THE QUEENS HEAD
It has been my experience that, far and wide, whenever Newton is mentioned, people murmur happily, "Oh - the Queens Head !" It was probably to provide for the needs of travellers rather than those of local people that the Queens Head was established. The building is officially "listed" as early eighteenth century and the first victualler was licensed in 1728 (see Appendix 2). Village people would have been in the habit of obtaining any ale not made in the homes from ale-houses. These were ordinary houses, marked sometimes by a bush hanging outside, where permission had been given by a magistrate for the sale of home-brewed ale, " but not during the times of Divine Service" !

Perhaps the establishment of the Queens Head changed the social life of the villagers to some extent. Travellers would certainly have brought news of distant places and events. Perhaps some villagers would have gathered there to talk and drink; but Newton was always a small village where most of the men were employed on the land at very, very low wages, and probably had little to spend on conviviality. The Short family, early in the 1960s, initiated extensive restorations and improvements and, over the intervening years, have made the Queens Head a very attractive village pub with Egon Ronay listing. It is probably better known now than ever before in its history.

LICENSEES OF THE QUEENS HEAD
from "Recognizances for Victuallers" :

These are extracts taken from the set of three booklets. 'About Newton, the Five Went Ways' , 'About Newton, Town Street' and 'About Newton People'.by Jessie Hall, Copyright 1987.

These Booklets are on sale at St Margerets Church and The Queens Head - all proceeds
to the Church Funds.