A Chequered History...
The Chequers has witnessed at least three centuries of change and growth in the area and has transformed from a lone coaching Inn to the hub of the community which sprung up around it. The Chequers appears to have operated in conjunction with a blacksmith's forge on the same site and it's still not too difficult to imagine travellers resting with an ale as their horses hooves were re-shod.
The 1911 census reveals details of the pub at the time, a husband and wife ran the pub with the assstance of several 'servants' the census can be seen here and here.
The pub in the late 1920s.
The pub in 1968 (note The Beatles poster).
At the turn of the century the area was still very rural.
Ghostly Happenings
Amongst other famous patrons no less than Dick Turpin, the famous highwayman is said to have enjoyed the hospitality of The Chequers whilst on the run and he is said to haunt the pub to this day. Two other unidentified men and a woman are also said to occasionally surprise staff and visitors. Several recent searches by paranormal investigators hint at a French policeman and a man kown only as Bernard have presences in the building, a more detailed report can be seen here.
