Many thanks to, Rose at the Talbot for this photo, taken from their 40 years celebration board.

Yet another view of the talbot, this time with a horse drawn carriage. On the right you can just see the steps that were there for aiding horse riders to mount and dismount.

I found the following written by Ken Beckett.

"The Talbot Hotel at Knightwick, dates back to the 14th century. It was built by the monks of Worcester-Cathedral, we think as an Inn, because it is by the ford in the river, but we do not know.

There are also records that Queen Adelaide used it as a holiday resort, and gave he name to the hill behind, which is called Ankerdine Hill.

In 1690, the Inn belonged to a Mr Littletonclent, who also owned the farm behind, called Ankerdine Farm, a Mr Myrike then rented the Talbot from him.

In 1701, Mr Littletonclent died and a Mrs Grace Letty and Ms. Dorothy Lane bought the Talbot, (we do not know if the farm was included or not), Both these people have a memorial in Knightwick Church, which is about a mile from the Talbot. Dorothy Lane had a cousin called Jane Lane, who was reputed to have helped King Charles II to flee to France and that King Charles spent the night at the Talbot disguised as a servant.

In 1807 it was bought by Mr John Freeman of the Gains and in I877 it was rented to James Vernalls, who paid £210 a year for the Talbot and 46 acres of land.
In 1893 Sarah Browning was the tenant for £237 a year.
In 1901 it was sold to Mr T. Lawson Walker, (this time the farm was included and is still
in the possession of the Walker family) Mr Lawson Walker later sold it to Courage Brewery.
From 1950 until 1964 Mark and Grace Armstrong were the Landlord and Landlady.

One of the landlords was a Mr Bielecki (pronounced Baleski).

In 1969 Courage sold it as a Free House to Wing Commander Hiams, who in turn sold it in 1972, to Mr and Mrs Beckett.

The brochure states that it is in excellent walking country within reach of three hunting packs, has private fishing, squash courts and a skittle alley for the active. But most of all at offers a hearty welcome to all who visit it."

Mark Armstrong - Obituary - Berrows Worcester Journal - 15th February, 1968.

 

OBITUARY Mr. M. Armstrong, formerly of Knightwick Mr. Mark Armstrong, former licensee of the Talbot Hotel, Knightwick, has died at the age of 70. Mr. Armstrong had been living in Northwick Road, Worcester in recent years and died here. A native of Northumberland, he was gassed and wounded in the 1914-18 war. He was coroner's officer at Rugby until 1950 and licensee of the Talbot, Knightwick until 1964. He was chairman of the Knightwick branch of the British Legion for a number of years and a keen follower of sport until stricken with arthritis. He is survived by his widow and one son. The funeral took place at Worcester Crematorium on Monday conducted by the Rev. Oliver Davies, Rector of Knightwick. The lesson was read by Mr. R. Oliver, secretary of the Knightwick branch of the British Legion. Principal mourners were Mrs. Grace Armstrong (widow); Mr. and Mrs. John Armstrong (son and daughter-in-law); Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Armstrong. Mr. D. W. Armstrong (brothers and sisters-in-law); Mr. K. Armstrong (nephew); Mrs. E. Corfield (sister-in-law). Others attending were Police Sergeant Bryn Morgan and Police Constable, J. Hesketh, Mr. T. Selwyn (Rugby ), Mr. R. Oliver and other members of the Knightwick branch of the Legion and Mrs. M. Phillips. Flowers were sent by: Wife, Grace; Walter and Gladys Armstrong; Mavis, John and children; Ethel, Pauline and Jeff; Mr. and Mrs. Selwyn Lewis; Members of Knightwick and Broadwas Legion; Mr. and Mrs. T. L. SeIwyn (ex-inspector Rugby); Vanessa, Gordon and children; "The Three Musketeers." Mavis, Mike and George; June and Frank Lane and family; Myrtle, Reg, Richard and Andrew, Ron, Marion and Charles; Doug Tansell; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Davis, Martin Hussingtree; Daphne, Broadwas; Muriel and Arthur; The Robinson family, Knightwick; Colin, Barbara and family Berkhamstead; Dorothy and Art Bennett; Dorothy and Harry; Mr. and Mrs. Webb, Spencer Road; Margaret and Heather; Mr. And Mrs. B. O'Brien; Norman and Laura Narbeth; Ted and Lydia; Sybil and Spencer Towers and Jack Hudson; Georgina Bartlett.

Mark and Grace Armstrong started at the Talbot the year after I was born. They always had a large black dog, a Labradour I think. They retired to Worcester when I was fourteen years old. To me they always felt very strict. I do have a photo though of Mrs Armstrong in a photo with my dad looking quite amused.