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Rat Pit at The Swan Inn, Ash Ranges, Ash, Surrey
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Rat Pit at The Swan Inn, Ash Ranges, Ash, Surrey
The Rat Pit at The Swan Inn, Ash Ranges, Ash, Surrey. Publican John Tupper (1817-1903) was celebrated for his breeding of sporting dogs and game cocks. He ran the pub from 1832, as recorded on the In Memoriam plaque shown on this card. Date: circa 1905
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Media ID 11552630
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Baiting Breeder Cruelty Fight Memoriam Plaque Publican Ranges Surrey Swan Tavern Tupper
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This evocative photograph captures the scene at The Rat Pit, located at The Swan Inn in Ash Ranges, Ash, Surrey, circa 1905. The Rat Pit was a notorious and controversial attraction run by the celebrated publican, John Tupper (1817-1903). Tupper was renowned for his breeding of sporting dogs and gamecocks, and the Rat Pit was a popular destination for those seeking bloodsport entertainment. The image shows a crowd of men gathered around the pit, their faces etched with intense concentration as they watch the rat-baiting match unfold. The rats, trapped in the pit, scamper around in fear, trying to evade the jaws of the dogs. The atmosphere is tense and electric, with the air thick with the scent of sweat, blood, and fear. Despite the unsavory nature of the activity, Tupper was a respected figure in the community. The In Memoriam plaque on the wall of the pub, visible in the background, attests to his long tenure as the publican of The Swan Inn, having taken over the role in 1832. The Rat Pit was just one aspect of Tupper's diverse business, which also included a public house, tavern, and inn. However, it was this controversial aspect that has left a lasting mark on the history of Ash and Surrey. The image serves as a poignant reminder of a bygone era, when bloodsports were a common form of entertainment, and the line between sport and cruelty was often blurred.
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