Did anyone listen to the programme on Radio 4 this morning - "The Long View" about Speenhamland and the Poor Laws?

The presenters were standing under the Clock Tower in Newbury and mentioned going into the old Pelican Inn through porticoed doors which was now an estate agents and I wondered which one they meant.

Afraid not, but tomorrow<22nd> Michael Portillo's BBC2 TV @ 6.30pm (Railway) Programme will have him in Newbury.

(Where the pillocks at the Shopping Centre had him excluded, and lost valuable publicity).

Which house is Michael Portillo standing outside?

Thanks for the info. I have watched a few of his programmes in the past, but would probably have missed this.

I found this on the Newbury Society's website:

"17 The Broadway (Henry George, estate agents) (II). Early-mid 19th century shop.

18 The Broadway (Rajastan Restaurant) (II). Early 19th century refronting of older building, formerly part of the Pelican Inn (No. 20, The Broadway). Modern shop front. Carriageway entrance to former inn yard. A print of circa 1825 shows the present building forming part of a uniform 5 window range which included the site of No 16.

Thames Court, 20 & 22 The Broadway (II). Circa 1730. Formerly the George Inn (later the George and Pelican) and used as the residential premises of the hotel until circa 1850. Now in 2 occupations. At first floor, windows with triangular and segmental pediments in pairs. Ground floor with modern bank front and late 19th century shopfront. 19th century panelling to first floor; No 22 with reused 17th century oak panelling on the ground floor. Original 18th century staircase."

The Pelican occupied 18-20 the Broadway opposite the Clock Tower. It later became the George & Pelican. ( which was why what is now the Sports Bar & was for a short while called the same )

The carrigeway enterance is at 18 the Broadway. Red Peppers Indian restaurant I think.

Looks like Dunrobin Station on the Far North of Scotland Line.

Jackson Stops.

Thanks to anyone who has suggested where the former pub was, although I had already found the answer myself on the Newbury Society website as you can see from my earlier posting.

I had assumed as we were talking about Newbury that the picture of Michael Portillo was somewhere around here. In any event, I like his British railway series and the series he does on Continental railways. It's also, in my opinion, much better to have just the one presenter, on Coast, for example, they seem to have an unnecessary surfeit of them.

Regards