty to know what paths to repair", and asked for guidance. One of the paths of uncertain status was the lane by the Golden Lion, about which Councillor Neal responded, "Take the piece up by the Golden Lion [they] would perfectly well know that it was a private way to Squire’s Field."  Mr Willis countered that "it was the only way to Eli Goodger’s house, as well as a back way to the Golden Lion."  The lack of agreement led to the creation of a Highways Committee.

1898: Centre for Bucks Studies, D/WIG/2/1/32, f.80
Valuation of Fixtures at the Golden Lion Inn Winslow from the Aylesbury Brewery Co  Ltd to Messrs Phipps & Co.
May 21st 1898
Tap Room
Deal seating & uprights
9 window bars
Bar
Deal top Counter, 3 drawers & Cupboard
3 p(ain)t(e)d Shelves
25 in. Register grate
Parlour
Reg. stove broken & taken out away
Kitchen
Deal p(ain)t(e)d Dresser with 3 drawers & 2 cupboards
Shelving
3 5 ft Range broken & taken away
24 in. galvanised iron furnace Grate lid & brickwork
Front of House
Licence board
Swing sign board with ornamental iron work & support
[Total] £7 14s 0d
Stamp 6d

1899: Northampton Mercury, 28 April
Cyril Burbury and Thomas Gibson, boys of about 11, were charged with stealing 4s from  the bar of the Golden Lion public-house, Winslow. It appeared that there was a window about three feet from the ground opening from the bar into a lane [see top photo], and the boys gained access by this window and took a cigar-box containing coppers. The Bench gave the boys a good scolding, and dismissed the case under the First Offenders Act.

1901: Census
High Street, Golden Lion Inn

Jesse	Smith	Head	married	51	Coalmerchant and Farmer	b. Broughton, Beds
Fanny	Smith	Wife	married	47		b. Maids Moreton
Eleanor	Smith	Dau	single	23		b. Akeley
Maud	Smith	Dau	single	22		b. Akeley
Walter	Smith	Son	single	18	Coalmerchant's son	b. Winslow
Clara E.	Smith	Dau	single	16		b. Winslow
Herb	Smith	Son		10		b. Winslow
William	Heritage	Visitor	single	27	Bricklayer	b. Marsh Gibbon

1901: Sale by mortgagees, 26 July 1901 (click on the poster for larger image - the original with full particulars on the reverse is in the Winslow History Archive)
With immediate possession.
A Brick and Slated Freehold and free INN, known as
"THE GOLDEN LION"
Situate in the High Street, and containing on the Ground Floor — Tap Room, Bar Parlour, Back Parlour, Kitchen, good Cellar, and 5 bedrooms, and on the right of Tap Room a Tobacconist's and Confectioner's Shop.
In the yard is a brick and slated Nag Stable with Loft over; a Slaughter House easily convertible into a good Coach-house, W.C., and a boarded and tiled open Hovel.
The premises are well situate for trade and have a side and back entrance to Yard,
There are certain fixtures belonging to the Tenant which will not be included in the Sale.

The three adjacent houses were sold at the same time. They were occupied by:

• 106: Alfred Cripps, bricklayer, aged 21
• 104/102: George Bathe, tailor and tobacconist, aged 60, and his son John Bathe, aged 28, tailor

1907: Bucks Herald, 29 June
PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26. – PRESENT Mr M .Selby-Lowndes and the Hon. Cecil Fremantle.
LICENSING : The George Hotel, Winslow was transferred to Mr F.J. Walker of Northampton; the Royal Oak, Winslow to Mr T. Pullen, and the Golden Lion, Winslow, to Mr J. Wesley.

1911: Census
The Golden Lion, 10 rooms

James	Wesley	Head	married	70	Beer House Keeper	b. Newport Pagnell
Mary Ann	Wesley	Wife	married	66	Assisting in business married 42 years, 8 children (7 living)	b. Olney
Frederick Evans	Wesley	Son	single	21	Clerk for brewer	b. Stantonbury

Centre for Bucks Studies D/WIG/2/1/16 (Oct 1910 - May 1911)
Valuation: James Wesley to Phipps & Co.

1914: Assessment (TNA, IR58/2349 no.304)
Situation                       Buckingham Road
Description                   “Red Lion” [sic]
Gross Value: Buildings   £14 - 10                     Rateable Value: Buildings             £14
Occupier                        James Wesley
Owner                           Phipps & Co Northampton
 [red] PV 1 Dec 14 Copy to Mr Fleck [stamp] 10 NOV 1914
Particulars, description and note made on inspection
Brick & Slate Public House “The Golden Lion”
2 sitting rooms kitchen tap room & bar
Cellar
4 bedrooms & box room
244 yds
Valuation – Market Value of Fee Simple in possession of whole property in its present condition            £1100
Deduct Market Value of Site under similar circumstances, but if divested of structures, timber, fruit trees, and other things growing on the land
20’ front x 100 =          2200 sq feet £40
Difference Balance, being portion of market value attributable to structures, timber &c.                £1060
GROSS VALUE                                                                                                                           £1100
Description of Buildings                                
Brick & Slate Coach house & Stable (2)
Wood & Corrugated iron Open shed & W.C. 

Centre for Bucks Studies D/WIG/2/1/163 (Feb - July 1916)
Inventory and valuation: Mrs Lomas to Phipps & Co.

D/WIG/2/1/86 (Jan - June 1926)
Inventory and valuation of fixtures, W. Bradbury to C.R. Hall

1931: Kelly's Directory
Hall, Cha(rle)s R(ichar)d, Golden Lion P.H., High st.

1939: Kelly's Directory and Hillier's Almanack
Golden Lion P.H. (Percy Slater), 108 High st.