Just before Christmas, myself and [Howmuch?] were lounging around sampling the wares of a local hostelry, when we had an idea. It seems we have an extra, secondhand but very decent copy of the glossy, A4 format book ‘The Old Pubs of Lichfield’ by John Shaw. This is the book that helped us find the truth behind The Lost Pub of Pipehill. I will post this fine tome – currently retailing at about 9 quid I think – completely free of charge on submission of an address by email (BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com) to the first person to answer the following question in the comment section below this post. It must be answered in full. Just in case you’re wondering, the book doesn’t have the answer… Here goes.
There was an inn locally called The Seven Stars. Where was it exactly, and what is it’s current street address? The Inn no longer trades as a pub, and was within a 4 mile radius of the central island in Brownhills.
I’m aware there was a Seven Stars in Stowe Street, in Lichfield. It’s not that one.
The answer is out there, but you may need to do some local research, which I think this makes this a great competition for the slack period between now and new year. I would respectfully request that the property owners and immediate neighbours who would know the answer and the more experienced, better resourced readers out there exercise a little restraint and only step in after the question has had chance to get out there a bit. [Howmuch?], his cat, and the bloke who looks like Jasper Carrott eavesdropping at the bar are all prohibited from entering on grounds of good taste.
I will happily post this book to the winner. Good luck, and I thank [Howmuch?] for a top notch question and local history fact that was a great surprise to me. The John Shaw book is a fine thing, so get your thinking caps on.
Seven Stars Cottage in Wall adjacent to Roman site
No to those two, Chris and Ian. Within 4 miles?
Until jeep boy comes up with the address it’s still
Open. Good calls, though, lads…
Cheers
Bob
Jeepboy, we need the street address, please. The competition is still open.
Cheers
Bob
Brickiln Street, Portobello?
106 Stafford Street, Walsall
seven stars pub was in stafford street walsall i believe,
cheers Vikki
It was indeed, but not within the distance…
Cheers
Bob
hi bob, i remember a pub called the seven stars inn, it was situated in what is now king edward street, darlaston.
cheers.
tony.
Seven Stars, 12 Watling Street, Wall
HI Bob
Ironstone Road?
David
Looks like it might be Ironstone Road, Chase Terrace.
The Rag Restaurant, Ironstone Road, Rawnsley
Nope… :0)
Closer than that. Try again.
Best wishes
Bob
Seven Stars, 12 Watling Street,
Wall, Staffordshire, WS14 0AN
Hi folks.
Time to put you out of your misery.
Jeepboy answered the correct place within minutes of the post going up, but didn’t give the address, Seven Stars Cottage, 12 Watling Street, Wall.
Zilsby, through sheer detection (more later) came through about 90 minutes ago, so wins the book.
Jeepboy did come back 15 minutes or do ago, but sadly, Ziksby bested him by some margin.
I’ll post the comment timelines later, but I’m out on the Chase right now.
Well done, and if you missed out, I’ll be offering another prize for an observational puzzle nearer the weekend.
Thanks for taking part
Bob
HI Bob
one of the premises in Wall, Watling Street, was also a cafe just after WW2..a cottage by the “Big Manor House”..anybody know which cottage this was, and if it is still there?
Popular respite for passing cyclists at the time, I believe
Well done Ziksby.( Pity the Robin Hood was lost in Lichfield.)
cheers
David
Damn i was going to say that as well!!!! Should have trusted my instincts…well done Jeepboy! 🙂
Bah Humbug BB you know I won – you can
stick your prize where the sun dont shine – JeeepBoy – LOL
I asked:
‘Adjacent to Wall Roman Site’ is incorrect; There’s The Old School House in-between the two. We threw the address part in because we knew someone would jump immediately otherwise. The idea was actually to get readers to research the thing on a dull afternoon.
It’s actually quite hard to google, and if you look at Google Streetview, the house plaque is actually 7 star symbols, the number 12 and ‘Cottage’ underneath.
Had you given the number and street name in the first instance, or at least before Ziksby, you would have won, simple as that.
You can get your revenge if you like. I’ve got an extra copy of ‘A picture tour of Pelsall, Rushall and Shelfield’ to give away, and need some good questions that aren’t easy to google. If you’ve got any suggestions, BrownhillsBob @ Goolemail dot com – that goes for everyone reading.
Best wishes, and a happy new year
Bob
Thanx Julie – obviously you recognise a TRUE winner
Neither of you read the source material properly ;0)
Best wishes
Bob
Zikzby – no postcode – you slacker !
BB I already had information to hand following previous investigations into lost pub of Pipehill (which I instigated) where it not for your missive regarding pre-knowledge I would have revealed full answer in my first reply – wishing you a HNY without any punctures 😉
………….and more importantly Ziksby!!! Look forward to the next comp Bob x
…………its only a quiz!!! Nobody died!!! Lol!! Good luck with the next quiz….looking forward to it xxx
Dad (John Shaw) who wrote the book passed away in June 2011.
I found Bobs Blog re Brownhills before he passed away and Dad was pleased that the book was useful.
There are apparently still a few around (last I saw at St Giles shop and WH Smiths in Lichfield).
We are trying to work through his papers and in time may re print the Pubs book and other items.
He enjoyed the local hostelries too and did talks about Lichfield Pubs, Lichfield Canal and Turnpike Roads at one point (payment was I suspect was beer) and enjoyed local history very much.
I’m glad his efforts are still enjoyed.
Dave (Shaw) Cracknell