Livingston

The Ferns.

Ladywell, Livingston.

The Ferns. 1971.

The Ferns, a new public house in the Ladywell district of Livingston New Town, had just opened by the Edinburgh Brewers, Drybrough & Co. Ltd. in the winter of 1971.

This expanding Scottish company, a member of the Watney Mann Group, then had 184 licence’s in Scotland, and had a strong foothold in the Livingston area. Already operating the Livingston Inn, they had on the 28th November the licence for the Rab’s Bar at Livingston Stadium.

Mr William L Taylor, chairman of the Livingston Development Corporation, pulls the first pint, watched by Mr L M Fullerton, of Drybrough’s and on the left, Mr John Gorman, manager and his wife Elizabeth. 1971.

The Ferns, part of a new shopping complex which included a small supermarket, bank, post office and church, was designed by Glasgow architect John P Coia to harmonise with the surrounding area.

About 80 guests, from the licensed trade, the Livingston Development Corporation, and the Contractors, attended the official opening. After welcoming his guests, Mr L M Fullerton, of Drybrough’s, invited Mr W L Taylor, chairman of the Livingston Development Corporation, to pull the first pint and officially declare The Ferns open, after which the guests were entertained to a buffet lunch.

The new public house was managed by John Gorman (38) and his wife Elizabeth. Mr Gorman had been in the trade for 14 years, the last three with Drybrough’s.