An outing from the Dixie Arms, arranged by George Oliver in 1904

There is evidence to suggest that the Dixie Arms was once called the Bull’s Head but by 1828 it was called Dixie’s Arms. It has been known ever since by variations on that name until 1922 when it became the Dixie Arms Hotel. From that time on there has been no name listed as a landlord or publican. At various times there have been other strands to the business. In the 1920s there was a garage and car hire business and also the production of a convertible car body for which Walter Shepherd held a patent. The veterinary surgeon, Gerald Benbow was based at the Dixie Arms Hotel during the 1930s and that was also the address of his practise, Thornton and Benbow, later Thornton, Benbow and Edwards but by 1941, the focus was entirely on the hotel business.

The Dixie Arms in Main Street, taken in July 2005.