| THE
CROSS GUNS
The
central, twin-gabled, portion of The Cross Guns is the oldest
part of the building, though its exact age is not known.
The Deeds, dated 1712, state that it was built 100 years
earlier, as an inn, but the fireplace has been dated by
several people at 1550. It was probably used by quarrymen,
mill-workers and people using the ford across the river.
Beer was brewed on the premises, and brewing "holes" have
been found in the stable floor. Earth and stones from the
canal bed were piled against the back of the Cross Guns
during the construction of the canal, which necessitated
the brick-ing up of all ground floor windows at the back
of the pub.
During
the lifetime of the canal the bargees frequented the pub,
often staying overnight, stabling their horses in the stable
adjoining the pub and in the stables behind the railway
halt. which have recently been converted into a house. A
landlord in Bradford found old records stating that a landlord
of the Barge Inn took "ladies of the town" to the Cross
Guns for the bargees general amusement on Saturdav nights.
But the bargees did not rely entirely on the ladies for
amusement they bet each other to climb up the inside of
the chimney when the fire was lit. Having reached the top
they were prevented from returning down by their fellows
who had stoked the fire!
One
former landlord of the Cross Guns also owned one of the
mills and wages of mill-workers were partially paid in his
own tokens, which had to be spent in the pub. In 1981, the
landlord still had one of these tokens which, it is believed,
dates from approximately 1805, when coins were in short
supply. Millworkers Token Ale is still being sold in the
Cross Guns in the year 2000.
On
31 December 1999, the local residents of Avoncliff and the
surrounding area gathered in the Cross Guns to celebrate
the new millennium. The festivities were organised by a
small committee of residents and included the Pantomine
'Cinderella', produced and acted by residents, and a fireworks
display launched from the tow-path on the north-western
edge of the aqueduct. |
INTRODUCTION
THE
RESIDENTS
THE
AQUEDUCT
THE
MILLS
THE
CROSS GUNS
ANCLIFF
SQUARE
ANCLIFF
DOWN
THE
KENNET AND AVON CANAL
THE
BOAT PEOPLE
THE
RAILWAY
|
