Horses singed while you wait in the King's Head yard

Once upon a time, not so long ago, as my grandfather told me, it was not possible to walk a few hundred yards around St. Neots without succumbing to the temptation of local drink and gossip, as so many inns and pubs lay in wait for you. Our townscapes are rapidly changing and once local fixtures such as the King’s Head Inn are no more (06 2006 Photo). A deed drawn up in 1710 described it as “formerly known as The Wyldeman”. The change of name is likely to have occurred in about 1660 when the return of Charles II to the country, and the Restoration of the Monarchy led to many inns and alehouses assuming royal names as a loyal gesture. It was a coaching inn in 1830 when the Oundle coach called there on three days a week. Trade increased and by 1840 The Wrestlers, which was then next door, was bought and amalgamated with The King’s Head, although The Wrestlers licence moved to New Street when its old building was sold. In 1850 The King’s Head was described as “one of the best inns in the town” with a clubroom, numerous bedrooms and stabling for 50 horses. By 1901 the inn was the headquarters of St Neots Football Club and the National Cycling Union, and its proprietor, T. W. Conyers, specialised in billiards tables and equipment, providing a billiards room where doubtless his cues, balls and other equipment were for sale. In the later 20th C the former stables served as a clubroom for the Jazz Club, the Folk Club and as a dressing room for performances of Shakespeare in the yard by the St Neots Players. In its Victorian heyday its yard saw much activity, including auctions and ‘while you wait’ horse services such as the one placed in the St. Neots Advertiser on the 8th October 1864:- OWEN SANDERS. Horse Clipper, BEGS most respectfully to return his sincere thanks to his numerous supporters for the patronage he has received during the 25 years he has been in St. Neote, and trusts, by paying strict personal attention to all orders with which he may be favoured, to merit a continuance of their support. O. S. has Stabling, with Loose Boxes, in the King's Head Inn Yard, with every convenience for Clipping and Singeing Horses by Gas. Attwood's Apparatus is fitted up in two Boxes, so that Servants can attend, and Singe their Employer's Horses themselves, on moderate terms. Visit your local museum shop to find not only publications on the history of the town but a wide and unique collection of cards & gifts for all the family. Thanks to a 2002 edition of St. Neots History Society newsletter for information about the inn..

By Peter Ibbett