Geraldine Evans’s association with The Barge Inn near Basildon can be traced back before she was even born. Elizabeth Goodson was an experienced businesswoman having managed various establishments in London from 1917. She had great entrepreneurial skills and her first husband, Harry Goodson, provided her with financial backing.
On May 20, 1937, Elizabeth paid a settlement of £2,643.06 for the lease of The Barge Inn and surrounding land, located in Vange, near Basildon. When war was declared in 1939, an army camp was built in Vange and The Barge raked in a fortune. During this time Harry died and Elizabeth later married the local baker, George (Doughy) Saunders.
Elizabeth was an old-time queen bee − a no-nonsense landlady. Every night she wore a fur stole around her shoulders, a rope of diamonds around her neck and heavy earrings. Doughy was a larger than life, charismatic character. Despite his size he was able to ice a delicate detailed wedding cake with absolute precision.
Doughy and Elizabeth ran Wartime Vange. Doughy could get hold of almost anything and Elizabeth could sell it. The local pub was all things to all people in those days, and there was even a system of credits, loans and exchange much like a bank.
This story is from the January 2020 edition of Essex Life.
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This story is from the January 2020 edition of Essex Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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