Eight Bells Inn, Shifnal

[Poppyjoey]

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

[mosiefish]

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

[Poppyjoey]

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

[dontheturner]

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)...

[mauricej]

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

[Poppyjoey]

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

[hihehim]

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

[Poppyjoey]

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

[hihehim]

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?