Star Inn, Market Place, Wotton-Under-Edge

The Star Inn dates back to at least 1572. A son of a landlord in the 1700’s moved to Canada and formed the White Star Shipping Line named after the pub. The White Star Line has associations with R.M.S. Titanic.

*Wotton cinema is on the left, across the road from the Star, in this photo. Looking at the poster outside the cinema this photo would be dated around 1939* (Humphrey Bogart was in the film).

Gloucester Journal, 8th April 1865 – Counterfeit Coin

Edward Davis, aged 30, shoemaker, and William Harris, aged 32, hawker, were charged with tendering a counterfeit coin resembling a half-crown, the former having at the time ten other counterfeit coins in his possession, at Wotton-Under edge, on the 10th of Feb. The evidence showed that the money was uttered by the prisoner Davis, at the Star public-house, Wotton under-Edge, and he was taken into custody there. It was proved that the two prisoners had slept and eaten together at a lodging-house, on the 2nd of February, and that they were together two days afterwards. Three halfpence were found on Davis, and three shillings and sixpence good money on Harris. The prisoners denied that they were acquainted with each other.

Mr. Brown, silversmith. Gloucester proved that the coins produced were counterfeit.

Harris said “had he been guilty” he could have got away, as while passing through a wood, handcuffed to the other man, the handcuffs slipped off his wrist, but he said he had no wish to get away. The judge put it to the jury whether the prisoners were acting in concert. The jury found the prisoners guilty, and they were sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment each.

Above information and research courtesy Dr Martyn Beaufort

Gloucester Journal: 10^th June 1944 – George C. G. Dodd, licensee of the Star Inn, Wotton under Edge, pleaded not guilty at Wotton under Edge Police Court on Monday to selling cider to a person under the age of 18 years. He was defended by Mr L.M. Harris. Dodd told the bench the inn was crowded, and he served drinks through a hatch. People clamoured to get served before closing time and hands were stretched from behind. He did not see the boy to whom he was alleged to have served drink. The Bench dismissed the case.