Bell Inn, 2 High Street, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
pub history index of Shepton Mallet
Listed at Market Place in 1881 census
Bell, 2 High Street, Shepton Mallet
Kindly provided by Terry Cliss
Directory of Pubs in the UK, historical public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Somerset.
Residents at this address.
1861/William Newman/Inn Keeper/26/Shepton Mallet, Somerset/Census
1861/Eliza Newman/Sister/32/Shepton Mallet, Somerset/Census
1861/Teresa Chippett/Sister/27/Shepton Mallet, Somerset/Census
1861/Fanny Chippett/Niece/8/Shepton Mallet, Somerset/Census
+ Boarders
1881/William E Lugg/Inn Keeper/34/Beer Regis, Dorset/Census
1881/Susan Lugg/Wife/29/Beer Regis, Dorset/Census
1881/Arthur Phillips/Nephew/12/Morton, Dorset/Census
1881/Sisley Sargent/Domestic Servant/23/Foulpuddle, Dorset/Census
1881/Joseph Golledge/Ostler/15/Batcombe, Somerset/Census
1889/William Lodge/../../../Kellys Directory
1897/William Lodge/../../../Kellys Directory
1902/Josiah Samuel Williams/../../../Kellys Directory
1914/Josiah Samuel Williams/../../../Kellys Directory
1951, William John Compton of the Bell Hotel Shepton Mallet Somersetshire died 9 January 1951 Probate London 25 April to Midland Bank Executor and Trustee Company Limited. Effects £2970 13s 4d.
Shepton Mallet Journal 15 January 1965
The day she met the King
Congratulations to the grand old lady of the licensing trade, Mrs C A Compton of the Wine Vaults, High street, Shepton Mallet, who celebrated her 85th birthday on Sunday.
It was perhaps natural since she was going to pend a life time in the licensing and catering trade that she should be born in a pub, the Bricklayers Arms, Crowborough, Sussex.
The Bricklayers Arms was built by her father, who was the licensee, the late Mr Frederick Novis.
Mrs Compton went to live with an aunt in Brighton after her parents died and later entered the licensing trade as a barmaid in Brighton, later going to London.
In 1901 she married Mr William John Compton at Ashwick Parish church and she and her husband were connected with some 15 licensed houses in all parts of London, although never in the East End area. Mr Compton died 14 years ago.
Mrs Compton has a wonderful memory for her age and when I called to see her she related happenings in London years ago, as though they were episodes of last week.
"I can remember when beer was twopence a pint and for the same amount you could buy a packet of cigarettes, or a tot of whiskey".
During the war years the family were bombed out of the Magnet in the Old Kent road.
It was at this time of the blitz that Mrs Compton met the late King George VI and Sir Winston Churchill.
Her son, Mr Fred Compton, who is at present licence holder of the Wine Vaults,, was in the Metropolitan Police at the time and he told his mother the King was com ing up the road by car.
"I went across the road and spoke to the King about the war," saud Mrs Compton.
Later she saw a man walking ahead of some people and he was smoking a cigar, It turnes out to be Sir Winston Churchill.
She spoke to him of the bombing the previous night before he continued inspecting the blitz damage.
"Ever since then I have always written to Sir Winston on his birthday and he has duly acknowledged my greetings, " she said.
From being bombed out in London the comptons came to Somerset in 1941 and Mrs Compton's daughter, Rita held the licence of the Bell Hotel in the Market place.
Then they moved to the Plough near Bridgwater where Fred had the licence, later returning to Shepton Mallet to the Vaults.
Mrs Compton ws one of the first organisers of the Women's Auxiliary Trade Protection League.
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