The pub was situated on the corner of Arnold St and Curzan St, (now called Madras Road).
In 1879, it was put up for sale It became owned by Brunt Brewery who were taken over by Thomas Salts, followed by Bass.
Circa 1861, Thomas Clayton licensee would entertain the beer house keepers association here.
1868-John Freeborough. 1876-Henry Thornton.1882 Harry Woodford. 1884 Henry Thornton. 1888-Ezra Thornton. 1909-Eliz Thornton. 1921 William DeBoard.1922-Walter Hickin. (Walter Hicklin & Hilda Hicklin pictured top and below photo doorway of Ivy Plant)
1929 Richard Watling. 1929- Shirley Ragg. 1935 John Hewitt. 1938-John Wood. 1941-William Green. 1944- John Merrill. 1956- John Marshall.
Inquests were held here late nineteenth century. One case in October 1880 involved the death of Mary Evans, on picking up some sticks to light the fire she splintered her thumb, which despite administering poultice, she was found dead still with her baby in her arms. The inquest found that a clot had formed caused by the thumb injury.
Another tragic case was of infant Horace Meekins, aged 13 months. His mother said she tied him to a chair in front of the fire in the kitchen to keep him warm whilst she went into the yard, she was only there about a minute when she heard screams, on returning to the kitchen she found poor Horace head first into the fire still tied to his chair. Horace died from the resulting burns.
A Beer house only until 31 March 1947, when it was granted a beer and wine licence, the Ivy Plant didn’t gain a fill licence until c1955. The whole area was redeveloped in the late 1950s early 60s, The Ivy Plant changed its name to the Carnival.
Off to the races, Ivy Plant’s ladies Skittle team and supporters June 1939
Photos of the Carnival over the years:
‘Some view’, Carnival in foreground, 1970s
1988
