White House

A Memory of Ambergate.

My grandfather, Thomas Haskard, was proprietor of the White House inn for 25 years until his death in 1951. I spent many happy holidays there with my brother, Roger, and my three cousins lived in a house just across the road. I still bear a scar on my leg from forays into Ambergate Woods with my brother, who was born in Ambergate in 1935. I was christened in St Anne’s church in 1941. My father Stanley worked for Ambergate Wire Works, Richard Johnson & Nephew and before my birth went to work for them in Manchester. I remember the pub very well and still have the grandfather clock that was in the Snug there. There was a Tap Room at the front, a proper bar, also on the front where there was the bar and a glass case of stuffed birds. The club room, with a large billiard table, was behind the bar with a rack for cues. The family lived upstairs and I remember Grandad spooning brandy over flaming Christmas puddings, with silver threepenny bits in.

My Uncle Albert Bates and cousin Clive played in the cricket team and we watched many matches next to the church. They lived in New Road.

My grandad died in the upstairs front room in March 1951 and the family gave up the pub. Very fond memories of that time.

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