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Picture source: Hania Franek

The Cock & Magpie was situated on Epping Road. This pub closed in 2017 and was then used as a Thai restaurant.

Local newspaper review by John Cutting, 1967

Epping Green lies in the midst of undulating country between the A.11 and the Lee Valley. The area is rich in farms, some of which have been in existence for many hundred years, and the landscape is dominated by the 16th century tower of Epping Upland church. This church, parts of which are much older than the tower, is well known for its ancient burial ground which contains a number of unusual tombstones. The Cock and Magpie has no claims to antiquity, and was probably built towards the end of the last century to cater for the needs of the farm workers. Albert Cramphorn, who is still a regular customer, was born at the inn. At that time his father was not only the innkeeper but also managed to combine the trades of blacksmith and undertaker. Albert remembers the days when the inn opened at 6 a.m. to enable the farm labourers to have a drink before starting their day's work. The inn was also a favourite stopping place for the old hay wagoners on their route to London. An old photograph shows the Cock and Magpie to have been a Chaplin's House, and it is noticeable that there have been remarkably few changes to the exterior of the inn over the years. There is, however, an additional door leading to the present saloon bar, while the adjacent stables have been converted into a clubhouse now used for weddings and other functions. In the photograph Albert's mother stands in the forecourt with her family; the younger girls resplendent in their white pinafores. Today the Cock and Magpie is noted for its excellent public bar which is certainly one of the best appointed and most comfortable I have ever seen. There is a large and well-positioned bar counter, and the room is decorated with horse brasses and a wide selection of tankards both pewter and china. A pair of duelling pistols are purely decorative, but several daggers and a Burmese kukri are frighteningly functional. The kukri is a souvenir of the landlord's service with the 14th Army during the War. A handsome shield commemorates the fact that the darts team of the Cock and Magpie were runners-up in the Courage League last season. This year they are doing even better and, with only a few weeks to go, are top of the table. There are great expectations at the inn that, next year, the championship cup will decorate the bar. Not to be outdone, the ladies have organised their own team and now play a number of friendly games. The saloon is small, cosy and discreet, and is distinguished by a fascinating and colourful tapestry over the fireplace. This remarkable feat of embroidery was painstakingly stitched by an aunt of the landlady over a period of seven years. Jack and May Lemon have been at the Cock and Magpie for just over two years, having come to Epping Green from the West Country where they were tenants of an inn owned by the famous brewery firm, Georges of Bristol. Jack is a keen golfer and plays as often as possible at Theydon. May looks after the catering arrangements, and various snacks and sandwiches are always available. I can vouch for the excellence of the meat for as I entered the inn I met Jack Harris, the butcher from Roydon, who visits the Cock and Magpie every day. On that occasion he was carrying a fine 14lb. gammon and some good looking top ribs of beef. The name of the inn is unusual and, although there is a tame bantam cock called Percy who is almost one of the family, the once popular magpie is now seldom seen in the district. Unusual exhibits in the public bar include a shield and a diploma conferring upon Jack Lemon the title of 'Champion Beer Shifter.' These have been awarded to him in recognition of his services in the field of Bitter fighting. The diploma entitles him to do the following:   Pub Crawl (on all fours).   Have free drinks on the House. (But only in the Cock and Magpie).   Practise at the Bar.   Lie like a trooper to get a drink. Jack Lemon assures me that the whole thing is a joke and is the product of the fertile imagination of a customer. Surely, however, the signatures on the diploma have the true ring of authority:   E. Watta Boozer, Sec. Frothblowers Union.   Gonnon A. Bender, Chief Examiner.   Gotta Holloleg, Qualified Witness.

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Picture source: Hania Franek