Signing pledge to renounce drink – then having a pint to celebrate

At the turn of the 20th century, Horsham was home to a kindly gentleman named Jury Cramp.

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

SUS-150724-101530001SUS-150724-101530001
SUS-150724-101530001

While not physically the biggest of men, Jury, who owned a jewellery shop in West Street, held very strong beliefs about alcohol and was never afraid to air them.

In 1984, historian Frank Holmes told the County Times how he used to hear Jury speaking on the Carfax about the evils of drink.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Frank said: “He was a very sincere man, devoted to his cause, spending his life defending what he believed to be right.”

SUS-150724-101541001SUS-150724-101541001
SUS-150724-101541001

As with all good souls, there were times when Jury’s gentle nature was taken advantage of . Mr Holmes recalled such a tale told to him by his father.

He said: “My father was often even more hard up than I am and he told me the story of a night when he and a friend had no money and how, in desperation, they went to see Jury Cramp and signed the pledge to renounce drink.

“Kind old gentleman that he was, he gave them a shilling each. Their solemn pledge lasted just as long as it took to get to the Gardeners Arms where, at 4d a pint, they enjoyed the rest of the evening.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The two pubs in these pictures were no doubt among the watering holes of which Jury despaired – both now long gone.

The Prince of Wales Pub, seen advertising Brighton Rock Ales and Stout, stood in West Street. It is now the Between The Lines shop.

The Beehive Pub stood on the junction of East Street and Denne Road, in Horsham. It later became a newsagent. Today it is M&J News and back in the 1980s it was run by Mr Langridge.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage at www.wscountytimes.co.uk

2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wscountytimes

3 Follow us on Twitter @wscountytimes

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!

The County Times – always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics: