Royal Oak, Ipswich

A report in the Ipswich Journal*** on 05 Aug in 1882 states that : "John Chevallier COBBOLD, now residing at Holy Wells. Gentleman (Owner) & James Goodall GOODING, 39, Fore Hamlet, St Clements, dealer & the person desiring to hold a licence will apply for the provisional removal of the licence from the Royal Oak, Northgate Street, held by William BROWN (& apply for a new licence for) a house about to be erected, abutting Derby Road, towards the East & the Felixstowe Road, to the South, owned by John C. COBBOLD." A report in the Ipswich Journal** on Feb-17 in 1900 when Mrs Sarah Cook was the landlord states that : "On 05 Feb, Charles Fisk a bricklayer had previously been refused drink at the Royal Oak beerhouse on Felixstowe Road. Mrs Sarah Cook the landlady had served him with a beer at 10.30am after which he started using obscene language. She asked him to leave & showed him the door, he refused & struck her violently in the mouth. Customers in the bar took it upon themselves to eject Mr Fisk. It was stated in court that Fisk had been in trouble for the last 21 years with most offences caused by drink...also being drunk at the Cornhill on Feb 8th - Found Guilty & fined." "My grandfather, Arthur Tovell, was landlord here from 1939 & stayed for many years. Previously he was at the Racecourse (until about 1932) & afterwards at the Plough. After my father died, my mother & me moved to the Royal Oak & my mother then assisted her father to run the pub. After he died she continued to run it in her own name (Audrey Jarman) for some time. In 1970s a pigeon club used to meet here." (Information from Paul Jarman)