GOING, GOING, GONE!

DEMOLITION IN PROGRESS AT THE "LAMP & MANTLE"               Photograph courtesy of J.D.H.Chapman

Local landmark the "Lamp & Mantle" pub has at last been demolished after standing empty for some considerable time, during which it was the target of continued vandalism as well as arson. The site has been purchased by Orchard Homes and is to be re-developed as flats. This marks the end of the site as a pub, previously known as the "New Inn", an earlier pub building on this site dated back to at least 1834 possibly earlier. This large area was once the centre of the old village of West End (known as Westend in those days) complete with a village pond on the large Green that once stood in the front, the scene of travelling fairs, village gatherings not to mention the bare-knuckle prize fights. So after well over a century and a half of service to the village we say good bye to "The Lamp".