At our meeting on Friday, 8th March, Ruth Clewlow and Rachel Crowther will provide an entertaining look behind the scenes of Georgian England’s “polite society”. Refined manners and strict rules of behaviour governed public life, but what went on behind closed doors? They promise some eye-opening answers. Ruth and Rachel run “Stamford Sight & Secrets” tours and have a wide knowledge of social history.In Market Deeping, the New Inn (Stage Hotel) hosted annual balls and card-playing assemblies from its opening in 1803, and attracted wealthy patrons. Its most flamboyant landlord was Charles Nettleship who took over in 1830, towards the end of the Georgian era. He was sixty years old, having previously been an inn-keeper in London and his home town of Boston. To celebrate his arrival, he held “a most sumptuous dinner” attended by Sir John Trollope, Earl Fitzwilliam, Lord Milton and Dr Willis who had been physician to King George III. Patriotic ballads were sung, including “England, Europe’s Glory”, “A soldier’s tear” and “The death of Nelson”, and many toasts were drunk. Mr Nettleship was renowned for the quality of his cellar, providing Champagne, claret, Madeira, bucellas (a Portuguse white wine), sherry, port, brandy, rum, gin, whisky, peppermint and other cordials. One of his personalised beer flagons is shown below. (Photograph kindly supplied by Truan Randle)
In 1831 he caused a stir by setting up a new coach service between Stamford and Boston, and there was speculation that he made the decision while “three sheets in the wind” – intoxicated. He named his coach The Duke of St Albans, simply because the Duke and Duchess had been his first coaching customers at the New Inn.
When the annual cattle fair was transferred from Stamford to Market Deeping two years later, following a dispute over paying tolls, it brought a huge influx of trade. Drakard’s Stamford newspaper remarked “It really makes old Charley Nettleship smile and take his good cheer more pleasantly than ever.”
Mr Nettleship’s time in Deeping was brief, as he died in January 1834. The New Inn remained a venue for stylish gatherings, and in November 1902 hosted the first local meet of “automobilists”. Drivers demonstrated their cars in the Market Place and then adjourned to the inn for dinner, provided by landlord, Fred D Cave. He is shown in the photograph wearing a flat cap, standing behind the vehicles, which were driven by Dr Benson, Dr Gilpin of Bourne, Mr Tryon, Mr Greenfield and others.
We hope you can join us for Ruth and Rachel’s presentation, which starts at 7.30 pm in the main hall of the Community Centre, Market Deeping. Everyone is welcome. Admission £3 for non-members.
Deepings Heritage 