A Pint of History Please

Exploring the History of Ceredigion's Pubs

Details of pub: Black Bull, Aberystwyth

Other names:
Address/Location: Mary Street (now lower Terrace Road)
OS Grid Ref: SN5849581640 approx
Opened: before 1865      
Closed: after 1868       Type: Pub
Summary: In 1865, a police officer was ordered by his superintendent to go around the town ‘in coloured clothes’ (presumably work clothes rather than a uniform) to find out which pubs were selling drinks after hours. One Saturday night, after midnight, the officer entered the Black Bull pub, ordered a glass of ale and saw others doing the same. The landlord told him that the police could never catch them selling anything after hours, as they always let the police knock three times before they admitted them, and by that time they were able to remove the glasses.
In 1866, the landlord called the police to the pub to apprehend John Evans who was very drunk and had been fighting. The Mayor said that as this was the second time the prisoner had been brought up for this offence and they must make an example of him, hoping that would cure him. He was fined £5, or in default of payment, to be imprisoned with hard labour in Cardigan Gaol for two months.
In 1899, Thomas Davies of the Black Bull was preparing to rebuild numbers 2 and 4 Terrace Road, suggesting that this was where it was.


Notes: 1865
PETTY SESSIONS ABERYSTWITH. Tuesday, 31st January, 1
Drunk and Disorderly. Ebenezer Morris was charged with being drunk and riotous on the preceding Tuesday. P. C. Thomas Thomas sworn: On Tuesday night, the 24th inst., about twelve o'clock, complainant was called into the Black Bull public house, to clear it out. Defendant was there at the time.
AO 4.2.1865

1865
AFTER HOURS. P.C. John Jones, sworn: Witness bad been ordered by the superintendent to come to Aberystwith in coloured clothes, and find out if there were any houses open or selling after hours On the night of Saturday, the 4th inst., after twelve o'clock, witness went to the Black Bull public-house. When he went in, there were a number of glasses on the table, and people were there drinking. It was then after twelve o'clock, and witness called for a glass of ale, which was brought to him, and he paid for it. After the door was shut, two men came there and knocked, and were admitted. One of them had rum, and stopped for fifteen minutes. Whilst witness was there, defendant told him that the police could never catch them selling anything after hours, as they always let the police knock three times before they admitted them, and by that time they were able to remove the glasses.
[Landlady not named]
Aberystwyth Observer 18.3.1865

Reports on drunkenness:
Aberystwyth Observer 28/10/1865

"P.O. John Jones charged Evan Davies of Mary-street, victualler, with selling beer in prohibited hours. The Complainant, on the morning of Sunday, the 5th inst., a few minutes after twelve o clock, went in to the defendant's house, known as the Black Bull, in private clothes, and soon afterwards two persons knocked at the door, were admitted, and supplied with beer in the presence of the constable. The defendant was fined 5s, and 5s 6d costs" Welshman 17 March 1865

1866
PETTY SESSIONS, ABERYSTWYTH. Tuesday, 22nd May, 1866. Before John Davies, Esq., Mayor and Richard Roberts, Esq. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. P.C. David Evans, sworn On Saturday evening about 5 o'clock, witness was called into the Black Bull public house by the landlord, who said there was fighting in the house. On entering saw the prisoner, John Evans, whose face was covered with blood. He was very drunk. The house was full; but they all went out quietly. When they got to the street the prisoner became noisy. Endeavoured to take him towards his lodgings, but as soon as witness left him he returned to the same place. He followed the party with whom he had been fighting to North Parade. They then fought again. Then took him into custody. On the way to the Lock-up the prisoner assaulted witness several times. The Mayor said that as this was the second time the prisoner had been brought up for this offence, they must make an example of him, hoping that would cure him.
Fined £5, or in default of payment, to be imprisoned with hard labour in Cardigan Gaol for two months.
[Landlord not named]
Aberystwyth Observer 26/5/1866

1867
Report of theft at the Black Bull
AO 26.1.1867

1867
POLICE STATION, ABERYSTWYTH. Friday, 24th May, 1867.. Before John Davies, Esq. LARCENY. Thomas Davies, a militia man, was brought up in custody charged with stealing a tin box containing a hawkers' license and invoices the property of William Regan, on the 23rd inst. at the Black Bull public house in this this town. Case remanded till Tuesday next.
AO 25.5.1867
1868
licensee: Evan Davies, Mary Street.
(Slater's Directory 1868)

1899
Mr Thomas Davies (Black Bull) presented plans of 2 and 4, Terrace-road, and the Mayor understood that Mr Davies was going on with the work in order to get it ready by next May. The houses would be put back rive feet. He understood that Mr Fear was prepared to go on with his premises as soon as he could get terms and in a short time it was hoped the street would be widened.
CN 17.11.1899


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