1923

According to the Churchwardens accounts of 1753, £3/14/0d was spent on food and drink while `perambulating the bounds'.

The East Dereham Petty Sessions were held here Thursday 27th September 1753.

A meeting here in 1774 attracted over 500 people. The purpose was to consider the application for an Act of Parliament to build a workhouse for the Mitford & Launditch Hundreds. Although the proposal was rejected by a large majority, the Act was passed.

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Norfolk Chronicle 5 July 1777
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION

At the George in East Dereham the 18th Day of this Instant July, between the Hours of three and Five in the Afternoon if not before disposed of by private Contract of which notice will be given in this Paper.
A Capital MESSUAGE in East Dereham wherein James Moore now lives, and called or known by the name or Sign of the George; consisting of three good Parlours, a very handsome and large dining Room, two good kitchens, with scullery, pantry and other convenient offices adjoining; a good and commodious Bar, Cellars, good Vaults, eight Chambers and five Garrets with a Brewhouse, Stable for fifty horses, Coach-house, Granary and other convenient outhouses all Brick and tiled, in very good Repair with a large and pleasant Bowling Green and Garden planted round with flowering shrubs; all Freehold.
The Purchaser to take the Household Goods, Furniture, Horses, Chaises and other Stock upon a fair appraisement.
For further particulars apply to the said Mr Moore or Mr Thomas Smyth, Attorney at Dereham.

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For sale, Freehold, December 1777.
For the most part new built brick....
The Owner being lately promoted to publick Office of the greatest Trust and was the only Reason he left it.

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17th May 1784 - Ann Wilson, widow of the late George Wilson, informed her Friends and the Public that she would be carrying on the same business having been left a good Assortment of the best Wines and other Liquors.

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Offered for sale by auction June 1786 with possession Michaelmas 1786.
Sale included a Hearse and two Post-Chaises which were fully employed.

Advertised 4th October 1786, to be Sold or Let with immediate Possession.
The same notification advised that a hand-bill, circulated by Mr. P. Tooley, claiming that he had hired the Inn, was apparently intended to injure the letting of the Inn, since Tooley was never "in the least treaty about it". <Philip Tooley, ex Golden Key, Norwich?>

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According to the Universal British Directory 1793 - 1798 the George Inn had previously been in premises that were lately the shop of Mr Knapp. It went on to advise that for the past 25 years `there has been a justice-sitting consultancy held at the George Inn, on every Friday (Market Day), which by experience has been found to contribute much to the public in every respect ....'.

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For Sale by Auction Thursday 28th March 1793. The Proprietor, the current master of the public house, declining the public trade at Michaelmas 1794.

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It was advertised 5th October 1793 that the Mercury Post Coach would set out from the house of Mr. Barber, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at Three o'clock. It would arrive in London in the early evening. Fares of £1 1s from Dereham with Outsides at half price.
This was the only coach travelling from Norfolk to London by Day.

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Norfolk Chronicle 24 May 1794

George Inn, East Dereham:  Thomas Barker (from Scole Inn) having entered the above Inn, respectfully acquaints his friends and the Public that he has laid in a large stock of wines and other Liquors of the first quality which he purposes selling wholesale and retail on the lowest terms, the nobility, gentry and public at large may be assured of meeting with every accommodation and of having a minute and unremitting attention paid to their commands.

T.B. also begs leave to assure all Gentlemen Travellers who will favour him with their support that his utmost endeavours shall ever be exerted to merit their future patronage in rendering them every accommodation. Neat Post Chaises with Able Horses and Steady Drivers on the shortest notice.

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For Sale by Auction Friday 25th March 1814.
With excellent Stabling and Bowling Green.
In occupation of Joshua Mayston, as tenant from year to year.

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Robert Clarke advised His Friends, Gentlemen Travellers and others that he had taken the Inn - October 1815.
Neat Post Chaises and good Horses, with careful Drivers could be provided at the shortest Notice.

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The GEORGE INN was to be Sold by Auction Monday 21st April 1817, with Immediate Possession.
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Part of the George Inn was sold at the premises, on Tuesday 10th July 1817.
The Freehold Estate previously forming part of the Inn consisted of an Entrance Hall, three rooms fronting the Market place on the ground floor, four good chambers, three attics, a very large and convenient dry cellar and a spacious yard with convenient outhouses.

Four other lots consisted of parcels of rich freehold land contained within an area of about 141 feet by 38 feet adjoining the above. The purchasers of these lots were to erect a seven foot wall, nine inches thick, between each lot, within three months of purchase. Part of this land had formed part of the Bowling Green and was a very desirable spot for building. Being situated near the site of the proposed navigable river from Dereham to Wells they would be well worth the attention of a Corn or Coal Merchant.

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Given as GEORGE & DRAGON 1830
and as the GEORGE INN at Market Hill 1836.

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The Opening Dinner for Mr. J. Ives was to be held Friday 29th May 1840.
He was already impressed with Gratitude for the many Favours already conferred. Tickets at 10s each were to be had at the Bar.

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Youngs, Crawshay and Youngs still advertised on sign in 1967, but Bullards beers then on sale. (since c1958)

The bowling green was reputed to be over 300 years old, one of the oldest in England - when tarmac surface laid over it during 1986 (?), to allow car parking.