Lock down sketching and historic pubs!

The lock down has been a challenging time for many, not least for our beloved local Pubs. I used the lock down to practice my sketching (being a Conservation Architect) and I chose somewhere very special to me - The Turkey Inn, Goose Eye! I love this particular Pub, it has so many stories, and is beloved by many of the locals in Goose Eye (I have a particular memory of being snowed in here one Christmas with my now husband!). This pub was recently made even more special by the fact that my brother has bought this wonderful establishment with his partner (I did the sketch as a present!).

There is so much character and history attached to pubs like this. Not only were they a location for drinking and socialising, they were also a place for holding inquests, important community meetings and auctions to name but a few. 

The Turkey Inn was primarily set up to serve the workers at the former Goose Eye Mill, (est. 1797) originally a cotton mill which went on to produce paper which was turned into bank notes for countries throughout the commonwealth. The first reference we could find for the Turkey Inn was when an auction was held there on the 20th March 1846.

For those of us interested in the history of Pubs, Historic England have written a great article on 11 listed pubs with fascinating histories as well as an article on Britain’s most haunted pubs that are worth checking out. 

https://heritagecalling.com/2020/06/24/11-listed-pubs-with-fascinating-histories/

https://heritagecalling.com/2017/10/24/licence-to-chill-11-of-englands-most-haunted-pubs/

With the recent Covid restrictions Pubs are under even more pressure and need all the help they can get.  I can't wait to get back into The Turkey Inn post lock down, even if it just for a half of our local Goose Eye bitter and to enjoy the social again!