The story behind Aston's Blue Bell pub
THE original Blue Bell in Aston was a three storey building with a plain rendered front.
We are not sure when it was built, but we do know that it was an inn by 1788 because a parish meeting was held there.
The following was written in the Overseers of the Poor Accounts Book:
"We whose names are here subscribed, inhabitants of the Parish of Aston, agreed unanimously at a meeting held the 20th day of October 1788 at the house of John Cliffe, at the sign of the Blue Bell in Aston aforesaid that all Officers whether Overseers of the Poor, Constable, or otherwise, shall receive for their journey and expenses to the undermentioned places as follows:
- To Doncaster or the same distance: four shillings.
- To Sheffield or its vicinity: two shillings.
- To Rotherham: two shillings.
- To Barlbrough: two shillings.
- To Dinnington: one shilling and sixpence."
We must remember that travel in those days was by horseback or carriage, so a journey to Doncaster or Sheffield would take several hours.
According to the accounts of the Overseer of the Poor, he made regular journeys to Barlborough to attend meetings and to Sheffield to the Assizes.
The Blue Bell was a coaching inn, as was the Yellow Lion at Aston Netherthorpe.
As well as offering accommodation and refreshment to travellers and villagers, they were also used for parish meetings, coroner's inquests and other important events in village life.
The frontage was altered sometime after the marriage of Harry Verelst of Aston Hall and Mary Wilson in 1888 and the name changed to the Blue Bell Hotel.
Mrs Verelst visited Switzerland many times and began altering some of the buildings in Aston and Aughton to suit that style.
This can be seen in the Blue Bell, as well as the shops nearby, the present rectory and the Black Bull in Aughton.
– by Ann Key, Aston-cum-Aughton History Group
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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