Folly Lane

As Hough is described as a horse trader, being next to a stud farm fits very well.

Will this help? Derek. In trying to understand further the history of the application site and its relationship with the Folly Lane Club information available online and in local newsletters from the late 1980's were reviewed. These revealed: The inn at Whitley mentioned in 1792 was probably the Seven Stars Inn (later Seven Stars Farm) northwest of Willenhall Bridge. (fn. 150) The old farmhouse was rebuilt in 1905. (fn. 151) The City of Coventry: The outlying parts of Coventry, Pinley, Shortley, and Whitley', in A History of the County of Warwick: Volume 8, the City of Coventry and Borough of Warwick, ed. W B 6 Stephens (London, 1969), pp. 83-90. British History Online http://www.britishhistory.ac.uk/vch/warks/vol8/pp83-90 [accessed 1 December 2020. In the Story of Coventry by Abe Jephcott published in the official bulletin of the City of Coventry Freeman's Guild Sept-October 65 : .. About this time (August 1831) the road was directed from the commencement of the Common to the old road at Seven Stars. This was an old coaching inn of the parlour type, colourful in brick, stone, beams and tile and interior panelling glossy with polish and the smoky gold of hanging oil lamps. The Seven Star (later a farmhouse) was on the Coventry side of Willenhall Bridge. A local historian (Reg Kimber) published history notes in a newsletter circulated in the local area in the late 1980's. In addition, with Craig Campbell in January 1994 A Brief History of Whitley and its Primary School was published. They state : The Severn Stars Inn (on the site of the farm) was a coaching house, providing refreshment for both passengers and horses, as well as accommodation There was Seven Stars Inn as long ago as 1792 and possibly much earlier than that. Being conveniently situated on the London to Birmingham coaching road, it was a convenient halt for travellers. The census returns of 1841 reveal that Susan Hanson was the "Victualler"... by 1861 Richard Kimberley was Licensed Victualler and Sarah Hanson retired victualler...Kelly's Directory of 1863 lists only Richard Kimberley as Seven Stars and farmer.. The Inn had ceased trading by 1881 as that years census shows the occupant of Seven Stars as Herbert M Jackson, breeder of thorough breds. They (Folly Lane football team) made a tremendous step forward in 1952 when they acquired the lease of the derelict outbuildings at Seven Stars Farm together with land at the rear of the Chace hostels. A local historian (John Ashby) has provided the following details: 1639 Cov. Archives PA194/7/5 Grant 16th January, 1639. By Edward Owen (of Coventry, Alderman [capper]) and his son Christopher to John Wightwick (of Coventry, gentleman [lawyer] and his son Thomas Esq. following PA194/7/4, of premises now described as (a) a Pinley messuage (occupied by Jedediah Washington) called "Seven Stars" and (b) "Farre Sheepefeilde" close in seven parts of which one is a lane from Gosford Green to Willenhall, the other six are named Further Hill, Middle Field, Brook Field, "Barnehill" alias Thorney Hill (in two parts) and Lane Close, with a barn, Long Meadow and Little Meadow, of which Far Sheep Field and the larger meadow extend to the river, the land of the deceased knight Sir William tate and the late merchant John Bowater and to Hill Topp (which belongs to Edward Hill, gentleman), whilst the 7 other meadow is surrounded by water and lies under Flat Field (sometime Alderman Samuel Myles'). 1760 Jopson's Coventry Mercury, 15/9/1760 - Seven Stars at Whitley mentioned in an advert. 1763 "Swing'em Fair" - David McGrory, Pub.1999 - P 12 - The 'Coventry Gang met at the Seven Stars (an inn on the London road that is now Folly Lane Club)...before departing along the road to London. Commentary in "Illustrated History of Coventry. Suburbs" - David McGrory, Published. 2003, P 150 - An older inn in Whitley was the Seven Stars near Willenhall which was definitely used as an inn in the 18th century and later doubled as a farm. P 160 During the 18th century the Seven Stars was a stopping place on the turnpike road. It stood on the curve of the present Abbey Road (the original London Road to Toll Bar End). By the 19th century the Seven Stars had become a farm and the remains are now Folly Lane Club. P 161 August, 1763 In August 1763 members of a London Gang of roaming thieves met here before heading south to London. Four members failed to arrive, having been arrested for robbing the Castle Inn Broadgate. 1826 British Newspaper Archive - Warwick & Warwickshire Advertiser Sat. 29 July, 1826. 'Very superior large-sized oak timber now felled and lying in Whitmore Wood near Coventry to be sold by auction by Margetts & Son on Wednesday, next, the 2nd day of August, 1826 at the Seven Stars Inn, Willenhall, near Coventry, in the County of Warwick, at 2o'clock in the afternoon......' 1831 Coventry Archives PA1672/2 P128 'The last execution to take place here (Whitley Common) was

Thanks Derek. The names don't help unfortunately but it did prompt me to see if Coventry Planning Dept might have something on the area and they do, although still not helpful. I'm leaning towards it not being the right location.