Rudolph (Ken) Green, The Wheatsheaf Pub

Hi all, I am searching for information about the landlord of the Wheatsheaf pub on the Foleshill Road. He was called Ken Green but his possible first name could also be Randolph/Rudolph. He was the landlord there in the mid-late 60's to early 70's. He was a Jamaican man and although unusual to have a black publican in Coventry, I cannot find much information. Hope some of you are able to give some information. Thanks.

Hi CovKid71, welcome to the forum. Sorry I can't help you but there is a suitable gap in the list of publicans at the Wheatsheaf Helen

From CET 17th January 1969 First coloured licensee in city? MR. RUDOLPH GREEN looks set to make history in Coventry by becoming the city's first coloured licensee. Since the beginning of December he has been in training behind the bar of the Wheatsheaf public house, Foleshill Road, where he hopes next month to become the new manager. Mr. Green, a 30-year-old Jamaican, said today; "I thought I would experience some form of resentment at my being at the pub. That was my biggest worry. But nothing like that has happened and the atmosphere here is very friendly." Mr. Green, who worked in local government in Jamaica, came to Coventry in 1962. Before being prospective manager of the Wheatsheaf, he ran a cafe at 799 Foleshill Road with his English wife Eileen, who formerly worked as an assistant in the Owen Owen store. "I used the cafe as a stepping stone for a pub," he explained. "I felt there should be coloured people in various forms of business in Coventry and life behind a bar is something I have been thinking about for years." Mr. and Mrs. Green, who at present live at 165 Kingfield Road, Coventry, plan to run the Wheatsheaf together with a staff of two. They have a son aged two.

I cannot tell you anything about the landlord, but I can tell you that for a decade, his pub food was fabulous. I enjoyed it as did clients. I was a student during that era, so dragged along. Pubs doing food were not as plentiful as they became a couple of decades later. The Angel & the Wheatsheaf were about the only everyday food pubs in that area, until the mass breakout of food pubs a decade later. The Angel was very orthodox English food, whereas the Wheatsheaf was mostly Caribbean. Coming around to top up our plates, I can still hear "There's looordz"

What a fantastic response Thank you for your responses. I was told about there was an article in the CET but I was unable to find it, so thank you very much for posting it here. Good to hear that the pub grub was nice and was popular. Cheers

Hi Covkid. There is a picture of him as well on the article, but am never sure if it is correct to post pictures of people. If you would like a copy message me with your email address.

Ms Wiggy, I have contacted you personally through the website with my email address. It would be fantastic if you would send the photo. Thanks.

Covkid71, I will do that for you sometime today

Job done!

Hi, I have sent you a private message. Thanks.

Thank you so much Annewiggy for your effort and kindness to a stranger .

Covkid71, you are not a stranger but a member of the Historic Coventry Forum.

Cheers Argon. Just hoping now that more people have memories of the Wheatsheaf and his "pioneering" time there.

CovKid71 It is to be hoped that someone has memories, however it was 50 years ago that he was at the Wheatsheaf and so anyone with memories has to be in their 70's or older which makes it less likely to find anyone.

I appreciate that there will be few who will have been around then that are around now, but hope always springs eternal. Cheers