Day 215
August 3, 2010A very exciting journey today down to Wootton Bassett to meet the mum of our new puppies.
The Curriers Arms is in a very busy and tight High Street, unfortunately now mainly known for the town where our brave soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan are repatriated. Thankfully today was quiet.
Curriers Arms, Wootton Bassett
The Curriers Arms is an extremely old building – so old that no records exist to confirm when it was built. But we at least know that it was called The New Inn before it received its present name.
Like many pubs in the 19th century, The Curriers Arms was a home brew pub, but, unusually, it was mineral waters that were produced on the premises, not beer.
In 1894 The Curriers Arms was owned by the short-lived Beaufort Brewery in Wootton Bassett and from 1897 to 1951 it was the property of the Osborne Brewery of Yeovil.
It then passed to Arkell’s who extensively modernised it in 1953 – presumably to the liking of the pub’s resident ghost. The Curriers is one of several Arkell’s pubs whose landlords are convinced it is haunted.
Curriers Arms, Wootton Bassett
A currier is a specialist in the leather processing industry. After the tanning process, the currier applies techniques of dressing, finishing and colouring to the tanned hide to make it strong, flexible and waterproof. The leather is stretched and burnished to produce a uniform thickness and suppleness, and dyeing and other chemical finishes give the leather its desired colour.
After currying, the leather is then ready to pass to the fashioning trades such as saddlery, bridlery, shoemaking and glovemaking.
…and for those who want to see her…..
This is Megan, who is hopefully 3 weeks pregnant…
Megan
