I found your web site and as I am doing a family tree I
wondered if you had any info on my great-grandfather a Mr Frank Gascoigne
who was publican at the Prince of Wales on Beetwell Street for many years.
As he was born around 1880 I don't think he took over the pub until around
the First World War (he never went to war suspect he was too old). My
grandmother and great aunt (both born turn of century approx) lived there
as girls I know. He then was landlord of the Furnace Inn on Derby Road for
many years throughout World War 2 and post war years as I know my mother
said they used the cellars as an air raid shelter. I am in my late 50s and
can distinctly remember staying there as a small girl with my cousins and
we thought it gloomy and spooky. My aunt has a terrific photo of the
family behind the Furnace bar (I think it's the Furnace and not POW as
have to check) and my mother has a pic of my G-G-F in front of the Furnace
as an elderly man.
I know he was offered the license of the new pub at Kirkstone Road Newbold
on the estate whilst he was still at the Furnace and he wanted my father
to take it but as mum had been brought up in pubs and had me and my
brother she wasn't happy so it never happened. G-G-F lived with us until
he died in his sleep in his 80s.
That's all I know but am working on it and any info/copies of pics would
be very welcome. Oddly just tried the 1911 census website but no trace of
the pubs or anything.
