The Swan
Conham Hill
Hanham
Bristol
BS15 3AP
0117 967 3947
 
History

We are attempting trying to trace the history of the Swan from opening to the present day.
We would appreciate any more details or corrections - please email info@theswanhanham.co.uk

We understand The Swan was formerly a farm and was converted into a pub by Simonds Brewery of Shepton Mallet. Simonds Brewery was based in Reading but purchased the Charlton Brewery in Shepton Mallet. This is the only connection we can trace.

1891 Census The 1891 Census data lists 3 people living at the Swan - it reads:
Thomas Bailey - Head - Married aged 62 - Farmer/Publican - neither employer or employed
Fred Bailey - Son - Single - 24 - help to Father Inn - employed
William Hodge - Lodger - ? - 40 - Quarryman Stone - employed
???? – 1901 The first known tenant was Thomas Bailey - presumably the father of Fanny Bailey
 
Walter Henry Bailey passed away June 4th 1896 aged 40 - husband of Fanny Bailey who passed away March 29th 1944 aged 86.

Hanham Parish Church
1901 – 1939 Fanny Bailey The Swan Conham - This was once a delightfully unspoilt old fashioned three-bar spit and saw dust pub - An ex-miners pub for Hanham Colliery still known as 'Fanny Bailey's' by Local's after a former landlady. To the left of the Swan there is a white building. This was used during the mining era (1906 - 1926) as a temporary Mortuary when disaster struck, and traces of the white painted interior walls can still be seen on the older walls of the Swan car park.

source:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/2098019864/

Miners pose for the camera at Hanham Pit in the 1920s
source:
http://www.gertlushonline.co.uk/hanham-coal-miners.html
1939 – 1946? Roy Bailey - son of Fanny Bailey lived in house on corner opposite The Swan with his brother - now being sold off as flats (2010)
1940? - 1954 Dick Rowlands Left the Swan to run the Wheatsheaf at Winterbourne
1954 – 1958 Len Short Dunkerton, Peasedown, Cross Ways Bath (not sure of the connection)
1958 - 1971? Ken & Doris Richards
Flying Officer Kit
Apparently, during the time Doris and Ken had the pub there was a very smartly dressed local who frequented the lounge bar who was known as "The Mayor of Hanham" 
Kit is Ken's nickname - Left RAF after the war - gentleman with a large handlebar moustache
1971? - 1981? Ron (Father) & May Irwin The fancy dress party photo was taken during this period and May Irwin is in the middle of the picture next to Rose Joy. Pete Joy is Batman - Trevor Hudson is on duty!
The same fancy dress party - is that Father Ron Irwin in the centre of the pic? - he looks a lot like Ron the son!
Detectives will note the Cockney Pearly King & Queen connection with the other pic!
1981?- 1994 Ron Irwin – son

Ron Irwin was landlord, Eileen his live-in manager/partner also worked at the Swan. Eileen had two dogs, who were easily bribed to keep quiet by bars of chocolate during a break-in one night.
Ron came on a couple of the Hanham Sunday FC Football tours.

1994 - 2000 Tony Watts Before the Mogg Dynasty alterations - Well known local footballer and character heavily involved with Hanham Sunday FC as a player and on the committee - his father Reg was often seen around in the Jolly Sailor and other local Hanham pubs
2000+ Gerry Mogg Another well known local footballer. Gerry runs the pub as a family concern with the help of Joe, Abbie and Dan

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