a little history about the old ball hotel
For how long this has been in existence as a public house is not known. It is said that the building stands on the site occupied by the kings tent at the meeting on Gosford green between Henry Bolingbroke, duke of Hereford, and Thomas Mowbray, duke of Norfolk of caludon, in the year 1397. It is first mentioned in 1802 as the 'Ball' at Stoke, when it was up to let. The district 'Ball Hill' takes its name from this district. The next mention was in 1809 when it was used for auctions. It was not listed in the first directory of classified trades issued by Pigot & co. in 1822/3, which was only recorded pubs in the main towns and not their suburbs, but was in their next issue of 1835 which included those just outside and gives Francis Howells as the publican. In 1836 it was advertised as being up to let and it's location given as adjoining the Race Course. It was taken by Joseph Duggins as he is listed as licensee in the directory of 1841, but in 1845 according to Kelly's directory, William Johnson was the publican. Johnson died in 1846 and his widow put the building up for sale. It is not known who purchased it but David Sidwell became licensee. Then sometime about 1855, Joseph Hall became landlord and was here for about 20 years, being then followed by William Chatterway. Just before the beginning of the century, Robert Walter Hammerton became licensee, then in 1905 Robert Herbert took over. He stayed until 1910 and was followed by Arthur C.Rollason. Then sometime during the First World War, Walter Gawthorp became landlord and the name of the pub extended to the 'Old Ball'. Gawthorp was followed by P.Carew in 1921, then Alfred Cave in 1926 and Harold S. He died in 1940 a& the licensee was transferred to his widow Olive Remington.
