29 High Street, Golden Lion, Bourn

History of the Golden Lion

Bourn — Golden Lion

27 October 1911

The Medical Officer reported that the wife of the landlord of the Golden Lion at Bourn had fallen ill with typhoid. He had tested the water supply and found nothing wrong with it. He was told that she had eaten some mussels and was of the opinion that this was the cause. This was no uncommon occurrence. 11 10 27 also water supply Eltisley, Croxton, Papworth area 11 10 27 — Mike Petty, Bourn Scrapbook 1897 to 1990.

29 July 1926

Loss of business through the reduction in agricultural wages, expenses through illness of his first wife (who had died) and the high rate of interest to moneylenders were given as causes contributing to the failure of the landlord of the Golden Lion, Bourn. It was an agricultural district and wages were small while the cost of living was as high as when the men were earning twice as much. He had an unfortunate experience of being convicted for selling alcoholic liquor to a guest during prohibited hours; the guest eventually committed suicide owing him £20 — Mike Petty, Bourn Scrapbook 1897 to 1990.

4 December 1962

The landlord of the Golden Lion public house in the quiet village of Bourn is trying to start an old-time version of the ‘ten pin bowling’ craze in the pub car park. Jack Allison recently found four 200-year-old skittles in the debris of an old barn. Peter Ingle, 86, remembers that over 70 years ago the game was played in an open-ended carriage shed during Bourn Feast when every farmer expected his workers to be away from the farm for 10 days. But the skittles are now riddled with woodworm and may not stand up to the wear and tear of regular use. 62 12 04 — Mike Petty, Bourn Scrapbook 1897 to 1990.