www.midlandspubs.co.uk
Pub Historian
Frederick and Clara took over the White Swan on August 18th, 1941 when the pub's average weekly takings were £77. Within two years they had increased this to £120. True, pubs did better trade during the early years of WW2 but it would appear they had the magic touch!Using the only two photos I could find of the White Swan Hanley St I combined them together to make this first image. I did this for my Sister-in-Law who, together with her siblings lived there with their parents when they ran it. They were Frederick & Clara Morrall and ran it from 1941 until Frederick unfortunately died in 1947. In those days the brewery wouldn't allow women to hold a licence to run a pub so Mrs Morrall had to leave. My Sister-in-Law tells me that the brewery said her Mom could keep it if she re-married within six months!! The other photo shows her ( in the white wraparound ) with some Family members and a few regulars shortly before she vacated the premises. Although most of the pub is in Cecil St the address was Hanley St.
By the way, although trade directories listed the White Swan in Hanley Street, the magistrate's court entered Cecil Street as the pub's address.
Unfortunately, it became a standard practice of the brewers to replace widows in their houses. However, I thought it was known as the "widow's year" so six months seems harsh.
Great pic of the Clara and the regulars - could I please use it on my website?