The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald carried this story this week.
The empty Kings Arms pub in Market Lavington is to be converted into homes.
Wiltshire Council’s planning department has granted permission despite concerns from Market Lavington Parish Council at the loss of a business in the village.
The Grade II listed pub, owned by Devizes-based Wadworth Brewery since 1890, has been closed for the past two years.
Wadworth’s agents Savills marketed the pub on an all offers considered basis but without success.
Parts of the pub date back to the 17th century and the earliest reference to the building becoming known as the Kings Arms is 1822.
Wadworth applied to convert the main pub building into two homes, demolish part of the single storey former skittle alley at the rear and convert the retained part into one home.
In addition it applied to build a three bed detached house in the former beer garden, fronting The Clays.
The parish council objected to the plans saying there was a lack of suitable access and the density of the buildings is unsuitable for the location.
But planning officer Rob Parker said that planning permission for alternative uses was permitted when it could be proven that the existing commercial use is no longer viable.
He also said there are two other pubs in Market Lavington, the Drummer Boy and the Green Dragon.
As mentioned earlier on this blog, Our curator took a look around the pub a few days ago, but our photo on this entry is of an item which has been in the museum for twenty five years.
Richard Alexander at The Kings Arms - a photo at Market Lavington Museum
This photo was taken in the yard at the back of The Kings Arms and shows landlord, Mr Alexander on his fine grey horse.
This would be Mr Richard Alexander who was born about 1847 in Urchfont (or Erchfont which was the usual spelling then). In 1891 he and his wife and baby were at The New Inn (now The Drummer Boy). In 1901 an extended family were at The Kings Arms. We think Richard Alexander died in 1910.
Tags: horse, Market Lavington, Museum, person, photograph, pub
Market Lavington Museum 
December 12, 2011 at 6:19 am |
[…] father, Richard Alexander, had kept the Kings Arms pub in Market Lavington for many […]
March 5, 2013 at 6:25 am |
[…] is George Alexander. He was born in 1897, the son of Richard and Jane. Richard was the publican at The Kings Arms. The family were there for the 1901 census but our George was entered as Alec G Alexander. In 1911 […]
April 15, 2013 at 9:41 am |
Kings Arms – On the 1871 census Jane Draper nee Oram ( a widow) was the Innkeeper here. (She is my 2nd cousin 4x removed). Jane was born in Wilsford to parents John & Mary Oram in 1822. Perhaps a little unusual for a female to be running a public house at this time?
April 16, 2013 at 6:19 am |
We believe your Jane Oram is the one we have mentioned on deeds regarding land sales in the 19th century on which she is recorded as Jane Oram (commonly known as Draper).
I’ll send more by email.
Rog (curator)
April 16, 2013 at 6:20 pm
Many thanks for your reply. Sounds very interesting, I’ll look forward to receiving your e-mail.
Regards, Sue