The lane running along the western edge of the village is known today as Star Lane. It’s a curious name and obviously begs the question of why or where did it originate? Upon the death of Frank Adams recently, his son and Executor, David, upon looking through the many documents appertaining to his family property, noticed some wording. Upon the grounds where his family lived there once stood a building that was sold by auction in 1873. The auction was announced in the Swindon Advertiser, dated Mon, 8 September, 1873, ‘Mr John T. Brown has received instructions to sell by Auction on Thurs 11 Sept, 1873 at the Barrington Arms Hotel at Shrivenham at 2 for 3 oclock. The desirable Freehold property, situate in the centre of the village of Watchfield and comprising a 7 roomed dwelling house with Shop, Bakehouse and Oven (Formerly the Star Inn) lately in the occupation of Mr Povey, the cottage adjoining occupied by W. Titcombe and a double cottage in the rear partly occupied by Edward Butler. There are small gardens in front and a yard in the rear with conveniently arranged Sheds, Pigstys etc. The property is bounded by the estates of Lord Radnor.’ Having read the Watchfield Chronicle, David kindly passed this information to me. So this now answers the question raised by the auction mentioned above. The main premises alluded to in the advert however, no longer exists, having been burnt out, along with two other dwellings, in a huge fire on 6 September, 1928 and subsequently demolished.
Picture 61. The Star Inn location, marked by the white box.
Picture 62. Chapel Hill (above) travelling down which, leads to The Square (now Oxford Square) Named after the Methodist Chapel, located to the right of the large tree. The cottage to the left of the tree is where John Carter murdered his third wife Rhoda.
Picture 63. The building in the centre of the picture was the former Star Inn, most of which was destroyed by fire in 1928
Both pictures above are circa 1910 & Courtesy of Paul Williams, from the Hooper Collection.