The Fox and Hounds seems to have been built circa 1838, when a new licence was granted to William Mossendue. The licence was taken on by his wife until 1853, when she – by now aged 78 – put the pub up for auction. It was advertised as possessing:
Front Parlour, tap room, bar, kitchen, six beds, brewhouse, stabling for 12 horses, saddle and coach houses, piggeries and other out buildings, together with two dwelling houses in the yard.
The licence was transferred to Henry Beckett later that year.
Henry Beckett was at the Fox & Hounds for around fifteen years, George Horsepool being the ostler. In 1860, a soldier, John Atkin, was billeted at the pub, sleeping in the ostler’s room. In the morning the soldier was gone, and so was George’s watch. George, together with John Mossendue took a horse and cart to look for the thief, catching up with him the other side of Loughborough.
John Mossendue affected an arrest. For the theft of the watch Atkin received two months hard labour. After being ostler for sixteen years, George died at the pub, being described in the press as a ‘faithful servant’ to Mr Beckett.
The Orton family took over from Henry Beckett for the next twenty years. Alterations took place circa 1894.
LBM bought the property in 1898. Further alterations were made in 1933.
The last licensees were Stanley and Joyce Bindley who were there from 1957 until 1965 (info John Bindley, son).
A fascinating resource Thanks…According to his obit William Mossendue had been a Coachman on the Lounde Abbey estate for 24 years before becoming a Publican. The Becketts who took over the pub were William’s daughter Jane and son in law Henry. the Orton’s who came next were William’s Grandson Samuel Thomas Orton and his wife. Another Grandson (Samuel Thomas Orton’s brother) Alfred Orton known as “Captain Orton” appears in the Papers a lot between the 1860’s to 90’s as a travel ling Showman or Aeronaut putting on displays with his Balloons and with an assistant Parachuting from them!
Thanks Val, fascinating info, just what we are hoping to receive, paints a more human picture to the pub. .
Correction the “Captain Orton Balloonist” link is incorrect …sorry. The Alfred Orton connected to the pub was not the Balloonist (who haled from London) but he was a traveling showman/Actor whose children also had theatre related careers in South Wales and Cornwall so very interesting and also making the news!
Many Thanks for a Great site.