The Old Bowling Green Hotel

Yesterday I promised more stories of the Bowling Green Hotel, and so here they are, taken from my forthcoming book, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, A Community Transformed. http://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/2011/11/chorlton-cum-hardy-community.html

“It boasted a bay window and with its other additions at the side and back had a haphazard appearance as if it had yet to be finished off. Having said that, it was still more impressive than the other pubs and there was no mistaking its name for it not only had it painted a little way above the bay window but had a large sign board proclaiming itself as the Bowling Green Hotel running the length of the building.

This was the chosen venue for the sick and burial club meetings, and no doubt a popular stopping off place on route from the church and despite it close proximity to a farm it could boast views of the village pond with its little island and opportunities for fishing.

Its publican George Whitelegg was a busy man. As well as running the pub he farmed 22 acres and played an important part in village life. He was appointed Overseer for the Poor in 1841 and took his turn at chairing the meetings of the rate payers. And at one meeting the interests of pub and ratepayers overlapped as the meeting resolved to adjourn to his pub. George may have needed many different ways of making money. By 1851 he had four daughters one son and employed four servants. And other ways of making money he found. In 1860 he built the houses which still stand on High Lane known as Stockton Range.”

Picture; seldom seen side of the old Bowling Green Hotel from the collection of Tony Walker