Page 13 - Closed Pubs and Breweries issue 2

The 15th century building in the foreground of the photograph on the right
has had a variety of uses, including (from the start of the 20th century) that of
a public house called The Cricketers. In this photo it had very recently been
converted into a fish and chip shop.

13. Queen’s Arms, 31 Rose Street, existed in 1901, now a private
property

This building was purchased by
William Bremner, the minister at
Wokingham and the Master at Lucas
Hospital, from a bequest in the will
of Martha Palmer in 1795 and was
fitted out as “The Maiden School”.

In 1842 the school was
amalgamated with the National Infants School at 21 Rose Street.

By 1875 the National Schools were reformed as the Palmer Schools and
relocated to new buildings. The trustees then rented out 31 Rose Street. The
first tenant was James Seaward, a chimney sweep, with a wife and growing
family, who lived there for 44 years.

It is believed that James was the inspiration for Charles Kingsley’s “Tom" in
the “Water Babies”.
14. The Metropolitan, 58 Rose Street, now the Grasshopper Wine &
Cocktail Bar.

This photograph taken about 1920 shows the landlord and some of his
customers outside the Metropolitan beer shop in Rose Street.

th
The owner is wearing the bowler hat and shirtsleeves. The building is a 15
century hall-house, modified over the centuries to meet the needs of its
owners.

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