Shepherd & Dog, Crays Hill

It is not know when this photograph of the Shepherd & Dog was taken. Perhaps you can help.

The building was owned at this time by Wells & Perry Ltd. who styled themselves as The Chelmsford Brewery. Their address was 26 Duke Street Chelmsford and the brewery was founded in 1793

Shepherd & Dog, Crays Hill

The brewery was taken over by Taylor Walker in 1934 who were subsequently acquired by Ind Coope Ltd of Romford in 1959.

Locally Wells & Perry Ltd. owned a number of other pubs, The Chequers in Billericay High Street, The De Beauvoir Arms at Downham, The Nags Head at Ramsden Heath and The Bear in Stock.

A view of the pub looking westwards

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  • My great-great grandparents, John Tune and Mary Anne Gardiner, owned the Shepherd and Dog until at least the 1870s. I have a photo of it with my great grandmother at about age 12 and she was born in 1859.
    I also have a newspaper clipping announcing the death of Mary in 1920 which states that she was born at the Shepherd and Dog in 1835, and the family owned it for 50 years.
    The photo I have looks very much like the photo above, except above the door it says “John Tune” and there is no other signage.

    By Scott Miller (15/01/2024)
  • Charles Dodd was granted a license as landlord of the Shepherd and Dog at the Brentwood Petty Sessions on 21 November 1907, a vacancy which came about due to the disappearance of the previous landlord, Charles Raven (Essex Chronicle 22 Nov 1907).

    In March 1938 there was a smell of gas on the premises. A man from the Gas Company was called for. On entering a disused cupboard there was an explosion. He was blown across the bar as were Charles’ daughters, Alice and Annie who were seated in that room at the time. The explosion caused a fire which was attended by the Wickford division of the Billericay Fire Brigade. Much damage was done in the room, but fortunately no one was seriously injured. The explosion reached the national press and was reported in the Daily Mirror (March 24).

    In June 1938 the aforementioned Alice married Sidney Macer at St Mary, Ramsden Crays. She wore a “dress of ivory georgette with lace appliqued and train, and silver net veil; her bouquet was composed of lilies and lily of the valley” (Essex Chronicle June 17). After the reception at the Shepherd and Dog the honeymoon couple left the premises with the bride wearing “a navy-blue assemble and silver fox fur”.

    This comment has also been submitted to the Wickford Community Archive website.

    David C Rayment.

    By David C Rayment (09/05/2022)
  • My great grand-uncle, Charles Richard Maryon Dodd, was landlord of the Shepherd and Dog from 1908 until at least 1937 (according to Kellys directory). I have a similar photo to the one above in my family tree although I’m assuming it is from a later date as there is a flower box in front of the “Fine Sparkling Ales” part of the sign.

    By Matt Ahier (02/05/2022)
  • Must be after 1890 as that was when Chelmsford Brewery was registered to acquire Wells & Perry. This would be very soon after the acquisition, possibly in 1890 or 1891.

    By Paddy John (31/03/2021)
  • Mrs Savagear as the landlady at the Chequers – not sure which year.

    By Hazel Morley nee Martin (01/03/2012)
  • The Chequers in the High St who was the landlady in the 1960’s ?

    By Paul Rodway (04/12/2011)

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