Where was the British Workman’s Public House in Ottery?

It seems that there is a certain location, but there is confusion about where it is. According to "Western Times" newspaper on November 5, 1873, it was attached to the Town Hall. However, it was not mentioned for about 25 years until it appeared again on Jesu Street, as reported in the "Western Times" on September 9, 1903. In several other articles, the "Public House" and plans for a school are mentioned, so I wonder what the site's history of the infant's school at the foot of Tip Hill might be.

As per the November 1873 edition of the Exeter Flying Post and Exeter & Plymouth Gazette, it was reported that a British Workman's Public House had been inaugurated twelve to eighteen months prior. Additionally, the Exeter & Plymouth Gazette mentions a meeting held to ensure that the movement, once established on a firm foundation, would prove to be a significant benefit to the town and its surrounding areas.They understood that not every man had the necessary conveniences at home for quiet reading and conversation. Many had no rooms to read in, and to address this great need, the British Workman's Public House (BWPH) was established. Men craved a place where they could meet and have a social chat that was only available at the public house. Public houses were essential, but a place was needed where men could sit comfortably in the evening without being expected to drink anything.

We have found a connection between the BWPH and a school in Ottery, as mentioned in the Exeter Flying Posting of February 1875. At this time, a sub-committee was being created to select suitable sites for an infant school in Ottery. Additionally, the Exeter Flying Post reported in March 1875 that a letter was read out at a School Board meeting from Mr J. Digby, who had previously offered a part of the Red Lion site to the Board for the purposes of building an infant school. However, in this letter, he declined to sell the land therefore the sub-committee resolved to make further enquiries about a suitable site for an infants’ school in Ottery.

In February 1873, during a meeting of the School Board a petition was presented by the Chairman strongly protesting against the purchase of the BWPH to turn it into an infant school. The Clerk was requested to advertise tenders for the proposed modification of the BWPH.

In May 1875, the BWPH received a letter about expanding the building to create an infant school for 131 children. The proposal suggested enlarging the classrooms to accommodate 19 more children and improving the school's overall size by increasing the site area. However, the Board was unable to expand the site, but could increase the size of the classrooms as proposed.

The Western Times reported in September 1903 that the Ottery School Board had held its latest monthly meeting at the Town Hall. Previously, the Board had held meetings at the BWPH on Jesu Street, but since 1875, they had been held at the Town Hall.

A report was presented which stated that the West Hill School site was purchased from Sir John Kennaway and had started functioning in July 1876, while the Infants School commenced its operations in January 1877.

On 30th November 1875, a resident responded to a previous correspondent regarding the closure of BWPH stating that the reason for its closure was the lack of necessity and foundation for it to operate. He further mentioned that the town already had an excellent reading room and defended the behaviour of the young ones. The resident believed that such institutions were not required when operated on such a foundation.

Let's look at the sequence of events and dates of the paper reports. There appears to be a great connection between the BWPH and the infant's school at the foot of Tip Hill, but I couldn't categorically say it was the original location.