Here is what we think is the only comprehensive record of pubs and beerhouses within the Coventry city boundaries going back as far as available records allow. This is an ongoing project so contributions, corrections or additions to this archive, especially anecdotes, photos and media are most welcome. Feel free to contact us for a pint and a chat anytime.
The Fire Engine
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| NAME | FIRE ENGINE | ||
| THIS PREMISES WAS KNOWN BY DIFFERENT NAMES DURING ITS HISTORY | FROM | TO | KNOWN AS |
| 1772 | 1830 | FIRE ENGINE | |
| 1830 | 1985 | ENGINE INN, OLD ENGINE INN | |
| 1985 | 2010 | CANAL BOAT | |
| 2010 | present | LONGFORD ENGINE | |
| ADDRESS | 270 BEDWORTH ROAD | ||
| ALTERNATIVE ADDRESSES | 27 BEDWORTH ROAD, 270 LONGFORD ROAD | ||
| This seems to have been a reference to a local steam engine, perhaps for pit winding or water raising. In 1830 a noted prizefight took place behind the Engine between John Adrian, licensee of the Windmill pub in Spon Street and a man called Betteridge, for £20 a side. It may have taken place here because it was outside the jurisdiction of the Coventry law. This shows that the Engine was in existence by 1830. In 1853 the licensee, Benjamin Bird, who was also a local farmer, purchased the City Arms in Earlsdon. In 1906 the Engine was purchased by Phipps of Northampton for £2000. In 1982 it was 'a pleasant well decorated pub knocked into a single bar but with a seperate games area.' Were Mrs Anne Bedder (1876 - 1880) and Mrs Anne Edwards (1885 - 1908) the same person, and likewise John (1910) and James (1912) Brindley were probably the same? Research by 'philex31' on the Historic Coventry forum would suggest that the Sephtons and their extended family had connections with many of the pubs in the Longford area: Boat (Blackhorse Road), Boat (Grange Road), Greyhound, Elephant & Castle, Miners Arms, Bird In Hand, Green Man, Old Crown (Windmill Road), New Inn, Saracens Head, Coach & Horses, and the Engine Inn. Also, away from Longford were the Park Gate Hotel and the New Inn (Stockingford). The majority of the Coventry Sephtons appear to be descended from James Sephton, a canal boatbuilder, who arrived in the Hawkesbury area c1805 from Shardlow in Derbyshire. Somewhat at odds with this boozy background, other family members operated temperance hotels in the city centre (The Victoria, Warwick Row and The Priory, Bayley Lane). |
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| Known Licensees are; 1840 Thomas Parish 1850 Benjamin Bird 1863 Joseph Hollyoak 1866 Thomas Warren 1868 Henry Warren 1874 Francis Bedder 1876 - 1880 Mrs Anne Bedder 1885 - 1908 Mrs Anne Edwards 1910 John Brindley 1912 James Brindley 1924 William John Hodson 1926 - 1934 Arthur Albert Hodson 1935 - 1940 G. T. Ellis 1960 - 1962 J. J. Kelly |
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