The Old George sign in Threadneedle Street

After running a few errands around Stroud town centre, I pottered about taking some street shots. This picture shows the end of a row of shops that run down Swan Lane into Threadneedle Street, as can be seen in the scene on the old sign for the George Inn. The shop window is of Stroud Bookshop's other shop, their Children's Bookshop, now in the ground floor of the old stables.

The sign is written as follows:

The Old George
1654 ~ 1819

THE OLD INN YARD, AN IMPRESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY ROOM WHICH WAS REMOVED IN 1819, LEAVING THE STABLE ON THE LEFT, TO WHICH THIS SIGN IS FIXED.

The Old George was for many years the Principal Hostelry of the Town ~ a most important place in days of yore.
Here the Magistrates and the various Societies of the day held their meetings: here balls, assemblies and public and private convivial gatherings brought together troops of pleasant people: and here many a "bon-vivant" caroused, & and many a weary traveller rested.

PAUL HAWKINS FISHER Esq ~ NOTES AND RECOLLECTIONS OF STROUD ~ 1871


In the picture on the sign, you probably can't read the illustrated sign on the wall, (just to the right of where this new one is placed) which says:

STROUDWATER FLYING COACH
Oxford, Cirencester, London

On the side of the coach is written the same information.

Paul Hawkins Fisher was a noted local solicitor and Reverend, who died soon after his book was published. It is a fascinating read, of his life from a childhood at the beginning of the nineteenth century onwards, and it has been recently re-published by Charles T., the owner of the bookshop.


PS
I have just heard that Stroud Life, one of our two local rags will publish my picture from the photocall on Saturday. The editor said he really likes them!
PPS
Perhaps I will after all enter some pictures into their local photography competition and win a camera!