Madeley Local Studies Group

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THREE HORSESHOES Closed

Once the largest pub in Madeley, the Three Horseshoes was demolished in 1968 to make way for the "improvements" to Madeley Centre. In his 'History of Madeley', printed in 1880, John Randall describes the Three Horseshoes thus - "The oldest sign in Madeley, and one of the oldest houses in Madeley, the walls being made of rubble, mud and plaster. The sign is one of the oldest in the kingdom. The tenant is Joseph Robinson." In the 19th Century the Three Horseshoes was not just a public house but also a commercial and family hotel.

1905 postcard of Three Horseshoes, MadeleyThis hand coloured postcard, postmarked 1905, shows the Three Horseshoes, at the junction of High Street, Court Street, Church Street and Park Avenue. The headquarters and practice room of the Madeley Band were located at the rear of the pub. The pub once had its own bowling green, the site is now occupied by the Anstice car park
Publicans had long been associated with the Madeley Board of Guardians, who among their other duties were charged with the duty of "protecting innocent people from the dangers of the drinking of alcohol". The Shrewsbury Journal of March 1869 reported that William Page of the Three Horseshoes was serving on the Board, alongside James Page, a wine & spirit merchant and brewer of Ironbridge. In 1872 William Page became president of the local Tory society, he remained as landlord of the Three Horseshoes until 1877, later becoming a butcher.

We also know that the landlady between 1922-1937 was a Mrs Dimelow.

Three Furnaces, mid 1960sThis photo from the mid 1960s shows how little things had changed in over 60 years - within just a few years all the buildings shown had been demolished. Scroll down to see the same scene today
Three Furnaces just before demolition in 1968.A photo taken shortly before demolition in 1968, looking towards the junction with Court Street and High Street. The sign over the door and the brackets for hanging baskets, visible in the picture above, have been removed. The building on the right is the former Pooles Sadlers (immediately to the left of the present day Jubilee House, home of Madeley Parish Council). In the background you can just see Moores bakers shop.
1901: Three Horseshoes Stabling 10 horses
Licence Full Condition Good
Granted 1749 Trade Works and roadside
Owner Maun, Crossman & Paulen, Brewers. Leased to Salt & Co., Burton. Occupier and Manager, Edward R Gough Proximity to other licensed houses 50 yards
Value £39 5s 0d Proximity to other dwellings Surrounded
Rooms 8 rooms up and 6 rooms down Position of house with regard to Police Good
Site of Three Furnaces todayThe site of the Three Horseshoes today (Summer 2000). The building in the background, centre right, is the Anstice Memorial Institute, all that remains of the old centre of Madeley. Once again the whole area is the subject of plans for redevelopment - let's hope they get it right this time, although at the time of writing (February 2001) it doesn't look too promising.

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