THE TIGER

The Old Tiger, Northfield Road, Soham, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5

As far back as at least 1850 Soham had a public house named 'The Tiger' which stood some distance from the town itself and which was kept at that time by Mr William Aveley. His daughter Ann later married Mr William Sutton. Mrs Ann Aveley then kept the pub for a short period until in1897 the license was taken over by Mrs Hipple.
In the early years of the 20th century the pub was in the hands of Mr William Turner. At this time pigeon-shoots were held and at the end of these events the brushers and participants would enjoy tea at 'The Tiger', prepared by Mrs Turner who was renowned for her use of cream.
In around 1920, Mr Robert Collen took over at the pub and the license passed on to Mr John Palmer, in 1935. During the time he was landlord, a searchlight was situated not far away in the area of Crow Hall Farm.
One night, during the war years, Mr Palmer was in the bar as usual and among the patrons were Mr Eric Isaacson and Mr Fred Rynsard. A Scottish soldier entered the bar and asked if he might take a shot at the dartboard and the landlord offered no objection. The soldier picked up his rifle, took aim and fired blasting the dartboard to pieces! Needless to say it was not the kind of "shot" the landlord had expected and he was not amused.
On another occasion Mr Isaacson recalls complaining that he was cold, the landlord told him to bolt the door, Mr Isaacson inquired what use that would be and his host replied, "It helps to keep the door closed"
There is a drove that runs beside the building known as Tiger Drove, the name being self-explanatory, an many, are the tales to be told of 'The Tiger'
The premises have been altered, extended, repaired and modernised, making not only a very attractive dwelling but also preserving another of Soham's closed pubs.