The

About the Plough.

THEN...

Quietly changing over time The Plough has evolved from being a smallholding with a few animals into what it has become today. It is difficult to date when it was built, as many of the Ashmansworth church records were destroyed by fire. However, by using records pertaining to people and places, I have managed fill in some gaps. 

It is known that Mr John Fisher built the cottage which is now The Plough on land which he acquired through his marriage in 1814 to Amey Holdaway, a descendant of one of the oldest families in Ashmansworth dating back to the 1400’s.  John, like many Farm Labourers of the time probably brewed his own beer and enjoyed a fairly good diet which included meat, cheese and bread.

That didn’t last however, as by the 1830’s the rural war was in full swing and ordinary people were beginning to suffer the effects of starvation. With a family to feed John had to find another way of earning a crust and so he changed direction and became a shopkeeper. Bread was baked on the premises, groceries sold, beer brewed and so the foundations for a fully fledged pub were laid.

John died in 1852 of old age and his wife inherited the property. When she died Mary Ann her daughter inherited and as she had married Henry Holdaway a relation, the property reverted back to the Holdaway family again.

By 1879 the business was doing well and in direct competition with The Boot Inn which was owned by Newbury Brewers Thomas Edward and Edwin Black Hawkins. Mary Ann on moving to Bishops Waltham had sold her inheritance to the Hawkins family and so The Plough became Brewery owned.

It remained under the ownership of “Hawkins Brewery” changing hands with each name change as by 1899 Messrs. Hawkins merged with Atlas Brewery in Newbury becoming Hawkins and Parfitt “The South Berks Brewery”.  Sometime after 1924 South Berks Brewery became “Simmonds” and later “Courage”.

The Plough has seen both good and bad times with the war years being some of its most prosperous due to the billeting of RAF and Army personnel. A sense of camaraderie prevailed. As a centre for the village community it would have been a hive of activity.

Many changes have taken place over the years the estate being sold at auction in 1936 resulted in many of the smaller cottages being converted into large detached houses which in turn resulted in a lower population. The pub suffered as a result and Courage sold out to tenants Tom & Dorothy Connelly in 1975.

 n 1983 after the death of Tom, Dorothy sold the freehold to Iain and Angela Robinson who stayed until it was bought by the present occupiers in 1985.

NOW...

People have often asked how The Plough has managed to survive for so long with the many new regulations and drink drive rules that have come into being.

It has been very hard over the years, but, a few simple rules have been followed, hard work and tenacity and Mr Micawbers rule “Income £1.00p expenditure 19 shillings and 3 farthings, result Happiness.  Income £1.00p expenditure £1 and 1 farthing, result Workhouse” and it is by keeping these rules in mind we have managed to survive for so long.

Family owned and run by Oliver and Carol Davies this rural pub with its tiny gardens and limited facilities has struggled to exist, but has managed to survive the ravages of time by enlisting help from family members. Eldest daughter Nanette helps in the bar and is a great asset, front of house.   Younger son Colin who is away at University and currently studying Performing Arts with Music. Helps with cleaning and front of house and has been known to offer some light impromptu entertainment. Both are very capable and able to relieve their dad on occasions. Middle daughter Zoe has a young family to look after, but in the past she has also helped out in various ways with cooking, cleaning and bar work. She has a wonderful way with the older generation and often played dominoes with the senior citizens.

Recent addition to the team is Nephew Ian, who has made it possible for us to enter into the confusing world of computers, by designing and managing the website.  

Gone but not forgotten is Tom, Carols dad, who was a great handyman, taking care of any odd jobs that needed doing and which now fall on anyone who is willing.

And of course we have son in law’s Ian and Rob and cousin Simon who are chief digital camera operators, always ready to take the odd photo to download onto the computer ready for the site.

Last but not least we must not forget long suffering grandchildren, Christopher, Daniel and Keiran who have tried and tested the many eccentric walks that Carol has written. It is guaranteed they go home exhausted from a day with their nutty Nan.