The Seven Stars, Marsh Baldon, c.1868 (possibly)
The first mention by name that we have found for the Seven Stars occurs in 1804. As well as selling alcohol it was sometimes used, over the years, as a venue for auctions and for inquests. Until 1914, when it was sold at auction, it was part of the Willoughby Estate. At this time it had stabling for two horses, a coach house, a cart shed and a range of piggeries. It was let to The Wallingford Brewery Ltd on a 21 year lease, expiring September 1921, rental £70/annum.
Following several difficult years in the early 2010’s the pub briefly closed then, to save it for the village, it was purchased by Sir David Harding, a businessman who owned a house in Toot Baldon. After closing again for several months in 2012/13, The Baldons & Nuneham Courtenay Society (BNCS), a community shareholding enterprise, was established, purchasing the pub in March 2013. It is still owned by BNCS and is a thriving enterprise.
Celebrating the re-opening of the Seven Stars after the Baldons and Nuneham Community Society (BNCS) took ownership, April 2013
Landlords & landladies in 19th and 20th Centuries
(approximate dates – some details still sketchy, so if you have any further information or corrections, please do contact us at: baldonshistory@gmail.com)
1804-1854
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James Jones
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1863–1899
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Thomas Jones
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1901- 1902
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Harry Benton Roberts
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1903
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James Manley
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1907
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William Banks
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1911
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Albert Parker
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1915
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Christopher Fisher
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1920
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Edward Biffen
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1924–1939
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Horace Sheldon
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1940–1972
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Harold & Ethel Aldsworth
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19??
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Bill & Daphne Dean
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1981-1984
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Mr & Mrs Turvey
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1984-1987
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Beverley & Jennifer Ash
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1987-1990
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Richard & Jan Savage
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1995 - ?
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Simon & Liz Froom
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Snippets from the press
1875 – A meeting of The Benefit Society was held at The Seven Stars, Marsh Baldon, but the treasurer failed to appear. A subsequent meeting was arranged, but it transpired that the treasurer had absconded with the funds of £213.
1881 - George Fruin was summoned to court to answer charges of wilfully damaging the harness of a cart outside the Seven Stars. The case was dismissed.
1902 – The second bankruptcy hearing was held for Harry Benton Roberts, publican of The Seven Stars Inn, Marsh Baldon.
1904 - The licensee of The Seven Stars was given a caution, by the chairman of the Bullingdon Petty Sessions court, for serving beer after 10pm