IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
High Street, WELSHPOOL, SY21 7JU

Difficult shot to take as there is a large bus shelter directly in front of the pub

Along with 20, 21 and 22 are a block of 3 Grade II Listed houses built as a single development by the Powis Estate about 1740. 21 & 22 incorporated earlier fabric. A desk-top study in 2002 by Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust demonstrated that the High Street frontage was occupied by at least 1629. An excavation demonstrated evidence, with a small assemblage of medieval artefacts, that the plot may have been occupied during the 14th or 15th century, presumably forming part of a rear yard to properties fronting onto High Street. No.21, 5 floors from cellar to attic is a 1,644 sq ft 3 bedroom house. I assume 22 is a similar reflected plan.

Unfortunately they allowed a bus stop to be put directly in front of the building. Grade II Listed building that was very probably an early 16th-century merchant's house that was substantially remodelled in the 1890s by Frank Hearn Shayler FRIBA (1854-1954), architect, of Shrewsbury (who added some decorative timber pieces of his own). Early illustrations show that prior to this it had a thatched roof, and that the timbering was not exposed. The building was once known as the Black Boy Inn. The pub closed in 2008 but seems to have had a short lived revival in 2010. Its doors closed for the final time in 2012 having been an inn for over 200 years. Planning for change of use to "form ground floor residential unit (C3) and modification of existing first floor residential unit (C3)" was granted in April 2013. A search of my directories found the following landlords; 1828-1859 John Sparrow; 1868 David Parry; 1895 William Harry Rudge*; 1901 Mermaid but no landlord given; 1903-1912 Jane Rudge; 1918 Mermaid but no landlord given. *Harry Rudge was well known as a jockey. In 1896 a two-year old colt bolted and Harry fell to the ground and was kicked on his forehead. He died at the inn three days later, aged 35.

Grade II Listed property with a date stone for 1715 marked LL over W M (Walter and Magdalen Lloyd who built it). The front gable is probably early 19th century and may be a re-orientation of an earlier roofline parallel to the street, and the creation of an attic storey. The shop front could well be original with 20th century modification. 'Hair by Em' moved in 2015-16 having previously been 'Sew It Seems' and having empty for a while prior to that. The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales was incorporated at this address in May 2022. Cut the Carbon Now Limited (registered 2007) was deregistered here August 2012.

Grade II Listed public house probably late 16th or early 17th century but raised in height late in the 18th century. The Talbot was previously known as The Corner House. Reportedly, in the 19th century the entrance was flanked by a pair of marbled Tuscan columns. My early directories don't list a Corner House but list the Talbot as in Broad Street (The Mermaid at 28 is listed in High Street). It is possible that around 1830 the pub was called the 'Pack Horse' that is not then listed in the 1844 directory with the Talbot in High Street. The 1961 Welsh History Review quotes a description of the old 'Pack-horse Inn' as a "half-timbered building of Elizabethan date" (1558–1603). At time of writing, August 2022, Google reports the pub as temporarily closed and Admiral Taverns are advertising for a tenant. There is also an outstanding planning application for reconfiguration and refurbishment of the building. A search of my directories found; 1828 'Talbot'-Broad Street, William Thomas, 'Pack Horse', John & Mary Price; 1835 'Talbot'-Broad Street, Joseph Griffiths, 'Pack Horse', Margaret Price; 1844 'Talbot', Richard Oliver; 1859-1868 'Talbot', Evan Bowan; 1895 'Talbot', Thomas Ellis; 1903 'Old Talbot', E Ellis; 1901, 1912 & 1918 'Old Talbot', no landlord given.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) was a British national hero after his defeat of Napoleon 1 at Waterloo, 1815. He had earlier had a distinguished military career in India and Spain. Between 1828-30 he was prime minister, later he was foreign secretary 1834-35. His popularity may be judged by the fact that he is mentioned on more pub signs than anyone except Lord Nelson.

"The No 1 Fish and Chip Shop in Wales"

Andrew's Fish Bar, Welshpool.