The Bell at Lower Broadheath.
basil | 4/25/2006 | 10:30 am
The Bell Inn, Stores and Bakery at Lower Broadheath. Parkbarn Archive.
According to old maps the Bell Inn was known in the 19’th century as “The Bell Hotel” it is the oldest Public house in the village. Cider was made on the premises until the 1950’s
The Hayward family ran the Bell for more than forty years, a coal, firewood yard and haulage business was also operated by them from here. A high wall with tall gates surrounded the yard and buildings.
An old wooden building at the side of the Bell, called “The Clubhouse” was used as the venue for a number of village activities. The football team used it as their changing room for home games. The Red Cross also met here for many years. The building is still in use today.
A large lawn at the rear with a “summer house” was extremely popular with families in the summer evenings. Guinea fowl were kept here.
Frank Hayward was a “Winston Churchill” lookalike, always making a popular appearance at the local fete.
An unusual feature at the Bell was the single petrol pump situated in front of bar window, probably the only source of petrol for the district.
In later times the annex at side of The Bell was demolished to allow road widening.
The high wall at north side of The Bell carried large advertising hoardings, this was reduced in size when buildings were removed.
Today in it’s place there is a telephone box and a mobile phone mast.
A useful feature has recently been situated here by the Parish Council, a direction board and map showing every house in the village.
Lower Broadheath 1920’s. Parkbarn Archive.
Croft Villa in centre of picture was the first village Post Office, the Postmistress was Mrs Griffiths.
Opposite to Croft Villa, Mansel Perkins “The Midnight Milkman” was the local dairyman at Woodbine Cottage for many years.
He aquired the title because of his tendency to leave his deliveries later and later, until you did not know if you were getting todays milk early or yesterdays milk late.
