Two very old photos of the original Pack Horse built c1539. (Newark Houses)
of the rear building?
Eric Swift writes the name Old Pack Horse derived from the fact that the Willow Brook formerly crossed the road in an open splashway or ford and pedestrians crossed the road by an old pack-horse bridge, beside this stood an old inn.
Amongst nineteenth century licensees of the Old Pack Horse was Rowland Eagle. It is unclear how long the Eagles had been there. Alice Eagle aged 102 died at the Pack Horse in November 1824.
George Hunt was landlord circa 1831 until 1856 when illness forced him to leave. The following year he was one of the first to have chloroform in an operation at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
The Leicester Journal reported that Hunt underwent a painful operation at Leicester Royal Infirmary, being totally unconscious during the process. On recovery George was reported to be astonished to find the procedure completed without him undergoing any suffering.
In July 1839, Mrs Hunt was assaulted by a boatman Joseph Lancaster. Mrs Hunt intervened when Lancaster was kicking his wife who was laying on the ground with a child in her arms. For her trouble, Mrs Hunt herself was assaulted and left with severe lacerations on her face. For these two violent assaults Lancaster was fined two pounds.
The following year Patrick Moore, an Irishman, was charged with begging for bread in the Pack Horse. When the Hunts refused him he used threatening language and for this Moore received one month’s prison with hard labour.
Was this apparent discrepancy an indictment of how leniently wife beating was viewed, or the fact Patrick Moore was an Irishman, as the Irish suffered much racism in Leicester during this period?
By 1845, was George Hunt married again – to Hannah King.
The licence passed to John Gibbins in December 1856.
JR gives the following landlords: 1868, William Lowe; 1897, William’s widow, Ann; 1897, Richard Pick; 1916, Edmund Matthews and later the same year, Cyril Preston; 1917, Herbert Crosse; 1920, Samuel Dadley, and 1944 Ivor Shiner.
On both the Lowes’ death, the ownership passed from them to Richard Pick who surrendered the license. The pub was rebuilt, and a provisional granted 31st of March 1904 to Bass.
I used to deliver Steamin’ Billy cider here 2013-2015, before it closed.
It had a large Bar with pool table, The Woodsman was just off the Golden Mile split by road junction-roundabout which left it somewhat isolated.
It’s a shame if the building doesn’t survive. One of the very few 1970s pub designs left in Leicester.
Seems to have been totally rebuilt opened c2020 now part of the Brew & Bun cafe chain and Chilli Flames Restaurant no longer a pub. Note the Woodsman sign.
Isn’t the Criterion of similar time? Sadly also now closed. Before it reinvented as Criterion was it Nags Head and Star?
Hello John, yes the Criterion is a 1960’s build, it was originally named after the Nags Head that stood nearby, I hadn’t realised it was closed as it was a mecca for real ale drinkers.
The History of the Nags Head will be uploaded to the site in due course.
Regards
Barry
Cheers Barry. How’s Liz ? I think the Nags Head and Star was on Oxford Street, opposite the Angel.
Correct John, Liz is fine, thanks for asking. Cheers Barry
Pack Horse photo, “man behind bar” is the landlord “Dennis” until it closed, and for at least 15 years before it closed, cannot recall his surname, but it will come to me!!!.
He then moved to follow Johnny Duncan into the pub opposite Welford Road prison “Turks Head” for 5 years or so until redevelopment. He then moved to Coach and Horses Markfield until he retired maybe 1975 or so.
Thanks Chris for your informative comment and input, also your interest.