The White Lion

Today, the White Lion is an excellent pub and restaurant and you can visit their website on www.whitelionharlaston.co.uk In the past, records taken from the Tamworth Herald archives state: As well as being an Inn, the White Lion was also a retail premises with stables and club house called  ‘The Pavilion’ - situated in the current car park.  It also served a holding the Elford Petty Sessions for police and licensing matters; inquests for sudden deaths and an auction house.

Due to a flood at the Brewery, sadly many historical records of the White Lion are not available and therefore the date of origin is unknown.  In an article in the Tamworth Herald it states “The White Lion Public House is supposed to be haunted by a soldier from the Battle of Bosworth, which ended the War of the Roses in 1485”. However, records do show that in 1851 the Licensee was Sampson Sturgess who was also a bricklayer by trade.  From 1861 – 1881 the Licensee was John Sudbury . During his time as Landlord there was a tollgate house* attached to the Inn and when the tollgates were sold, he gained permission to extend the White Lion into the tollhouse.  You can still see the distinct parts of the house and it is believed  the old toll house was the taller end part of the building.

His son Alfred T Sudbury was listed as Publican on the census records of 1891 and 1901

For sometime prior to 1907 a Mur Thompson was Licensee, but in that year the premises were taken over by Alfred Latham. During his time the White Lion was not only a popular Inn, he had stables, a retail store and outbuildings.  It also had The Pavilion, which was a wooden club house on what is now the pub  car park.  For years, this was a very popular place, holding many events, including Whist Drives, music and dancing, travelling cinemas. It was also where the local Youth Club was held between 1955 – 1962.

The White Lion was also used as a place where inquests and police matters were decided.  They also held local auctions for Estate Agents and sold tickets for fishing in the River Mease. It was also the Headquarters for the Ladies Darts Team, the Cricket Team, the Gents Darts Team and the Football Team.

There was also a petrol pump housed in a small brick shed over the main road from the White Lion, by the current wooden shed. The Landlord would have to serve petrol to anyone buying it.

The Licensee were kept under close watch by the local police and they could have their license to trade revoked or not renewed (as they had to apply for a new license every year).  In 1908 The Tamworth Herald reported:  Alfred Latham of the White Lion Inn, Harlaston was summoned for having permitted drunkenness to take place on Dec 5th and also for selling intoxicating drink to a drunk person on the same date.  He pleaded guilty.

In 1948 his son, Alfred Daniel Latham, took over from him and carried on a Licensee until 1972. In 1972 Mr Latham's daughter and her husband Peter Hogg took over to maintain the family tradition.

In 1986 Moyra and Bill Yates took over the White Lion.  In 1989 they received a £90,000 lump grant and completely gutted and rebuilt the pub.

The following information is taken from Tamworth Herald excerpts where the White Lion (Harlaston)  is mentioned:

1872   The Tamworth Herald stated that John Sudbury was the Landlord

1875   Fatal accident at the toll gate

1880   Aug - Elford Petty Sessions - The Annual Licensing Session - The following licenses were renewed:  John Sudbury “White Lion” Harlaston.

1881   Aug - Elford Petty Sessions - The Annual Licensing Session - The following licenses were renewed:  John Sudbury “White Lion” Harlaston.

1885   May - Elford Petty Sessions = Transfers - The Bench granted the following transfer of license to Alfred J Sudbury?

1893   6th May - Adjoining the White Lion Inn at Harlaston is an old Tollgate House.  The Landlord of the Inn Mr Alfred J Sudbury has purchased it and proposes to extend his house so as to include the toll house.  In doing this he will give 3 feet 6 inches of land facing the turnpike to the County Council. They also granted him an extension of his license on May 25th on the occasion of the club Feast.

1893  11 Nov - In a tribute to the late Alderman Clarson, a notable figure in Tamworth it stated - Nothing delighted him more than to be able to go to Harlaston and putting up at the the “White Lion” Inn (Sudbury’s) which he always called the “Grand Hotel” to angle in a stretch of the River Mease which he rented.

1900   - Alfred J Sudbury was summoned for having been found drunk on his licensed premises on May 22.

1900   May - Special Notice - Owing to the sad bereavement of the Host Alfred T Sudbury the Annual Feast of the Harlaston Friendly Society on Whit Sunday will not take place until further notice.

1902   Oct - The license of the White Lion was transferred from the executors of Alfred J Sudbury to Alfred John Hinkley.

1903   Feb - In discussing the renewal of license for the White Lion, the Inspector Marson objected to this, as the former Landlord (now deceased) had been fined for drunkeness on his premises in June 1902.  Mr Matthews, who appeared for the applicant, Mr Hinkley, said that the late landlord was no doubt ill at the time.  Inspector Marson said there had been no complaints since, and he did not press his objection.  License renewed.

1903   May - Sale by Auction instructed by the Trustees of the late Mr A T Sudbury deceased - Capital Freehold Public House together with stables, outbuildings and garden thereto situate at Harlaston and known by the name of “White Lion” Inn and now is occupied of owners. The White Lion is the only Licensed House in the village of Harlaston and has for many years enjoyed good trade. A successful retail trade has also been carried out and the house is well frequented by Anglers, it being near the river Mease and is a favourite of the district of Brimingham and other Angling clubs.

1905   Nov - The Bench granted a temporary authority to Mr Harry Thompson with reference to the license of the White Lion.

1906   July - Highways Committee - Harlaston two gullies have been fixed on hill near White Lion, Harlaston in place of two catch pits.

1907   Nov - Harry Thompson still Landlord,

1907   Nov - Advert - To Be Let with early possession the White Lion Inn, Harlaston.  Apply Messrs Jas Eadies, Burton on Trent.

1908   Jan - A Latham took over as Landlord from H Thompson

1908   Feb - The License of the White Lion Inn, Harlaston was transferred from Henry Thomspon to Alfred Latham.

1908   April - Advert - Under New Management. White Lion, Harlaston. Late H Thompson, Alfred Latham Proprietor. Good Stabling, Every accommodation for cyclists. Parties catered for at short notice.  Eals Pale Ales and Stouts.  Spirits kept in stock best quality.

1908   Dec - Alfred Latham of the White Lion Inn, Harlaston was summoned for having permitted drunkenness to take place on Dec 5th and also for selling intoxicating drink to a drunk person on the same date.  He pleaded guilty.

1909   Jan - The Justices approved of plans of alterations to the Inn in connection with the sanitary room

1909   Feb - Notice of objection of the renewal of their licensed premises has been served upon the under-mentioned license holders and each upon the grounds that the licensed premises had been ill conducted - James Follatt - The Crown Inn, Wigginton and Alfred Latham, The White Lion, Harlaston. The review of their licenses has been adjourned for a month.

1915   Oct - Advert - Good Fishing in the River Mease,  Apply A Latham, White Lion, Harlaston (6d a day)

1931   Sept - P O Telegraphs - Notice is hereby given, pursuant of the provisions of the Telegraphic Act 1863 - 1926 that this May the Postmaster General having obtained consent in that behalf of the body having the control of the public roads described below, intend to place Telegraphic lines over and along the public road as follows:

Edingale - Harlaston Road from the cross-roads to the White Lion Inn, Harlaston.

Harlaston - Portway Lane from Rectory to Wigginton Fields Farm. Burton-Ashby Road from the cross-roads to New Buildings Farm

1933   Nov - An extension of Music, Singing and Dancing license to A Latham for the Pavilion for a Whist Drive and Dance in connection with the Conservative and Unionist Association from 10 pm to 2 am.

1935   Feb - In a report to the Licensing Justice for the Division it was held the licenses were not required for the White Lion Inn, Harlaston because it ceased to be in an area to which Part 4 of the Public Health Act applied.

1935   Dec - Application made from the White Lion, Harlaston for a 1 hour extension from 10 pm to 11 pm on Dec 24, 26 and 31. 

1936   Jan - At Lichfield Rural Council meeting it was reported that a notice under the Rights of Way Act 1932 was read stating that the draw-in at the side of the White Lion, Harlaston was enjoyed by permission and there was no intention of dedicating this as a highway.

1940   June - Alterations proceeding well at the White Lion

1950    A large number of friends and family attended the funeral of Mr Alfred Latham. Licensee of White Lion for 42 years

1983    Nov - Sale by Auction - The White Lion

1988   July - All day opening hours for pubs were introduced.

1988 - 1997 Moyra and Bill Yates were the landlady and landlord of the White Lion

In Alfred Latham's time petrol was served from a pump situated opposite on Main Road. 

It is also reported that many years ago there was a tollgate in Main Road, opposite the White Lion and is believed to have been controlled from the brick shed next to the garage (which was on Main Road opposite the White Lion). Presumably this would have been an extra duty for the Licensee.

Previously, the current car park was The Pavilion, a wooden building that was the old village hall, and held many social events.

Since 2020 there is a defibrillator for public emergency use on the outside wall. 

* On the census in 1871 and Elizabeth Wright was the toll house keeper.  She lived there with her husband  and their 6 children.