Page 7 - Points, Pints & Longevity

Pots, Pints & Longevity Redditch Heritage

By 1855 he had decided to diversify and opened the unique 'Needle Pointers Arms' with
facilities for hairdressing and the sale of beer. (This sort of thing is not unknown in
Redditch, the Rising Sun in Alcester Street rented a room to a hairdresser until the 1960's).
John Bryan carried on until 1860 when the premises were occupied by George Mustin,
who dispensed with the hairdressing side and then remained in business until he, died in
about 1869. His age, 51, would again have been a reasonable one for a pointer.

By 1871 Emma Mustin (widow) aged 44 had taken over a property about 20 doors away,
the other side of the Turf/Fleece which she developed into the more up market 'Fountain
Inn'. The 'Pointers Arms' meanwhile had become the 'Royal George', landlord John
Holbeche, son of a Rowney Green farmer, and the pub remained a licensed house until
about 1936. It survived as a tiny single fronted Rainscourts shop until about 1970.

Emma Whele (Nee Mustin) went from strength to strength, owning the Fountain and
marrying the landlord, Jesse Whele who had moved from Birmingham and was some 22
years younger than herself.

One final twist to the story - Joseph Duggins a needle pointer - took over the White Swan,
almost opposite the Royal George, and held it as landlord from 1867, being succeeded
by his widow in 1873. Jesse Whele on the decease of his wife, Emma, purchased various
pubs in Redditch including the White Swan.

This is only part of the Evesham Street story. For instance John Holbeche moved to the
Fleece Inn briefly, leaving his successor at the Royal George to go into liquidation. John
then went on to occupy and in at least two cases own, pubs at Feckenham and Astwood
Bank, before he died at the Rose and Crown, Portway, in 1899) aged 58. However he
was not a pointer!

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