Kensington District

[Ged]

So what was your dad saying John...........tell him to eat his words



Quite a story behind the building too.

Its origins go back to the 1830s when a large house existed at the junction of Hygeia Street and Rake Lane (later West Derby Road). A zoological gardens had opened opposite in 1832, with the entrance facing Hygeia Street. A Mr. William Mayman who resided in the house in question acquired a job as a keeper in the zoo. He became something of a local hero when he was injured rescuing a young boy who was being mauled by an escaped bear. As a reward for his brave deed, a subscription was raised which resulted in him opening part of his house as a pub.

He comissioned a sign which read 'Mayman in the jaws of the bear' which apparently attracted quite a clientele and by 1843, the premises was licenced as the man and bear. By the 1850s when the licensee was a Mr Mitchell, the name had been changed to the Parrot, then at No.181. The premises were then added to or rebuilt in the 1860s as from then on it was listed as 127 West Derby Road.

It was a decorative pub boasting two statues on its facade. William Ryder was the manager in 1903 when it also had adjoining cocoa rooms which were listed as the British workman public House Co. Ltd.

This 1960s view when the manager was Joseph Ainsworth shows the former cocoa rooms then listed to Low & Co Builders Merchants and at 131, Crown Fireplace specialists. Adjoining the pub in Hygeia street was TKS Motor Engineering. Part of Ogdens Tobacco works can be seen in the background. Listed 1964.

Source: Freddy O'Connor.