The building was formally Hornbeam Hall or Hornby and through the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries was owned by the Bassil family who farmed at Cromer Hyde. It is thought to have become a pub in 1756 whilst still being used as a farmhouse. Circa 1780 it was owned by the Searancke family of brewers (who had been brewing in Hertfordshire since 16th century) and become known as the ‘Chequers’ due to its reputation as a good gaming house. From 1815 it was taken over by the Hatfield Brewery. Before 1830 there was a draper’s shop attached to the house and many of the old farm buildings remained. Circa 1860 Thomas Woodward was the publican (and also the local wheelwright). In 1882 Pryor Reed, an off-shoot of the Hatfield brewery, were the owners, Thomas Palmer was the publican
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I am the toddler in this photo, being held by my mother Elsie Hayes (nee Smith) and my grandfather Percy Smith. His son Lewis was the landlord of the pub. 1955
When ever I think of this Pub I will always remember it for having a young Elephant in the garden. I am not sure of the date but I suspect it was late 60’s or early 70’s.