Old Star, 71 Mill Lane
| Alternative Addresses: | 72 Cox Street, 26 Cox Street | ||
| These premises have been known by different names during their history: | FROM | TO | NAME |
| 1822 | 1829 | DUKE OF WELLINGTON | |
| 1834 | 1920 | STAR | |
| 1834 | 1920 | OLD STAR | |
| This pub has had three legitimate addresses without needing to move! Originally in Mill Lane, that street was renamed in January 1861 to Cox Street, and the Old Star became number 72. Around the turn of the 20th century the whole street was renumbered, and the pub became number 26 Cox Street.
In 1822-29 this was the DUKE OF WELLINGTON - possibly until 1834.
In September 1834 Henry Bellamy was granted the license for the Old Star - could this have been when it changed from the DUKE OF WELLINGTON? Sadly, Henry died only four years later, aged just 30 and only married for six years. His widow, Ann, married James Foster in 1839, and James became the licensee.
At various times, either in newspapers or directories, it is called just the 'STAR'.
In 1920 this pub closed after receipt of compensation payment, and in 1921 it was a private residence. The star was originally as religious symbol, referring to the star of Bethlehem or to the Virgin Mary, one of whose titles is 'Star of the Sea' (Stella Maris). Since 1634 a six-pointed star also appeared in the arms of the Worshipful Company of Innholders, previously the guild of Innkeepers. The star as a pub name dates from the fifteenth century. | |||
LICENSEES:1834 Henry Bellamy 1838 Ann Bellamy 1841 - 1855 James Foster 1855 James Rumsey (took the license in May - declared bankrupt the same month!) 1861 George Williams 1861 - 1864 Edwin Conway 1864 - 1870 Thomas Shortley 1870 - 1871 Annie Cliff 1871 - 1893 Henry Russell 1894 Mrs. E. Russell 1896 Mrs. E. Dutson 1901 John Henry Milligan 1903 - 1909 J. H. Millerchip 1911 - 1912 Joseph Salmon 1912 - 1913 Joseph George Evans (Milligan's son-in-law) 1913 - 1914 (May) Tommy Cash (previously held license for the Tramway Inn) 1914 - 1919 William Brimfield | |||
 Street plan of 1851 | |||