In the 1861 census James Prichard (no ‘t’ in Prichard), a Wheelwright from Hewelsfield, and his wife Sarah Jane were recorded as the tenants of the Cross Keys, Tutshill. They had three children there – Andrew Thomas (born 1860), William (born 1861) and Catherine (born 1863). William and Catherine did not survive infancy and there is a gravestone in Tutshill Churchyard inscribed:
“In memory of the beloved children of James and Sarah Jane Prichard of this parish
William George 4 March 1864 aged 2 years 6 months
Catherine Ellen 21 August 1867 aged 4 years 3 months”
The story that has been handed down is that they were asked to leave the Cross Keys at the end of 1869 (has been impossible to confirm why). At that time two cottages were being built along the road but had not been finished. The Prichards took the two cottages and turned them into a public house, naming it “The Live & Let Live”.
Their surviving child, Andrew Thomas, eventually married and had 9 children. He died in 1933.
James Prichard was the tenant of The Live & Let Live until his death in 1873 when the tenancy passed to his widow, Sarah. It appears Sarah ran the pub until the end of the 1800s – then in 1901 the census shows her living in Gloucester Road, Tutshill, with a sister.
In 1891 the pub was recorded as owned by Bristol United Breweries Limited.
After Sarah Prichard these licensees followed:
29.11.1900 – 1916 Mr. Herbert Carpenter and his wife Ellen
In 1901 the Carpenters’ 7-year-old great-niece, Blanche Blatchly from Woodcroft, moved in with them permanently.
1916 – 1928 Mrs. Ellen Carpenter (following Herbert’s death on 8 April 1916)
On 30 October 1916 Blanche married Stanley John Mayo, originally from Itton. In May 1918 their first child, Douglas, (my father) was born and his four siblings were also born at The Live & Let Live, the last in 1931. Stanley moved into The Live & Let Live after he was discharged (having been wounded in France) from Army Service in WW1.
On 21 April 1928 Ellen Carpenter died and Bristol United Breweries asked the Mayos to take on the tenancy, which was granted to Stanley at the next Licensing Court.
1928 – 22.5.1946 Mr. Stanley J. Mayo
1946 – 1962 Mr. Bert Reader
1962 – 1963 Mrs. Reader (Bert’s widow)
1963 – 1965 Mr. Walter Liddington
1965 – 1971 Mr. Jack Elvidge
1971 – 1972 Mrs. B. Elvidge (Jack’s widow)
1972 – 1975 Mr. Derrick Smith
1975 – 1978 Mr. Howard Massey
1978 – 1982 Mr. Derrick Smith (second time)
1982 – 1983 Mr. Ken Johnsey
1983 – 1989 Mr. Michael Sowden
1989 – 1990 Mr. Ian Reeve
1990 – 1992 Mr. John Reed
1992 – 1993 Mr. Allan Watts (under the Rising Sun, Woodcroft)
1993 – 1995 Mr. Bernard Hopkins
1995 – 1996 Mr. Feargus Power
1996 – 1997 Mr. Derek Evans
1997 – 2000 Mr. Donald Ellis
2000 – 2004 Mrs. Maureen Hughes
2004 – 2006 Ms. L. Sullivan & Mr. A. Carey
2006 -2008 Mr. C. Bees & Mr. M. Batten
2008 – 2009 Mr. Mark Burns-Lindow
2009 – Jan 2012 Mrs. Zoe Evans (daughter of Mrs. Maureen Hughes 2000 – 2004)
Jan 2102 – Feb 2013 Mr. C. Luxton
CLOSED – extended and refurbished
5 November 2014 Re-opened by Paula Smith as hairdressing salon and Pritchards Wine Bar
2016 Pritchards Wine Bar re-opened as Toast Tutshill Co
With thanks to Margaret Fuller
