The following comments below from W.Bro Peter Thorogood relate to his very kind and generous donation of the old public house photograph collection in Bury St Edmunds, which now hangs proudly in the bar area after being beautifully reframed by Photarts of Rougham. Greene King’s historic connection to these inns makes this a particularly meaningful addition to our surroundings.
We are deeply grateful to W.Bro Peter for ensuring these wonderful images, a piece of our town’s social and brewing history are preserved and shared in their rightful setting. His thoughtful donation allows visitors and members alike to enjoy a lasting connection to Bury St Edmunds’ proud public house heritage.
GREENE KING BURY ST. EDMUND’S PUBS
In the late 1980s I was to become one of the first Innkeepers to become a multiple licensee. Amongst other pubs I was to become the leaseholder of both the Cupola House and the Nutshell. These iconic photographs and descriptions of the majority of their Inns adorned the walls of the Cupola. After a few years I, in partnership with Greene King, drew up plans to completely rejuvenate that historic house. However it was not to be! Nine differing public bodies had to be consulted and despite our efforts they could not reach a unified agreement. Therefore both I and the brewer gave up and the premises were sold.
However the new owner expressed no interest in these photos and asked me to remove them. This I did, and with the assistance of Brother Phil Goodwin, spent two days hanging them in the old masonic hall. They were later removed when the Lodges moved to these lovely premises and they now, suitably reframed, hang here to remind the residents of this historic market town of where their forefathers took their refreshment. It’s great to see them where they truly belong.
Brother Peter Thorogood.
