Birmingham born librarian Sue Brown looks at a timber framed building in Bewdley, Worcestershire, and traces something of its fascinating history as a coaching inn. Known as the Wheatsheaf between about 1754 and 1875, it was established as one of two principal inns in the town by 1788. In 1875, the Wheatsheaf and neighbouring premises were purchased by philanthropist Edward Pease of Darlington and opened as Bewdley Institute in 1878.