For her historical feature this week, Margaret Mills took us to over to enjoy a couple of drinks at a pub in Wanstead.

But not just any pub, but specifically, THE GEORGE, where on the 17th July 1752, a stonemason doing repairs to the pub, allegedly stole a cherry pie from a vendor walking past with a tray of pies on his head.

It seems that massive pies were a feature of 18th-century Essex rural festivals, and Wanstead in particular was famous for the cherries grown locally.

After being caught the miscreant was apparently taken before a magistrate who imposed a fine of half a guinea  – the equivalent of about £275 today!

Listen again here to what Margaret had to say on this subject: –

Hope he’d earned enough to pay the fine.

Hope to see you again next week,
Scott