‘The Railway’ was at one time known as ‘Liley’s Railway Hotel’, however, the innkeeper recorded in the 1861 census is James Hallett. This record, together with what we know about the chronological development of the town centre, indicates that ‘The Railway’ was probably built not that long after the opening of the Somerset & Dorset Railway’s Burnham spur. It therefore probably predates the Somerset and Dorset pub.
It was possibly the first building on the large plot of land known as ‘Barley Pen’ which lay between Alfred St (High St) and Oxford St, to the south of Victoria St (Tithe map 1843).
From the Walter Strickland collection
Following comments on this page, and correspondence, it has been established that Charles and Emily J. Ridd ran the Railway pub and neighbouring off-license between the wars. Charles also worked at Holt’s Brewery. Chris Rowland, their grandson, has sent us these photos and information. The picture above shows a local Hunt in front of the Railway. The wine shop can be clearly seen next door with the name E.J. Ridd over the door.
Below is the Ridd family taken in 1932. Jack Ridd, at back left with dog, served on minesweepers in WWII as Commander D. Tatton Ridd. Back middle is Vera Ridd (who died of T.B.) and at right her husband Doug Ridd. He participated in a local carnival wearing a grass skirt, which caught fire causing him serious burns and preventing him serving in WWII. Front centre are Charles and Emily with children Lorna at left (Chris’s mother) and Alan, right. Alan later flew Spitfires and Hurricanes in the war. Lorna recalls that her mother described the pub as very smoky and had to work very hard running the bar.
Hi Chris,
I will send you my personal email address. We would love to have them on here.
Thanks,
John
Hello Lorraine,
My grandparents the Ridd’s ran the Railway Pub in the 30’s-40’s. My mother (now 95) remembers the GI’s coming into the pub in the war. I have some photos I would be happy to share and learn more about. How do I get them to you?
Kind regards Chris Rowland
Hello Lorraine,
This is new information to the group maintaining this site. We will mention this to our Local History Group when we can restart our meetings. Thanks for sharing this with us as its only by people sharing memories that these things come to light. We have recently discovered that the Ring O Bells was originally named The Liverpool Inn. Why – we still don’t know.
John
Talking to my Brother who is aged 90 years he said he remembers The Railway Public House as being called the Jan Rid is there any record as this being fact.
Hi Lorraine.
After checking information researched by Alan Wheway it appears that Jan Ridd was the name of the person who ran the off-license attached to The Railway in the 1930’s, also recorded as Emily J. Ridd.
Does your brother remember: Alan Ridd (he was in the RAF WWll), Lorna Jean Ridd (my mother now 95). They had two half brother Doug & Jack (one was on mine sweepers in the war). Their parents were Emily and Charles Ridd who ran the pub (my grandparents).