Navigation

Home Where is Gornal Local History Family History Gallery Old News We Need... Dialect 'its a loff aye it' Other Stuff Links Donate About Contact

The Black Country Flag

Landmarks ~ Churches  ~ Pubs  ~ Shops  ~ Amenities  ~ Dwellings  ~ Events  ~ Schools  ~ Sports
Industrial ~ Transport ~ Folklore ~ Families
~ Pubs ~
Bell ~ Bricklayers Arms, Kent St. ~ Bricklayers Arms, Straits ~ Bull & Butcher ~ Cottage Spring ~ Cross Keys ~ Duke William
Fiddlers Arms ~ Glynne Arms ~ Hop and Barleycorn ~ Horse & Jockey ~ Horseshoe ~ Leopard ~ Limerick ~ Limerick, Kent St.
Lion ~ New Inn ~ Pear Tree ~ Queens Head ~ Royal Exchange ~ Spriggers Arms ~ Swan ~ White Chimneys ~ White Lion

Bulls Head ~ Cottage of Content ~ Crown ~ Durham Ox ~ Five Ways ~ Good Intent
Green Dragon ~ Junction ~ Shakespeare ~ Straits House ~ Waggon & Horses

Black Bear ~ Britannia ~ Bush ~ Five Ways, Himley Road. ~ Forge ~ Fountain ~ Jolly Crispin
Meadow Lark ~ Miners Arms ~ Old Bulls Head ~ Old Mill ~ Red Cow ~ Red Lion ~ Spills Meadow ~ Woodman
The Forge
The Forge

Photo 2015

The Forge Inn, 32 Chase Road, Gornal Wood.
Situated just on the parish boundary, the pub was originally called 'The Old Forge'
The name was changed to 'The Poachers Pocket' around 2004 but after refurbishment in 2006, re-opened again as 'The Forge'.
'Lowes Forge' is marked on a 1750 map of the area, this is shown on a 1835 map as 'Gornal Forge'.
There seems no doubt that an early forge existed on or near here.
This is an old pub that seems to date from the 1840s, although with all the subsequent and modern additions this is not so obvious at first glance.
Still serving and well-known local restaurant.
1890: The Advertiser, August 16.
SALE at the FORGE INN, CHASE ROAD, LOWER
GORNAL, Near PENSNETT
To be SOLD by AUCTION by MESSRS. HAWKINS and SON, on THURSDAY, AUGUST 21st. 1890, upon the Premises as above, the whole of the
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
and effects, belonging to the late Joseph Hughes, deceased, comprising excellent Four post Bedsteads, Goose Feather Beds, Mattresses, Cane-Seated Chairs, Washing Stands and Dressing Tables, Night Commode, Toilet and Mantel Glasses, very superior Mahogany Chest of Drawers, Pembroke, Loo, and Other Tables, Lot of Pictures, Fenders and fire irons, Chimney Ornaments, Dining Table with loose leaves, Horsehair-seated Chairs, Sofa, Pianoforte, Music Stool, Drinking Tables, Beer Machine, Piping and Taps, Ale and Spirit Measures, Hanging Lamps, Sewing Machine, Eight-day Case Clock, Timepiece, Hackney Saddle, and other useful Effects.
Sale to commence at Eleven o'clock.
Licensees:
1851, Joseph Hughes, 'Old Forge', occupation edge tool manufacturer employing 2 men and 1 boy. [Census]
1861, Joseph Hughes, 'Forge Lane'. [Census]
1865, Joseph Hughes. [Jones Mercantile Directory]
1869, Joseph Hughes, Old Forge, & collector of rates. [P.O. Directory]
1871, Joseph Hughes, called 'Old Forge House'. [Census]
1872, Joseph Hughes, called 'The Old Forge Inn'. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
1881, Ann Hughes, age 60, widow, occupation victualer. [Census]
1884, Ann Hughes.
1891, Emma Webb, (b.1854) [Census]
1903, Emma Webb was killed in a fluke subsidence accident. See newspaper report
1911, Benjamin Evans, publican aged 36. [Census]
1924-1936, Elizabeth Evans (Mrs), 'Old Forge'.
1939, George W. Laurence, farmer & licensee b.25 October 1897. [Register]
1940, George W. Laurence. [Kelly's Trade Directory]
~

'ah bin yah ah kid
yowm a gud un'