Wellington Journal - 10th September 1881

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS AND ANNUAL BREWSTER SESSIONS - Friday September 2nd.

Before - W. H. Whittaker, Esq. (chairman), William Egerton Garnett Botfield. Esq. Sir Henry Ripley. Licensing business.

 

Mr. Corner, of Hereford, applied on behalf of Mr. John Williams, builder, &c., of Knighton, for a license to sell by retail, spirits, wine, beer, porter, &c to be drunk or consumed on or off the premise; situate in Kinsley Road, in the parish of Stowe, and near to the town of Knighton.

       Mr. Corner having put in a plan of the premises for which the license was required, also put in a memorial signed by 201 of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood of Knighton, residents in the parish of Stowe and adjoining parishes, in favour of granting the license.

       Mr. Corner also referred to the excellent character of the applicant who had erected the premises on the most improved principle, at a cost of upwards of £1,400. The house contained, besides ample cellar room, two bars, smoke, commercial, and coffee rooms, six commodious bedrooms, with lavatories, and all necessary appliances.

       Mr. Corner said it was for the ratepayers in the neighbourhood to say if such a house was required, and the memorial that he had the honour of putting in was signed by all the rate-payers in Stowe parish, except four.

       The house would be of great accommodation to the farmers and those that attended Knighton markets from the neighbourhood of Llanfair-waterdine, Clun. Bucknell, etc. Mr. Williams had already provided accommodation for 15 horses, and it was his intention to provide additional accommodation in that respect if his application was granted.

       Mr. Corner further said that his client was willing to accept a six days' license, so that it may not be said that his house would be open when the other houses in Knighton would be closed by the Sunday Closing Act (Wales), which would shortly come into force.

       Mr. Caswell, on behalf of the police, opposed the application on the ground that the neighbourhood did not require more public-house accommodation; and further that there were already licensed houses at Llanfair-waterdine, New Invention, and Bucknell, each of which places were but four miles away; that persons coming from that direction did not require another calling house before they reached Knighton.

       Mr. Caswell also referred to the fact that the district in which the house was situated was now looked after by the officer stationed at Bucknell, but if a license was granted to that house an additional resident constable would have to be appointed, and he urged their worships not to let the people of Shropshire accommodate the people of Radnorshire.

       Mr. H. T. Weyman, of Ludlow, on behalf of the landlord of the Central Wales Inn, only 120 yards from the house for which the license was sought, and Mr. Corner having replied, the Magistrates at once unanimously agreed to refuse the application.

 

On 8th October 1888, John Williams, Builder & Contractor, who built the Round House and was also in charge of the rebuilding of the nave, chapel and tower of St. Edward's church in 1877, died aged 47. He was buried in Knighton old cemetery. His wife, Ann, followed him to their final resting place on 8th February 1891, she was aged 53 years.

 

Leominster News and - 1st February 1889

TO LET - a good HOUSE containing 15 Rooms, with Garden, close to Railway Station, suitable for a Boy's School or Private Hotel. - Apply for particulars to J D Williams, Knighton.

 

J D (John David) Williams was the son of John Williams, builder.