Publican S

23 Nicolson Street, Greenock.

Mr Sanders was a merry Englishman and having purchased around 1885 one of the oldest establishment pubs in Greenock. He soon made the old premises up-to-date after gutting it out and spending a fortune altering the pub. He took an active interest in the local Trade Associations and all things connected with the Trade. In his spare time he played Bowls which was very popular with the licensed trade member here and in Glasgow at that time. He was a prominent member of the Free Masons, and was always willing to speak out for the rights of the Licensed Trade in Greenock and surrounding area.

33 Wilson Street, Glasgow.

James Shirra’s Bar, 1889.

James Shirra wine and spirit merchant traded from this old pub as early as 1863. In order to keep up with the ever growing trend that so many pubs in the area had been up-graded Mr Shirra transformed the old pub which was in desperate need of renovation. He was resolved to remodel and reconstruct the whole interior. His biggest task was to lower the floor some two feet, with was successfully completed followed by the transportation of the bar counter which was made from the finest mahogany in the shape of a horse shoe, this shape of bar was then the very popular.

The passage round the bar was wide enough to admit a brisk trade, little snug’s took up the rest of the floor space. Numerous pictures of sporting events and celebrities hung round the walls of the bar parlour or snuggery that was reserved for friends of Mr Shirra’s. A fine open staircase leads to the large hall above which accommodates 130 people, for social meetings, presentations and smoking concerts.

Mr Shirra stocked good quality liquors, including Allsopp’s and Salt’s beer, his 15 year old Scotch whisky “Perfection” was his specialty, and Ballochmyle famed brand of old Scotch, Renault’s brandy 1879, he did a roaring trade in snacks such as sausages, Welsh rarebits, hot pies which was served from the front bar.

Mr Shirra’s grandfather was proprietor of the Burnfoot Distillery, Kippen, Perthshire and his father traded as a wine and spirit merchant in the Gallowgate from 1852. James was also born on the Gallowgate. The old pub on the Gallowgate was called Shirra’s Vaults and later became the property of David Graham of Graham & Sons. This firm owned pubs all over the city of Glasgow including 552 Gallowgate (The Four Ways,) 131 Broad Street, 5 Marlborough Street, 251 Gallowgate (The Haven,) 37-45 Saltmarket (Graham’s Bar,) 1-3 Saltmarket, 18 Graeme Street now Bell Street (House of Lords,) 393-95 Paisley Road, 58 Bridge Street (The Laurieston Bar,) and 17 Moore Street.

In 1875 James Shirra was trading at 552 Gallowgate, Mrs Janet Shirra had two pubs one at 216 Duke Street at the corner of Bellgrove Street and 90 Green Street, Calton.

The Shirra family sold up around 1894 when Thomas A Pirie took over the Wilson Street pub. Robert Mill was landlord in 1912 followed by James L Bennie, the pub closed down when the World War started and never opened up again as a public house.

 Manager of the Royalty Theatre, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.

Mr Frank Sephton. 1893.

Mr Frank Sephton was manager of the Royalty Theatre, Sauchiehall Street, in 1893.

Mr Sephton had his first stage appearance in 1855, he was born amidst the Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood’s famous hideaway. His first appearance was here too, his success was under the guardian wing of Mr J K Emmett, in the famous play of “Fritz” at the old Amphi-Theatre, Leeds, and was apprenticed for three seasons in the profession he had so happily chosen at South Shields, under the management of Mr Kimber. Completing this term to the satisfaction of his employers and with credit to himself, young Mr Sephton accepted an engagement at Dublin under the management of Messrs. John and Michael Gunn, with whom he spent two of the happiest years of his professional life.

Anxious and wedded to his profession, he overtaxed his strength and was compelled to bid farewell regretfully to the footlights for about two years; but, ere he was thoroughly convalescent, such was his pluck and ambition that he was again in hardness travelling the midlands, eastern and northern counties representing a Yorkshire firm of English timber merchants. He left the timber trade and went back to his first love “the stage.”

No play, perhaps, in recent times had taken a firmer hold on the public or taxed the energies of an acting manager to a greater extent than the world famous comedy, “Our Boys.” The late Mr Duck was proprietor of this piece, and, joining his company, Mr Sephton was acting manager for him for three years. It may be taken as a guarantee of his ability, perseverance and indomitable energy when we say that during that period he played the exciting roles of Talbot Champneys for over one hundred nights. Percy Pendragon in “Married in Haste,” Charlie Spraggs in “Blow for Blow,” and many other parts in the Byronic repertoire. Leaving Mr Duck for pastures new Mr Sephton joined the well known Mr J B Howard, who was then lessee of the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh. Here he popularity followed him and increased. Doing yeoman service for the lessee for three years, he made an important step in life, and was fortunate enough to gain the heart and hand of Miss Dwight, daughter of the late Mr Charles Dwight, proprietor and manager of the oldest Christy Minstrel troupes on the road. Mrs Sephton was an immense favourite in all the London and provincial theatres and music halls; an excellent and refined comedienne, one of the best Tyrolean artistes on the stage. Although retired, and devoting her energies to that highest of a true woman’s ambition, a happy home-life, Mrs Sephton has ever been ready and willing to emerge from her retirement, and, in conjunction with her clever and popular husband, give her valuable service in aid of charity or any commendable cause.

Appreciated, and, better still, affectionately regarded far outside their profession friends and immediate domestic circle, on their marriage, which was consumed at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, Mr and Mrs Sephton were presented with a purse of sovereigns by their many friends and well wishers, which we believe, far more than covered their honeymoon expenses.

Regretfully Mr Sephton left his friends and manager to open the new Avenue Theatre in Sunderland, which he successfully piloted for six months, giving up the management only to again join Mr Howard on the re-opening of the Theatre Royal, Newcastle-On-Tyne. From Newcastle Mr Sephton came to Glasgow in 1886 to take the management of the Royalty Theatre for the same lessee, and, on the acquisition of the Royalty by Messrs. Howard and Wyndham, he undertook the duel duties of the direction of both houses until, under the strain, his health broke down, and on the advice of his medical man he was reluctantly compelled to forego the active oversight of the latter house.