What are these stained glass symbols on pubs in Stoke Village?

We have been finding out more about these mysterious symbols that you’ll see on pub windows around Stoke Village (on The Blockhouse Inn, and Stoke Inn in particular).

First of all, we wondered whether they had something to do with the local Masonic Hall, as the symbols looked kind of similar, and we could see the letters S and A in the design, which might relate to St Aubyn (who the Masonic Hall is named after).

Ash & Son logo in stained glass on pub window in Stoke Village
Ash & Son logo in stained glass on the window of the Blockhouse Inn pub – 59-61 Devonport Road – photographed in 2023
St Aubyn Masonic Hall – 33 Devonport Road, Stoke Village – photographed in 2023

Local historian Richard Fisher gave us a clue! He showed us the A & S signs in the design of the stained glass, and said “Ash & Son”.

Wessex Light Ale bottle label – Ash & Son (Devon) Ltd. Devonport

We found some information about them on the Devon Brewery Archive which gives information about defunct breweries in Devon.

Ash & Son, Wine Merchants, of Devonport. It is believed that they owned a small number of Plymouth pubs (about 15), but did not brew beer themselves.

Plymouth CAMRA – Lost Breweries of Devon list

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Contributors:

  • Rachel Dobbs