Currently owned by Mitchells & Butler, but originally Lancashire Breweries and has remained a public house since it was first built. It was described at the time it was opened as "one of the handsomest hotels in one of the prettiest districts in the Fylde". It stood on a site 1 acre, 1 rood and 6 perches, and was previously a combined public / dwelling house owned by several people: Jeanette Bailey, Alice Green, Alice Whiteside, Seth Bond, Annie Bond and Jane Anne Barnes. The site was known as Marsh Meadow and Sandyforth Nook and its land ran through to Woodland Avenue at the rear. Along with other buildings there were yards, gardens and stables. In 1935 the land to the front of the building was sold to Lancashire County Council to make room for the wider road. In 1961 the land to the rear was sold to make way for houses which are now part of Woodland Avenue. Picture Postcard This picture was taken on Gala day in 1912. The gentleman in the top hat and morning suit is Mr. Smethurst the landlord. The first storey windows are the original design of small squares in the upper lights of what appear to be sashes, the design is still seen today in the second storey above. The first storey windows have since been replaced with modern ones. The decorated Shire horse was a famous feature of galas until WWII. |