The Story of the Manor Inn and its People – Part 2

by Colin Back | Places, Fore Street, People

For those who enjoyed a pint or two in the old pub, or much later in its story, had purchased a pasty from the ‘Pasty Mine’ may not be aware of the long and interesting history encompassing the building known as the Manor Inn on Fore Street, Bishopsteignton. Following on from the previous article, this chapter explores the continuing presence of the Hill Family at the Inn in 1902 and subsequent owners up to 1928.

1902, 1911, 1914, 1916, 1919 - 1921, 1923 - 1928

Photograph of The Manor Inn

1902

The Manor Inn business was still as busy now as it was in the earlier years. On 13^th June 1902 there was a gathering of tenants and others concerned with the Manors of Bishopsteignton and Radway who perambulated the boundaries of the Manors finishing at The Manor Inn. After the rent payments and other dues of the Manors were settled, the company, all men, sat down to an excellent dinner. This was served up in a manner that reflected the highest credit on Mr F W Pook assisted by Mrs Denton. The chair was taken by J H Comyns, son of the Lord of The Manor of Bishopsteignton.

It is at this time that women, other than the landlady or female employee, were not allowed in the bar. At the Manor Inn there was a small lounge, without a bar, where women could wait for their menfolk and where a drink would be sent through to them. Rarely would a woman enter a pub on their own, if they did, they could be escorted out by the landlord.

In the bar, the men could enjoy a good chat and a little banter with their mates and perhaps join in a game of Euchre (card game), dominoes or shove ha’penny. In 1908 darts were allowed after being declared by law as a game of skill. Prior to this, darts had been considered a game of chance and not allowed on licensed premises.

1911

Winifred Denton remains working for Frederick Pook and it is recorded in 1911 that she carries on managing the Manor Inn. Winifred is now Ward for William and Alice Hill’s children, Louisa aged 17 and Marion aged 14. They continue to live with her at the Inn.

Photograph of Fore Street, Bishopsteignton

Fore Street, Bishopsteignton showing celebrations of the Coronation of George V and Queen Mary 1911, as seen from the doorstep aof tha Manor Inn

1914

Tragic sudden death in the Hill Family is felt throughout the village

Another tragedy was to befall the Hill family in 1914. Marion Alice Hill of the Manor Inn died 18^th February aged just 17 years.

Marion, youngest daughter of the late William David Budd Hill and the late Alice Hill, was being prepared to undergo an abdominal operation. Doctor Little administered the anaesthetic chloroform and within 45 seconds she gave a piercing scream and died immediately. Artificial respiration was tried without success.

At the Inquest held at the Bishopsteignton school room 19^th February, the jury returned a verdict that death occurred during the administration of an anaesthetic, with death due to ‘instatus lymphaticus’.

Witnesses included Georgina Hill, sister and uncles Frederick Pook and Christopher Hill.

Marion left her sister Georgina £848. 8s. 0d. (approx. £123,000 in 2024)

Newspaper Cutting of Marian Alice Hill of The Manor Inn

Death Inquest of Marian Alice Hill of The Manor Inn

1916

Wedding Day of Louisa Mary Georgina Hill of the Manor Inn

A pretty wedding was solemnised at St John the Baptist Church in Bishopsteignton on Tuesday 14^th November 1916 between Louisa Mary Georgina Hill of the Manor Inn, daughter of the late William and Alice Hill and Trooper Frederick George Rollin, only son of Captain and Mrs Rollin of Plymouth.

The bridegroom was granted leave and came home from Egypt to be married. The bride was given away by her uncle, Frederick Pook. She wore a cream costume trimmed with skunk fur with a hat to match. Later in the day the couple left by motor for Ilfracombe where the honeymoon will be spent. The bride travelled in a navy-blue dress with picture hat and with furs that were the gift of the bridegroom. A Merry Peal of bells rang out as the couple left the church.

Louisa will continue to reside at the Manor Inn while Frederick Rollin completes his time with the 1^st Devon Yeomanry. In the meantime, Frederick Pook, Louisa’s uncle, will continue to oversee the Manor Inn business.

1919-1921

In 1919 Winifred Jane Denton Manageress of the Manor Inn died at the age 67. There is very little known about Winifred, her maiden name, exact date of death or burial details. In the 1901 and 1911 census it states she was born in Newport, Isle of Wight. The same town as William Hill’s wife Alice. She may have known Alice from the early days. The final note Alice left when she died referred to Winifred as Jenny.

Frederick Pook remained in charge until 1920 when the Manor Inn was handed over to niece, Louisa Rollin with Frederick Rollin now the Licensed Victualler.

Frederick and Louisa Rollin were blessed with the birth of their daughter and only child, Jean Phillipa in 1920. In 1921 it is recorded that there was a visitor, James Mundye, a farmer from Mysore, India, aged 28, staying at the Inn.

When Louisa sold the Manor Inn, she and Frederick (Fred) moved to Eversley Cottage, Fore Street. Fred became a special constable and from 1930 to 1936 was the Captain of the Bishopsteignton Fire Brigade. The family later moved to 6 Orchard Terrace, Fore Street.

Jean lived her whole life in Bishopsteignton up to her death at Torbay in 1995 aged 75.

1923-1928

Changes of Ownership

Louisa Rollin sold the Manor Inn, outbuildings and land to William Henry Taylor on the 27^th Feb 1923, the price paid £1250 [approx. £95,000 in 2024.]

On 01 January 1925, a receipt was written for the local football club for £1 and signed by proprietor WH Taylor for the use of a room for the teams up to 31^st December 1924.

On 24 June 1925 William Henry Taylor sold the Manor Inn property to Ross & Co. Newton Abbot. Solicitors. For the sum of £1500. [approx. £114,000 in 2024].

Receipt from The Manor Inn Bishopsteignton, 1925.

On 25th March 1926 Ross & Co. sold the Manor Inn property to George Moore, hotel proprietor of The London Hotel, Teignmouth, for £1750 [approx. £134,000 in 2024].

In 1927 John Martin Richards took the tenancy of the Manor Inn. He had a history of financial glitches.

In 1922 he had sold his hairdressing and tobacconist business in Paignton for £1000 from which he had debts of between £500 and £600. He took the tenancy of The Devon Arms, Teignmouth for two years and came out of that with about £300. He then became a commercial traveller. In July 1925 he took the tenancy of The Manor Inn. His capital was £30, he borrowed £80.Owing to slackness of trade he again went out as a commercial traveller. On 2nd December 1927, while still at the Manor Inn, John Richards was declared bankrupt with liabilities of £441. 18s. 1d. [approx. £35,000 in 2024]

On 25th March 1927. George Moore sold the Manor Inn property to Heavitree Brewery for the sum of £2,300 [approx. £181,000 in 2024].

During 1927 and 1928. Heavitree carried out internal improvements to the Manor Inn with changes to the bar and ground floor living area. There was no bar servery in the lounge where women could still wait for their menfolk and a drink would be sent though to them.

Improvement Floor Plans for Manor Inn 1930s

Exisiting Floor Plans for Manor Inn 1930s

This article highlighted the story of the Manor Inn from 1902-1928

and will be continued in Part Three – from 1928 after Heavitree carried out internal improvements

to the Manor Inn of the bar and ground floor living area.

This article was assembled by Dawn Rogers and the Bishopsteignton Heritage Hub team.