Temperance Refreshment Rooms, Alton

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Date:1900 - 1910 (c.)

Description:A postcard view of the Temperance Refreshment Rooms, Station Road, Alton. The premises became known as the Ideal Café and later as the Alton Bridge Hotel.

On the left is a glimpse of the Talbot Inn. The Inn was first recorded in 1827 in the parish register, when it belonged to Thomas Weston and his wife Ann. After the death of Thomas, Ann ran the pub on her own until 1863, when it was taken over by her son Matthew. Other family members followed Matthew as licensee, until the pub was taken over by William and Margaret Green. In an advertisement of around 1900 the Talbot is described as being 'only three minutes from the Railway Station' and is noted as selling 'Worthington's Noted Burton Ales' and 'Guiness's Dublin Stout'. William and Hannah Parrington were the next owners of the inn. Mr Parrington was known for his kindness to customers, and often gave free pints to those out of work during the Depression. He was also a good cricketer and coached many of the village's youngsters. When William died in 1942, Hannah took over the pub's running until 1950. Their son Bill and his wife Sheila carried on the family business, and inherited the family parrot Polly, a popular attraction for customers. The couple ran the Talbot for many years. Bill died in 1975 and his widow retired in 1981.

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Donor ref:01_096r (214/36387)

Source: Mr Jake Whitehouse

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