Blue Boar, Walsham le Willows

A Public House was first recorded as brewing & selling ale near here in 1360. the current building dates from 1420 & was built as a private house. The first occupant was Alice Pye, an ale-wife (she brewed & sold ale). In 1447 it was granted to John & Alice Bay & became known as Pyes or Bayes. It belonged to Church House manor & John Bay was a member of the court jury as were later tenants of the house; being a large house in a prominent spot it attracted prominent tenants. During much of the 17th century it was the home of Reginald Page who was bailiff of the manor & a churchwarden. In 1817 it was recorded as being a public house named the "Boar" where local auctions were held. A report in the Ipswich Journal** on 21 Sep in 1839 states that : "Executors of Mr Lionel HAYWARD, deceased, Owner of Boar Inn, Walsham Le Willows, occupied by Mr - SPINK, given notice to quit." A report in the Ipswich Journal*** in Jun 1890 states that : "At the Ixworth Petty Sessions of 16th June 1890 Mr William Baker applied for an extension of time, on the occasion of the Foresters’ anniversary, to be held 7th July. An extension of one hour was granted." A report in the Bury & Norfolk Post & Suffolk Herald** on 19 Jun in 1883 states that : "Joseph CARPENTER of the Boar Inn & Jacob CASH of the Six Bells Inn, Walsham Le Willows were both granted extensions for the Foresters Fete 2nd July, till 12 o'clock." Listed in Church Street (or High Street) in 1891 The building dates from the 15th century, with many subsequent alterations, and is Grade II Listed. The pub can apparently be traced back as far as 1360. Photographs of this pub and more historical information about it can be found at suffolk.camra.org.uk/pub/986