Some of Gedling borough’s pubs have some really interesting names so we decided to explore their origins.
This week we have uncovered the history of three watering holes in Burton Joyce and found out how they came to get their titles.
Cross Keys, Main Street
There are many pubs throughout the county with this name and refers to St Peter, to who Jesus said: “I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Historians have said that an inn called Cross Keys has stood on the same site in Burton Joyce for at least three hundred years.
One of its most famous landlords was John Hogg, who ran the pub from 1860. Hogg was a butcher by trade, but he also kept wicket for the Nottinghamshire cricket team.
The pub building used to be made up of a series of small bars – but these were knocked into one room around 1985.
The Cross Keys car park was once the site of The Wheatsheaf public house, which was demolished in 1938 and then rebuilt a short distance away on Church Road, where it still stands today.
Lord Nelson, Chestnut Grove
This pub nearest to the Trent was named after Horatio Nelson (1758-1805), hero of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
The pub building is believed to be over 200 years old and was modernised in 1933.
Throughout its history it has undergone a number of changes of name. In 1809 it was known as The Swan and Salmon, in 1811 as The White Swan, and in 1826 it was referred to as The Swan.’
Between 1878 to 1881, the landlord of the Nelson was Alfred Shaw, an outstanding spin bowler who captained both the Nottinghamshire and England cricket teams and bowled the first ball in the first ever Test Match. Shaw is buried in the churchyard at All Hallows in Gedling.
Wheatsheaf, Church Road
The former pub of this name used to occupy a position next door to the Cross Keys public house in the village, a site now occupied by the latter house’s car park.
The current building dates from 1938 when major development work occurred in Burton Joyce. The architect was Cecil Howitt who designed the ‘Council House’ in Nottingham’s Old Market Square.
A common sign since the 17th century, a sheaf of wheat appears in several coats of arms, including those of the Worshipful Company of Bakers (1486). It is also one of the devices on the arms of Brewers’ Company.
There are numerous inns throughout the county with this sign.
