St. Catherine's

Pub Topic

The Roses of St. Catherine's - (1 to 3)

1. : First Flowering

In the 1836 Directory, one William Wordingham was
in charge of a beerhouse at St. Catherine's Plain,
and was also listed as a Wines & Spirits merchant.

By 1839 (although mis-spelt as Wordington)
the name of his establishment was given as the Rose.
This pub was listed with the same landlord up to
and including 1858.

His status as a merchant was re-affirmed in the 1842
lists, and his other occupations in 1845 included
'joiner, builder and wheelwright' !

The 1845 Official List shows no ownership details;
and implies Free House status.

2. : The Rival

Also mentioned in the 1854 directory was a beerhouse
in Kensington Place run by Richard Nichols (one - l).
Nichols was also the pub's first owner.

However, by 1859 we are faced with two pubs
called the Rose - another clear case of plagiarism.
Wordingham's son Robert was listed at Hall Road,
the City-end of which undoubtedly falls into the said Plain.

John Nicholls' (sic) pub was listed on City Road;
no doubt very near to the Bracondale end
(vide Kensington Place).
Nicholls' first name may well be a mistake, as it
reverts to Richard (or plain R.) from 1864 to 1869.

3. : The Outcome

Fortunately both pubs are still there today.
The Rose is on a stretch of Queen's Road which was
considered part of St. Catherine's Plain around the
period 1869 - 79, causing some confusion.

Definitely on the Plain, by Hall Road,
we have the Cricketers Rest.

This is easily confirmed as the former Rose :-
William Wordingham (grandson??) had a successor
called Robert Roll (from October 1870) who was listed
at the Rose in 1875; then at the Cricketers' Rest in 1879.
The 'official' date of name change was July 25th 1881.

So the original Rose had given way to its newer
competitor in the matter of inn-sign; then the other pub's
name was modified to White Rose by 1879 and 1883.
In 1890 the landlord of the White Rose
was also listed as a grocer.

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