ONE of Colchester’s long-gone pubs was very much home for 93-year-old Rene Cracknell.
Mrs Cracknell, nee Pitchford, once helped run The Horse and Groom, in Crouch Street.
Sadly, the popular venue closed in the late 1950s and was subsequently knocked down to make way for the new Balkerne Hill bypass.
However, it still brings back fond and vivid memories for Mrs Cracknell, whose daughter, Ann Steady, dropped us a line after seeing our recent nostalgia pieces on Colchester pubs.
“My grandparents, Joseph and Mona Pitchford, ran the pub along with their daughters, Rene (my mum) and Joan,” said Mrs Steady.
“It was a popular pub, not only with locals but with theatrical artistes of the day such as Tommy Trinder, Max Miller, Trevor Howard, Dora Bryan and Peggy Mount.
Popular venue - The Horse and Groom, in Crouch Street. Sadly, the pub closed in the late 1950s
“They were just a few of the many who frequented the pub while performing at the Repertory or Regal Theatres.
“Regular visitors after 1941 were serving members of the American Airforce, who were stationed at outlying airbases.
“They loved to listen to my Nana Mona play the piano, something she was very accomplished at, and the bar would be packed while she knocked out well-known numbers of the time.”
Mrs Steady’s grandfather died in 1947, leaving Mona, along with Rene and Joan, to run the pub.
Family affair - Mona Pitchford with daughters Rene (centre) and Joan. Rene is Gazette reader Ann Steady's mum and is now 93
“This they did with aplomb,” added Mrs Steady.
“My mother, who is now 93, loves to recall her time at the Groom.
“She lived there from birth until she married, so often refers to it as her old home.
“She has many wonderful stories to tell.”
As she is today - Rene Cracknell
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