THIS week we look at West Street in Lacock. We have learned that Lacock first became important in the Middle Ages, when a village was established for the estate workers of the abbey in the 13th century.

The village streets form a square, with High Street, Church Street, East Street and West Street forming the sides.

West Street is a perfect example of how the village has remained untouched by modern development: our archive picture was taken about 100 years ago.

West Street used to be on the main route from Chippenham through to Melksham. Luckily, with the ever-increasing traffic on the main A350, the bypass, built in 1964, now takes this traffic away from the village.

Visible in both images is the George Inn. The George dates back to 1361, and is known in old documents simply as ‘the Inn’. It has one of the oldest continuously held licences in the country.

Within is an interesting 17th century spit turned by a wheel. A specially bred dog used to be put inside the wheel to turn the spit and so cook the meat over the fire.

Today the public house is run by John Glass, who is soon to celebrate his 25th year there. A hundred years ago the George was run by a publican with an apt name – Mr Beer.

Opposite the pub was once a pork butchers in whose ovens villagers cooked some of their food. The raised pavement, closer to the camera, known as the Brash from the stone used in its building, used to have a spring where people drew drinking water.