Hackenthorpe, Derbyshire

The New Inn

Throughout the history of the village of Hackenthorpe, a number of pubs have come and gone, including The Blue Bell, and before that The Boot and Shoe. Another notable pub existed in what is now a Veterinary Clinic, located next to the Post Office.

T.L Platts notes in his publications, that the premises were the property of Thomas Staniforth of the Sickleworks originally, and it was recorded in the 1850s that although George Staniforth was Victualler, Thomas was the owner, as well as a number of other buildings in the village. This was a smart business move as he would pay his workers their wages, they would then cross over the road for a few drinks, effectively giving Thomas his money back. On this page we will trace the history of the pub, it should be noted that prior to George Staniforth, Martha Booth is said to have ran the pub, becoming the first victualler.

On the 1841 Census, addresses in Hackenthorpe are not specified, rather tha names are simply under 'Hackenthorpe', however based on the distance between Thomas Staniforth at Greenside, and George Staniforth, it seems likely George was at The New Inn at this time.

George Staniforth is a 25 year old Sickle Grinder, living with his 20 year old wife Rebecca and 1 year old son Thomas.

Harry Walker Helliwell outside the pub as a child/span>

On an 1846 Directory, George Staniforth is listed as Victualler of The New Inn

On the 1851 Census, George is now 35, and is described as Victualler & Sickle Grinder, his wife Rebecca is 31, his son Thomas is now 10. By this time he also has a son John Staniforth, aged 9 and a daughter Mary Jane Staniforth, aged 5. Also in the household is James Renshaw, a 20 year old Apprentice Sickle Grinder from Eckington, and Ann Flower, a 14 year old Servant from Owston.

In 1852, George Staniforth from The New Inn was involved in a Firearm incident at Brampton-le-Morthen, see here for our page on this event.

On the 1861 Census, George is now 40, and still described as a Publican/Victualler, Sickle Grinder. His wife Rebecca is 38 and a Publican/Victualler Sickle Grinders Wife, son Thomas is 20, now a Sickle Grinder himself and daughter Mary Jane Staniforth is a 15 year old barmaid.

By 1871, George, now 55, is living with his second wife Mary Staniforth, 47, as Rebecca had passed away. Also in the home is their grandson John Joseph Staniforth, and a niece, Rhoda A Senior, aged 20.

George Staniforth passes away in 1888, being buried at Beighton on October 15, 1888.

Wedding in the 'Big Room' of the Inn

On the 1881 Census, addresses are again not stated, but based on the next census, it seems clear that William Nelson, 37, a Public House Landlord from Chesterfield, is now running The New Inn. Also present are Lucy Nelson, his 38 year old wife from Stow-On-The-Wold, Gloucestershire, Elizabeth Trannier, 16 year old Domestic Servant from Worksop and Nathan Staton, a 45 year old Labourer from Hackenthorpe.

In 1891, William Nelson is now a 48 year old Widower, he now claims to be from Nottingham. His 70 year old Mother-In-Law Elizabeth Morley is also in the home, alongwith Agnes Gingell, a 15 year old Servant from Beighton. T.L Platts recorded that William Nelson was known as Dandy due to his fancy waistcoat.

T.L Platts gives us a comical story regarding the fire alarm at the Staniforth Sickleworks:

At Hackenthorpe when a fire alarm was given, the hummer at Staniforth’s Sickle Works was sounded to call the fireman to the appliance box. A hand cart was used to carry the fire fighting equipment to the fire. The hoses were dried in a shed belonging to the sickle works. The Brigade visited Sheffield for instruction in rescue work from blazing buildings, they were conveyed there in Billy Brammall’s wagonette. After fire practice it was a standing joke of Captain Clark to assemble the men in line opposite the New Inn, then a right turn forward march command – straight into the public house bar

In 1901, the family with the most well remembered tenure at The New Inn are now residing at the Inn. Betsey Helliwell, a 38 year old Widower is described as License Victualler, her husband Matthew Helliwell had died shortly after they moved in. Harry Walker Helliwell, aged 8 is also in the inn, alongwith 19 year old Niece Marian Frith, an Assistant School Mistress and Keziah Anderson, a 16 year old General Servant.

In 1911, Betsy Helliwell is now a 47 year old Inn Keeper, Harry Walker Helliwell is an 18 year old Newspaper Reporter. Mary Rippon, Betsys mother is also in the Inn, by now an 83 year old Widower. An 18 year old Domestic Servant, Elizabeth Brightmore form Hollins End is also present.

The Big Room pictured again

On the 1939 Register, Betsy Helliwell is still described as Publican Owner. Harry Walker Helliwell is Public House Manager, and his wife Elizabeth Helliwell (nee Sharpe) is living with them, along with their daughters Dorren Mary Helliwell and Margaret Helliwell, and son Brian.

Betsey passed away in 1947, and the pub was then taken over by her son Harry Walker Helliwell, in 1959 the license was transferred to the newly built 'The Golden Plover'.

There are a number of newspaper articles relating to the closure of the pub, and the death of Betsy:

Will go to new premises

The New Inn at Hackenthorpe, which is at least 150 years old and which has been kept for the past 67 years by the Helliwell family, is to lose its license in favour of a new public house which is to be built in the village.

In past years the Barlow Hunt used to assemble on the village green next to the Inn but they no longer meet there.

The present landlord, Mr. Harry Walker Helliwell (65), has held the license for the past 15 years, taking over from his late mother, Mrs. Betsy Helliwell, who held it for 50 years. When she was landlord, the Inn was known to local residents simply as ‘Betsy’s’. Her husband Mr. Matthew Helliwell died when his son was 2 ½ years old. Harry Walker Helliwell was born at the New Inn and in one of the rooms there is a picture of the Inn which is about 60 years old and which shows Mr. Helliwell as a youngster standing outside.

Menu from an event held at The New Inn in 1943 by the Sherwood Foresters Home Guard

Another article details the closure of the pub, and the Helliwell link:

72 years link broken

A 72 year old link with the former New Inn, Hackenthorpe, was broken this week when the last landlord Mr. Harry Helliwell and his wife Elizabeth left the hotel which went ‘dry’ four years ago.

The hotel, owned by Hope and Anchor Breweries Ltd, has been sold and Mr. and Mrs. Helliwell have gone to live with their daughter, Mrs. Dorren Hollyer, of West Street, Beighton, until getting a house of their own.

Mr. Helliwell (71) who was born at the New Inn told the “South Yorkshire Times” “I shall be sorry in some ways to have the place in which I have lived all my life but it was too big for just the two of us.”

He added that he was given a chance to buy the former hotel, but he considered it needed too much money spending on it to be a worthwhile proposition.

The New Inn link with Helliwells began in 1891 when Mr. Helliwell’s father Matthew became landlord and when he died in 1893 his wife Betsy took over.

Betsy’s Inn

She held the license for almost 50 years and her “pub” became so well known in the district that it more often called “Betsy’s” than The New Inn.

Mrs. Helliwell was succeeded as licensee by her son Harry in 1940 and he continued as landlord until it closed four years ago when the license was transferred to the Golden Plover, Hackenthorpe.

Mr Helliwell served in the Army in the First World War spending four years in France. He was at one time a freelance journalist and before becoming landlord was a clerk.

An official of Hope and Anchor Breweries said this week that the premises had been sold but he did not know what it would be used for.

He added that the only condition imposed was that the place must not be used for licensed premises.

Front Cover of the above menu held at The New Inn in 1943 by the Sherwood Foresters Home Guard

Finally, is an article regarding the death of Betsy Helliwell:

Licensee 52 years

Death of Mrs. B. Helliwell, Hackenthorpe

A long association with The New Inn, Hackenthorpe, was ended by the death on Thursday week of Mrs. Betsy Helliwell (85), who had lived there for 54 years. Mrs. Helliwell, who lost her husband 54 years ago, had held the license for 52 years before she retired two years ago, but remembered with her only son, Mr. H. Helliwell, who succeeded her at the Inn. Although unable to take an active part in the affairs of the village, she gave practical support to all its organisations.

The internment was at Beighton Churchyard on Monday, preceded by a service at Beighton Parish Church. Mourners included Mr. and Mrs. H. Helliwell, Betty, Margaret and Bryan Helliwell, Mrs. D. Bolsover, Mr. and Mrs. I. Price, South Wales, Mr. and Mrs. T.R Frith. Miss. E. Frith. Mr, and Mrs. C. M. Frith, Rotherham, Mrs. E. Kirk, Mr. E. Evans, Cresswell, Mr. F. Helliwell, Mr. and Mrs. J Hardwick, MRs F. Hall, Woodhouse, Mrs. F. Bramall, and Mrs. F. Ball, Rawmarsh, Miss Lenthall, Barlboro, Mr. K. Jackson, Miss A. Machent, Mrs. Derry and Miss M. Derry, Mr. and Mrs. E. Sharpe, Mr. and Mrs. F. Sharpe, Mrs. J. Bishop, MRs F. Byrnes, Eckington, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall, Rotherham, Mr. Davies, Miss E. M. Fox, Ridgeway, Mr. P. Rippon, Miss Walton, Mrs. F. Unwin, Mrs. R. Rippon, Mrs. Crookes, Mrs. B. Havenhand, Mrs. Turner, Nurse Rowbotham, Mrs. H. Brocklehurst, Mrs. Hinds and Mr. C. Ford.

Following the license transfer, It was bought by J.F. Whittlestone a veterinary surgeon, who changed the name to New Court. It is now known as A Crooks & Partners Veterinary Surgeons.

Harry Walker Helliwell passed away in 1974.