Diss sign
1912 Public Houses
Cock Inn
The Cock Inn
(Fair Green)

Background

The Beehive started out as a pub in the late 18th century. Over its time it had different owners and landlords and is still open to this day. James Woodward was the landlord from 1890 to 1916.


Occupants on 2 April 1911, Census day

James WOODWARD, 49, innkeeper, living with wife Ada (50, assisting in business) and children Edward (22, greengrocer), James (16, butcher), Ada (15) and Annie (13, scholar). Address given as The Cock Inn, Denmark St., Diss, Norfolk. (RG14 PN11446 RD230 SD2 ED4 SN222)


Occupants in the 1912 Electoral Register

The register lists James WOODWARD as an Occupational Voter (tenement), showing residence at the Cock Inn.


Kelly’s Directory of Norfolk, 1912

James is found as a victualler living at Cock Public House, Denmark Green, Diss


Woodward girls
The Woodward girls
L-R: Mildred, Ada, Gertrude and (seated) Annie
Date unknown (c.1916?)


Family facts

NOTE: In some early records James's surname is given as WOODARD.'

1862 : Birth of James Woodward in Pulham St. Mary, Norfolk, son of George WOODWARD (1815-1887) and Mary Ann LAND (1816-1892).

05.04.1871 : Census : James, 9, scholar, living with parents George (56, agricultural labourer, born in Winfarthing) and Mary (54, charwoman). Address given as Pulham St. Mary the Virgin, Norfolk, (RG10 Piece 1836 Folio 70 Page 31 Schedule 172)

03.04.1881 : Census : James, 19, maltster, living with aunt Sarah LAUD (34), cousins John SORBELL (22, painter) and Helen CASTALL (2), and boarder Charles FUTTER (17, surveyors pupil) , Address given as Sycamore Cottages, Croft Street, Ipswich, Suffolk. (RG11 Piece 1871 Folio 91 Page 29 Schedule 140)

1886 : James married Ada Torbell. (1886 Q3 Hartismere Suffolk Vol 4A Page 1335).

05.04.1891 : Census : James, 29, licensed victualler, living with wife Ada (30), children Mildred (3), Edward (2) and Gertrude (3 mos), visitor Milly TORBELL (15), and Annie LAWRENCE (19, general domestic servant).. Address given as Cock Inn, Denmark Street, Diss, Norfolk. (RG12 Piece 1544 Folio 27 Page 13 Schedule 92)

31.03.1901 : Census : James, 39, innkeeper and fowl dealer, living with wife Ada (40) and children Mildred (13), Edward (12), Gertrude (10), James (6), Ada (5) and Annie (3). Address given as Cock Inn, Denmark Street, Diss, Norfolk. (RG13 Piece 1863 Folio 44 Page 14 Schedule 88)

02.04.1911 : The Census shows James (born in Pulham St. Mary) and Ada (born in Eye, Suffolk), married for 24 years, 6 children, all still living; 6 rooms in dwelling.

15.09.1916 : James died. (1916 Q3 Depwade Norfolk Vol 4B Page 241).

15.09.1916 : James WOODWARD was buried in Diss Cemetery, age 55 years..

15.10.1916 : James's daughter Gertrude (25, school teacher) married baker George Buckle (29, baker) at the Parish Church in Diss.


Cock Inn


Pub facts

In September 1884, The Cock was offered for let by Youngs, Crawshay & Youngs, with possession from Michaelmas, taken by Thomas Spurdens. Including Baking Office and Shop.


In the newspapers:*
Diss Express, Friday, April 10, 1903, page 5

Local Intelligence

Cock Inn

FREAK of NATURE.—Mr. J. Woodward, landlord of the Cock Inn, Denmark Green, had a brood of ducklings hatched out on Monday morning, and one of the number was found to have four perfect legs and feet. It is still living and can eat well.


Diss Express, Friday, August 14, 1903, page 4

MISCELLANEOUS

TO be Let, with immediate possession, an excellent Lock-up Shop, adjoining the Cock Inn, Denmark Green, Diss. - For particulars apply James Woodward, The Cock Inn, Diss.


Diss Express, Friday, October 20, 1905, page 4

JOHN C. PIKE
Auctioneer and Valuer,
STUSTON PLACE, SCOLE, & MERE STREET, DISS

-----
DENMARK GREEN FEN LANDS, DISS

To be LET by Auction by
JOHN C. PIKE, at the COCK INN, DISS
On Friday, October 30th, 1905,
at 7o’clock in the Evening, in 3 Lots.

Lot 1. - A piece of Meadow Land in Diss, being part of Denmark Green Fen, containing 1a. 1r. 0p., or thereabouts, late occupied by Mr. Aaron Rayner.

Lot 2. - A piece of Meadow Land, also part of the same, containing 1a. 2r. 32p. or thereabouts, late occupied by Mr. George Buckle.

Lot 3. - A piece of Meadow Land, being the remainder of the same, containing 1a. 2r. 24p. or thereabouts, late occupied by Mr. Alfred Algar.

The above lands will be let for the term of 3 years from the 11th of October, 1905, under certain conditions which will be produced at the Auction, and in the meantime can be seen at the offices of Messrs. Garrod and Wilson, Solicitors, Diss.


Miscellaneous

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Notes:
  • * In some newspaper articles the format used in newspapers has been altered to aid readability and clarity.
  • Many thanks for the information from the Norfolk Public Houses website. More information can be found on its Cock Inn webpage.
  • More information can be found on the The Cock Inn webpage, on the website of the Fair Green Neighbourhood Association.

Page last updated: 17 Feb 2025
© Diss Family History Group & Nigel Peacock 2025