The Definitive Guide to the History of
Pubs and Beerhouses in Coventry

Drinking in an Old English Town

Golden Fleece, 303 Bell Green Road, Foleshill

Alternative Addresses:	Armfield Street, Courthouse Green
These premises have been known by different names during their history:	FROM	TO	NAME
			Fleece
	1801	c1994	Golden Fleece
	c1845	1876	Beerhouse
In Greek legend the Golden Fleece was sought by Jason and his Argonauts. As early as 1801 this pub was known as the Golden Fleece, although from time to time it was referred to by the shortened name of the Fleece, for instance in 1871 when the Fleece in Bell Green is described as To Let. In 1829 the Coventry Herald referred to the pub as the "Lamb and Fleece" in error when reporting on an inquest held at Mr Wanley's public house in Courthouse Green. Verification of this mistake came two years later when the Herald published this astonishing article: "Extraordinary Pig. - A pig was killed a few days since belonging to Mr. Wanley, of the Golden Fleece public house, Courthouse Green, Foleshill, which weighed 34 score 15lb [over 36 stones!]., and measured more than 9 feet in length and 7 feet in girth ; this fine animal was 2 years and 2 months old." In 1845 it was listed as the Beerhouse, Courthouse Green, and again in 1876 as the Beerhouse, Hall Green . The Golden Fleece was still advertising their regular Friday and Saturday night discos until the last day of 1994, but on the 3rd May 1995 the Coventry Evening Telegraph was already reporting the pub as being closed when arsonists had started a fire in the lounge the night before. Three more fires were started there in October that year, and in February 1996 plans were already in place for demolition. It was replaced by a housing estate.
LICENSEES: 1829 - 1831 Mr W. Wanley 1841 - 1842 William Hewitt 1842 - 1866 John Bradford 1868 - 1871 John (Joseph) Chandler 1874 - 1876 James Bunn 1876 - 1882 William Ball (died August 1882) 1882 - 1889 Selina Ball (widow of William) 1889 - 1890 Albert Edward Baylis 1890 James Dawson (Jan to Jul) 1890 Ellen Jane Howson 1892 - 1904 Joseph Eaton 1908 - 1924 Albert Edgar Makepeace 1931 - 1934 J. Stafford 1935 - 1936 A. J. Bolsbridge 1937 - 1938 W. Lomas 1939 - 1940 A. H. Webb 1960 L. H. Spear & Sidney Cook 1961 - 1962 Sidney Cook