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The Three Horseshoes
Fordham, near Colchester, Essex
The
earliest mention of this pub seems to be in 1867, when Kelly's
Directory lists Oliver Bull of 'The Three Horseshoes' - also as a
blacksmith and miller. The earliest reference to an Oliver Bull is
shown in the 1845 Kelly's, described as being a blacksmith. The 1871
census shows Oliver Bull, aged 53 as a blacksmith but, at the same
address, his son Oliver, aged 20, described as a brewer. Mystery
therefore presents itself as to which of the Olivers had the pub
listed in 1867. Perhaps it was a joint effort, at a time when a
living was hard to make and more than one occupation necessary to
feed a large family. Oliver and Susannah had six children at
least.
The choice of name was typical. Whenever a pub takes the name of the Three Horseshoes, it is an indicator that a blacksmith or farrier was not far away. Why three shoes and not four? Because the horse would stand on three when he was being shod.
The West Bergholt brewers Daniells owned the pub by 1911, as it was then shown in the licensing records as an Alehouse, meaning it had a full licence. It was probably originally only a humble beerhouse, ie only allowed to sell beer and no spirits, Daniells having the necessary reputation in the courts to be able to persuade the magistrates. The big breweries in the area gradually bought up the free houses, of which this was probably one in Oliver Bull's time. That way they could guarantee an outlet for their beer and freeze out the small brewers.
By the mid 1960's, the pub was expanded when the adjacent privately owned cottage was bought and converted by Trumans, who had by then acquired the Daniells brewery business. The pub still has its Trumans sign, although that company too, is no longer in business. Extensive work was done throughout the building, including the refurbishment of the fine inglenook fireplace that is such a welcoming sight on a cold night, when the landlady gets the logs burning.
The experts tell us that the oldest part of the pub is where the lounge bar now is. It dates from at least the 1520's. The original pub, where the public bar now is of the 17th century. Both of the original buildings were of timber framed construction, with thatched roofs. By the late 19th century, weatherboarding and brick was added, and the thatch replaced by a tiled roof, as we see today.
