THE HOLMES

Holmes Lane, Soham, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5

'The Holmes' public house, now a private residence, can be seen on the left foreground of this picture taken in the 1930's. This section of road is now known as Holmes Lane. There can be no doubt that 'The Holmes' was a pub that knew much music. Very many years ago the pub was kept by Mr Fitch, and the expanse of water opposite the pub became known as Fitches Pit, now filled in, was used for watering horses and horses and carts were driven through it. This old house stood on the corner of Northfield Road and Townsend, and years ago the lane leading to it was known as Westhall Lane.
Not much is known of the pub as to how it developed but some of the landlords people can remember are Mr Chapman and Featherstone. The pub was kept for some time by the Lockwoods, who were a very musical family and well known for their talents in the area. The greater number of people talk of the time when the pub was kept by Mr George Gammon and his wife Rose.
During the war years the pub would be filled with locals and soldiers, and there were nights of singalongs and making merry. These times are recalled with nostalgia and affection and were the times when the pub was most popular.
The licence passed on to Mr Gammon's son Joseph and his wife Phyllis and the pub was kept by the Gammon family for over 30 years and was a happy house. Some time after it was taken over by the late Mr Ron Lister, who went on to take a pub in Littleport, where his wife Edna and family live. Conditions had deteriorated at the premises and the pub closed its doors for all time. Today 'The Holmes' is restored and is a private house, making it yet another pub in Soham where "time" has been called for good.