1852-1870
Solomon Ruddock (John’s great, great grandfather) . From humble beginnings as a coal miner, by 1852 Solomon was trading at Frome Road as innkeeper/grocer. By 1870 he was declared bankrupt and ran off to begin a new life with another woman, leaving his wife, Sarah and one of his daughters, Emily at The Fromeway.
Solomon Ruddock (John’s great, great grandfather) . From humble beginnings as a coal miner, by 1852 Solomon was trading at Frome Road as innkeeper/grocer. By 1870 he was declared bankrupt and ran off to begin a new life with another woman, leaving his wife, Sarah and one of his daughters, Emily at The Fromeway.
1870 – 1912
Emily and her mother continued to live at The Fromeway after her father’s disappearance and in 1873 Emily married Thomas Frederick Denning. He was a coal miner but upon their marriage, he came to The Fromeway and they ran the business (butcher and licencee) together until Thomas’ death in 1912.
Emily and her mother continued to live at The Fromeway after her father’s disappearance and in 1873 Emily married Thomas Frederick Denning. He was a coal miner but upon their marriage, he came to The Fromeway and they ran the business (butcher and licencee) together until Thomas’ death in 1912.
1912 – 1932
Emily continued to live as family matriarch although the business was by then run by one of her three sons, Fred (John’s great uncle). He and his brothers were all butchers and at The Fromeway, Fred’s main business was the butchery although an ale and cider house was run from the premises too.
Emily continued to live as family matriarch although the business was by then run by one of her three sons, Fred (John’s great uncle). He and his brothers were all butchers and at The Fromeway, Fred’s main business was the butchery although an ale and cider house was run from the premises too.
1932 -1939
As Emily declined, Fred’s son Wesley took the licence but found the life too restrictive and was only too pleased when James Denning (his cousin) took over from him. Fred died in 1940.
As Emily declined, Fred’s son Wesley took the licence but found the life too restrictive and was only too pleased when James Denning (his cousin) took over from him. Fred died in 1940.
1939 -1976
James Denning (Jim, John’s father) had been brought up as a butcher with his own father Bill. ( another of Emily’s sons) at Chewton Mendip. When he came to The Fromeway, he continued the business but took a full licence to include wines and spirits.
James Denning (Jim, John’s father) had been brought up as a butcher with his own father Bill. ( another of Emily’s sons) at Chewton Mendip. When he came to The Fromeway, he continued the business but took a full licence to include wines and spirits.
1976 – Present
John Denning took the licence from his father, who retired the following year. John was also a butcher who worked with his father for many years – slaughtering, butchering and in the pub. He retired from the butchery in 2009 and now concentrates wholly on the bar, restaurant and bed and breakfast.
John Denning took the licence from his father, who retired the following year. John was also a butcher who worked with his father for many years – slaughtering, butchering and in the pub. He retired from the butchery in 2009 and now concentrates wholly on the bar, restaurant and bed and breakfast.