The Apollo Inn, High Street, September 2003
This public house had its origins on thee Rodes estate around 1790. It was sold along with its own malt house and fifty acres of De Rodes land at 25 shillings an acre in 1798 to Mr. John Staniforth.
Note: The Staniforths were a wealthy family whose money was accrued from scythe and sickle manufacturing. They owned lands in Eckington and Mosborough and one branch lived in Mosborough Hall.
At this time the Apollo was a beer house only and therefore had no full license to sell spirits. Even so, this made it the third oldest pub operating in the village centre after the “Hoans Inn” (now the De-Rodes) and the Rose and Crown.
The Apollo was first listed as having a full license in Whites Trades directory of 1833 when its first licensee and parish clerk was a Mr. John Pattison. In 1852 Sarah Pattinson ran the establishment, possibly John’s wife or daughter. In 1860 another Pattinson by the name of Hattet plied her trade. It was held by Mr. John Reece Heldsway in 1872 and in 1881 it was left to Frederick Carr to run the show. 1895 saw an extrovert and busy character by the name of Felix Mullins running the business. He was also a carpenter and found time to run a horse drawn carrying service into Sheffield every Tuesday.
Note: It was in this period that it is believed to have been the first commercial Inn in Barlborough.
In 1916 Mr. Ernest Keel kept a tight reign at the Apollo and this lasted until 1928 when his daughter Lily Kate Keel took over. It was under her administration that an event took place which was to change the pubs appearance forever. The year was 1930 and the date 20th March. Whilst this lady was attending a Police ball at Bolsover, the Apollo caught fire, and on her return in the early morning (3:45AM) she arrived to see the place was well alight with flames running through the roof. The fire brigade was sent from Staveley Coal and Iron Co. Department but they could only save the long club room on the West side. This was used to serve customers whilst rebuilding took place.
Note: This fire brigade was retained at an annual fee of to guineas (two pounds and two shillings) after Barlborough fire service was disbanded in 1927.
“Katie” Keel later became licensee of the Rose and Crown in the 1950’s and her son Howard Keel took over from her.
THE SIGN
As with all pub signs there is usually an explanation behind them and this is no exception. The name Apollo is derived from the Greek/Roman mythological figure. Apollo was both a sun god and god of music and is usually depicted as a young virile youth of idealised beauty. The items that he is most associated with are a bow and quiver, shepherds crook and lyre. The sign opposite shows a majority of those stated.
BREWERIES
Beer was firstly brewed on site, as an 1839 Tithe report shows. Various breweries supplied the Apollo over a great number of years, including Scarsdale (Chesterfield), Ind Coop (Burton on Trent), Tetley and Wards of Sheffield and recently the company Pubmaster.
THE APOLLO AND FOOTBALL
Over the years the Apollo has played host to many football teams who have celebrated, commiserated and played and changed strip there. In 1907-08 Barlborough United were officially run from this pub. They were apparently a “top notch” side who were all drawn from village families. They played on an inclined pitch to the rear of the Apollo. Mr. Linguard was the landlord who at this time provided sustenance and encouragement.
The picture below shows this proud team. Note: Many of the old team names survive today a century on.
In 1968, a California Lane resident Mr. John Osborne brought the actual F.A. Cup into the Apollo after keeping goal for West Bromwich Albion in their 1-0 victory over Everton in the final. Many a toast was sipped from the cup that night in this pub – a proud moment for the village.
The 1950’s saw two major construction works in the parish. First was the gasification of underground coal seams at Newman’s’ Spinney, and the other, the bringing of town gas and its associated mains laying gangs. Both projects brought labourers into the village and the Apollo Inn was the grateful recipient of the extra trade. They took in lodgers both upstairs and downstairs, with those downstairs sleeping in the concert room on collapsible iron beds. It was like a pub on the western front on Saturday night, but all clear when they had spent their wages and subs on a weekday. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley and Hettie Clarke were the “arbitrators” during this period as the concluding list will verify.
Landlords, Landladies and Licensees
1954 to 2003
1954 to 1958 Mr. Stanley Clarke and wife Hettie.
1958 to 1960 Mr
1960 to 1967 Mr
1967 to 1971 Mr
1972 to 1974 Mr
1974 to 1984 Mr
1985 to 1986 Mr
1987 to 1988 Mr
1989 to 1990 Mr
1990 to 1991 Mr
1991 to 1994 Mr
1995 to 1997 Mr
1997 to 2000 Mr
2000 to 2003 Mr
2003 to 2006
2006 to Present Andrew & Stacey
That concludes a brief history of one of Barlboroughs’ colourful public houses.
Acknowledgement: Thanks to Andy Bradley for supplying the information
The Day The Apollo at Barlborough Was Destroyed By Fire.
From: InnSpire - Issue 28 December 2000
The current Apollo premises were severely damaged by a fire, which occurred in the early morning of 20 March 1930. The licensee, Mrs Katie Keel, was returning from a night out at the Bolsover Police Ball at around 3.45am when she 'perceived a strong smell of fire' and found that the flames had reached the roof. Whilst most parts of the pub were severely damaged it was still possible to serve customers from the clubroom whilst reconstruction took place. Katie Keel was later licensee of the Rose & Crown and her daughter; Ellen ('Nellie') Bower was licensee of the Royal Oak at Barlborough. 
The Apollo has been owned or leased by several breweries during its existence - Scarsdale (Chesterfield), Ind Coope and Tetleys (Allied Breweries) who sold the pub to Wards in 1990. Since July 1999 it has been owned by Pubmaster following a decision by the accountants at Swallow plc. to close two profitable breweries (Wards of Sheffield and Vaux of Sunderland) in a move regarded as unnecessary by many observers.
The above information is an extract from a new booklet 'Barlborough Pubs Past and Present' written by Chesterfield CAMRA branch member, Jim McIntosh. Sales proceeds after costs will be donated to CAMRA's Real Ale Fighting Fund to promote the merits of real ale. The booklet includes a number of previously unpublished photos and historical notes about 13 pubs and beer houses that have existed in Barlborough over the last 300 years.