The Coach and Horses, The Green, Croxley Green
The earliest known reference to the Coach and Horses is 1774 and was reputed to have had a bell under the eaves so that late night travelers could summon the landlord to 'open up'.
Adjacent to the pub and shown on early maps a cherry orchard existed and according to local information were mainly the cooking variety. A team of cherry pickers hired usually in June & July visited all the orchards surrounding The Green.
In 1825 it is described as having a barn, yards and garden and orchard of just over 2 acres. Adjacent to the car park is a row of private houses built c1930's that would have been part of the orchard site.
During this time opposite the Coach and Horses was Mr Stone's orchard that mainly grew the sweet variety of cherries as well as many other fruit varieties. Past residents recall as small children with their parents they would during the time when the cherries were ripe visit Mr. Stone's orchard to buy his cherries. Many families enjoyed a large bag of juicy fruit seated on the grass whilst father would enjoy a drink at either the Coach and Horses PH or The Artichoke PH
This event was usually on a Sunday as the working week then in most cases was six days with Sunday being the 'day of rest' These days therefore were called 'Cherry Sundays'
This pub is visited by The Mummers troupe (re formed in 1994 by current residents) where St George &The Dragon is performed every December. (see Mummers)
The current website can be viewed here thecoachandhorses.co.uk
Adjacent to the pub and shown on early maps a cherry orchard existed and according to local information were mainly the cooking variety. A team of cherry pickers hired usually in June & July visited all the orchards surrounding The Green.
In 1825 it is described as having a barn, yards and garden and orchard of just over 2 acres. Adjacent to the car park is a row of private houses built c1930's that would have been part of the orchard site.
During this time opposite the Coach and Horses was Mr Stone's orchard that mainly grew the sweet variety of cherries as well as many other fruit varieties. Past residents recall as small children with their parents they would during the time when the cherries were ripe visit Mr. Stone's orchard to buy his cherries. Many families enjoyed a large bag of juicy fruit seated on the grass whilst father would enjoy a drink at either the Coach and Horses PH or The Artichoke PH
This event was usually on a Sunday as the working week then in most cases was six days with Sunday being the 'day of rest' These days therefore were called 'Cherry Sundays'
This pub is visited by The Mummers troupe (re formed in 1994 by current residents) where St George &The Dragon is performed every December. (see Mummers)
The current website can be viewed here thecoachandhorses.co.uk
This scene c1900 shows the Coach & Horses pub. Opposite is the original gateway to Parrotts farm. Today private dwellings occupy part of the original land to the house
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(© loaned by David Loose) The Coach & Horses c1910. Old maps show the pub once had an orchard adjacent to it and this is also remembered by passed residents
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The Coach and Horses c1920's
The Coach and Horses probably the 1930's A close look reveals workmen digging a hole -posing for the camera!
Coach & Horses c1935
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Coach & Horses c1935 - Hand painted from a black and white photograph (original above)
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The Coach & Horses with WW2 members of the Home Guard outside.
(© Liz Frow) The Coach & Horses with locals enjoying the pub during Croxley Festival on 23rd June 1951
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(© Liz Frow) The Coach & Horses with locals enjoying the pub during Croxley Festival on 23rd June 1951
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(© Liz Frow) The Coach & Horses with locals enjoying the pub during Croxley Festival on 23rd June 1951
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(© Liz Frow) The Coach & Horses with locals enjoying the pub during Croxley Festival on 23rd June 1951
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(© Liz Frow) The Coach & Horses with locals enjoying the pub during Croxley Festival on 23rd June 1951
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As motor vehicles began to improve and an opportunity for a 'day out'
was becoming popular the Coach and Horses attracted many passer's by.
Parking was a consideration and this was easily available outside with The Green as an attractive view to sit and enjoy the ambience
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(© loaned by Ross Humphries) Coach & Horses c1960s
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(© Liz Frow) February 1963 outside the Coach & Horses, Croxley Green. Just across the road Stone's Orchard can be seen with the original stables.
(© Paul Singleton) Even in the 1970s and 1980s the Coach & Horses was still a destination venue and a place to be seen.
The Coach and Horses in bloom
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The Coach & Horses October 2015
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© National Archives - L/15/00003139K
1881 census
David Coxhill - 55 years born Croxley Green Inn Keeper
Elizabeth Coxhill - 50 years born Shropshire wife
Hannah Coxhill - 20 years born Croxley Green Dressmaker
David Coxhill - 55 years born Croxley Green Inn Keeper
Elizabeth Coxhill - 50 years born Shropshire wife
Hannah Coxhill - 20 years born Croxley Green Dressmaker
© National Archives - L/15/00003139K
1891 census
Elizabeth Hedges 55 yrs sister born Eaton Bray Bedfordshire Housekeeper-Domestic
Ruth Burridge 23 yrs daughter born Shoreditch Middx Barmaid
(The Enumerator's task is to record the names of the persons 'at home' ie 'living on the premises' when completing the forms. It would appear from the 1901 census William Burridge publican and father of Ruth Burridge, in the 1891 census, records William his wife Temperance and sons William, George and Frederick were living in Shorditch London where his daughter Ruth was born.
1891 census for William Burridge Harman Street Shoreditch London
William Burridge 45 yrs born Bedfordshire Leather Seller Assistant
Temperance Burridge wife 47 yrs born Buckinghamshire
William Burridge 19yrs son born St Leonards Middlesex Boot Riveter
George Burridge 16 yrs son born St Leonards Middlesex Upholsterers Apprentice
Frederick Burridge 14 yrs son born St Leonards Middlesex Warehouse Boy
Elizabeth Hedges 55 yrs sister born Eaton Bray Bedfordshire Housekeeper-Domestic
Ruth Burridge 23 yrs daughter born Shoreditch Middx Barmaid
(The Enumerator's task is to record the names of the persons 'at home' ie 'living on the premises' when completing the forms. It would appear from the 1901 census William Burridge publican and father of Ruth Burridge, in the 1891 census, records William his wife Temperance and sons William, George and Frederick were living in Shorditch London where his daughter Ruth was born.
1891 census for William Burridge Harman Street Shoreditch London
William Burridge 45 yrs born Bedfordshire Leather Seller Assistant
Temperance Burridge wife 47 yrs born Buckinghamshire
William Burridge 19yrs son born St Leonards Middlesex Boot Riveter
George Burridge 16 yrs son born St Leonards Middlesex Upholsterers Apprentice
Frederick Burridge 14 yrs son born St Leonards Middlesex Warehouse Boy
© National Archives - L/15/00003139K
1901 census
William Burridge 56yrs born Eaton Bray Bedfordshire Publican and Fly Proprietor***
Temperance Burridge 58 yrs wife born Northall Bucks
William Burridge 29 yrs son born Shoreditch London Barman
George Burridge 27 yrs son born Shoreditch London Coachman/ Domestic
***(A Fly Proprietor is person with funds who makes a living by employing Fly drivers or hires out Flys. A Fly is a one-horse two-wheeled light carriage.
William Burridge 56yrs born Eaton Bray Bedfordshire Publican and Fly Proprietor***
Temperance Burridge 58 yrs wife born Northall Bucks
William Burridge 29 yrs son born Shoreditch London Barman
George Burridge 27 yrs son born Shoreditch London Coachman/ Domestic
***(A Fly Proprietor is person with funds who makes a living by employing Fly drivers or hires out Flys. A Fly is a one-horse two-wheeled light carriage.
© National Archives - L/15/00003139K
1911 census
Temperance Burridge - 68 years widow born Slapton Bucks Licensed Victualler
Frederick Burridge - 34 years son born Shoreditch London Surgical Instrument Maker
Mary Burridge - 35 years daughter-in-law born Hackney London
Elsie Burridge - 8 years grandaughter born Hackney London
Stanley Burridge - 6 years grandson born Hackney London
Harold Burridge - 3 years grandson born Hackney London
George Burridge - 36 years son born Shoreditch Coachman
Temperance Burridge - 68 years widow born Slapton Bucks Licensed Victualler
Frederick Burridge - 34 years son born Shoreditch London Surgical Instrument Maker
Mary Burridge - 35 years daughter-in-law born Hackney London
Elsie Burridge - 8 years grandaughter born Hackney London
Stanley Burridge - 6 years grandson born Hackney London
Harold Burridge - 3 years grandson born Hackney London
George Burridge - 36 years son born Shoreditch Coachman
Copyright of Census
Crown Copyright information taken from the Census has be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence (OGL) The OGL is a free licence developed to enable freer use of government information and public sector information without the need for formal agreements or any registration transaction, This licence takes the form of a simple set of terms and conditions for re-use and can be viewed at;
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/open-government-licence.htm
Crown Copyright information taken from the Census has be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence (OGL) The OGL is a free licence developed to enable freer use of government information and public sector information without the need for formal agreements or any registration transaction, This licence takes the form of a simple set of terms and conditions for re-use and can be viewed at;
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/open-government-licence.htm
Croxley Green Remembered
The following poem was composed by the late Mr G. Revell, whom many local people would have remembered, and was recited in conversation with Mr Frank Jackson of Yorke Road and includes a reference to the Coach and Horses. (Reproduced from a 1973 edition of the Croxley Resident)
"The fairest sight I've ever seen is at Croxley on the Green
Lying lazily in grass leisurely the cars go past;
Buzzing bees and butterflys, Burbling larks, clear blue skies;
Hot sun, birds a-twittering, White clad lads a-cricketing;
Ditches, delves and gravel roads, Horse and cart with heavy load;
Cows that amble slowly by, Udders full and dull of eye;
Old Nabby leaning on his bike tries in vain to light his pipe;
Curses at the tiny breeze whispering softly in the trees;
Silent as a waiting mouse sleepy stands the Public House
The Coach and Horses old and quaint sadly needs a coat of paint;
Cackling hens insect bent, dogs stretched out, exhausted, spent;
From the grass the daisies peep, on the wall the eat's asleep;
Well worn paths where on to stroll, grassy banks from which to roll;
Sight of hay o'er gates and stiles, girls with warm and happy smiles;
Fairest sight of all to me Croxley Green as it used to be;
This is lovely to my mind because then, my friend, I was not blind"
The following poem was composed by the late Mr G. Revell, whom many local people would have remembered, and was recited in conversation with Mr Frank Jackson of Yorke Road and includes a reference to the Coach and Horses. (Reproduced from a 1973 edition of the Croxley Resident)
"The fairest sight I've ever seen is at Croxley on the Green
Lying lazily in grass leisurely the cars go past;
Buzzing bees and butterflys, Burbling larks, clear blue skies;
Hot sun, birds a-twittering, White clad lads a-cricketing;
Ditches, delves and gravel roads, Horse and cart with heavy load;
Cows that amble slowly by, Udders full and dull of eye;
Old Nabby leaning on his bike tries in vain to light his pipe;
Curses at the tiny breeze whispering softly in the trees;
Silent as a waiting mouse sleepy stands the Public House
The Coach and Horses old and quaint sadly needs a coat of paint;
Cackling hens insect bent, dogs stretched out, exhausted, spent;
From the grass the daisies peep, on the wall the eat's asleep;
Well worn paths where on to stroll, grassy banks from which to roll;
Sight of hay o'er gates and stiles, girls with warm and happy smiles;
Fairest sight of all to me Croxley Green as it used to be;
This is lovely to my mind because then, my friend, I was not blind"
