The Mason's Arms

Since our last blog we've really done nothing but work! We know, not a very exciting topic for a blog. Our days off last week were spent huddling in doorways, sheltering from the rain. Not fun!

During one of these not so busy at work, rainy days B2 spent some time studying the long history of the Mason's Arms, and this we thought was much more interesting.

The first evidence of a house/venue at Strawberry Bank, the hillside where the pub is situated, is 31st December 1754. Apparently there was a 'Merry' New Years Eve party that particular evening. It's thought that a building was there long before that and was passed from father to son, therefore no deeds or titles were generated. 
There are several theories as to why the Mason's Arms is so named. One is that this was where members of the Masonic Lodges used to meet, at a time when meeting of this kind where prohibited. Another is that a wealthy family, named Mason visited or finaced the pub. The final and most likely is that the inn was owned by William Tyson, a stone mason in 1838.
Personally we like the idea of clandesting meetings held under the cover of darkness, snuggling in dark corners and whispering. Ha Ha.
 It sems the pub was established to accomodate the needs of travellers passing on the new turnpike road.
By 1832 the house was already licensed to sell liquor, and public auctions and meetings had been held there for years before that.
William Tyson, who the pub is thought to be named for, only owned the building for 3 years. He died and passed it to his widow Margaret and on her death in 1960 to their neice, Betty. She ran the in for 20 years, living there with her elderly aunt.

John Matthews, the live in help, was their brewer and ostler. It would have been necessary for a man to carry out the heavy work for the womenfolk. Then whether for conveinience, genuine attachment or to avoid scandle, after Betty's Aunt died, Betty aged 56 married John Matthews. Her Brewer was 13 years her junior.
By the early 1900's things were changing with the invention of the motor vehicle.

People were starting to visit the area for day trips, and in 1909 the inland revenue survey shows that there was more tea drunk at the venue than beer. The pub was then passed from mother to daughter it seems untill the 1970's when it was bought by the Dargues. 

Luckily for us, the left the building largely as they found it. With the flagged stone floors, the ranges and assorted tables and chairs left as they were. Later the pub gained a reputation for having a huge variety of beer from all over the world. A reputation that still holds today.

Hope this small bit of information on the History of the Masons Arms has been interesting. B2 found the info in a book called "Cartmel Fell- A patchwork history"