Box Postcards Part 2 Alan Payne Setember 2026
All photographs courtesy Box Parish Council
The Bear Inn
The Bear Inn was the oldest licensed public house in Box dating back to the seventeenth century. It brewed its own beer in the cottages shown in this postcard. In 1880 the rooms were taken over by the newly formed Liberal Club, pool and snooker rooms opened, and a sign put across the building under the first floor windows. It annoyed those of a Conservative inclination and they hurriedly formed a Conservative Club in November that year with the encouragement of George Wilbraham Northey.
The street lamp at the access to Church Lane was one of the few in the centre of the village. The Bath Gas Company laid a pipeline from the city to Box in 1878 but the installation of gas street lamps was limited by the price of supply and the need to light and extinguish the lamps daily.[1] Progress in the illumination of the centre was slowed down by the Highways authorities and the Bath Company were sued the next year for putting a pipe under the turnpike road (outside where the Post Office now stands).[2]
The Bear Inn was the oldest licensed public house in Box dating back to the seventeenth century. It brewed its own beer in the cottages shown in this postcard. In 1880 the rooms were taken over by the newly formed Liberal Club, pool and snooker rooms opened, and a sign put across the building under the first floor windows. It annoyed those of a Conservative inclination and they hurriedly formed a Conservative Club in November that year with the encouragement of George Wilbraham Northey.
The street lamp at the access to Church Lane was one of the few in the centre of the village. The Bath Gas Company laid a pipeline from the city to Box in 1878 but the installation of gas street lamps was limited by the price of supply and the need to light and extinguish the lamps daily.[1] Progress in the illumination of the centre was slowed down by the Highways authorities and the Bath Company were sued the next year for putting a pipe under the turnpike road (outside where the Post Office now stands).[2]
Box War Memorial
The Box War Memorial was dedicated in 1920. It was deliberately position on higher ground in the garden of the Bear Inn at the entrance to the village from Bath. It was a public statement of mourning to be seen by all and the installation of the street sign at the junction was fiercely debated as it drew attention away from the memorial. This photo didn’t get into the book. It appears to show a memorial service of guides and a group of boys (possibly St John’s Ambulance) addressing their gaze toward Bath visitors. The Box Guides Group was formed by Mildred Brunt in 1924.
The Box War Memorial was dedicated in 1920. It was deliberately position on higher ground in the garden of the Bear Inn at the entrance to the village from Bath. It was a public statement of mourning to be seen by all and the installation of the street sign at the junction was fiercely debated as it drew attention away from the memorial. This photo didn’t get into the book. It appears to show a memorial service of guides and a group of boys (possibly St John’s Ambulance) addressing their gaze toward Bath visitors. The Box Guides Group was formed by Mildred Brunt in 1924.
Chapel Plaister
This postcard of Chapel Plaister is dated 1906 by its post stamp. It shows the building shortly after its rediscovery as a religious building by the Box curate, Rev Shirley Alan Spooner, in 1893. The photo shows how the building had been lost for centuries and believed to be domestic residence before it was clearly marked with a restored bell and notice board on the outside porch. Bell House next door was once a pub but never a rectory.
This postcard of Chapel Plaister is dated 1906 by its post stamp. It shows the building shortly after its rediscovery as a religious building by the Box curate, Rev Shirley Alan Spooner, in 1893. The photo shows how the building had been lost for centuries and believed to be domestic residence before it was clearly marked with a restored bell and notice board on the outside porch. Bell House next door was once a pub but never a rectory.
The Rising Sun
This historic photograph is one of the few showing The Rising Sun on Box Hill. It is an advertisement for the premises when the landlord was Harry Smith (1936-1955). The house behind is Dorma built in 1934. The photograph probably comes from the late 1930s when Harry was trying to invigorate trade with a wine license, off-sales – all intended to attract custom with the decline of traditional quarrymen clientele. The pub was tragically destroyed with the death of three residents in a gas explosion in December 1957.
This historic photograph is one of the few showing The Rising Sun on Box Hill. It is an advertisement for the premises when the landlord was Harry Smith (1936-1955). The house behind is Dorma built in 1934. The photograph probably comes from the late 1930s when Harry was trying to invigorate trade with a wine license, off-sales – all intended to attract custom with the decline of traditional quarrymen clientele. The pub was tragically destroyed with the death of three residents in a gas explosion in December 1957.
Ditteridge Church
This postcard is a poor view of Ditteridge Church, obscured by ivy and fronted by trees. The elliptical frame was intended to show devotion (compare circular frames for babies), possibly to make amends for the composition. There is one interesting feature, the Ditteridge animal Pound in the foreground.
This postcard is a poor view of Ditteridge Church, obscured by ivy and fronted by trees. The elliptical frame was intended to show devotion (compare circular frames for babies), possibly to make amends for the composition. There is one interesting feature, the Ditteridge animal Pound in the foreground.
Kingsdown Cottage
The location of this postcard has not been determined. It was undated and hand delivered to Bath. The young couple look prosperous, and the house and garden are well maintained with a large greenhouse. If anyone knows the house, please tell us.
The location of this postcard has not been determined. It was undated and hand delivered to Bath. The young couple look prosperous, and the house and garden are well maintained with a large greenhouse. If anyone knows the house, please tell us.
References
[1] The Wiltshire Times, 19 October 1878
[2] The Wiltshire Times, 19 April 1879
[1] The Wiltshire Times, 19 October 1878
[2] The Wiltshire Times, 19 April 1879