DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 17 September, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1653

Bull

Open 2024+

Lower Road

East Farleigh

01622 726282

https://whatpub.com/bull-east

Old Bull

Above drawing, date unknown showing the "Old Bull."

Bull 1895

Above photo circa 1895. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Bull

Above photo, pre 1900.

Bull

Above photo, pre 1900, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Bull

Above photo pre 1900, kindly sent by Mark Richford.

Bull post 1901

Above photo post 1901. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Bull 1900

Above postcard, circa 1900, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Bull 1960

Above photo, 1960, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Bull 1975

Above postcard circa 1975, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Bull 2011

Above photo 2011 by Oast House Archives Creative Commons Licence.

Bull 2015

Above photo, kindly sent by Tricia Francis, 24 March 2015.

Bull Inn sign 2012Bull Inn  sign 2015

Above sign left, 2012, sign right, 2015 by Tricia Francis.

Bull Inn 2022

Above photo 2022.

 

The following passage was found on a document, I presume once displayed inside the pub.

This Inn known by the name of sign of the "Bull" was built in the final year of Queen Victoria in 1901. It was erected on the site of and replaced a much earlier building that was also called the "Bull," that was destroyed by fire at the turn of the century.

This earlier structure, built in the second year of Elizabeth I, in 1560., was originally a farm dwelling forming part of a larger estate. It was first licensed with an ale licence in the year 1653. This was after most of the land had been disposed of, and the small parcel that remained had been cultivated to grow hops. The first tippler, as ale house keepers were then called, to draw ale here was one Joshua Scoffelde, hop grower and brewer. He was a tenant farmer to the estate of Richard Baker, esq., of the parish of Cranbrooke, who held the mortgages on lands and properties, in the parish and the parishes of Staplehurst, Teston and East Farley.

At the date of founding the property was part of the estate of one Thomas Selden of Maidstone, in whose descendants it continued down until at length it was disposed of by sale by one Thomas Sychard of Maidstone in 1639. He decreed it by will in 1661, to his nephew Augustus by Sychard, in whose descendants it continued until at length it passed a Richard Baker, a descendant by marriage.

Joshua Scoffelde held the licence until his death in 1704, until that date the house had been a registered beer house, or tippling House. In the year that he died, his son Samuel took over the licence, but a year later applied for and was granted full licence, in doing so he registered the house under the title of the "Bull." Like his father before him, Samuel Scoffelde was a hop grower and brewer, and the ales he sold here were his house brewed beverage.

The Scoffelde family kept the "Bull" for many years. In 1743, one Thomas Schofield (now spelt thus) was "Schofield the Osler at the Bull." The inn had commodious stables and was advertised as a resting house for travelers. Thomas Schofield died in 1762. In that year he was replaced by one William Martyn, innkeeper and harness maker of Toville, (now Tovil). At the height of the coaching era, the "Bull" became an established halt. It was never a main stage, but a resting place or a transferring point, on the outlying Yalding to Tunbridge Wells. The inn could boast stabling facilities for 36 horses. In 1700 the house was kept by Peter Poundford, horse dealer and carriage proprietor. This was where one could hire carriages or horses at a daily rate.

Peter Poundford stayed at the "Bull" for 36 years, until his death in 1826. During his stay at the inn he had built up a thriving horse trading and carriage business, which, by the terms of his will, he left to his nephew Edward Freeman, who in that same year moved his uncle's business to the "King's Head" at Wateringbury, where he had just been granted the tenancy.

1826, one Thomas Chittenden came to the "Bull." He held the licence here until his death in 1845, where upon his widow, Martha took it up, staying until her own death 1863. In that year one George Startup took over. He left in 1871 and was replaced by Mark William Stringett Tapsfield, hop grower and beer seller. At this date, the propriety was owned by the Phoenix Brewery at Wateringbury. Mark Tapsfield kept the "Bull" until his death in 1890, whereupon his son Joseph Wilberforce Tapsfield took over the licence. He left in 1899, handing over to George Norris, who in that year paid an annual rent of £24 for the tenancy. He was the last keeper to reside at the old "Bull," for, In January 1900, a fire broke out in the living quarters, fanned by steady breeze. It quickly spread through the old timber framed building, until at length the whole building was destroyed. In 1901 the Phoenix Brewery ordered the construction of a new "Bull." It was completed that year. The first keeper to draw ale here was one Arthur Jones.

Today the bull gives out the same glow of warmth and hospitality and stands as a reminder of days gone by.

 

However, I have also found an article dated I believe 1897 (the last digit of the original year wasn't clear, but looked like a 7) that suggests that the pub was about to be demolished for a new build, and this predates the mention of the fire.

 

Closed November 2022, but after being renovated again reopened in January 2024.

 

Kentish Gazette 29 January 1802.

On Saturday poor woman, who was sitting at the "Bull" at East Farleigh, in apparent health and spirits, reclined her head on the table, and without the smallest appearance of ill health expired in an instant.

 

Kentish Gazette, 16 February, 1821.

DEATH.

Feb. 3, Mr. Monk, landlord of the "Bull," Farleigh.

 

Kentish Gazette, 20 August 1850.

EAST FARLEIGH. Hop Dinner.

On Wednesday last, the annual hop dinner took place at the "Bull Inn," and was well attended. Mr. Fancett, of Maidstone, was in the chair. Mr. Charles Birchall was declared the winner of the sweep for last year. The sets for the present year ranged from £110,000 to £225,000. The average betting was in favour of £200,000.

 

Southeastern Gazette, 10 May 1853.

FARLEIGH, EAST.

An inquest was held at the "Bull Inn," on Tuesday last before J. N. Dudlow, Esq, and and an intelligent jury, touching the death of Jane Jury, who had been lost since the 6th December, when she left her home at Waterinbury and her body was found in the river by the lock-keeper on Monday morning and was put in an oasthouse close to the river. The jury having viewed the body, which presented a shocking sight, much of the clothes being destroyed by the time it had been in the water. The following evidence was then given:—

Copnin, the lock-keeper proved the finding of the body.

Jane Fuller said she was certain that it was the body of her mother; they lived together on the 6th December, which was the last day she saw her alive. She went to her work and afterwards went to East Peckham and paid a small bill; that was about five o’clock in the evening; it was a dark wet night and a flood. All the ponds about were searched at the time, but to no avail.

Elizabeth Hollands, a neighbour, identified the body, and also confirmed what the daughter had said.

Mr. Kennett, surgeon, said he had examined the body, which had been in the water a long time; had no doubt death his caused by drowning; there were not any marks of violence on the body; the ring was on the finger, but he heard there were no money in her pockets.

The jury returned a verdict of "Found drowned."

 

Local News on this day 5th December 1857.

At the Kent Winter Assizes, James Crosby, a polepuller employed by Mr. Cook was charged with stabbing Michael Langham, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm on 15th September. Mr. Platt appeared for the prosecution.

Mary Langham, the wife of the prosecutor, said that on the night of the 15th September, she was with her husband at the "Bull Inn" and the prisoner and his wife were also there. She and Mrs Crosby left before the men, to return home to cook the supper. In about half an hour, Crosby came in and said he would have revenge on Langham, and that if he had his hook, he would cut his head off. He then eat his supper and went to bed. Shortly afterwards, Michael Langham came home and challenged Crosby to out and fight like a man! They then both went out and she noticed that Crosby took something from a shelf. On going outside, she saw her husband on the ground and Crosby on top of him. A person named Bruce interfered and parted them.

Mary Mills corroborated the evidence of Mary Langham and in addition stated that she saw the prisoner with a fork in his hand, and after the men were parted, she had seen blood upon it. James Bruce stated that on hearing the cry of "murder" he went outside the hop oast and found the prosecutor and prisoner struggling together on the ground, the prisoner being on the top. After separating them, two or three times, he succeeded in stopping the fight. He did not notice the prosecutor was wounded as it was dark at the time.

Michael Langham stated that on the night in question, he went to the "Bull," where the prisoner was. A person in the room, asked if the prosecutor was an Irishman, to which he replied, "yes a rank Irishman, to which the prisoner took objection to the term "rank" saying that it was vulgar. The prosecutor applied to a "classical scholar" in the room, and an animated discussion took place as to the propriety of the expression. High words ensued, resulting in the prisoner striking him. Subsequently the prisoner left the public house and when the prosecutor returned to the hop oast, he found him in bed. The prisoner (who acknowledged he was drunk at the time) then said the prisoner had hit him like a boy and now should come outside and fight him like a man. The prisoner came out and they began to fight and the prisoner stabbed him in about twenty places and stated he would take his life. The prosecutor "lay for dead" at the oast house all that night and the following morning, was removed to the Union, where he stayed for three weeks.

Mr Frederick Fry, surgeon, stated that he was the medical officer of the Union, and on 17th September, attended Michael Langham. He had fifteen punctures and five distinct wounds, three of which were upon the right side of the abdomen and two on the left side of the chest. The wounds on the chest were very serious, and one of them must have penetrated the lungs, as he coughed up blood for some time afterwards. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to twelve months' hard labour.

 

South Eastern Gazette, 16 October, 1860.

Farleigh East. Sudden Death.

On Tuesday morning last, a labouring man, named Richard Smitherman, aged 69, was found dead in his bed. The deceased had been to London on the previous day, and on his return home took up his lodging at Mr. Crittenden's, the "Bull Inn." He want to bed in apparently his usual health and spirits, and at six o’clock on Tuesday a fellow lodger got up and left the room, having spoken to deceased, who then appeared vary well. At about half-past 10 the girl went up stairs to make the beds, when she found deceased lying in bed as if dead. She gave an alarm, and a medical man was speedily sent for, but life was extinct. There was no doubt that death had arisen from disease of the heart, and the coroner has therefore thought it unnecessary to hold an inquest.

 

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 28 September 1861.

Fatal Attack by Irish Hop Pickers at East Farleigh, near Maidstone.

On Saturday night last an alarm in disturbance to place in the village of East Farleigh, in the course of which a man name Reynolds, otherwise Bennett was so severely and savagely beaten that he has since died. Our readers are no doubt aware that a large number of the hop pickers in this locality are Irish, and of course of conduct they sometimes resort to upon the slightest interruption. On Saturday night a large number of these Irish pickers were drinking at the "Bull Inn" in the village, when a row took place between them and some of the inhabitants. The house, which is well conducted, was closed at 11 o'clock, but the quarrelling was continued for some time outside and some half dozen of the Irishman it is said fell upon Bennett who is an agricultural labourer living in the neighbourhood, and beat and kicked him in the most brutal and shameful manner. A man who was with him and interfered with them was also attacked with similar violence, but Bettett was at length taken away from his assailants and went to his home. He got up the next morning and walked as far as the "Bull," but complained greatly of pains in the head and chest and returned home again. Shortly afterwards Mr. Stokoe, a surgeon residing at Coxheath was sent for and did all that his skill would allow to subdue the alarm in symptoms which had set in. The man, however, grew rapidly worse, lingering till Monday afternoon, when he died of the injuries he had sustained. His head was in a most frightful state and is chest was very black from the blows and kicks which he had received.

We are happy to say that some of the fellows are in custody, having been taken before the magistrates of the division and remanded till after the coroner has held an inquest.

The Inquest.

On Thursday at noon a coroner's inquest was held at the "Horse Shoe Inn," East Farleigh, before J. N. Dudlow, Esq., county coroner, upon the body of George Reynolds, otherwise Bennetts, age 45, whose death resulted from the effects of violence. The jury, after viewing the body, return to the "Horse Shoe," when the coroner briefly addressed them - defining the law relating to manslaughter. The following witnesses were then called.

Arthur Lovelock, labourer, living at East Farleigh, said, I knew the deceased, who was 45 years of age, and a labourer. On Saturday night, the 21st inst., I was at the "Bull Inn," East Farleigh, with him. There were also some Irishman there. We left at 12 o'clock. I, George Reader, and the deceased came out together, and as soon as we got out, Bennett was knocked down. No words had passed. He was knocked down by some one. I don't know by whom; but when he was down, I saw Sullivan and Charles McCarthy, kicking him. I could not see where they were kicking him. There were, I should say, half a dozen around him, but I did not see any of the others kick him. I don't know the names of the others. I said "don't kill the man." and directly I said so, Sullivan knock me down. A young man came along and took them off me. I then got up and ran about 8 rods, when two of them overtook me and knocked me down again. When I got out the second time I went back to the deceased, who was then standing near the "Bull Inn." We stood talking there about half an hour. The parties who assaulted us had then left. Deceased said twice "I shouldn't care if I was not more hurt than you are." He bled very much from the forehead, over one of his eyes. He did not say any more to me. Deceased then went down to the outhouse again. I did not see him knocked down more than once. Deceased was dryer to J. Ellis. Esq.

By a juror:- The men who kicked the deceased had shoes on. I did not see any sticks in their hands. There was no quarrel in the house that I know of. Reader "shucked" up with his trousers, and Charles McCarthy and Sullivan said they would take his life for its. I told Reader what they said.

George Reader, labourer, East Farleigh, deposed that he was at the "Bull Inn," on Saturday night, the 21st inst. There was no row or quarrelling that he heard. He left the house about 12 o'clock, with Lovelock - the deceased being closely behind them. When they got outside the "Bull" he saw Charles McCarthy, John McCarthy and Timothy Sullivan. There were other persons standing around, but he could not say who they were. Some person, he could not say whom, nnocked the deceased down, and Timothy Sullivan and Charles McCarthy kicked him while he lay under the stool. Deceased was kicked about the body. He did not see any other person kick him. The last witness said "don't kill the man," and Sullivan directly struck him. He did not see the deceased get up, for he started for assistance, and on his return he saw Charles McCarthy and Sullivan, running after Lovelock, who they overtook, and Sullivan again got him down. A young man pulled them off Lovelock and they then went away. The afterwards saw deceased who pointed to his left eye, where was a gash, and said "I have got a cut over my eye, and I feel stiff and sore on my chest." The man who kicked deceased wore "heavy spiked shoes," and they kicked him very severely. He did not see any person excepting Sullivan and Charles McCarthy kick or ill-use the deceased.

James Reader, labourer, said he was at the "Bull Inn," Farleigh, on Saturday. There were several persons there, among whom was deceased. There were several Irish there. There was no real or disturbance. He had no words with anyone. He went to the candle to get a light to his pipe when some persons snatched the candle from his hand and he left the house at once. He did not expose his person to the woman who were present. He did not see anything of a row, nor was there any quarrelling inside the house. He did not see anyone interfere with the Irish party. He left the house at about half-past eleven. John King, after the candle was taken from him, told him that they the Irish party intended to do for him, and King persuaded him to go home, which he did. He saw the deceased next morning when he (deceased) said he was going home. There was a cut on deceased's forehead, but he (deceased) said he didn't feel much of the cut he felt most of it in his left side, where he had been kicked. Deceased did not say who kicked him. Deceased was perfectly sober on the Sunday morning when he saw him, but on the Saturday night he was neither drunk nor sober. He had been drinking with the a lot of others.

Richard King, labourer, East Farleigh, said he did not hear or see anything of the row at the "Bull Inn," but immediately afterwards he was close under a wall near the house when two men, who he believed to be Sullivan and Charles McCarthy passed him. They said, "We've done for one and will do for another." There was no quarrelling before he left the house. He told the last witness (Reader) that one of the men (neither Sullivan nor Charles McCarthy) had said he would do for him "Reader).

Mr. Stokoe, surgeon, deposed that on Monday afternoon about five o'clock he was called in to see the deceased, who was then in a dying state. Deceased was rapidly sinking, and died about seven o'clock on the same evening. he told him (witness) that he had been very much knocked about, and complained of severe pains in the pit of the stomach, the chest, and the head. On making a post mortem examination he found the chest and back, down as far as the lions, very severely injured. There was a great deal of extravagated blood among the muscles of the chest - evidently the result of great violence. The nasal bone was fractured on the left side. The head was very much bruised. He had no doubt the death resulting from the shock to the nervous system, caused by the violence which had been spoken of.

The jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict of "Manslaughter against Charles McCarthy and Timothy Sullivan," and the coroner made out of the warrant for their commitment.

 

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 14 December 1861.

Manslaughter at Farleigh.

The following is the only case of importance which we admitted in our assizes report last week.

Timothy Sullivan, 23, labourer, and Charles McCarthy, 24, labourer, two determined looking Irishman, were indicted for the manslaughter of George Bennett, at Farley, on the 21st of September. Mr. Russell and Mr. Addison appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Ripton for the prisoners.

Mr. Ribton said that the bill for murder had been thrown out by the grand jury, and he understood the prisoners were now to be proceeded against on the coroner's inquisition, and he wish to call his Lordships attention to the Lord Chief Justice having within the last 12 months strongly condemned prosecuting under such circumstances.

His Lordship said he was quite aware of it and as Mr. Ribton stated, but he did not know why the grand jury has thrown out the bill, and did not think therefore, he ought to stop the case.

The Clerk of Arraigns said that the grand jury originally marked on the bill that it was thrown out because three material witnesses were not present. One of them, the surgeon, had since attended and been examined, but the other two was still absent.

The case was then allowed to proceed, and Mr. Russell having addressed the jury for the prosecution, asked the following witnesses:- Arthur Lovelock, residing at East Farleigh, said on Saturday, 21st September, I was at the "Bull Inn," East Farleigh. I saw both of prisoners there, a man name Reader and the deceased. They were drinking and singing. McCarthy then said, "If Reader is not off I will do for him." I heard no quarrelling. I left about 12 to go home. I saw Bennett when I got outside. I saw him knocked down but I did not see by whom. When he was down I saw the prisoners kicking him. I did not see anyone else kicking him. There were several other person standing around. The kicking lasted several minutes. I said, "Don't kill the man;" and Sullivan knock me down. I saw Bennett's face when he got up. It was bleeding very much, and there was a cut over the Eye.

By Mr. Ribton:- There was seven or eight person standing round. I knew that originally there were several others charged with the offence.

Re-examined:- There are about 10 other Irishman with the prisoners at the "Bull," and about 7 or 8 outside.

George Seager, labourer, residing at East Farleigh, said:- I was at the "Bull Inn," at East Farleigh, on the night in question, with several others. There were about 10 Irishmen there. There was no quarrelling. At about 12 the landlord turned us out. The prisoners and their parties were out first. I went out with Bennett and others. The prisoners was standing outside, and McCarthy asked us if we thought it was a mainly action for Reader to do has he had done. We answered we thought it was not. Soon after someone knocked Bennett down, and the prisoners began kicking him. I went for help, and heard the kicking going on as I left. Bennett afterwards overtook me. He had a cut over his eye, which was bleeding very much. I soon afterwards separated from Bennett and never saw him again alive. He was in good health before going to the "Bull" that night.

Richard King left the "Bull" on the night in question just before Bennett. He subsequently heard the prisoners come along the road, and one of them said, "We have done for one man, and we will do for another."

Cross-examined:- That was all I heard them say. The prisoners followed Reader and me out.

Ann Baker, mother of deceased, said:- My house is about a mile from the "Bull." Deceased lived with me. I heard deceased come in about 10 o'clock on Sunday night, but I did not see him till the following morning. He complained of pain and said he had been much ill-used. He asked for water, and when I took it to him he said he could not see the pot in which it was. He complained of pain all over his body. I sent for a surgeon.

John Robert Tapsfield said he was at the "Bull" about 1 o'clock on Sunday, and saw Bennett there. Deceased's face was all over blood, and he complained of a great deal of pain in the chest. He groaned a great deal.

By Mr. Ribton:- He had no beer there. He called for a pint afterwards, but did not drink it.

Paul Henry Stokoe, surgeon, at East Farleigh, was called in to see deceased on Monday. Deceased was lying on the bed at his mother's house. He complained of pain in the pit of his stomach, and general soreness. He said his head and face were very tender. His face was much swollen. The skin over both eyes was scratched. There was a clean cut incised wound over his left eye about three quarters of an inch in length. There was another scratch or cut on the nose. The whole of the scalp was very much swollen, and in a pulpy state. The chest was in the same condition. The skin of the chest was raised like a blister. Deceased was in a dying state. This was about 5 o'clock, and he died in the course of the evening. He was continually calling out "I shall die, I shall die."

By the Judge:- I firmly believe the deceased thought he was dying.
Examination continue:- He said he had been knocked about by some men at the "Bull." I do not know whether he said when. After he died I made an examination of the body. Under the cut over the bone of the left eye I found extravasated blood. The brain was perfectly sound and healthy. There were serious injuries on the chest. All his internal organs were healthy. The back was in the same state as a chest - the surface was much bruised, and also the tissues as far as the bone. The injuries were sufficient to cause death. I believe that death was caused by the shock to the nervous system.

Superintendent Maloney, K.C.C. saw the prisoners in custody on the 24th September. Witness told them he charged them with killing George Bennett, and gave them the usual caution. Sullivan said he remembered striking some one once, and McCarthy said he kicked Bennett once.

By Mr. Ribton:- Sullivan charged two other men with assaulting Bennett. I apprehended these men, but there was no evidence offered against them, and they were discharged. These were the two witnesses subpoenaed, but who have not attended. I should suppose there would be about 1,000 hoppers about the "Bull" on Saturday night during the hop picking season.

James Reader, examined by Mr. Ribton, said that Bennett slept with him on Saturday night at the hop-oast, and that they were both drinking together the next day.

By Mr. Russell:- I did not see him on Saturday night when he returned from the "Bull," as it was dark. I saw him early the next morning, and his face was then covered with blood.

This concluded the evidence, and after Mr. Ribton and had addressed the jury for the defence, his Lordship summed up, carefully going through the evidence, and concluding by remarking that if the jury believe that the prisoners had kicked the deceased in the manner spoken of in the evidence, and the violence had caused deceased's death, they had no alternative than to find them guilty of manslaughter.

The jury after a very few minutes consultation, found both prisoners Guilty, and they were sentenced to 12 months' hard labour.

 

From the Daily Graphic, Saturday, 25 September, 1897.

Old "Bull" at Farley. The Last Of A Noted Inn.

Not far upstream from Maidstone, where the Medway runs between two ridges which rise steeply from either bank, is the village of East Farley, the Forlegs of the Doomsday Book,, one of the most ancient sites in Kent, as its name shown, "Forlegs" means the "place of the way," or passage, over the river, and there the ancient bridge still remains, picturesque with grey ribbed arches and massive buttresses, the highway now, as it has been for ages, from one side of the valley to the other. Crossing the stream over the bridge from the railway station the road climbs the southern ridge, on the top of which stands an architectural group suggestive of old England - the church, mainly of the 14th and 15th centuries, with its lych gate, and just across the road, one of those half-timbered inns which harmonise so well with an English landscape - the "Old Bull Inn," now under sentence of demolition. Midway in the road, between the entrance to the churchyard and the timber front of the inn, in a little group of chestnut trees, and beneath them a mountain block of four courses of stone. For centuries before the days of the bicycle and the steam engine, the traveler bound to Maidstone, to Rochester, or southward to the sea shore, has mounted his pad nag here after refreshing the inner man at the "Bull," and then the warn stones still stand,, a humble monument of the days when journeys were made on horseback, and when this charming valley of the upper Medway knew no such sounds as a steam whistle or the cycle bell. In just a place as this, the wayfaring life of England was for hundreds of years at full tide. The present bridge, old as it is, had many predecessors, for, as we have seen, ever before the Norman came to the village was known as the "place of passage." Briton, Roman, Saxon, and Norman crossed the river here. On the height above where the present agent church and inn now stands, there stood a more ancient church, and in all possibility a more ancient hostelry.

Within a fortnight or so this charming little old fashioned spot will be invaded by the destroyer. The "Old Bull" is doomed; its quaint and lowly front with its long windows and its pleasant outside seats will be razed to the ground to make way for a new and, no doubt, much smarter and more convenient public house. Another bit of old England will have vanished.

Between the inn and the river used to be held (and it still survives in a small melancholy sort of way) during the hop-picking seasons, the "Farleigh Fair" - a sort of country rag-fair, much patronized by the hop-pickers. All round Farley are extensive hop gardens with their ash shaws for the pole supplied, and all the inns in the neighbourhood, the "Bull," of course, among them have their special accommodation for the army of hop-gatherers who camp out every year in the Kentish fields and get in the hop harvest - a strange, rough crowd of men, women, and children, which issues in thousands from the East End of London, and when its campaign is over disappears again into the purloins of Whitechapel. A large room, with a billiard room annexed, is their headquarters at the "Bull," and here, when the day's work is done, they gather to sing and dance and make merry. They will see the timber front of the "Old Bull" no more, for by next season the new inn will be built.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk 25 November 2022.

Animal welfare investigation at The Bull Inn pub in East Farleigh which closed without explanation.

A pub which closed is being investigated over animal welfare concerns, it has been confirmed.

Officers from Maidstone council along with police were called to The Bull Inn at East Farleigh last Thursday as part of an ongoing probe.

It follows calls from concerned neighbours, first logged in the summer.

The pub, which was home to a petting zoo with ponies, goats, ducks, rabbits and more, is understood to have been closed for several weeks.

Neighbours were in the dark as to why it stopped trading and a sign outside was still advertising a free buffet to watch the Queen's funeral, back in September.

A council spokesman said: “On November 17, our animal licensing inspector and other officers from the community protection team attended a property in East Farleigh in connection with an ongoing animal welfare investigation.

"The team were supported by officers from Kent Police."

The council confirmed the only animals at the Lower Road pub at the time of the visit were fish in a pond.

Bull Inn fish pond 2022

The pond at The Bull Inn pub in East Farleigh, which is subject to an animal welfare investigation.

Their welfare, such as the water quality, were checked.

The investigation is ongoing.

KentOnline has attempted to contact the pub's owners for comment.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Ben Austin, 26 July 2023.

East Farleigh residents discuss saving The Bull Inn pub but Stonegate Group says it hopes to reopen it soon.

A company that owns a troubled pub says it is “keen to get it open as soon as possible” but villagers are leaving nothing to chance.

Metal shutters now cover the windows and doors of The Bull Inn at East Farleigh near Maidstone after it shut suddenly last year.

Bull 2023

The boarded up Bull Inn in East Farleigh.

The pub, which belongs to the Stonegate Group, was home to a petting zoo and last served customers in September.

In November, it was revealed that it was under investigation following animal welfare concerns.

It has remained closed ever since, leading to residents, who fear it could be turned into flats, getting together for a meeting last week in an effort to save it.

East Farleigh Parish Council has applied for it to be designated an Asset of Community Value (ACV) which would protect it from development.

After the meeting, a working group has also been set up to look at ideas to safeguard the venue.

Parish councillor David Hussein, who is a member of the group along with Deborah Abbott, Barry Older and Adam Palmer, said there had been concerns about the way the pub had been run - but people were mainly worried about its future.

“We had complaints over noise, over the events they were holding and the animal welfare concerns.

“We also noticed though it was closed for some time no new tenants took it on so we asked the owners what their intentions are.

“They said the intention was to find new tenants but couldn’t rule out the development of the site.

“Our main concern is a pub which has been here for hundreds of years will be developed.”

More than 40 people attended the meeting at Coxheath Primary school on Wednesday, July 19 to discuss how they could help the pub reopen.

Ideas ranged from buying the building with funds provided for community projects via Central Government, to running it as a community pub or opening it as a shop.

Mr Hussein said: “The preferred choice would be to purchase the pub but the owners currently have no intention of selling.

“But the working group are still looking into having their first meeting in case the opportunity arises again to run it.”

It is understood that it took Stonegate until December to regain legal possession of the building.

The last time the pub was open was September last year at the time of the Queen’s funeral.

This week, a Stonegate Group spokesman said: “We are keen to get the Bull Inn open as soon as possible for the local community to enjoy.

“We are in the process of recruiting a tenant and would be keen to further explore any opportunity with the parish council and urge them to contact us as soon as possible if they are looking to get involved with the premises.”

Meanwhile, Maidstone council said its animal welfare investigation was continuing “to decide whether further action is necessary”.

However, after council officers and police visited in November it had concluded “there were no animals at risk at the property at that time”.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Ben Austin, 7 February 2024.

The Bull Inn in East Farleigh given five-figure refurb after being taken over.

Punters have returned to a previously troubled pub following a five-figure refurb.

The Bull Inn in East Farleigh, near Maidstone, has been behind boards for more than a year after the pub closed in November 2022.

The previous landlords came under fire when it was reported the pub was under investigation for animal welfare concerns.

Last weekend people were invited once again to enjoy a pint in the newly remodelled establishment.

The work has been carried out in five weeks, with Oliver Aubrey taking the helm on December 21.

The 33-year-old has been in the business since 2009 and in 2018 started his own company.

He runs three other sites; "Drakes" in Maidstone town centre, The "Walnut Tree" in Tonbridge Road, and the "Little Gem" in Aylesford.

Bull bar 2024

New bar in The Bull Inn East Farleigh. Picture: Bull Inn.

He said: “I have a good working relationship with Stonegate and we spoke for a few months.

“I started looking around in the summer and wasn’t too sure but in November I decided to take it on.”

Since taking over, Ollie has been working hard to get The Bull Inn to a standard he is happy with.

He continued: “The previous owners left it in a bit of state to be honest and we have had to strip it.

“Personally I will have spent more than £55,000 having the kitchen refitted, and the main area re-furnished.

Bull inside 2024

Customers enjoying the new-look Bull Inn. Picture: Bull Inn.

“Stonegate has covered the costs for now but I will be paying back over the leasehold.

Despite a busy five weeks, more work is needing to be done but Oliver did not want to wait any longer to reopen.

“It’s a bit bare for my liking,” he said, “But give it six months and we’ll give it the character it’s lacking.”

Renovations are still underway but it hasn’t stopped punters already popping their head in for a pint and to absorb the ambience.

Duncan Spencer was the leader of a community group which was looking into buying the pub if it was to be sold for residential use.

Bull staff 2024

Staff manning the bar on Saturday. Picture: Bull Inn.

He visited the pub with much anticipation on Saturday and said: “It was brilliant. The beer was good and there were a lot of people in.

“It has very much been improved upon. To be fair I never went in under the previous manager but from what I have heard it is massively improved.

“Ollie has done a really good job and the bar is back to looking how it should.

“There’s nothing to stop us now so I hope to go back for more evenings in the future.”

Bull inside 2024

The redecorated interior of The Bull Inn.

The pub advertised on Friday (February 2) that it would be open for the weekend and since then large bookings for wedding anniversaries and birthday parties have already been made.

Oliver said: “It’s hard to tell early on the reaction but this time next year I am hoping the industry will be in a better position.

“I think there was a need for it. Our motto here is ‘simple done well’ and I hope we are achieving that.

“Nothing flashy or fancy we just want that community pub feel where people can come regularly enjoy themselves, and feel like they are getting their money's worth.”

A spokesman for Stonegate said in December: “New management has now taken over the site, and after some uplifting internal works, the pub hopes to open as normal by the end of January.”

 

LICENSEE LIST

List in Red from written history, not from local papers information.

SCOFFELDE Joshua 1653-1704 dec'd

SCOFFELDE Samuel 1704-43

SCHOFIELD Thomas 1742-62 dec'd

MARTYN William 1762-90

POUNDFORD Peter 1790-1826 dec'd

MONK Mr to 3/Feb/1821 dec'd

CRITTENDEN Thomas 1826-45 dec'd

CRITTENDEN George 1828-22/June/41 dec'd (age 45 in 1841Census) Pigot's Directory 1828-29Pigot's Directory 1832-34

CRITTENDEN Martha 1845-63 dec'd

STARTUP George 1863-71

TAPSFIELD William 1851+ (also Smith Master age 28 in 1851Census)

CRITTENDEN William 1860-62+ (age 30 in 1861Census)

TAPSFIELD Mark William Springett 1871-90 dec'd (also blacksmith aged 50 in 1881Census)

TAPSFIELD Joseph William 1890-99 (age 26 in 1891Census)

NORRIS George 1899-Jan/1900 fire

ROBERTS Russell 1900s

HOW Frederick S 1901+ (age 33 in 1901Census)

JONES Arthur 1901+ Kelly's 1903

SPRINGETT Jesse David 1913-18+

FRENCH Leslie William O 1922-30+

ROSSON William James 1938+

AUBREY Oliver 21/Dec/2023+

https://pubwiki.co.uk/BullInn.shtml

 

Pigot's Directory 1828-29From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29

Pigot's Directory 1832-34From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

CensusCensus

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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