STAR & GARTER, 7 WHARF STREET

Star & Garter, built in the mid -1860s, stood on the corner of Erskine Street – so it looks like S. Jacobs was the pub building.

Benjamin Walker was victualler. An interesting case came from 1868, when the fair was in town, drawing many from far and wide. A country boy, Harry Harris, was walking around the fair when he was approached by John Davidson who told him he could take him to a Black women for free, and treat him. They went to the Star & Garter where Harris was enticed into a game of cards. Within ten minutes Harris had lost £4. 10/-. On realising Davidson had cheated him, he chased him outside and up Rutland St where a policeman saw the commotion, and subsequently arrested Davidson.

At court, Davidson – to his surprise – was charged under new legislation, i.e. playing in an alehouse with instruments of gambling – cards. Davidson was also surprised to be sentenced to three months hard labour for being a rogue and vagabond.

Thomas Gager licensee in 1872, Joseph Hillier 1888. Edward Street 1892

Another case occurred when Edwin Street was landlord in 1896. He had a dispute with a fishmonger named Kallagher, who refused to leave the premises. When asked, Kallagher struck Edwin Street in the eye, only for Mrs Street to come top the rescue by holding Kallagher by the nose until police arrived. £2 or fourteen days.

WE find a succession of landlords after Edwin Street which does suggest The Star was a difficult pub to manage for whatever reason.1897 Wm Orson, 1898 Charles Flemming, 1899 Robert Tarry, 1900 David Abbott, 1902 Joseph Hatherway, 1903 Edward Brown, 1904 Harry Oswin, 1906 John Riley,1907 John Sketchley, 1911 Reubon Voce, 1912 Alfred Gill finally 1913 Wm Perkins.

The Star was listed as being owned by ‘Squires’ until Beeston Brewery c1900

Most of these landlords lasted little more than a year, it would be interesting to know the reason, apologies again if any names were spelt wrong, this particular page from the licencing book proved difficult to read.