The first reference to an Inn on Langley Lane is Try ‘Em All, an inn and stables on the drovers way used when the Browney valley was flooded, shown on the 1620 Tithe Map and as part of Lambton Estate in 1794.
It became the Black Horse Inn in 1812. This photograph in 1897 shows the old building also known as Jaw Blades.
In 1948 Sam and Mary Turnock and their daughters moved into the premises after an uncle had died. They took over the licence and the profitable business.
Only one of the four daughters worked behind the bar. The pub was open from 11am–2pm and again between 6–10pm.
Mary Turnock was a great socialiser. Customers would come to the counter with jugs to be filled and taken home.
Joan Turnock (later Bradley) remembers having a wind up gramophone in a shed which was very popular with her friends. The Black Horse car park would freeze over in winter and be used as an ice rink. A man who lived in the village made Joan and her three sisters wooden skis for use in the bad snowy winters, so they could get to and from their home in its secluded spot at Jaw Blades. After the Turnock family moved out to become licensees of the Board Inn, Mr. Scott took over. He used to write poetry and play the piano.
