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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE
The lost Pubs, Breweries and Off Licences OF MIdsomeR Norton T
he current pandemic has seen huge pressures on the licensed trade with restrictions on opening hours, contact tracing, hygiene, moving from standing to sitting, social distancing etc. Sadly, due to the current restrictions it is likely that many more licensed premises will cease to trade over the coming months and years. However, a reduction in the number of local breweries, pubs and off licenses has been ongoing for many years. Whilst most people think of this area as being predominantly coal mining and printing, Welton and Midsomer Norton were also heavily involved in all aspects of the licensed trade. At one time over 120 pubs and off licences were recorded in the local area and many were little more than a front room in a house. A walk from Welton through to Midsomer Norton reflects the number of lost pubs, breweries and off licences in our area.
Despite its modest size Welton / Belle Vue was a mecca for drinkers with records showing 4 pubs, one off licence, 2 breweries and to balance that out – a Temperance Hall as well! The pubs being the Dolphin (only one surviving), Rose and Crown (Belle Vue), The Crown and The Red Cow. The off licence was The Plough and situated in Sheppard’s Rank, Belle Vue. The breweries were Welton Old Brewery, specialising in a low gravity malty beer known as mild, and Welton North Brewery producing bitter. A walk along Station Road towards Midsomer Norton takes you past the now closed Welton Bag factory that for many years was the home of the 3 Firms Club and then on to Stones Cross which in its day was a thriving coaching Inn. A quick left turn to South View Place took you to Priors’ Mineral Water factory which closed in the 1970s. A little further on down Midsomer Norton High Street would have taken you past the 3 Horseshoes (where Argos is now) and directly opposite through a stone archway was an off licence. A small property in North Way was for some years the base for the Midsomer Norton Rugby Club followed by the Midsomer Norton Conservative Club. During the Second World War the property was used to make batteries for Chloride.
Red Cow Inn at Welton Hill
Rackvernal Road also had a small pub called by various names it seems – The Bluebird, The Blackbird and the Miners' Arms.
