Stowell Court
The Poppe Inn has a long recorded history. Originally it was 3 cottages,
built in 1485 during the reign of Richard III and Henry VIII, and was
first recorded as holding deeds in 1838 when it was occupied by William
chapel. It was then Called the Country Hotel".
The first reference to the Country Hotel's slang name was in May 1849 when local diarist Aurthur Hull wrote; "at Tatworth pm. at Pop sale". In 1887 the Poppe was purchased by Chard Brewer "Toms" and was still referred to as The Country Hotel. This name was listed in the Kellys Directories
until 1926, the following year the name had been changed to "Ye
Olde Poppe Inn". |
A certain meadow to the north of Tatworth, now called Stowell Mead, was excluded from the enclosure of the common lands of the Manor in 1819 and as the meadow remained common land the farmers had a right to graze their cattle on the meadow grass. This became increaingly difficult to administer and it was finally agredd to let the meadow annually and to distribute the rent received. Although not stated until 1888 it is presumed that the first and all subsequent courts have been held at the Poppe or Country Hotel.
The Court rules have altered over the years but the
start time of seven 0'clock, fixed in 1845, still stands. the clerk of
the court lights the one-inch tallow candle, after the door leading to
the room is secretly locked, and bidding for the meadow begins. Bidding
ends when the candle flame expires and the bid in the room at this time
receives grazing rights on Stowell Meadow for one year.
(With thanks to The Chard & District Museum)