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Research shows that the
earliest family's residing or with financial influence in the
village were Tovee, Worraker and Going, and they ran the following
establishments, Richard Tovee the 'Chelmer Brig', Thomas Warraker
'Warrakers Beerhouse', and Edward Tovee the 'Jolly Sailor', in
that order. Although both opening before 1800 it is not known
whether it was the 'Chelmer Brig' or 'Warraker's Beerhouse' that
opened first. There is no evidence that the often proclaimed
'Jolly Sailor' was the first drinking establishment, let alone
it's claim to have been built before the canal (when there was
no road to it or village to supply patrons). There has also been
confusion over there being a connection between the 'Chelmer
Brig' and 'The Old Ship'. There was no connection between these
two businesses. The 'Chelmer Brig', was in the little end cottage
at No1 Lock Hill. The licence for 'The Old Ship', was transferred
from Bill Stone to the slightly later built larger building on
the corner of Lock Hill, next door to No1, where it now stands. |
