Page 7 - Closed Pubs and Breweries issue 2

4. The Half Moon, 1700 – 1786, built on the site of what is now Royal
Mail Delivery Office.

This was a licensed 17th century house. They,
like several inns and alehouses organised
local entertainments. In 1779 Jacob Pocock,
the licensee, advertised a bull-baiting event to
take place in the pub’s garden. The main
location for bull-baiting was the Market Place
where this took place once a year on St. Thomas’ Day (21st December).

George Staverton, a butcher who died in 1661, bequeathed a house, the rent
from which was to provide two bulls to be tethered and to be baited by dogs.
The meat and leather retrieved from the slaughter was later given to the poor
people of the town. One bull’s tongue was given to the Alderman and the
other to the Town Clerk. The practice was discontinued in 1821 by an Act
against cruelty to animals.

Continue down on the left-hand side and look into Central Walk:-

5. Baker’s Brewery/The Wokingham Brewery

Was in Central Walk Earlier from: Wokingham – A Pictorial History /
J&R Lea

Originally Baker's Brewery, it became known as The Wokingham Brewery
late in the 19th century. By this time, it had acquired at least four public

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