Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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Magistrates Object to a Woman 1910

The Greyhound Inn

THE GREYHOUND INN
Union Street, Ryde

At the Borough Bench, at Ryde, on Monday 22nd August, application was made for the temporary transfer of the license of the Greyhound Inn, Union Street, from George William Jefferey to Clara Fanny Ellis.—Chief Constable Greenstreet objected to a woman taking over the house, which, he stated, was certainly not the most orderly one in the district, and was largely used by the working class.  He had had no time to make enquiries as to the testimonials which had been handed in, and if the magistrates agreed to a woman taking over the license, he asked that the application might be adjourned for a week to enable enquiries to be made.

A representative from the solicitors to the owners of the house, said the applicant had held two licenses in London without complaint.  The matter was rather urgent, as the present tenant had agreed to sever his connection with the firm forthwith, and taking these circumstances into consideration, perhaps the Mayor would waive their rule as to granting a license to a woman.  Applicant would have her son, aged 20, and her daughter to assist her.

The Mayor said he thought it would be best to adjourn the matter for a week, as the objection of the police must be considered.  The house required a great deal of supervision, and they doubted if a woman was fitted to manage it, irrespective of the applicant’s character.

The solicitor’s representative asked if the Bench would express an opinion as to a woman holding a license.  The Mayor said he thought there was a strong reason against it, as to this particular house.  If it was a quiet place which a lady could manage there would be no objection raised to it. Eventually this application was adjourned for a week.

The following week:
The magistrates remained firm in their reluctance to grant the license to a woman, even though Mrs. Ellis had been for 30 years in the licensing trade in London, first in conjunction with her late husband, then on her own account.  During those 30 years, neither the applicant nor her late husband had been convicted of even a technical offence, they never had any trouble with the police, in fact they had been complimented by one magistrate.

The Chairman said that the magistrates could not commit themselves beyond September.  Once again there was no positive conclusion for Mrs. Ellis.

Source: IW Observer & RSHG
Image: RSHG
Article: Ann Barrett