Owner of Weston pub appeals for help in learning more about the history of The Chequers and its resident ghost Jackson

The owner of a popular village pub is appealing for help to find out more about the building’s history.

Katie Booth has been at The Chequers of Weston since October 2018, but as yet has been unable to find out much about its past, apart from a few anecdotes from customers.

“We don’t really know very much about the history of the place at all – I’ve been told there’s been a pub on this site since the 1800s, but we don’t know when it was built,’ she said.

“We’ve just got four old photos, which are up on display in the bar, but it would be lovely to know a bit more about the place’s heritage, so we could put together the rest of its story to share with customers.”

Katie believes the pub, located in High Road, started life as an old coaching inn and has mostly been known as The Chequers, apart from short spells more recently when the name was changed to The Dear’s Leap and The Carpenter’s Arms.

One other thing she has discovered since taking over the venue is that it has a resident ghost – known as Jackson.

“One of my customers told us about this chap, who supposedly died in the pub, although we don’t know when.

“There have been a few instances when signs have flicked over, the taps have come on by themselves and one time there was an unexplained light shining in the bar, so that may explain a few things!’ adds Katie.

“A staff member felt something brush past his head when he was in the cellar once as well, so we’d love to find out more about Jackson and what happened to him too.’

- Anyone who can help with history about the pub building can contact Katie by email table

bookings@okcatering.co.uk