Red Cow, Fishtoft

The Red Cow replaced an earlier 18th Century house with a yard and orchard. In 1709, William Blanchard owned the site, but no further information was available. Following the Beer Act of 1830, the Red Cow was established as a beerhouse by farmer William Westmoreland complementing the existing butcher's shop and outbuildings.

In 1845, the Red Cow was under George Fletcher, and a wheelwrights (carpenters) replaced the butcher's shop. Fletcher ran the pub and associated businesses until 1898 when David Searby took on the licence. A few years later, Searby was up in Boston Bankruptcy Court with debts of £400, around £50,000 in today's money. Searby, a carpenter by trade, was accused of neglecting his profession and devoting his time 'exclusively' to his other business as a licensee. Alas for all concerned, Searby was often drunk.

The Red Cow continued to share its space with a carpenter until the 1940s. I am lucky enough to meet the landlords, Tracy and Andy, who are only too happy to show me around and share what they know about the place.

Tracy tells me that one regular who is 96 years old remembers the front bar (see picture) as a carpenter's shop. Coffins were made and stored in the pub with locals drinking next to them! The pub interior is a mixture of original features such as the brick fireplaces and later 20th Century alterations, such as the bar counter. The service area extends from the front bar in a loose L-shape design, accessible from either end.

Most locals are sitting by tables rather than at the bar, making it easier to notice the counter angled inwards at the lower level. It is a simple yet effective design to help maintain and reduce damage by customer's footwear and found in many public bars and modish saloons from the 1930s onwards.