In July 1831, Robert Bates, landlord of the Rail Road Inn (could this be the Railway Inn?) was charged by informer, Elias Price, who claimed he went past the Mitre on the West Bridge after time and on to the Rail Road which was still open. Landlord Bates replied that he wasn’t home that night: he had been in the north of the town, and going home he passed his daughter, Harriet Bates in the Shambles who told him she had locked up the beerhouse for the night. Robert Bates was still fined 40/- plus costs.
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