Public Houses

History:-Public Houses

The 20th century has seen the disappearance of most of the public houses, apart from two notable exceptions. In the old days there were "beer houses" at which home-brewed beer was sold, being advertised by a bush hanging at the entrance, the name "Beerhouse" at sygate is misleading, for in tudor times it was "Beerhouse", and nearby was a Bearyard Green. It is probable that there was a pit for bear-baiting there, for it was a popular sport at that time. In 1830 the Beer Act authorised householders who paid £2.00 for a licence, and could produce three neighbours as sureties, to open a beer shop. Such establishments became popular meeting places, and were blamed for an increase in crime in rural areas. The village inns enjoyed a better reputation, but only two survive today in our village, The Bell Inn in the High Street also now do bed and breakfast and the Ratcatchers at Eastgate.

Five others have closed since 1950, The Plough at Sygate, (formerly the Plough Light) once an Inn, which centuries ago was the old Guild-Hall of Cawston's farm workers, from here on Plough Monday, the first Monday after the Twelfth Night they would go in procession to the Church for the Blessing of the Plough before starting work in the fields.
The Lamb near the Church, The Friendship at Eastgate, The Kings Head on the Market Hill and the Woodrow on the Holt Road. The last named was widely known on account of its prominent sign which hung above the main road. Three other pubs of earlier days were the Prince of Wales in Chapel Street. the White Horse in New Street, diagonally opposite to the Old School, and the Cock on the Holt Road, the site of Dix's Farm.

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