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Memories of Laundry Lane by Penelope (Penny) Jackson
My Early Life living in Cherry Hinton Road & Laundry Lane
Family
Ruby Gladys Jackson (Mum) William (Bill) Ernest Jackson (Dad) Sisters Ellen Margaret, and me Penelope
*All photographs included here are Penny's, unless otherwise stated.
Laundry Lane, Cherry Hinton Road
I was born on 28.04.1948 at 141 Cherry Hinton Road where my family lived in a downstairs flat. I was the youngest of three girls, Ellen was the eldest, she was born in North London in 1940, Margaret followed in 1946 and I came along later in 1948. Margaret and I were both born at 141 Cherry Hinton Road. My parents decided after the 2nd World War to move away from London and make Cambridge their home.
I believe that my dad's first job in Cambridge was at the Swiss Laundry on Cherry Hinton Road, which was not far from our home. My dad was an engineer, and he eventually left his job at the Swiss Laundry and worked for the Cambridge Steam Laundry which was at the end of Laundry Lane off of Cherry Hinton Road in Cambridge.
The job came with a cottage which was located at Laundry Lane, our cottage was number 1 Laundry Lane which was the cottage nearest the Laundry, there were 5 other cottages and as far as I can recall, all were occupied by other laundry workers.
Tinker my dog with the laundry buildings in the background.
I recall that there was a family called Arnold who lived at number 3 Laundry Lane, Cecelia Arnold was the eldest and I think Len was her son, there was a young lady called Ella and I remember a young man called Ricki. At some point, there was a baby boy living in the Arnold household and I guessed he was Len's son, his name was Kevin.
My mum, holding Kevin Arnold, my uncle John (visiting from London) sisters Ellen, Margaret, & me Penny.
There was a family whose surname was Cramer. I think the dad was Polish. I cannot remember his wife's name, but I remember he had 2 daughters. I think one of the daughters was named Barbara, the other I think was Marisha but I am not sure.
Penny, Michael Inskip, Margaret back row, Christine Inskip and Freda Mauer in front.
There was a family called Inskip but I cannot remember what number they lived at, but they had two children Michael and Christine. At the end of the row of cottages was a couple who did not have any children, they were Tom and Ivy Cordon, and I can remember when Queen Elizabeth was Crowned (1953) they let us children watch the ceremony on their TV because none of the other residents had one! They were also the only ones who had a car.
Mrs Arnold, (Cecelia ) Mum, Ella, Margaret, Michael Inskip, Freda (Mauer) Christine Inskip, & myself, I think the dog belonged To Mrs Arnold.
There was another little cottage in Laundry Lane, it was nearer to Cherry Hinton Road. There was a little girl called Freda Mauer who lived there with her parents, her dad's name was Steve.
Our Mum with her 3 Girls. This picture was taken in Laundry Lane, you can see Kelvin Close houses in the background.
Post-war, money was tight, but as a child, it seemed to be a happy community. At the back of the row of cottages, we all had back gardens and to the side of the houses was a plot of land which was turned into allotments for growing vegetables. There was also a well on this piece of land.
Penny and Margaret in the back garden of No1, garden shed and cowslip field in the background.
Beyond our back gardens was a big field, where in the summer the children used to play during the school holidays. In early summer the field was covered with cowslips, which today are still my favourite flower. The boundary of the field had a row of trees and beyond the trees was Coe’s Farm. Mrs Coe ran a shop, the front of which was on Cherry Hinton Road. The shop was opposite where the TA is now.
(* You can read more about the Coe's by clicking here: Lime Tree Farm and the Coe Family, Cherry Hinton) 
Coe's Court which now stands on the Coe's shop & small holding.
Ellen went to Morley School and when she left there she went to Coleridge School. With all the building that was going on in this area two new schools were built, Queen Edith School and Netherhall Secondary School. Margaret went to Morley School but when Queen Edith was built, she moved there and then went on to Netherhall. I went to Queen Edith and then to Netherhall, but we both hated school.
Laundry Lane Children c.1953. This was taken at the back our house, the girl at the back was our eldest sister Ellen, I am front-left and Margaret is front right, I think the two girls in the middle of the front row are the Cramer sisters. The Laundry building is in the background.
In the Early 1960s, I am not sure of the date, but I know I was at Netherhall School at the time, we learned that the field that was playing field, at the back of the cottages had been sold and houses were to be built, and Derwent Close was born, building proceeded and we were surrounded by a building site. At the time it seemed like a huge number of houses were being built, but worse was to come, the houses that we lived in were to be demolished to be part of the new build, I think there are garages where our houses used to be. The workers from the Laundry were given new homes on Derwent Close, wonderful we thought, brand new houses with a bathroom! I can remember our old cottage being demolished, Margaret and I watched out of our new bedroom window, and we could see all the pictures of pop stars still clinging to the walls of our old bedroom as they demolished the cottages.
I was 14, Margaret had left school and had a job and Ellen had been married for a couple of years and they lived in a flat in Station Road. Dad came home from work one night and he had to tell us he had been made redundant from his job, so he had to find us somewhere else to live. Margaret and I were really upset, we did not want to move!
But Dad sorted it out, he got another job, at the Cambridge pumping station (now the Museum of Technology) , and the council rented us a house, but the house was on the other side of town, Arbury Estate, it seemed miles away from our friends, but there was no other option. It was winter 1962 when we moved, Dad and Margaret had to go to work, so Mum and I had to sort out the moving, we had a removal company move us, and when they had finished, I had to take the key to the house back to the manager of the Laundry, I think his name was Mr Dorsey. We then ordered a taxi and together with the cat and Tinker the dog we arrived at our new home. It was freezing cold, the house was brand new, and I think it was colder inside than out. Dad eventually ended up working for the University in the Engineering Department, being in charge of the boilers in the teaching lab.
So, our new life began. The next morning it was freezing cold, but my sister had to go to work and I had to go to school. But to go to Netherhall school involved 2 buses each way, nightmare!
Dad & me on holiday at Shanklin Isle Of Wight (1960/61)
Christmas came and went and School Easter Holidays in 1963 were on the horizon, I knew I did not want to stay at school any longer, so I went to talk to the Head Teacher of Netherhall at the time, Miss Wilkinson, I told her I wanted to leave school, but she said I was only 14 and could not leave. She looked at the calendar and said, you will be fifteen in the Easter holidays, if you find a job that you can start when you are fifteen you can leave. That is what I did! Murketts Motor Vehicle Company had a repair workshop in Histon Road and I became a receptionist, telephonist and general office worker. It was a bit of a shock as I was very shy, and most of the staff were men.
Looking back, I had a very happy childhood, we did not have much money, but we had a good time, and we made the most of what we had. Looking at the recent pictures that my husband Nick took the other day of Laundry Lane, it made me sad to see how neglected it is now. But that is progress for you! After my marriage to Nick in 1968, our first home was at Swann’s Terrace (off Mill Road) before moving to Shepherds Close Cherry Hinton where we resided for 45 years bringing up our two boys before moving to Church End in 2015.
Penny Nicholas (Jackson)
18.09.2023
The Laundry Lane / Arnold Layne Pink Floyd Connection.
Added by D J (Nick) Nicholas
The story of the Pink Floyd song Arnold Layne has never been fully explained, and probably never will, the Lane although called Laundry Lane had so many Arnolds living there in the very early days, it was called (unofficially) Arnold Lane. If you listen to the lyrics of Arnold Lane by the Floyd, you will gather that it is pertinent to an individual (known to the police) as an alcoholic, and a thief who stole items of clothing from the washing lines in the area, it is believed he was an Arnold (one of the many that lived in the Laundry Lane cottages) and as the nearby Homerton Colleges had lots of ladies lodging in the area, it was a like a child in a sweet factory, with an abundance of quality undergarments to pilfer. He also had an illegal still in a shed at the back of the cottages where he brewed illegal hooch and sold it on.
The connection here is that Kevin Arnold was a friend of Roger (Syd) Barret and it was one of Kevin's relatives that was the perpetrator of these acts. Obviously he not only stole ladies' clothes, but men's attire as well, as it is rumoured that Syd Barret was one of his customers, (Syd being totally unaware of where the booty came from) He was eventually caught and served time for his misdemeanours. Hence it can be assumed that Syd used this knowledge to pen the song, Arnold Layne. Below I have written down an abridged version of the lyrics. Arnold Layne had a strange hobby Collecting clothes Moonshine, washing line They suit him fine On the wall hung a tall mirror Distorted view See-through, baby blue He dug it Oh, Arnold Layne It's not the same Takes two to know Two to know Why can't you see? Now he's caught A nasty sort of person They gave him time Doors bang, chain gang He hates it Oh, Arnold Layne It's not the same Takes two to know Two to know Why can't you see? The song was Pink Floyd's 1st Single and was recorded on Feb 8th & was released on the 11th March 1967. DJN (Nick) 
Pink Floyd, Arnold Layne Album Cover - M. Bullivant
Michelle's Notes - A draft History of Cambridge Steam Laundry:
Laundry work was a traditional trade in Cherry Hinton, usually carried out by women of the village. The main clients were the colleges of Cambridge University, but the laundries also served local hotels, schools and families.
Cherry Hinton Village Sign which depicts laundry as part of its history.
Before motorised vehicles, the washing would have been delivered and picked up by horse and cart or donkey and cart.
With the rise of the steam-powered industry in the later Victorian period, the traditional manual laundries were overtaken by mechanised steam laundries. With the establishment of the Cambridge Steam Laundry in 1881, in the fields west of Cherry Hinton village, much of the trade soon diverted there.
1881
The Steam Laundry was built in Cherry Hinton parish on the site of an old brewery and was opened by 18th October 1881 for business. It included a large area of drying ground. Further research is needed to learn more about the brewery that is said to have once stood on this site. 
Manchester Courier - Saturday 12 March 1881 - British Newspaper Archive
Cambridge Steam Laundry was established in 1881 by Ginn, a Cambridge solicitor, who made Josiah Chater the secretary of the newly formed company. Newspapers reported on the formation of the new public company by March of 1881.
You can read more about Samuel Ginn here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginn_%26_Co_Solicitors
Capturing Cambridge are currently transcribing and publishing the diary of Josiah Chater - you can find out more about this on their website here:
https://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk/2022/07/josiah-chaters-diaries-a-glimpse-back-in-time/ They state that: "Josiah Chater records in his diary the establishment of the Steam Laundry Company. On 11 Feb 1881 he writes: "Had a pipe with Ginn the solicitor; he told me about a new project of a Laundry Company he had in view to which I am to be secretary if it comes off. He has the offer of an estate of 4 acres, with buildings on it, at Cherryhinton, opposite the waterworks, and he has a capital man in view as a manager." Josiah was appointed secretary and the first meeting of the directors was on 5th March. It was decided to demolish the brewery which had stood on the site; by 18th October the laundry opened for business. The first customers were Cavendish College and Mrs Todhunter, wife of Isaac Todhunter, honorary fellow of St John’s College. Josiah as secretary was paid £25 per year, the manager was paid £1 per week and the manageress £1 10s per week.
By February 1882 there were problems though. Josiah found the books in a bad state and did not think that the manager and his wife were competent. There had been many mistakes in sending linen back home. Eight cottages for workers had been built near the laundry and a Dr Cunningham, a graduate of Harvard then living in Cambridge, had been consulted on the problem of disposing of the soap suds without interfering with the sewage system." (Capturing Cambridge)
1882
In January 1882 we find evidence of the trouble referred to by Josiah above, in the form of an advert for a Forewoman for the Laundry who "must understand book-keeping": 
Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 21 January 1882
By March 1882 we begin to see the first advertising for custom by the new Cambridge Steam Laundry Company. The advert below ran for several months in various publications.
Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 11 March 1882 - British Newspaper Archive
The advert above states that full information may be obtained from No. 2 Alexandra Street, Cambridge. This was the office of the Cambridge Reform Building Company. This office was given up quickly because it was too small and moved to 5 Alexandra Street.
You can read more about Alexandra Street on Capturing Cambridge here: https://capturingcambridge.org/museum-of-cambridge/museum-exhibit-stories/7-alexandra-street/ 
OS 25" 1888 (surveyed 1885) Showing the site of the newly established Cambridge Steam Laundry with its drying field and lane leading to the workers houses (left side of the picture above - Cherry Hinton Hall is shown to the right side of the picture above with Coe's Market Garden Farm (Lime Tree Farm) in the centre with its orchards.
OS 25" 1888 (Surveyed 1886) Showing close up of the Cambridge Steam Laundry and workers houses, with Coe's farm and orchard bottom right.
In August 1882 a complaint was published in the Cambridge Newspaper (see below) about the contamination of water. This matter soon seems to be resolved and no further public reports are made. It does help us identify the water source being used for the works. The article refers to an open ditch which ran at the back of the Steam Laundry building and although not visible above ground there today. You will note on the map above that there are two long water-filled troughs which must have been made for use by the laundry.
Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 26 August 1882
1883
The laundry continued with consistent, regular advertising for business in the newspapers. You'll see from the advert below that the offices have now moved from No. 2 Alexandra Street to No. 5 and that the manageress of the laundry is Miss Daniel. 
Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 08 September 1883 - British Newspaper Archive.
1885
By December 1885 the manageress is Mrs Pratt. The advert below also describes the laundry site a little more by mentioning the "Spacious well ventilated sorting, washing and ironing rooms and an extensive meadow for drying ground" 
Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 13 December 1884 - British Newspaper Archive.
1887 By May 1887 we start to see the first of many sponsorship adverts between the Steam Laundry and Reckitts Blue. You can read more about Reckitts Blue at the 'Old and Interesting' website here: http://www.oldandinteresting.com/laundry-blue.aspx These sponsored adverts linked between the manageress of the Steam Laundry and Reckitts continue for many years and appear in adverts all over the country, providing a great deal of coverage and promotion for both parties.  Richmond & Ripon Chronicle - Saturday 07 May 1887 - British Newspaper Archive.
1888 Kelly’s Directory:
Steam Laundry Co. Limited (Josiah Chater, sec.) 5 Alexandra Street; works, Cherry Hinton
1889
In 1889 we get the first look at the Cambridge Steam Laundry Company's logo in an advert placed in the Cambridge Independent Press. You'll also see that Mrs Pratt is still the manageress and Josiah Chater still the secretary. 
Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 26 April 1889 - British Newspaper Archive.
1890
In the financial papers and financial sections of general newspapers continuing information about the share prices of the company are given regularly over the years. 
Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Friday 04 April 1890 - British Newspaper Archive.
OS 6" surveyed 1886 published 1888 - showing the Cambridge Steam Laundry and the Cambridge Water Works site opposite.
In the 1890s there were newspaper adverts for more workers needed at the laundry, which provided employment for local people.
Cambridge Daily News - Wednesday 01 October 1890 - British Newspaper Archive.
1891
The first full record of the people who worked and lived on-site at the new laundry is in 1891. The 1881 census was taken before the Steam Laundry was opened so there are no details for it for that year. The 1891 census shows 7 households living at the laundry site. James Pratt is listed as the manager along with his wife Annie Pratt who is the manageress. The remainder of the families appear to be housed due to the wives working at the company. On the OS Map (25" 1888-Surveyed 1886) you can see a terrace of 6 cottages down Laundry Lane and 2 separate semi-detached houses set back, facing Cambridge Road (Cherry Hinton Road) - it is not clear if these last 2 houses are part of the laundry houses. However, the 1901 Census lists two households (with the laundry manager & family living in one and the laundry Carman & family living in the other) as being on Cambridge Road and the rest are called Laundry Cottages Cambridge Road. It would make sense that the manager/s would have higher-grade houses, separate from the main workers.
1891 Census
Laundry – 1. James E Pratt Head M 35 Laundry Manager – Norfolk Old Catton Annie A Pratt wife M 31 Laundry Manageress – Loughton Essex Grace A Pratt daughter 6 Scholar – Cherry Hinton Daisy M Pratt daughter 4 – Cherry Hinton Fred Thomas Pratt son 10 months – Cherry Hinton Mary Ann Pratt mother widow 55 – Brook Norfolk Keziah Read servant single 14 Domestic Servant – Petersfield Hampshire Cambridge Road Laundry – (Cambridge Road is Cherry Hinton Road today) 2. John Osbourne Head M 67 Farm Labourer – Great Wilbraham Cambs Ann Osbourne wife M 64 Laundress – Little Wilbraham Cambs Annie McDonald Boarder 46 widow Laundress – Hanover Square St George London 3. Wilfred Freeman Head M 38 General Labourer – Royston Cambs Jane Freeman wife M 38 Laundress – Cherry Hinton John Henry Fuller step-son s 15 General Labourer – Cherry Hinton Sidney Fuller step-son 8 Scholar – Cherry Hinton 4. Isaac Read Head M 48 – Cherry Hinton - Buckworth Hants *Defective eyes* Elizabeth Read wife M 46 Laundress – Walworth Surrey Annie Read daughter s 18 Packer and Sorter in Laundry – Worcester Park Surrey Jessie Ann Read daughter s 16 Packer and Sorter in Laundry – Worcester Park Surrey Mary Elizabeth Read daughter 12 Scholar – Petersfield Hants May Read daughter 10 Scholar – Petersfield Hants 5. George Patten Head M 30 Carman – Cherry Hinton Jane Patten wife M 26 Laundress – Cherry Hinton Percy George Patten son 2 – Cherry Hinton 6. Arthur Nightingale Head M 34 General Labourer – St Andrew the Less Cambridge Sarah Anne Nightingale wife M 35 Laundress – Thriplow Cambs Julia L Nightingale daughter 6 Scholar – Cherry Hinton Arthur George Nightingale son 5 – Cherry Hinton Ernest H Nightingale son 2 – Cherry Hinton Emily Ann Benstead Servant s 12 Domestic Servant – Swaffham Prior Cambs 7. Margaret Daniels Head widow 53 Living on own means – Edinburgh Scotland *In 1891 the secretary of the Steam Laundry, Josiah Chater and his family - including Augustine Chater who would later take over the role from his father as secretary of the Steam Laundry - lived in Hartington Grove, off of Hills Road Cambridge*
1892 Kelly’s Directory
Steam Laundry Co. Lim. (Josiah Chater, sec.), 5 Alexandra st
In February 1892 the newspapers reported on the death of a well-known Cherry Hinton man, one of the Pamplin Brothers of the Steam Engine fame, who had a steam engine works in Cherry Hinton at the junction of Coldhams Lane and Cherry Hinton High Street.
Eliab Wright Pamplin died as a result of an accident, in which it was believed that he fell from the loft of his stable. The report notes that "Mr Pamplin was for some years Manager to the Cambridge Steam Laundry Company". We know that Mrs Pratt was still manageress in 1899, it is not clear when Mr Pamplin was manager but Mrs Pratt still continued to be manageress for some years. 
Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 19 February 1892 - British Newspaper Archive.
1893
 Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 14 April 1893 - British Newspaper Archive.
1894
There were many steam laundry businesses across the country by the 1890s and many books were written about the processes, equipment and running of these establishments. The newspaper article below discusses the wages of the Cambridge Steam Laundry Company as a comparison. 
Grantham Journal - Saturday 24 February 1894 - British Newspaper Archive.
The continuing adverts both for the business and for employees gives us useful pieces of information that we can use to build a picture of the machinery used, the jobs available and the workings of the Steam Laundry. Click on each below to expand them.
1896 Kelly’s Directory
Cambridge Steam Laundry Co. Limited (J. Chater, sec.) Cherry Hinton, Camb Steam Laundry Co. Limited (Josiah Chater, sec.) 5 Alexandra St. Cambridge
The following newspaper article from December 1899, gives a report on proprietors and employees of Steam Laundries and is extremely useful as it includes the Cambridge Steam Laundry in the listings, giving a list of names of people working there. - you'll see the error in the print calling Cherry Hinton 'Cherry Linton'!
Daily Telegraph & Courier (London) - Wednesday 13 December 1899 - British Newspaper Archive.
1901 Census
Cambridge Road – 1. James C Pratt Head M 45 Laundry Manager - worker – Norfolk Old Catton Annie A Pratt wife M 41 Laundry Manageress -worker – Loughton Essex Grace A Pratt daughter s 16 Pupil School – worker - Cherry Hinton Daisy M Pratt daughter 14 – Cherry Hinton – Typist Pupil – Own account at home Frederick T Pratt son– Cherry Hinton Annie A Pratt daughter 7 – Cherry Hinton Rose M Pratt daughter 7 – Cherry Hinton Mary A Pratt mother widow 68 – Brook Norfolk Margaret Daniel mother-in-law widow 63 – Scotland 2. Arthur H Wolfe Head M 32 – Laundry Carman – worker – Cambridge Alice Wolfe wife M 33 – Little Wilbraham Rose Wolfe daughter s 13 - Cambridge Harold Wolfe son 8 – Cambridge Laundry Cottages Cambridge Road Cherry Hinton – 3. Ann Osbourne Head Widow 73 – Little Wilbraham Cambs Agnes M W Maloney niece m 33 Laundress – worker – London 4. Henry J Frost Head M 37 – Steam Laundry – worker – Cambridge Jane Frost wife M 38 – Laundress – worker – Great Easton Essex Christopher W Frost son 12 – Cambridge Montague H Frost son 10 – Cherry Hinton William H Frost son 7 – Cherry Hinton Henry J Frost son 5 – Cherry Hinton Robert G Frost son 1 – Cherry Hinton 5. Arthur J Case Head M 28 – Asylum Attendent – worker - Cambridge Ann Case wife M 26 – Silverstone Northants 6. Frederick E Coe Head M 27 – Waterworks Stoker – worker – Cambridge Ellen Coe wife M 30 – Teversham Ellen E Coe daughter 6 months – Cherry Hinton 7. William Tingery Head 33 Foreman & Coal Porter – worker – Wheathampstead Herts Minnie Tingery wife M 32 – Cambridge Frances Tingery daughter 10 - Cambridge William E Tingery son 8 - Cambridge Dorothy Tingery daughter 1 – Cambridge 8. Arthur Nightingale Head M 44 – Brewers Labourer – worker - Cambridge Sarah A Nightingale wife M 45 – Laundry Worker – worker – Thriplow Cambs Julia L Nightingale daughter s 16 – Laundry Worker – worker – Cherry Hinton Arthur G Nightingale son 15 – Whitesmiths Assistant – worker – Cherry Hinton Ernest H Nightingale son 13 – Errand Boy – worker – Cherry Hinton William M Nightingale son 6 – Cherry Hinton 9. Frederick Bowles Head M 30 – Coal Carter – worker – Fulbourn Cambs Mary A Bowles wife M 28 – Whittlesford Cambs Frederick Bowles son 2 – Cherry Hinton Redvers Bowles son 6 months – Cherry Hinton Pretoria May Bowles daughter 6 months – Cherry Hinton *In 1901 the secretary of the Steam Laundry, Josiah Chater and his family - including Augustine Chater who would later take over the role from his father as secretary of the Steam Laundry - lived in Hartington Grove, off of Hills Road Cambridge*
Extensive regular advertising continues for the Steam Laundry in the local newspapers, again providing us with interesting clues and information about the business.
 Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 08 November 1901 - British Newspaper Archives.
1903
In 1903 the Cambridge Steam Laundry opened new Offices at 84 Regent Street Cambridge. 
Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 05 June 1903 - British Newspaper Archive.
1904
With continued drainage of the land and management of the various streams crossing the fields to the west of the Steam Laundry, development continued across the western parish of Cherry Hinton, along Cherry Hinton Road towards Hills Road, which was known as 'New Cherry Hinton'. With the growing number of new houses, streets and shops, a new laundry called The Swiss Laundry, was built on the higher ground further to the west. The Swiss Laundry was founded in 1904 by Mr Chapman and Mr Goundry on the former site of a tannery. It offered a Swiss finish to table linen. This new laundry was to be in direct competition with the Cambridge Steam Laundry. It is worth further research to see what effect this event had on the Cambridge Steam Laundry share prices. As a result, the advertising campaign for the Cambridge Steam Laundry went into overdrive with many repeated and varied advertisements being placed in many local publications and newspapers. Some are shown below - click on each to open them fully.
1907
By 1907 Cambridge Steam Laundry had progressed from donkeys/horses and carts to including tricycles for their collections and deliveries. 
Saffron Walden Weekly News - Friday 25 January 1907 - British Newspaper Archive.
In 1907 Cambridge Steam Laundry worker, 16-year-old Montague Frost, was involved in a serious cycling accident whilst riding a Steam Laundry carrier tricycle laden with linen.
Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 08 February 1907 - British Newspaper Archive.
1909
The advert below shows that things must have continued to go well for the Steam Laundry despite the competition further up the road, this was in part probably due to the sheer amount of new development leading to a decent number of customers going around. It's also worth noting that despite opening the new offices in Regent Street, the office at 5 Alexander Street was still in use. 
Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 15 January 1909 - British Newspaper Archive.
In February 1909 drama unfolds with a robbery at the Steam Laundry premises. This is then reported in several newspapers across the country as well as locally.
Cambridge Daily News - Wednesday 10 February 1909 - British Newspaper Archive.
Along with adverts seeking new staff the Steam Laundry continues with its regular advertising but is now able to include a phone number for the first time.
Cambridge Daily News - Thursday 18 March 1909 - British Newspaper Archive.
Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 19 March 1909
1911 Census - Cambridge Road now called Cherry Hinton Road
Mary Ann Oakman wife 23 – Laundry Hand Steam Laundry – worker - Cambridge Henry William Oakman son 6 – Scholar - Cambridge
Annie A Pratt wife 51 – “ “ “ “ – Laundry Manageress -worker – Loughton Essex Fredrick A Pratt son 20 s – Clerk Government Telegraph – worker – Cherry Hinton Annie A Pratt daughter 17 s – Cashier Café – Cherry Hinton Rose M Pratt daughter 17 s – Teacher (Pupil) School – Cherry Hinton Harrold G Daniel brother-in-law 45 s – Journalist – at home – Loughton Essex
Elizabeth Wolfe wife 38 M “ – Laundry Ironer Steam Laundry Company – Chesterton
Annie Coe wife 38 M – Dressmaking – own account, at home – Compton Devon Arthur Coe son 9 – School – Cherry Hinton Annie Coe daughter 6 – School – Cherry Hinton
Jane Frost wife 49 - “ “ “ - Essex Christopher Frost son 21 s – Labourer to Carter – Cherry Hinton Montague Frost son 20 s – Labourer to Carter – Cherry Hinton William Frost son 18 s – Farm Labourer on Land – Cherry Hinton Harry Frost son 16 s – Farm Labourere on Land – Cherry Hinton Robert Frost son 11 s – School – Cherry Hinton Sidney Frost son 8 s – School – Cherry Hinton
Emily Patten wife 28 M – Trumpington Rose Patten daughter 7 – School – Cherry Hinton Frederick Patten son 4 – Cherry Hinton Sidney Patten son 4 – Cherry Hinton Maude Patten daughter – 3 months – Cherry Hinton
Emily King 30 M – Laundry Maid Steam Laundry – worker – Arlesey Beds
Olive Harriet Miller wife 47 M “ “ “ “ – Forewoman Laundry – worker – St Pancras Islington William Frederick George Miller son 11 – School – Wood Green Middlesex Robert Rick Miller son 8 – School – Wood Green Middlesex
Sarah Ann Nightingale wife 55 M – “ “ “ “ – Laundry Ironer – worker – Thriplow Julia Louise Nightingale daughter 26 s – Laundry Ironer – worker – Cherry Hinton Arthur George Nightingale son 25 s – Whitesmith – worker – Cherry Hinton Ernest Henry Nightingale son 22 s – Wheelwright – worker – Cherry Hinton William Mark Nightingale son 16 s – Under Gardener – worker – Cherry Hinton
Mary Ann Bowles wife 38 M “ “ “ “ – Whittlesford Cambs Dorothy Bowles daughter 13 – School – Cherry Hinton Frederick George Bowles son 12 – Cherry Hinton Redvers Bowles son 10 – Cherry Hinton Pretoria May Bowles daughter 10 – Cherry Hinton *In 1908 Josiah Chater died, the role of secretary to the Steam Laundry Company most likely fell to his son Augustine Chater at this date. In 1911 Augustine was living in Hartington Grove, off of Hills Road Cambridge*
1912
In 1912 we find the first mention of the use of motorised vehicles for the Steam Laundry. 
Saffron Walden Weekly News - Friday 19 July 1912 - British Newspaper Archive.
1916
By May 1916 the effects of the First World War on businesses were being felt and a claim was placed by the Steam Laundry to hold on to their key worker, William Henry Wenham, rather than him go off to war, stating that if he were to go, they would probably have to shut down. We can see from the newspaper report below that the Steam Laundry was engaged in army work by the washing of army blankets. 
Saffron Walden Weekly News - Friday 26 May 1916 - British Newspaper Archive.
1918
Throughout 1917-1918 the Steam Laundry places less of its regular weekly newspaper adverts for business and instead, there is a constant stream of weekly adverts places requesting staff for various jobs. The advert below, for example, states that a war bonus is included. 
Cambridge Daily News - Friday 28 June 1918 - British Newspaper Archive.
In July 1918 we can see that William Henry Wenham was granted another 3 months' extension to continue working at the Steam Laundry rather than be sent of fighting. This must continually be requested.
Cambridge Independent Press - Friday 12 July 1918 - British Newspaper Archive.
1923
For a few years after the war there were quite a lot of newspaper adverts placed for job vacancies at the Steam Laundry but no real regular adverts for business like there had been before the war. In 1923 we find the following newspaper notice which discussed one of the Steam Laundry cottages. We can see that the office at 5 Alexandra Street was still in use and that the manageress was now Annie Wheeler. 
Saffron Walden Weekly News - Friday 26 January 1923 - British Newspaper Archive.
1925
In January 1925 Mr Rutter dies and the newspaper obituary states that he was a director of the Cambridge Steam Company. 
Suffolk and Essex Free Press - Thursday 08 January 1925 - British Newspaper Archive.
1933
In 1933 another break-in at the Steam Laundry occurred with an interesting tale of how the culprit was caught! 
Saffron Walden Weekly News - Friday 03 March 1933 - British Newspaper Archive.
The full tale unfolds in March 1933 in the trial report given in the newspaper, which you can read below - click on each picture in turn to see the full details!
In the report we discover that Edna Fisher, who gives evidence in the trial, is Chief Clerk of the Steam Laundry. Saffron Walden Weekly News - Friday 10 March 1933 - British Newspaper Archive.
In the end, at sentencing, Thomas Spriggs was found not guilty.
Saffron Walden Weekly News - Friday 14 April 1933 - British Newspaper Archive.
1935-36 Cambridgeshire County Directory
Cambridge Steam Laundry Co. Ltd. Receiving office 4738 Works 87548 Chater, A. B. A.C.A., F.C.I.S., secretary Cambridge Steam Laundry, Cherry Hinton road and 54 Regent Street *Augustine Barrett Chater was Josiah Chater's son*
1937
The following newspaper notice shows that the laundries are working together - how this worked in practice and affected the public ownership of the Cambridge Steam Laundry is not clear and would merit further research. 
Saffron Walden Weekly News - Friday 10 September 1937 - British Newspaper Archive.
In 1937 we find the first general business advert in many years for the Steam Laundry. It is much plainer than those that they used to publish before the war, and you'll note that there is now a new phone number for the Steam Laundry.
Saffron Walden Weekly News - Friday 05 November 1937 - British Newspaper Archive.
1938 The Blue Book Cambridge Directory
Cambridge Steam Laundry Co., Ltd. Cherry Hinton meadows. 87548 Cambridge Steam Laundry Co., Ltd. (Chater, A. B.), 54 Regent st. 4738
By 1938 Kelvin Close was laid out to the immediate west of the Steam Laundry and the houses were built just before the war.
 OS 6" surveyed 1935 published 1945.
1939
Chelmsford Chronicle - Friday 06 January 1939 - British Newspaper Archive.
A very sad tale appeared in the newspaper in August 1939 which tells of the suicide of Francis Cort Carpenter, Manager of Cambridge Steam Laundry. You can click on each of the pictures below to read more.
With the outbreak of World War Two the Steam Laundry business was once again affected.
Cambridge Daily News - Thursday 14 September 1939 - British Newspaper Archive.
1946
I visited the Cambridgeshire Archives at Ely to look at the records that they hold for the Steam Laundry at Laundry Lane. They hold a set of building bylaw plans which I was able to photograph. Cambridgeshire Archives Reference: KCB/2/SE/3/9/14843 Building byelaw plan and approval for alterations and additions to laundry, Cherry Hinton Road (Cambridge Steam Laundry) 11th Feb 1946.
Cambridgeshire Archives: KCB/2/SE/3/9/14843 Building byelaw plan and approval for alterations and additions to laundry, Cherry Hinton Road (Cambridge Steam Laundry) 11th Feb 1946.
I sent Penny the plan which showed the houses on the Steam Laundry site, and she kindly highlighted in yellow, which house used to be theirs - see below:
"I was pleased to see that the well was marked on the plan, it was practically in our back garden! It's a shame that the Lane is in such a mess now.....On the attached plan that you kindly submitted I have highlighted our cottage and we resided there circa 1952-1962."
Penny's house is marked yellow on the plan.
1948
Saffron Walden Weekly News - Friday 16 July 1948 - British Newspaper Archive.
The site of Cambridge Steam Laundry in February 1948, still with its drying meadow. Kelvin Close can be seen on the west of the site with Coe's orchard and farm on the east. - Air Photo Mosaic Sheet (1:10,560 scale) National Library of Scotland.
1962
 c.1962 Aerial view showing the newly built Derwent Close over the drying meadow with the Steam Laundry still reachable at the rear, via Laundry Lane - Fairley Surveys
1954
From around 1950 the Cambridge Steam Laundry had begun a new service of Dry Cleaning and had begun its advertising campaign by 1954 Perhaps this was in part because it had now lost its traditional drying ground to the new houses. For several months there were many newspaper adverts placed to call for new employees at the Steam Laundry, in the 'Dry Cleaning Department'. Mrs B Jackson & Co. 3 Regent Street, was one of the first businesses in Cambridge offering Dry Cleaning from 1900 onwards. The Swiss Laundry had also offered dry cleaning since its opening in the early 1900's. 
Cambridge Daily News - Monday 04 January 1954 - British Newspaper Archive.
Cambridge Daily News - Friday 29 January 1954 - British Newspaper Archive.
1962 In 1962, during the last years of the laundry, Mr H Dorcey of Cambridge Steam Laundry represented on the East Anglian Council section of the Institute of British Launderers.  Haverhill Echo - Saturday 24 February 1962 - British Newspaper Archive.
In the same month of February 1962 Cambridge Steam Laundry changed its name and became the Cambridge Laundry and Cleaners Ltd with Mr Dorcey identified as the general manager. The company then takes over another laundry - The Coldham Model Laundry - bringing along a few of its staff.
Saffron Walden Weekly News - Friday 02 February 1962 - British Newspaper Archive.
1969
In August of 1969, the end of the 88-year history of Cambridge Steam Laundry was coming to an end. The name had been changed in recent years, but the business did not last much longer. The remaining premises and land were listed for sale by direction of Lyndale Laundries Ltd. 
Cambridge Daily News - Wednesday 20 August 1969 - British Newspaper Archive.
By October 1969 the public auction sale of the site had been withdrawn, citing the reason that the site had been sold by private treaty.
Cambridge Daily News - Monday 06 October 1969 - British Newspaper Archive.
The mystery surrounding this sale was noted in a newspaper article the following year. It seems that after the private sale of the land in October 1969, the business had carried on for almost another year under its name of Cambridge Laundry and Cleaners Ltd, which had been owned by Mr W Shaw. It soon becomes apparent that the Swiss Laundry had taken over the Cambridge Laundry business. The Cambridge Steam Laundry, albeit with a new name change, finally closed for good on the site it had occupied for 89 years.
Cambridge Daily News - Friday 04 September 1970 - British Newspaper Archive.
Today the Cambridge Steam Laundry Buildings are all gone and in their place is a new housing development called Brothers Place. Laundry Lane remains as a rough road now leading to a dead end.
You can download a PDF copy of Michelle's History of Cambridge Steam Laundry Company and Penny & Nicks article for free, by clicking on the buttons below.
Please do feel free to get in touch if you would like to add anything to this story or if you have any further information on the Cambridge Steam Laundry.
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Suggested further reading and research:
Books that are worth reading on the subject: The Steam Laundry and its Methods - Charles A Royce How to Successfully Operate a Steam Laundry - Caleb David Patterson (Classic Reprint) The Steam Laundry. Its Construction, Equipment and Management - Taylor, John. (Consulting Laundry Engineer) LAUNDRY MANAGEMENT. A Handbook For Use In Private And Public Laundries - Editor of "The Laundry Journal" A Manual Of Modern Steam Laundry Work 1912 - Ellis Clayton Steam Laundries: Gender, Technology, and Work in the United States and Great Britain, 1880-1940 - By Arwen P.Mohun (Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999) Further Suggested Archives and Records to Consult: Cambridge University Library: Laundry books, 1956 - 1968 Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/BG 18 Scope and Contents Record laundry taken in and money paid. Several of the books in this series were used concurrently. Dates: 1956 - 1968 Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Among the archives of the Botanic Garden, personal records are closed to scholars for 80 years from the date of creation under data protection legislation. Restrictions are clearly indicated in catalogue entries. Found in: Cambridge University Library / GBR/0265/UA, Cambridge University Archives / Teaching, learning and research records / Archives of the Botanic Garden Personal diaries: Volume 39 (loose inserts), 1930 Reference Code: GBR/0271/GCPP Tillyard 1/1/39a Scope and Contents Photograph of AT with ? Agatha at St Anthony-in-Roseland in Cornwall; also press cutting re a carol concert given by the Perse School at the Cambridge Steam Laundry works. Dates: 1930 Found in: Girton College Archive / GBR/0271/GCPP, Personal Papers / Personal Papers of Aelfrida Tillyard / Personal and biographical records / Personal diaries, 1897-1959, together with documents formerly contained loose in the diaries, 1868-1959. Personal diaries: Volume 50, 1935-11-01 - 1936-06-08 Reference Code: GBR/0271/GCPP Tillyard 1/1/50 Scope and Contents Oxford. Still at St Benedict's. Alethea also living in Oxford - frequent visits. Brief visit to Cambridge - resigns directorship of the Cambridge Steam Laundry. Continued illness: goes to a nursing home in Torquay in Jan. 1936. March 1936 - has an operation then convalesces at the Convent of the Holy Trinity. Otherwise this volume contains largely description of the contemplative and religious life - occasional comment on the world, eg the situation in Germany. Discussions with Father Cary,... Dates: 1935-11-01 - 1936-06-08 Found in: Girton College Archive / GBR/0271/GCPP, Personal Papers / Personal Papers of Aelfrida Tillyard / Personal and biographical records / Personal diaries, 1897-1959, together with documents formerly contained loose in the diaries, 1868-1959. + taking on her father's role as a director of the Cambridge Steam Laundry Ltd. Writing: 'Concrete' and 'Can I be a Mystic?' both published by Tillyard, Aelfrida Cambridgeshire Collection: The laundry of perfection Author: Cambridge Steam Laundry Co. Ltd Imprint: n.d. Collation: 4 p. ; 19 cm. Dewey class: C.27.2 Local class: C.27.2 Language: English Subject: Cambridge Steam Laundry Co. Ltd BRN: 1144480 Cambridge steam laundry, 80 Regent St and adjoining shops Imprint: 1907-1911 (circa) Notes: Indexes: Yes Dewey class: P.Stea.K0 B.REG.K0 PC.Lan.K0 Local class: B.REG.K0 Language: English BRN: 1024081 The Cambridge Steam Laundry, Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge Author: Sales Catalogue Imprint: Cambridge, 1969 Collation: p.7 ; 35 cm. Notes: With map enclosed Dewey class: C.06 CABINET Language: English Subject: Cherry Hinton Road
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The Russian Arms Public House
The Russian Arms was a public house in Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, that was positioned on the east side of Cherry Hinton High Street, one house north from the Baptist Chapel, on the junction of Cherry Hinton High Street and Fisher's Lane. The records that I have found, so far, for this pub cover dates from 1867 to 1912. So, we know that it was in existence for at least 40 years as the ‘Russian Arms’.
The present-day map below shows the approximate position of the, now private, house which used to be known as the Russian Arms – marked with the red dot. 
Here is a picture, below, of the building as it stands today. It is the building on the left, with the burgundy front door in the center. The top three windows from the left belong to this building, along with the 2 bay windows either side of the front door.
The only physical clue that we have to show us that there was once a pub on this site is the name above the front door, shown below, which states “Russian House 1867”
©Michelle Bullivant
©Michelle Bullivant
This clue gives us a solid date for this building and for, perhaps, its deliberate construction for use as a public house in 1867. There are no records of a public house upon this site, named the Russian Arms or otherwise before this date. Although, as we can see from this portion of the Cherry Hinton Enclosure Map of 1806, there were certainly buildings of some kind on this plot.
Cherry Hinton Enclosure Map 1806, Cambridgeshire Archives. The small black squares indicate buildings. You are looking at Cherry Hinton High Street, running north east with Fisher's Lane coming off of that heading south east.
Here is the same map roughly overlaid onto a modern map - see if you can make out where the roads and buildings relate.
It is very likely, due to the angles at which both the older buildings depicted on the 1806 map and the later Russian House building stands, that they were positioned to face what was once one of the village greens in Cherry Hinton. Traditionally, the often thatched, cottages would line the edges of a village green to face inwards in order to be able to keep an eye of the cattle and livestock overnight when they were brought back in from the common land - just a little further down Fisher's Lane was a small common called Drayton Common (now built upon) which was in use throughout the medieval period. There is still some evidence today of the green at the corner of Fisher's Lane where it joins with the High Street. There was also a large pond (now filled in and built upon) on the other side of the road, on the High Street directly opposite the Baptist Chapel - giving clues to one of the features often associated with a village and it's green - a village pond. Perfect for keeping the livestock watered. It was very common to find a pub within this scene but as I have mentioned we have no records suggesting a pub on this site any earlier that our 1867 Russian House/Arms.
The records that I have found, that mention or relate to the Russian Arms, are as follows (in chronological order):
OCTOBER 29th 1881 – Cambridge Chronicle
“ “Russian Arms” Public House, and 18 tenements mostly brick and slate, ANNUAL RENTAL £133 14s. TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION BY WM. WALLIS, ON TUESDAY, November the 8th 1881, at the “Russian Arms”, Cherry Hinton, Cambs, at six for seven o’clock in the evening, by order of the Mortgagee with the power of sale in the following or other such lots as may be determined upon at the time of sale……. LOT 4. All that New-built Brick and Slate PUBLIC-HOUSE, DOUBLE FRONTAGE, known by the sign of “The Russian Arms”, with a frontage of 66ft. 6in. The house is admirably adapted for business, having the above frontage with large Bay Windows and containing 8 Rooms with Club Room, good Cellar, Range and Copper, also a side gate Entrance to stable, Cart Shed, with lost over, Brick and Pantile outbuilding, etc. There is a Drying Ground to the back of this property with a width of 8ft. and a depth of 50ft. The above is let to Mr. W. H. Apthorpe on a lease expiring the 25th. March 1883 at a yearly rental of £35. Copyhold of the Manor of Hinton Netherhall.”
This is the first documentary evidence that I have found that discusses our pub. You can see from the record that it is regarding the sale of the property. We know from that date of the building, that it appears to have been constructed in 1867. 14 years later in 1881 it is being sold along with some other properties and the auction of all of these properties, along with the pub, is taking place at the Russian Arms itself. Auctions of property often took place in public houses in those days. What we can see from the description of the Russian Arms, is what it would have looked like and how that correlates to what remains today. The description lists the Russian Arms as 'new built', which in essence it was, being about only 14 years old. The large bay windows mentioned are still there today and we get a good description of what the building and pub itself would have been like, inside and out.
The seller of the property is William Wallis, an agent for the Netherhall Manor estate, and the property is copyhold of the Manor of Hinton Netherhall. There were once four manors in Cherry Hinton, two situated in Church End (the north part of Cherry Hinton) - Uphall Manor and Mallets Manor and two more situated in Mill End (the southern part of Cherry Hinton) - Rectory Manor and Netherhall Manor. Netherhall Manor was one of the largest Manors and would have been a physical manor house with a large administrative role in the village. Today there are no manor houses in physical form left -each one having fallen in to disrepair, gone out of use or pulled down. The only one that we do have some evidence of still standing, is that of Uphall Manor, which stands in Church End as a private house now. It was extensively remodelled and changed, the only clues to its original purpose hidden behind later brick encasement. (A separate blog is being done for the manors of Cherry Hinton, where you'll be able to read more there). At the time of this sale of the Russian Arms in 1881, Netherhall Manor was no longer a 'manor house' but was an administrative body which ran the estate and lands still belonging to what was Netherhall Manor.
The old Russian Arms pub next to the Baptist Chapel, Cherry Hinton. Photo by Geoff Kitchin www.cherry-hinton.ccan.co.uk
The other key piece of information within the sale details is that the Russian Arms was being let to Mr W. H. Apthorpe, his lease was due to expire in another two years.
Both William Henry Apthorpe junior and his father W H Apthorpe were both well known brewers and public house owners in Cambridge during the mid-late 1800's. In 1868 William Henry Apthorpe junior had acquired the Albion Brewery in Coronation Street in Cambridge. His father owned the Victoria Brewery in Napier Street. W H Apthorpe senior retired from brewing by 1875 and the pubs that his brewery controlled were passed on to his son. By 1895 the Albion Brewery had at least 50 tied pubs in Cambridge - presumably including our own Russian Arms.
Albion Brewery, 1895 - Coronation Street - courtesy of capturingcambridge.org
It is wholly likely then, that beer brewed at Apthorpe's Albion Brewery, shown in the picture above, was sold and served in the Russian Arms, here in Cherry Hinton.
An article on Albion Brewery on capturingcambridge.org shows what happened to the brewery after this date:
1896: acquired hy Lacon 1913: E Lacon & Co, brewers, wine and spirit merchants H W Badcock, Granta View, Stapleford, manager 1962: E Lacon Ltd, brewers wine and spirit merchants 1965: Lacon taken over by Whitbreads. Site demolished soon after.
The last date of use of our Russian Arms, being a working pub in the village, is 1912. So from the information given above it would have seen at least one change of ownership and probably brewery - that of the change in 1896 to Lacon.
In the London Gazette 1862 we find further evidence as to which Apthrope - father or son - would have been involved with our Russian Arms:
"NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership sub- sisting between us the undersigned, William Henry Apthorpe and William Henry Apthorpe the younger, in the business of Maltsters and Brewers, carried on by us at the borough of Cambridge, under the firm of Apthorpe and Son, was this day dissolved by mutual consent. All debts due to and from the partnership will be received and paid by the said William Henry Aptborpe, by whom the busi- ness will in future solely be carried on.—Dated this 12th day of May, 1862. W. H. Apthorpe.' W. H.Apthorpe,junr." With our building being constructed in 1867, it would mean that the Russian Arms would be in the management of William Henry Apthorpe junior.
Shortly after the notice of sale, in November 1881 we find the following announcement:
NOVEMBER 12th 1881 – Cambridge Chronicle “On Tuesday last, the following property, situate at Cherry Hinton, was sold at the “Russian Arms”, by Mr. Wm. Wallis:-……………… LOT 4. The “Russian Arms” public-house, with cart-shed, loft and brick and pantile outbuilding, copyhold of the Manor of Hinton Netherhall, fine certain, sold to Mr. W. H. Apthorpe for £480.” This shows that Apthorpe junior goes ahead and buys the Russian Arms and becomes owner rather than the tenant of the property. It does make me wonder though...If the Apthorpe's were the first to run a pub there and if they didn't actually build the building itself (as tenants only, why would they have?) then perhaps the naming of the pub "The Russian Arms" was simply due to the house being called "Russian House" as we can see remains the name above the door today. This means rather than searching for reasons for naming a pub the Russian Arms, the line of enquiry falls to why the original building was named Russian House. I would, at this point, be inclined to think that the Russian Arms was so named after the house itself....although....having said that...surely it was built for use as a pub rather than converted - if we go by the sale description of the building? this is a little mystery to solve!
We can see that the pub was still in business in 1887 as it is mentioned indirectly when an announcement is made in the Cambridge Newspaper regarding two cottages that were being sold next door - notice that Fisher's Lane is referred to as "Chapel Lane" due to the Baptist Chapel which was built in 1870. This name doesn't seem to be used very often in the records and today retains the preferred "Fisher's Lane". There wasn't another small lane next to the Chapel which could have had this name that can be discovered as of yet.
March 4th 1887 – Cambridge Chronicle “CHERRY HINTON, CAMBS Two Freehold Cottages in Chapel Lane…..and Two Brick, Stud and Tiled Cottages, situate next “The Russian Arms” Public House, …..”
In 1888 we find an entry that shows the Russian Arms still going strong and playing its role as an integral part of the community, when an inquest is held at the pub - again, along with auctions, sales and various club meetings, village pubs were often used to hold inquests and court session.
JANUARY 20th 1888 – Cambridge Chronicle “INQUEST – Mr. C. W. Palmer, the county coroner, on Wednesday, held an inquiry at the “Russian Arms”, Cherry Hinton, into the circumstances attending the death of Blackman Flack, aged 57. The deceased had been an outpatient at the Hospital, and died rather suddenly on the 11th inst. A post-mortem examination, made by Dr. Perkins, showed that death was occasioned by consumption, and a verdict to that effect was returned.”
In 1893 we again find reference to the Russian Arms through an announcement regarding the sale of some cottages next door.
MAY 26th 1893 – Cambridge Chronicle “Two Cottages, Brick, Stud and Tile built. Situate next the Russian Arms Public House….To be sold.”
Then the final newspaper entry that I can find for our pub, dated 1894, is in regard to another inquest held at the premises:
SEPTEMBER 7th 1894 – Cambridge Chronicle “A FATAL FIT An inquest was held at the “Russian Arms”, Cherry Hinton, on Wednesday evening, by Mr. A.J. Lyon, County Coroner, on the body of Susan Merry aged 49, who died somewhat suddenly on the previous Tuesday morning. David Merry, a labourer, the husband of the deceased, said on Monday afternoon, while his wife was washing, she fell down in a fit. She was subject to fainting fits, but on this occasion she did not rally as usual, and she never spoke again. He did not send for a doctor, as he thought she would come round; he had known her to be in a fit for six hours. There was no change in her condition from the time when she was seized until just before she died.- Mrs Sarah Watts said when she was called to the deceased she was lying insensible on the floor of the kitchen. She remained in that condition for two or three hours. The doctor was sent for when witness though the deceased was dying.- Dr. Nicholls, of Fulbourn, said he had made a post mortem examination of the body, and was of the opinion that death was due to heart disease. It was doubtful if a doctor could have done any good had he been sent for at the time of the seizure. The jury returned a verdict of “Death from natural causes.”
It is worth now checking the census returns to see who was actually living in the building over the years and to see if we can find a solid date when the building stopped being a public house.
The first entry that we have for the Russian Arms is in the 1871 Census - about 4 years after being built. Census returns were done every 10 years, the previous return was for 1861 - before our building was erected. I did however search the entire Census entries from 1841 - when they started - through to 1861 just in case there was any evidence of a pub previously on the same site but there was none.
The following details are given in 1871 Census: Russian Arms, High Street, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge Thomas Merry, born in Cherry Hinton, aged 33, Head, Beer House Keeper - living with him are; Charlotte Merry, born Little Wilbraham, aged 32, shop keeper - along with Fred Merry, 1 year old and George Merry 1 month old, both born in Cherry Hinton. Notice that Thomas is running the 'beer house' but that his wife Charlotte is noted as a shop keeper - was this her occupation elsewhere in the village or town of Cambridge or did she run a small shop from the pub premises? A couple of doors up from Thomas and Charlotte are further members of the 'Merry' family - perhaps Thomas' parents. They are predominantly Agricultural labourers.
In the 1881 Census the following details are given:
Russian Arms, High Street, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge Thomas Merry, born Cherry Hinton, aged 44, porter - living with him are; Charlotte Merry, born Little Wilbraham, aged 44 - along with Mary A Merry, aged 13, scholar, George Merry, aged 11, scholar, Frederick Merry, aged 10, scholar, Sarah Merry, aged 7, scholar and Rosina Merry, aged 2. No mention of Charlotte being a shopkeeper and Thomas is listed as a porter - beer porter? or an additional occupation? Their daughter Mary A Merry wasn't listed on the previous census, so was presumably staying with relatives when the last census was being taken. Frederick and George are still there and in the intervening ten years Sarah and Rosina Merry have been born.
In the County Directory, Thomas Merry is listed as a Beer Retailer and shop keeper in 1869 & 1879 and Beer Retailer in Cherry Hinton in 1883.
The 1891 Census tells us the following:
Russian Arms, High Street, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge- Sarah Fuller, aged 58, born Essex, Little Bury, Widow, Publican with her are her daughter Mary Ann Fuller, born Cherry Hinton, aged 36, Laundress and her son Charles Henry Fuller, born Cherry Hinton, aged 34, Carrier. As you can see from the above, the Merry family are no longer at the premises. Sarah Fuller was married to Charles Fuller and they had previous lived in Mill End, Cherry Hinton. Charles senior had been a railway labourer. After he had died Sarah takes on the business of running the Russian Arms. Sarah Fuller is listed in the County Directory as a Beer Retailer, Cherry Hinton in 1892.
1901 Census is more vague with its addresses and there is a possibility for the occupants of the Russian Arms, listed on the High Street, Cherry Hinton but it doesn't distinguish where exactly on the High Street or if it could be the Hopbine, Five Bells or the Russian Arms - all of which were on the High Street at this time. Annoyingly it does note the names of The Robin Hood, The Unicorn and The Red Lion - at least it rules those ones out. Even with reading through the addresses in succession it is still not completely clear - we do have an 'Inn Keeper' on the High Street called Jane Nightingale who is a widow from Barnwell, Cambridge and is living on which ever premises it is with six of his children aged from 11 -27 (all of whom were born in Trumpington - two of the girls are working as laundry workers - a well known Cherry Hinton profession). At the moment we can't say for certain if this is the family who are then living at our pub.
An interesting article in Ale -Cambridge & District Branch Newsletter Issue 391 February 2019 - discusses the interesting character of Joe Nightingale from Trumpington who's second wife was Jane Nightingale. They had been running the Volunteer pub in Trumpington. When Jane was widowed she came to Cherry Hinton and was running the Russian Arms in 1901. So it would seem it was the Nightgales at the Russian Arms at this date. "....his evidently very sturdy widow probably carried on in the Volunteer for a short time, but by 1901 she (along with much of her brood) had moved on to the Russian Arms in Cherry Hinton...." You can read more about this here: https://www.cambridge-camra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Ale391.pdf 
View of the Russian Arms public house, Cherry Hinton c.1910 www.cherry-hinton.ccan.co.uk
The image above shows us what the Russian Arms would have looked like during its working existence, this is very roughly dated to around 1910. I will place a zoomed in version below so that we can see the pub and its sign a little better.
We have more luck with the 1911 Census, which gives the following information:
Russian Arms, High Street, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge; George Burch, Head, aged 38, born Ipswich, Publican. Annie Burch, wife, aged 36, born Eastmeon, Hants, married for 15 years, 7 children - all survived, assisting in the business. Florence Burch, born Eastbourn, Sussex, aged 14, domestic day girl. Winnifred Burch, born Eastbourne, Sussex, aged 13, school. Daisy Burch, born Eastbourne, Sussex, aged 11, school. Fred Burch, born Portsmouth, aged 10, school. Edgar Burch, born Cambridge, aged 9, school. Dorothy Burch, born Cambridge, aged 6, school. Edward Burch, born Cherry Hinton, aged 2. We can see that the pub is still running in 1911, the Burch family in residence. Given the age of Edward Burch, their youngest at 2 years old and being the first of the children born in Cherry Hinton, suggests that the family are relatively new to the village and therefore perhaps not that long in the pub itself.
We cannot yet access the 1921 Census until January 2022 when it is to be released. So now I shall turn to the County and Village Directories to see if we can find out anything else.
So far, I have been hitting a dead end for anything after 1911 to say that the pub was still in use and no records coming up for the Burch family placing them still there, so as it stands we know that the pub was still going in 1911 but that is currently the end date we have for its use.
The Lost Pubs (www.closedpubs.co.uk) project gives us the following information:
"The Russian Arms was situated on Cherry Hinton High Street. This pub closed in 1912 under the 1904 Compensation Act." Mike Petty (www.mikepetty.org.uk) also mentions this, in his compilation on Cherry Hinton, taken from historical newspaper reports: 1912 07 26 Licensing: Cherry Hinton Russian Arms, 12 07 26 1912 11 15 Licensing compensation for Cherry Hinton Russian Arms 1935 07 05 The Five Bells was one of five fully-licensed houses in Cherry Hinton. In 1920 the Hop Bine, next door, was done away with and the Russian Arms had been closed in 1912. Lacons the brewers said the extra penny on beer had hit sales. The Five Bells had been ringing harmoniously for a good many years to the comfort and convenience of the inhabitants and should be allowed to continue to ring a litter longer. The licence was renewed - 35 07 05b From these reports we can see that the Russian Arms ceased trading in 1912 and became a private dwelling house. The Russian Arms had closed as a result of the 1904 Licensing Act. It seems that the idea was to reduce the numbers of licences in congested areas, and compensation was paid under the Act. Under the Licensing Act, 1904, in the seven years from 1905 to 1911, 7,318 licensed premises were closed with compensation. Of these, 6,880 were in England and 438 in Wales. http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/acts/licensing-act-1904
Please do get in touch if you would like to make a comment or have any further information. More history and information on the other pubs in Cherry Hinton coming soon....
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