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Home > Hertfordshire > Bishops Stortford > The Shades

The Shades

Date of photo: c1934

Picture source: Kevin Clarke


The Shades was situated on the Causeway. This  Ben Truman public house was owned by me in the 1960s. They know me in Bishop Stortford as Guy Fawkes as I got carried away putting fireworks all round the pub and subsequently arrested for it but acquitted after the trial. This 16th century timber frame pub was rebuilt in brick in the early 1900s. It closed on 29th August 1972 and was demolished shortly afterwards.
Source: Bernard Hagon
 
My grandfather, William Clark was the proprietor from around 1934 until two weeks before world war two started. At this point Trumans tore down half the building, leaving just the Pub part of the building.One of his daughters Veronica aged 91 in 2020, explained that the Shades was a beautiful building and it was a travesty when Trumans pulled it down. A plan of the building layout showed a Tap room with cobble stoned floor and a huge fireplace, beams, wood panels on the walls. There was also a off license room used as the entrance to the Inn section and for guests to dine when staying overnight.
Kevin Clarke (February 2021)

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Name Dates Comments
Bernard Hagon 1960s I Was the landlord for two years with the river running under the road and through my garden, I used to shoot rainbow trout from my bedroom window with a tutu rifle. The present photograph of a wooden building it’s not the one I had. It was all brick that Trumans built in cannot find a photograph of this today. Which is a shame because it was a lovely looking building.
 
Other Photos

Date of photo: 1930s

Picture source: Kevin Clarke

William Clark, publican, 1934-1939

Picture source: Kevin Clarke

Rebuilt Shades

Picture source: Stewart Marshall