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Proposal for compensation, Ship & Black Lion, Pennant

Source: Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser 7/02/1908       Date: 1908
Copyright:       Type: Newspaper
Description: Chief constable objects to the renewal of the Ship Inn and Black Lion in Pennant as not required. Detailed descriptions of the properties and their customer base. Objections noted, but licences renewed.

Notes:BREWSTER SESSIONS. The adjourned Brewster Sessions were held on Wednesday (yesterday), Major Price Lewes presiding. Ship Inn. t Chief Constable Williams mentioned that at the last Court he was instructed by the bench to oppose the renewal of the two licenses at Pennant, and the ground of objections were that the licenses were not required to meet the requirements of the district, and that the existence of the licences rendered the number of licensed houses excessive.
Mr. D. Pennant James appeared for the owner and tenant. P.C. Young said this was a six-day licensed house in the parish of Llanbadarn Trefeglwys on the road from Llanon to Ystrad, opposite a Methodist Chapel. It had three rooms on the ground floor and three rooms and a boxroom upstairs. The stables sufficient to keep 8 or 9 horses were not very good .and the sanitary conveniences of an ordinary character. The nearest house not objected to was Cross Inn two miles away which was a very convenient house. The trade of the Ship Inn was very small. its rateable value was £ 5 5s. The trade of the Cross Inn was very fair, and its rateable value £3 The population of Llanbadarn in 1891 was 731, in 1901 of 687 a decrease oi 44. Witness knew the locality, and from his knowledge the Ship Inn and Black Lion were least required, and on account of its not being on the Square and opposite the chapel the Ship Inn was not required at all.
Cross-examined by Mr. James: It was a very old house. There was no other public stables in the village, except the stable attached to the chapel, he did not knew that farmers came there to pay Mr. Roberts, Aberystwyth, their tithes. He admitted that improvements had been carried out, and it was much improved lately. There were accomodation for travellers what was not before. It had a large court in front of the house convenient to put vehicles. The Rev. W. Richards, C.M., minister, Llanon, said he had the charge of the chapel at Pennant, and had known the locality for six or seven years. He did not think that public-houses in the parish were required, and the least required at Pennant was the Ship Inn. li was not required at all. In your opinion do you think that any public house is required. Witness: No. I say that no public house is required. It is very inconsistent to have a public-house in front of a chapel. Mr. James: Which was the first in existence the chapel or the public-house ? Mr. Richards: I don't know. Replying to Mr. Morgan Evans witness said he did not object to houses convenient, to travellers. Rhys J. Thomas, of Lluest, said he was acquainted with the locality, and with the three public houses in the parish of Llanbadarn. He did not think that three were required, and the Ship Inn was not required at all. Asked by Mr. James to give his knowledge of public-houses, witness repeated the tale of a woman who had gone to the Ship Inn for wine and brandy, but failed to get them. By failing to supply, the house failed in its duty. There had been competitive meetings in the chapel, but as the young people crossed over to the public-house and conducted themselves unseemly, the meetings were discontinued. The stables had been very much improved lately, but it would not be a pity to do away with the house. Witness said he was a teetotaler and his objection did not arise from that fact, as he was quite tolerant. He did not think any public-house. There was not much traffic in the district, and even if the two licenses at Pennant were done away with there would be no loss as all alcoholics were required. Witness was a deacon, and the caretaker of the chapel had been requested to grant the use of the stalls to visitors as well as chapel members. Replying to Mr. Morgan Evans witness said even if the Ship Inn was taken away there were people ready to give accomodation to horses. He knew of one person who was prepared to take the Ship Inn and con- vert it into refreshment rooms. He did not see the necessity of the Ship Inn as very seldom he saw anyone staying there. Replying to Mr. James, witness said the competitive meetings did not cease because the debt of the chapel had been cleared. There never was debt on the chapel. In support of the renewal, Mr. Pennant James, called David Davies, Tynffynon, whe said he knew the locality well for 23 years, He travelled the district as income tax collector, and the tithes of Cilcennin and Llanbadarn were collected at this house. Farmers from a distance used the stables sometimes on those occasions. Witness attended the ploughing match at Garnfoel, and saw vehicles outside the inn. The stables were used now and again, and there was a very convenient front. A river flowed by, and convenient for horses to get water. He always put up there. Cross-examined by the Chief Constable: Witness said there was no other stable for a man to put up his horse if the man did not want to enter a public-house. It would be an advantage to get a refreshment house as well as a public house. In reply to the Chairman witness believed a man could get a decent meal there. The Chairman said he asked the question because it was very important, and what the Act called for. By Mr. James: There are other houses in the village which can be converted into refreshment houses. Mr. John Morgan Pantyperran, Bow Street, the owner, said he bought the house about 10 years ago. When he bought it, it was in a bad state of repair, only one room upstairs which lie partitioned into three bedrooms. He floored the parlour and erected new stables, racks and manger. There was accomodation for 10 horses. Recently, he had enlarged the windows, constructed new doors, and it would be painted. He was told that the house was 300 years old. He was prepared to put it in a good state as required by the Act. There had been no convictions against the house since he had it. It as about half-a-mile from the churchyard, and persons attending funerals used the stables on those occasions. Cross-examined by the Chief Constable witness said the rent was £ 10.

The Black Lion. P.C. Young said the owner was Mr. Evan Morgan, and the house had a six day license. It was on the cross road in Pennant, and composed of a kitchen, parlous, bar, cellar, and back kitchen on the ground floor, and three good-sized bedrooms on the, first floor. It did a fair trade in his opinion, better than at the Ship Inn. The rateable value was £4, and the rent £5. Three licensed houses were not required in the parish of Llanbadarn; and the Ship Inn and Black Lion was not required. Cross-examined by Mr. D. P. James who represented the licensee, witness said it was a good house, and too convenient at times. He had had trouble with children, and when he dispersed them three or four went into the Black Lion, and he did not like to see beer before young children. The petition was signed by about 70 persons, some of whom were of good position. Replying to Capt. Timothy, witness said the only reason he could give for the house being so cheap was because the former owner brewed his own, and allowed the tenant to get at such a low rent in order to cell the beer. The Rev. W. Richards and Mr. Rhys Thomas questioned as to the origin the petition, Mr. Thomas said he made the heading, and it as not signed by anyone under 10 years of age. They could not assign no reason why the petition was not submitted. Mrs. Lloyd, the licensee, said she had been tenant to Mrs. Morgan, The Green for 38 years, and had her beer from the old Llanon brewery and because she had sold that beer she got the house cheap. She conjectured who signed the petition. She did not know where people would get spirits during illnesses if her house was closed. She provided refreshments, and there was no other house except theirs and the Ship which provided refreshments. There were private houses which could be converted into refreshment houses. 'Cross-examined by the Chief Constable: There were no private houses with stables attached. By the Bench: she provided accomodation for travellers. Mr. Pennant James forr the Bench, said the Chief Constable had already made, a good harvest this year having had already 13 licensed houses referred to Quarter Sessions for compensation. In giving the Justices decision, the Chair- man intimated that they had taken everything into consideration, and they are of opinion that the licenses should be renewed, and pointed out it would be a very good movement to start a temperance house in the village.
Linked to
Black Lion , Pennant
Northey's Temperance and Commercial Hotel , 21 Chalybeate Street, Aberystwyth
Ship Inn , Pennant

Total: 2