THE ELDERBUSH

East Fen Common, Soham, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5

In 1848 the will of a Mrs Mary Isaacson bequeathed a pair of cottages to two beneficiaries along with the remainder of her estate amounting to 10 shillings each.
The cottages were occupied by tenants Shaw and Mann and passed to Mrs Isaacson's grand-daughter, Ann.
When she married Mr Frederick Morris, they ran a shop licensed to sell beer. The shop was run from the side of the cottages which became one property and was known as 'The Bush'
In 1880 the cottages were demolished and a second house was built on the site. The name of these licensed premises became known as 'The Elderbush'.
By June 8th 1892, the house belonged to Morgans Brewery - previously purchased for £315 - and was leased for a term of seven years.
The pub then grew more troublesome and was eventually closed on May 10th 1920.
It was purchased the following year by Mr Sidney Walter Tebbitt and sometime later was occupied by a Mrs Cole, whom some of the town's older residents may remember.
The late Mr James Galley once baked bread at a bakehouse on the site.
When the pub was in operation, a fight erupted one night when each of the two men concerned considered himself stronger than the other and set out to prove it.
Both were strong men and each gave as good as he got. The fight went on so long and it got so late, they agreed to finish for the night and continue the next day.
One might have expected the match to end then but it was not to be. The next day at the appointed time and place, the fight resumed and continued until both men were totally exhausted. The whole affair is well remembered and often talked about.
The house was purchased by Mr and Mrs Hitchings in 1962, and Mr Hitchings was a relative of the Isaacson family. Mrs Hitchings was described as a lady "capable of doing anything" from making intricate lace to building a brick wall.
This is quite believable for as well as beautiful fancy-design sweaters and fine crochet, she built the wall in their back garden.