Fleece Inn Hotel

LS25 · Post by **LS25** » Fri 05 Sep, 2008 9:36 pm

We’ve recently been researching family history and discovered that on the 1861 census we have an ancestor who was the publican at the Fleece Inn Hotel at 39 Fleece Lane. Does anyone know anything about this pub, we can’t seem to find any information/photos, wondered if anyone could help. Thanks

simong · Post by **simong** » Fri 05 Sep, 2008 10:02 pm

LS25 wrote: We’ve recently been researching family history and discovered that on the 1861 census we have an ancestor who was the publican at the Fleece Inn Hotel at 39 Fleece Lane. Does anyone know anything about this pub, we can’t seem to find any information/photos, wondered if anyone could help. Thanks A quick look at leodis.org suggests that Fleece Lane is or was in Holbeck and would seem to a yard of the type that was cleared in the 50s and 60s. The Fleece Inn Hotel is less successful as there are a lot of pubs called the Fleece in the area. Have you tried old copies of Kelly's Guide or White's? Some from the period have been scanned at www.historicaldirectories.org. They're a bit of a hack to search through though.It's amazing what you can find on a wet Friday night: from the 1881 Kelly's Directory of the West Riding of Yorkshire, there is a Fleece Inn at 12 Fleece Lane, off Meadow Lane, which is in Holbeck as suggested by Leodis. The owner in 1881 was Edward Holby. Here's the link to the page:http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd ... tif&zoom=s

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Fri 05 Sep, 2008 11:48 pm

I have noticed this pub in old directories before - but I suspect it disappeared many years ago. The eponymous Fleece Lane lasted a lot longer - until the 1970s - perhaps even later. I do not have acces to the relevant O.S. map - but I'll look next time in the central library - to pinpoint the exact place on Fleece lane where the Fleece was. There was a court leading off Fleece Lane called Fleece Court and I strongly suspect this is where our pub lay - or it was at the rear of the pub, more likely). The Leodis picture above shows Fleece Court in June 1935 and as you can see the site is derelict even then. It may even be that one of the buildings in the picture is the Fleece (in centre - or to the left almost out of shot perhaps??) but this is conjecture on my part.

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Fri 05 Sep, 2008 11:50 pm

This picture dates from 1935 and shows the entrance of Fleece Lane on to Meadow Lane - showing how narrow it was. The empty shop in the centre ( No. 94 Meadow Lane -a former Fish and Chip shop) is empty , and , knowing Leodis, was taken prior to its demolition so that the entrance to Fleece Lane could be widened . Fleece Lane joined Meadow lane , at this time, between Nos 92 and 94 Meadow Lane.

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Fri 05 Sep, 2008 11:51 pm

Compare this picture from the 1950's - the shop at 96 Meadow lane is shown in both pictures but no 94 has now been demolished.The building on the other corner of Fleece Lane and Meadow Road(92) was a pub that survived until the 1960's (anyone remember it???)

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Fri 05 Sep, 2008 11:51 pm

And here's the pub on the corner in all its glory - The Old Red House. (leodis pic -1964) [I notice its been painted white despite its name !!!!]

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Fri 05 Sep, 2008 11:57 pm

Fleece Lane led off the west side of Meadow Lane - Just south of Great Wilson street. The site today is on the opposite side of the road from the 'Asda' headquarters on Great Wilson street. It is now covered by new developments and the slip road from Gt Wilson Street to the motorways. The white 'box' I've added to this Google Earth image is my attempt to show the approx area covered by Fleece Lane.

sundowner · Post by **sundowner** » Sat 06 Sep, 2008 9:45 am

drapesy wrote: Fleece Lane led off the west side of Meadow Lane - Just south of Great Wilson street. The site today is on the opposite side of the road from the 'Asda' headquarters on Great Wilson street. It is now covered by new developments and the slip road from Gt Wilson Street to the motorways. The white 'box' I've added to this Google Earth image is my attempt to show the approx area covered by Fleece Lane. Well done drapesy i for one enjoyed looking at the photos and your comments keep up the good work. Its funny how the mind works i can remember the Leeds Meter Company on the same block but i cant for the life of me remember the pub. I think Hindle Valves was on the same block as well.

LS25 · Post by **LS25** » Sat 06 Sep, 2008 6:32 pm

Many thanks for your replies regarding the Fleece Inn Hotel. I found your comments very informative and look forward to discovering more.

Si · Post by Si » Mon 08 Sep, 2008 9:17 am

I think I've mentioned this pub and this street before, on the Skulls thread (pages 69-70.) Fleece Lane is where William Hustwaite lived (the member of the Odd Fellows who had a connection with the Crown and Fleece, opposite the Corn Exchange.) According to the 1908 map, the Red House was on the north corner of Fleece Lane and Meadow Lane, and The Fleece was halfway down Fleece Lane on the north side. Fleece Court is marked as Fleece Square, and is to the south of the street. Both pubs are shown on the large scale 1847 map, too.