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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Shropshire => England => Shropshire Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Poppyjoey on Monday 21 January 13 14:42 GMT (UK)

Title: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: Poppyjoey on Monday 21 January 13 14:42 GMT (UK)
My GGG Grandparents (Richard Morgan(s) and Christiana Simpson) ran this pub from the c1840s - 1870s when their son Price Thomas Morgan(s) took over.

It was situated in the Market Place next door to the Star Hotel. I can't find any information or photos of the place, except for a modern picture of the Oddfellows Wine Bar that apparently occupies the premises these days. The Wikipedia entry for Shifnal states that the Star Hotel burned down in 1911 and was replaced by the Eight Bells, or Ring of Bells. But this doesn't fit in with the census entries which show the Eight Bells existed next door in the 1800s.

Is there any chance anyone has any information or pictures?

Many thanks
Julie
Title: Re: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: mosiefish on Tuesday 22 January 13 16:02 GMT (UK)
Was this it on the left of the picture?

http://www.francisfrith.com/shifnal/photos/market-place-c1955_S117009/

No skip that it was built where the star hotel had been - see 1904 picture no. 7.

Mo
Title: Re: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: Poppyjoey on Tuesday 22 January 13 19:35 GMT (UK)
Hi Mo,

Yes, that must be the Star Inn in photo 7. I think the Eight Bells must be to the left of it, as the picture of the modern Oddfellows Arms doesn't look like the building to the right. But there again it might be!!

I would love to find out some more. My Abercrombie ancestors also ran another pub nearby, in Crackley Bank, called the Hare & Hounds, which I think may be closed.

Thank you so much for going to this trouble. It's much appreciated.

Julie
Title: Re: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: dontheturner on Tuesday 05 February 13 14:13 GMT (UK)
Hi Mo,

Yes, that must be the Star Inn in photo 7. I think the Eight Bells must be to the left of it, as the picture of the modern Oddfellows Arms doesn't look like the building to the right. But there again it might be!!

I would love to find out some more. My Abercrombie ancestors also ran another pub nearby, in Crackley Bank, called the Hare & Hounds, which I think may be closed.

Thank you so much for going to this trouble. It's much appreciated.

Julie
The Hare & Hounds, as you say, may be closed, is still there... If you go to Google Street view, you could take a look at it. Go left from Shifnal, till you see the A5 road, running from below to above, and the Pub is slightly to the north, on the right hand side. (on the A5)...
Title: Re: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: mauricej on Tuesday 05 February 13 14:23 GMT (UK)


The Hare and Hounds is indeed still there but is now the 'Shifnal Cottage' Indian Restaurant and Take Away.


Title: Re: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: Poppyjoey on Tuesday 05 February 13 19:08 GMT (UK)
Hi,

Thanks for that information. At least the building's still there! I'm hoping to visit Shropshire in summer, so I will go for a curry!

Julie
Title: Re: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: hihehim on Thursday 30 May 13 14:44 BST (UK)
I am very excited by your post as my great grandparents moved into the bar, so I have a lot of pictures that I have found through extensive research. They are listed as living there from 1911, i have found out there was a fire that destroyed the original building, the one in the picture you have been sent is the new building. I have been to visit recently and have alot of information in regards to this it would be great to hear from you
Title: Re: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: Poppyjoey on Sunday 02 June 13 11:51 BST (UK)
Hi,

It is great to see your post! Are you able to shed any light on the confusion the Wikipedia entry has caused me - it says the Star Inn burned down in 1911 and was replaced by the Eight Bells, but census entries show the Eight Bells existed in the 1800s. I would love to hear back from you....

Julie
Title: Re: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: hihehim on Sunday 02 June 13 12:50 BST (UK)
I am sorry you will have to forgive me, I am new to this website so I am unaware how to send images. The pub burnt down in 1911, and i have not been able to find any other reference to it and have contacted the archives to which they have no record of this fire, i contacted the shropshire family history association and they could not give me anymore information, that happened in 1911, and my family were running the pub as shown in the 1911 census. I visited the hotel and asked to be shown around thee bed and breakfast, as this was the family living quarters as they would have been after the fire. I was greeted by the doors that stated the "White star"I have copies of photographs of the street showing the original public house. I am sorry i can not be of much use, if you provide me with your email address id be moore than happy to send them to you should you wish?
Title: Re: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: Poppyjoey on Wednesday 19 June 13 12:22 BST (UK)
Hi, sorry about the delay in my response. I'm still a bit confused  -  I assume your grandparents ran the White Star? My ancestors ran the Eight Bells. The Eight Bells existed in the 18oos as it is on census entries for my ancestors. But,  Wikipedia says it replaced the White Star in 1911 which can't be right. Is it the White Star you have photos of?

Thanks
Julie
Title: Re: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: hihehim on Wednesday 19 June 13 13:45 BST (UK)
Thank you for your message, they ran the eight bells inn, I have been looking at the pictures today, and then received your message. I have seen the name pitchford on the eight bells inn. I am increasingly more and more annoyed by the research i have been given and re examining the facts myself the white star and eight bells burnt down and the building which is now the odd fellows wine bar is the building that is in its place. The year of the fire may not be 1911, it was on a website. they definitely ran the eight bells inn.

I have pictures of the eight bells inn and the white sar
Title: Re: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: hihehim on Monday 30 May 16 04:25 BST (UK)
In a search. I have found a death record in the Welsh newspapers should you want a copy please send your email
Title: Re: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: hanes teulu on Monday 30 May 16 09:02 BST (UK)
On the 1901 Census the Star Hotel is at No 11 and the Eight Bells at No 9 (Harry R Morgans - Licensed Victualler). The Eight Bells was still No 9 in 1911 but No 11 is missing from the street number sequence. No mention of a Star Hotel.

Kelly's Directory of Shropshire 1913 (on line) has the Eight Bells in Market Place, no number given, and the landlord is the same landlord as the 1911 Census.
Title: Re: Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal
Post by: LLSM on Sunday 26 November 23 16:47 GMT (UK)
Here is a very late reply, prompted by my going through some old family pictures. I have a watercolour painting of Shifnal by Edward N Lewis in circa 1882. Here is my photo of it:
(https://i.ibb.co/r0HR77b/PXL-20231126-162832155.jpg)

This is painted from under then (then smaller and arched) railway bridge. On the left can be seen the Eight Bells Inn and, next but one, Star Hotel. The building between them, if I and the artist are not mistaken, also displays an Inn sign (but I can't read the name).