Landlord’s mystery pub pic

This group of people outside the Talbot Inn, Ironbridge, look ready for something - but what?

The photo has been loaned to us by Alex Nicoll, of The Malthouse - which the Talbot became - Ironbridge, who says: “Please find enclosed photo of The Talbot Inn, Ironbridge. Sorry but we know nothing else about it.

“We inherited the photo with the pub and it has sat here ever since. Any reader insights would be of interest.”

The name above the door is difficult to read, but might be James Toddington or similar.

The photo looks to be late Victorian. The Talbot used to brew its own beer and on July 13, 1915, one Fred Benbow fell into the beer vat while making the brew and was scalded so badly that he died two days later.