The Boot Inn, Langford

The Boot Inn: Common Road, Langford

The Boot Inn had stood on the corner of Common Road and Cambridge Road since it was first licensed in 1776. In 1876 and 1885 Amos Stimson was the landlord but by 1894 Tom Bates had taken over. Much later Amos left his will on the kitchen table with two half crowns for his sons, Jim and Jack, before he drowned himself in the River Ivel. Arthur Sale was landlord in 1900 to 1920 and then Thomas Chessum followed. By 1940 Percy Harradine was in charge. In 1994 The Boot underwent refurbishment. In 2000 the licensee of The Boot won a retail award.

Licencees: note that this is not a complete list and that dates in italics are not necessarily beginning or end dates, merely the first/last date which can be confirmed from sources such as directories and deeds.

List of sources at Bedfordshire Archives: 

• WB/Green5/5/1: Register of successive tenants inc. The Boot, 1887-1926
• WB/Green6/4/1: Trade Analysis ledger inc. The Boot, 1936-1947
• WB/Green4/2/5: List of licenced houses of J.W Green – includes The Boot , c.1952
• WB/Flow4/5/Langf/B1 & 2: Photographs of The Boot, 1960s
• WL722/79: Charles Wells Newspaper: Refurbishment of The Boot, 1994
• WL722/10: Charles Wells Newspaper: retail award for licensee of The Boot, Langford