Coventry Pubs

Having been away from the forum for some 6 years or so, I have spent the last 3 days trawling through the "Coventry Pubs" tab and have now got as far as page 60 out of 95 (yes, I have read every post). Being a Canley, Woodlands and Wickmans kid growing up in the 50's, 60's and 70's, I along with many others visited most local pubs from the age of 16 or so. But even before that, I can remember playing football on Prior Deram Walk with Brian Benn, and afterwards going to the old Dolphin (green wooden hut in those days) to get a drink off his dad who was landlord. Getting older, The Peeping Tom being one of the first, where our tallest mate passed for 18 and brought the drinks out to us in the back garden, we were ok with this until the gaffer came out for the empties! Before venturing down town, we visited various locals. I remember being in the Unicorn bar watching Man United win the European Cup because they were one of the first to have a colour telly. On to the Woodlands because they had a skittle alley. The Woodlands is probably the first pub I can remember being pulled down. The Black Prince holds many happy memories, on the dart board against Jack Cunningham. Always stuck to beer (mild at 1/8d a pint (12 for £1) or Brew XI at 1/11d) until they brought out draught lager.

Yes, I thought that was stretching it a bit too.

I'm thinking someone on this forum might be able to help out on this one? I have an ancestor named Lydia Bayliss who, in the 1861 Census, was aged 53 years old and living in Chapel Lane, Foleshill with her four children. However, during my research on the British Newspaper Archives website, I have found an advertisement (from: Coventry Standard: Saturday 25th June 1864 - front cover) which reads as follows: 'FOLESHILL D.G. BARNES WILL SELL BY AUCTION On MONDAY NEXT, June 27, 1864, upon the premises of LYDIA BAYLISS, sign of WILLIAM THE FOURTH, THE whole of the HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, BREWING VESSELS, etc, feather beds, four post bedsteads, 30-hour clocks, oak and deal tables, ale and beer measures, 5-strike mash tubs, sweet iron-bound casks, iron furnaces and settings; also a capital GIG, with patent axles, market trap, on springs, etc. Sale at 12 o'clock.' Now, perhaps I'm adding two and two together and making five?......but the phrase "upon the premises of LYDIA BAYLISS, sign of WILLIAM THE FOURTH" and the items listed, leads me to think this is the William IV Public House on Foleshill Road? .......I may be wrong? However, if I'm right, is Lydia the owner, or landlady, of the pub? If not, what is her connection with it? I've looked at Rob's "Coventry Pub Guide", which does feature the William IV, but lists only John Bacon (1837) and William Truelove (1880) as Licensees over the time in question - niether of which appear to have any family connection to Lydia? (there is A. J. Bayliss listed as Licensee between 1929-1938, but this seems more a coincidence rather than being relevant?). Any thoughts?? Thanks in advance! OddSock

If you follow the link there might be an explanation that might help? Little Heath Beerhouse It's worth considering that the brewing kit wasn't necessarily at the pub and/or that she brewed for two locations. Pubs were also used as auction houses so it'snot a given that the stuff auctioned was from that location. A name change is also highly likely but I've seen pubs move and take the name with them, only for someone to take over the old location with a new name.

Hi Helen, Thank you! That's it - to be honest, I never thought to look under the name of 'Little Heath' - you live and learn, so they say!

Anyone noticed the pair of houses being built on the Bell car park (now called The Auction House) in Tile Hill Village?

Hi OddSock. Maybe of some interest to you. Old Church Road was once called Chapel Lane. The Royal public house used to be a brewery too. May not be what you are investigating, or may help.

Hi johnwright, Funny enough, I discovered where Chapel Lane was a couple of days before posting my question regarding the William IV pub - but thank you anyway, as sometimes these details are not easily come by. It would appear, Lydia's parents, Isaac & Edith Cowley lived in Chapel Lane in their older years (not sure if Lydia was born there?), and Lydia appears to inherit the house when they both die (certainly by the 1971 Census), but I was unaware of her connection to the William IV until I stumbled across the auction advertisement. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much information relating to her tenancy of the pub - another mystery to unearth!! Thanks again johnwright

John Wright. Map showing Chapel Lane, Chapel Square, brewery and Workhouse dated 1912. Note that planned building of area between St Lawrence's Road & Mason Road shows Tenerife Road was originally Madeira Road but was changed by the council following requests by the public as Madeira Road was being confused with other similar names.

Hi Derrick. I had an auntie, and cousins of course, who lived in Chapel Square whom I used to visit as a kid. They moved to a street off Lockhurst Lane. The land had been bought by Courtaulds.

Some good news at last. Christchurch Spire which was formerly InSpire bar is to become Dhillons Spire Bar. Dhillons are a Coventry Micro-Brewery

A nice clear photo of the Buck and Crown, Radford Road.

Derrickarthur, That map doesn't even show the William pub, and the brewery was over the cut, but it does show the old loom silk house, and that cut bridge was the worst one in the world to get over - we could never cross it without leaving suction pipes behind.

Having re-read this post. I cannot find any claim that the William pub should be on this map?? It is just a bit further up the Foleshill Road and therefore off the map. The map shows the brewery over the canal, opposite what is now Gayer Street.

Hi Mick. I reckon that the William pub is not on the map because it hadn't been built then. The William was dead opposite the Wheatsheaf Inn which is shown on the map just as "Inn" near the Monopole works. The brewery down Old Church Road (Chapel Lane) was in The Royal pub. Anyway this is how I see it.