| The History of The Great Western Arms
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Up until only 15 years ago the village boasted shops, banks and at one time there were a total of 7 pubs. Now only The Great Western, and two other hotels remain. The Great Western Arms is now tenanted to Andy and Sharon Pearce through Hook Norton Brewery so you can be sure to find a 1st class pint of Hooky’s famous bitter on sale, but the history of The Great Western Arms goes back a long, long way.... |
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| The Great Western in 2009 | ||
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Blockley is often described as the secret village of the Cotswolds and boasts a great deal of historical heritage. The village is reported to have been the first to have mains electricity connected, generated by waterwheels in Blockley Brook, and where the first paper bags were made. Many of the properties housed the old silk mills.
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| The Great Western in 1912 | ||
| The pub itself looks from the outside like 2 houses which have been joined together. The right hand side of the pub used to belong to the Blacksmith (see the figure to the right of the cart with the sledge hammer?) who had his workshop in the entrance to what is now the pub car park as can be seen in this picture taken in the late 19th century. |
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| The Great Western and Station Road circa 1880-1900 | ||
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The pub has 2 rooms; one is now the restaurant and the other houses a pool table, juke box and darts board. Dogs are welcome in the pool room. |
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| The Great Western in 1888 | ||
| Another view of the pub and Station Road showing the Great Western Arms "Sick & Divi" Society banner being paraded outside the pub on a nice bright summers day in 1897 or thereabouts. (The Blacksmith's forge and workshop can be clearly seen in the background sporting the sign; " J. Bishop. Shoeing and General Smith.) |  |
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The Great Western circa 1897 |
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Sharon & Andy Pearce,
The Great Western Arms, Station Road,
Blockley,
Gloucestershire,
GL56 9DT.
Telephone: 01386 700362. Email: greatwesternarms@btconnect.com
Great Western Arms, Blockley - 'Best Website' at the Hooky Gold Awards on Tuesday 20th April, 2010.
