BENTINCK - TERRINGTON St CLEMENT

Ongar Hill is NE of Terrington St. Clement village.

Identified as BENTINCK BANK 1864, 1871, 1881 & 1910

Burnage Farm 1871 with William Large as Public Works Labourer and Beerhouse keeper.

As the ESTUARY INN 1891

BENTINCK ARMS 1892

At the licensing sessions Monday 7th March 1910 Superintendent Bentham said that the house was situated on the river bank. The gross annual value was £6 5s, the rateable value £5, and the rent £4. It was a wooden house and had a tap-room about 20 feet square, a small living room, three bedrooms, etc... The house was in a bad state of repair, and the rain came through some parts of the roof. When he inspected the house it was in a very untidy state. Outbuildings consisted of one or two broken-down sheds. The house was objected to principally on account of its position.. It was a long distance from the road, namely about one mile. It could only be reached from the river bank. Police supervision was bad on account of its position. There was one house a quarter of a mile away, the next nearest house was a mile off. In the opinion of the Superintendent the licence was not required.
It was reported that the nearest licensed house was 2½ miles away in West Lynn.
The BENTINCK BANK was used by navvies working for the Norfolk Estuary Company and others employed on the estuary banks. It had undoubtedly been used for that purpose when many more men were employed - It had been built when there had been a great deal more work about.
It was agreed that the necessity for more work in the area may not arise at any moment, but it was asked that in the event of 20 navvies being sent there to stop some urgent trouble, where would they find accommodation? `Navvies do not want feather beds, they want shelter from the storm.' - This was the only shelter.
Superintendent Bentham said he had never had cause to proceed against the tenant, at any time..
The Chairman said that the magistrates were of the opinion that a prima facie case had been made out and the licence would be referred for Compensation. A provisional licence would be granted in the meantime.
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At the Petty Sessions 5th February 1912 the licence renewal was withheld on the grounds of redundancy, but would be open to argument at the 4th March licensing meeting.

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Mr. Wilkin of Seppings & Wilkin, Lynn asked for renewal of the licence at the Sessions of Monday 4th March 1912.
Police Superintendent Powles confirmed the structure of the house and its remote location on the river bank about 2.5 miles from West Lynn and 3 miles from Clenchwarton. The situation made police supervision very difficult. He had visited the house three times in recent days and there had been no customers, only the landlord and landlady.
Mr Wilkin said that the licensees were not concerned with the level of trade, but the house was essential to give shelter to the men who worked on the river banks. These men could only work when the tides allowed and their work prevented the people of Terrington being drowned. He further pointed out that the wooden structure had been built some 60 to 70 years previously, with the permission of the magistrates and before there were any police in the area.

Licensee West had been at the house for five years and was building up trade. He had three lodgers at the time and his customers were farm labourers, men employed by the Estuary Company and sailors when wind-bound. In about 1898 about 200 men had been called, on a Sunday, to do urgent work on the banks. In 1906 some 160 men arrived and by then the Bentinck was the only house available to provide food and shelter.
There was no wireless telegraphy at the house and when fresh beer supplies were needed the licensee had to walk to West Lynn or catch the postman. The house had once been without beer for four days following unexpected sales.

Mr Alfred Fysh, for brewers W & T Bagge said that they supplied the house with beer and aerated waters.
In 1909 43 barrels of 36 gallon capacity had been supplied to the house. 44 in in 1910 and 40 in 1911. In the period 1909 to 1911, 116 dozen bottles of aerated waters were sold at the house. He considered trade was very good for the size and location of the house.

The representative for Mr H A Bentinck, owner of the bank and the house considered that the house was necessary for the locality. The bank had to be inspected every twenty four hours and the Estuary Company spent thousands of pounds there without anybody knowing. He had seen as many as forty navvies at the house, so many that he had been unable to get in himself.

The Estuary Company sent a letter supporting the renewal of licence.

Licence renewed.