The Star Inn was a picturesque cottage style pub in the south of the village on the B4070. For a long period of time it was owned and tied to the Stroud Brewery, but in its final years sold beer from West Country Breweries and Whitbread in Cheltenham. On the Whitsun bank holiday of 1971 a BBC film crew took down the Whitbread signs and replaced them with replica Stroud Brewery signs for a production of Laurie Lee’s ‘Cider with Rosie’. The Chalford Silver Band starred in the BBC drama and fees obtained from filming enabled them to buy new instruments. The BBC production had been shown twice by 1974 – but has it been broadcast again in the last 35 years? Is it on YouTube?
A unique feature of the Star Inn was a trough in front of the pub into which fresh spring water flowed. When Elizabeth White was landlady in the 1920’s a large tablet of Lifebuoy soap was always left beside the trough so that customers could wash their hands before entering the pub!
‘Last orders’ were called forever at the Star Inn in 1978 upon the retirement of May Edwards. At that time Whitbread Pale Ale (PA) was available on handpump.
The Citizen: 1st April 1989 – Laurie’s landlady dies, 87: Landlady of the “cider pub with Rosie”, pub at Slad near Stroud for 40 years, widow May Edwards has died. Mrs Edwards (87) kept the Star Inn, that was immortalised in local author Laurie Lee’s famous best seller, until her retirement.
Born at the Twelve Bels in Cirencester, she loved her life as a licensee, said her daughter Mrs Maureen Herbert yesterday. Mrs Edwards, who loved in Aldergate Street, Stonehouse, is also survived by grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Author Laurie Lee was at one time a close neighbour of Mrs Edwards. He now lives in a different Slad cottage.
Map Reference: SO 870068
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Stroud Brewery
Rateable value in 1891: £12.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: Stroud Brewery
Rateable value in 1903: £12.0s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 10pm
Landlords at the Star Inn include:
1856 M. Rice
1885 Richard Messenger
1891 Frederick Benjamin Hill
1902 Mrs Elizabeth Durn
1903,1906 Alfred William White
1919,1927 Mrs Elizabeth White
1939 Thomas Leonard Edwards
1938-1978 Mrs May Edwards
