Reference
Z898/5
Title
Interview with Doris Evans, formerly Franklin. Mrs Evans and family moved into the The Ongley Arms, Eyeworth on February 12th 1947, aged 26.
Date free text
31 Aug 1995
Production date
From: 1947 To: 1995
Scope and Content
During this very bad winter the pub had no coal or any means of heating, until the local farmer sold a thousand trees, which brought the pub their first real trade. The licence was in Mr Evans' name, who worked at Berkeley Caravans, Biggleswade. The landgirls came to Eyeworth, to work on the local farms on the Ashwell Road and would eat their jam sandwiches at the pub.
After this period, major alterations were made to the pub, including a bathroom, an extension to the bars and proper toilets. These changes also included the barns to the right of the pub being pulled down and an extension to the pub. Reasons for going into the pub are discussed, with reference to a Barbara Drysdale and father, the photographers at Biggleswade, also to a Mr Brookes at the brewery. Working a long day is discussed which included Mrs Evans pea picking in the early hours of the morning, which enabled her to send her sons to Bedford School. In the latter years Mr Evans worked for Weatherly Cincinatti and Mrs Evans would do Christmas dinners for the company. The winter of 1963 is recalled when the roads were blocked to Cambridge. As a result 27 people stayed in the pub that night and about 60 were fed. Mrs Evans joined the John O'Gaunt golf club in May 1960 and continues to be a member today. She recalls a time when she had to give it up in order to fulfil her family commitments. The family left the pub in 1981and bought a bungalow in Gamlingay. They were in the pub business for 35 years during which the pub belonged to the brewery Wells & Winch, which became Greene King. After the pub was sold, building plots were sold separately, so two houses were built. Mrs Evans describes this "monstrosity of a house, which has taken over the pub".
Level of description
item