The Kings Arms, York: Daughter of former owners of historic Yorkshire pub recalls her ‘flooded’ wedding day at the Ouse Bridge Inn
The daughter of the former owners of a historic Yorkshire pub has recalled her wedding day at the pub which floods every year - including on the day of her wedding reception.
Elizabeth Watkinson’s, 87, parents were the owners of Ouse Bridge Inn - now known as The Kings Arms - at the time of her wedding to Brian, 89, in October 1961.
The Grade II listed Kings Arms was first recorded as a pub in the late 1700s and was changed to the ‘Ouse Bridge Inn’ in the 19th century.
The pub reverted back to its original name of The Kings Arms in 1974 and remains with that name today.
Elizabeth told The Yorkshire Post how she walked on a plank over ‘upturned beer crates’ in her wedding dress for the reception held at the pub, as it was flooded.
Elizabeth, who is originally from York, and Brian, from Leeds, have been visiting the pub ever since - recalling memories of their 1961 wedding.
“When we lived at the pub, [my parents] were so surprised that we were having a wedding there because nobody got married there”, Mrs Watkinson said.
“I was worried about the flood, but it wasn’t that high, it was only just coming in. It wasn’t massive until later.
“It was flooded 65 years ago and nothing has changed.”
The inn’s sign illustrates King Richard III, who grew up at Middleham Castle and was popular with York locals.
The pub is the only surviving building to form part of First Water Lane, a medieval street that was demolished in 1852 and rebuilt as King Street.
By 1898, it was owned by the Samuel Smith Old Brewery and was renovated with new doors and windows as well as the rebuilding of the rear wing by King Street.
The couple had their ceremony at St Michael’s Parish Church on Spurriergate which is now the Spurriergate Centre coffee and charity shop.
“[Liz’s parents] were coming up to retirement, so we used to come across with our children and I used to work on Saturday nights [at the pub] to give them a bit of a break,” Mr Watkinson said.
“It was very busy. Her mum and dad were local people who were very well known, she would play darts in the city centre, I think she enjoyed being well known around the town.
“[Her dad] used to come in when the pub was flooded and sit on high stools with his trousers rolled up and we used to play dominos and cards.
“Lots of the regular customers said they would drink the pub dry, now that for a landlord is a wonderful expression, it means you’re sold out.”
Mrs Watkinson added: “He always helped my parents because he liked to be behind the bar. I used to get fed up then as we weren’t going anywhere because he was in the pub. He loved it.”
Their love story began when they met in Leeds while Elizabeth worked at Hotpoint.
“In all the big stores, we used to have an electrical department where they used to demonstrate the washing machines,” Mrs Watkinson said.
“The head office was in Leeds, it was the Thursday before Easter and I went into the office, then Brian came and said ‘I need a demonstrator’, I said ‘me too’ as a joke.
“I went next door and said to a girl ‘a gorgeous fella came in, tall, dark and handsome’.
“I had a girlfriend in Leeds and we went to Bridlington because my parents were still there. We went to Bridlington Spa to dance.
“I said to Gloria, ‘there’s that fella there that came into our office and he’s coming over’. We had a dance, it was around 1958 and we went back to Leeds together.
“We started going out in Leeds for a couple of years before we got married in 1961.”
Brian added: “At the wedding reception they all came back to the pub and tied the mop bucket to the back of the car.
“Her mother was running after [our car] shouting ‘I need me bucket’ as we drove away.”