WILLIAM NICHOLSON
(1824-1909)
DISTILLER, POLITICAN, CRICKET PLAYER, BENEFACTOR
THIS ALEHOUSE IS PART OF THE NICHOLSON’S HERITAGE COLLECTION.
THEY’RE ALL DIFFERENT, YET THEY ALL OWE SOMETHING TO THE MAN WHO FOUNDED THEM.
WILLIAM NICHOLSON WAS A VICTORIAN ALL-ROUNDER - A BUSINESSMAN, MP AND SPORTING HERO.
HE PLAYED FIRST-CLASS CRICKET, RAN THE FAMILY’S DISTILLING BUSINESS, AND FINANCED LORD’S CRICKET GROUND AND ITS FAMOUS PAVILION.
IN 1873, WILLIAM REVITALISED A COLLECTION OF CHARACTERFUL ALEHOUSES, EACH ONE AND ARCHITECTURAL DELIGHT WITH A STRONG SENSE OF PLACE AND INDIVIDUALITY.
WILLIAM ADDED CRAFTSMANSHIP - MARBLE, TILING, VIBRANT LEADED WINDOWS - AND HIS LARGER-THAN-LIFE PERSONALITY.
WILLIAM’S INFLUENCE IS LASTING. HIS ALEHOUSES ARE STILL BRIMMING WITH WARMTH, TRADITION, AND TIMELESS HOSPITALITY.

The sign is at the entrance to Doggett’s Coat and Badge pub one of those founded by William Nicholson.

The place was photographed on the same day Click for a larger image Click for a larger image

The name of the pub Doggett’s Coat and Badge is the name of the award given in the world’s oldest surviving rowing competition, held once a year since 1715 on the River Thames. The award is named after Thomas Doggett, the organizer of the competition. The pub located near the competition track honors the event.
On the wall of the pub are the award winning medallions, as you can see in the following photo taken that day
Click for a larger image