A Pint of History Please

Exploring the History of Ceredigion's Pubs

Details of pub: Golden Lion, Cardigan / Aberteifi

Other names:
Address/Location: Chancery Lane
OS Grid Ref: SN1779146073
Opened: c.      
Closed: 1910       Type: Pub
Summary: In existence 1850-1910 (Glen Johnson's list from Trade Directories, Census returns etc.)
Described as Alehouse (not PH) on compensation notice 1909

"The Golden Lion was the only house, and the only dwelling house, in the lane. The house was small, with two rooms on the ground floor used for customers, viz., a tap room 12ft. by lift. 3 inches, and back parlour 10ft. 3 inches by ft. 8 inches. There was a back kitchen also on the ground floor, 10ft. 9 inches by 10ft. 2 inches. There were three bedrooms in the house, all on the first floor. There was a stable connected with the house, but the two lettings were different, and there was no connection between the stable and the house. There was room for three horses in the stable. There was no urinal at the house, and the back-yard was very small." WGWWA 6 Feb 1908 - full report att.

1881 Census
Only Pub in Chancery Lane is the Swan Inn at No 4, Dinah Davies, 46, Mar, Public House Keeper. Golden Lion not mentioned.
1871 Census there is a Beer retailer next to the Swan (no.3), at No. 2

Building now demolished. It's the car park at the rear of healthhaus and Bump&Baby (2016)

Notes: 1861
MARRIAGES: "On the 18th instant, at Cardigan, Mr. John Havard, cabinetmaker, &c., of Bridge-end, Cardigan, to Miss Phoebe Davies, of the Golden Lion Inn, Cardigan. " Welshman 29 March 1861

1871 Census (probably)
Elizabeth Higgon(?) 69 Wid Ale and Beer retailer

1887
DEATHS: "HIGGON-On the 20th January, at Old Market Lane (the residence of her daughter), Cardigan, Mrs Elizabeth Higgon, formerly of the Golden Lion, Chancery Lane, Cardigan, aged 84 years. " CN 28 Jan 1887
1888
Margaret Williams landlady charged with served pint of beer on a Sunday. Actually served by 12 year old Maria Blake. CN 27 April 1888

1891 Census
Margaret Williams, Sing, 58, Lic Vic,
2 x female domestic servants

1901 Census
Ellen Richards Wid 41 Innkeeper
Dau Edith 13

1905
Petty Sessions: Cardigan; number on list: 37; name of premises: Golden Lion; Parish / Place: Cardigan; Licensee: Richards, Ellen; owner or tenant : tenant; registered owner : J Evans, Post Office, Cardigan; free or tied: free; tied to: [blank]; type of licence: full; on or off licence: on; number of licenced days per week: 6. (1905 list)
1909
Edith Richards, licensee

1909
"According to a Cardigan newspaper, the 29th of September was a fateful date for the late Mrs. Richards, the Golden Lion Inn, in that town. On the 29th September, nine years ago, her husband was drowned at sea. Mrs. Richards was born on the 29th Sep- tember, took to her bed through illness on the 29th September last year, and she was buried on the 29th September this year. Moreover, she entered on the tenancy of the Golden Lion on the 29th September, and closed her tenancy on the 29th September. A most remarkable coincidence of dates" Cymro a'r Celt Llundain 13 Nov 1909
1909
"Mr T J Kendal, solicitor, appeared on behalf of Miss Edith Richards, daughter of the present licensee of the Golden Lion, now in asylum, and formally applied for the transfer to her. The chief constable opposed on the grounds that the applicant was not the proper person to make the application, as only the licensee or person in occupation could do so. Miss Richards, sworn, said she had made arrangements to keep the house, and had paid rent since her mother had been away. The Chief Constable said the next ground of objection was that the house was not required, and he had other objections. The Bench, after a long consultation, granted the applicant a temporary transfer, subject to renewal of the licence by the Quarter Sessions. " County Echo 4 Feb 1909

1910
Closed, Compensation £506
(County Licencing Committee, 1905-1938 Ceredigion Archives, Cards/QS/L/1)




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