DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Gillingham, April, 2024.

Page Updated:- Thursday, 04 April, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1846-

(Name from)

Hastings Arms

Open 2020+

Lower Grange Road

(Hamlet of Grench 1851Census)

Gillingham

01634 851310

https://www.thehastingsarms.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/hastings-arms

Hastings Arms 2011

Above photo 2011, from www.Flickr.com by Ben Levick.

Hastings Arms 2011

Above photo 2011, from www.Flickr.com by Ben Levick.

Hastings Arms sign 1991Hastings Arms sign 1991

Above signs, 1991.

Hastings Arms sign 1986Hastings Arms sign 2011

Above sign left, October 1986. Sign right 2011.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

 

The links with the Sussex resort might seem remote, but in fact Grange was a non-corporate member of Hastings, the only Cinque Port outside Kent. Fordwich and Faversham were also Port ‘limbs', of Sandwich and Dover respectively.

 

South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 25 August 1846.

Gillingham. Hamlet of Grange.

On Saturday last, J Hinde, Esq., held an inquest at the "Hastings Arms," on Jordan Harrisson, age 19 years, a labourer, who dropped down in the shop of Mr. Middleton, blacksmith, the day before, and expired instantly. It appeared in evidence that the deceased had been previously unwell for some time. The jury Returned a verdict that deceased "Died from natural causes."

 

Information below by Ben Levick

In the 1850s the Lower Halstow Wesleyan Church borrowed £20 from the Gillingham Club who met at the "Hastings Arms" in order to buy their chapel and change allegiance to the United Methodist Church. The exact link between the Wesleyans and the pub is unknown.

The public houses of Grange came under the Justices of the Peace at Hastings, not the local authority, and this could cause problems when the licensee committed a licensing offence - letters in the local archive show there was sometimes confusion over who was responsible for dealing with these issues, the local licensing authority or the Hastings one!

The pub was rebuilt on its present site in 1883.

 

South Eastern Gazette, 18 December, 1860.

Conviction of a Publican for Sunday Trading.

Mr. W. Melton, landlord of the "Malt-shovel and Hasting’s Arms," Grange, was also charged with a similar offence, (with having his house open for the sale of liquors at improper hours,) twelve men having been found in the tap-room, all drinking. In this case defendant was fined 10s. and 10s. costs.

 

Hastings and St Leonards Observer 6 May 1871.

TRANSFERS.

"Hastings Arms," Hamlet of Grange, from James Kitchingham to John West.

 

Hastings Arms grand daughter 1890

Above photo circa 1890 with what is believed to be licensee John West's grand-daughter.

 

Hastings and St Leonards Observer, Saturday 25 March 1933.

Licensing Anomaly. Why two public houses will keep open later.

Two public houses in Gillingham, Kent, will open until 10:30 p.m. During the summer months in spite of the fact that the Chatham Licensing Magistrates, whose area includes Gillingham, have refused any local extension.

The reason is that these two hostelries, the "Hastings Arms" and the "Mulberry Tree," come under the jurisdiction of the Hastings justices, who have sanctioned the extra half hour.

The result is a licensing anomaly that has no parallel elsewhere in the country. While the other public houses of Gillingham will be closed and shuttered, the "Hastings Arms" and the "Mulberry Tree" will be reaping in rich harvest.

And it is all because of the time, centuries ago, when Hastings acquired the "Manor and Grange neare Jelingham" as a limb of the Cinque Port of Hastings.

 

Hastings and St Leonards Observer 21 May 1938.

LICENSE TRANSFER.

"Hastings Arms," Grange, Gillingham, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Hastings Licensing Bench, from Albert Allen Tolley to Henry John Bretton.

 

This pub is one in the list of my "Project 2014."

As such I have found a picture of the pub, but to date have no other information. Local knowledge, further pictures, and licensee information would be appreciated.

I will be adding the historical information when I find or are sent it, but this project is a very big one, and I do not know when or where the information will come from.

All emails are answered.

 

LICENSEE LIST

MEDHURST Walter 1851+ (age 44 in 1851Census)

MELTON W Mr 1860+

KITCHINGHAM James to May/1871

WEST John May/1871-90+ (age 48 in 1881Census)

ROUT William 1891+ (age 63 in 1891Census)

MILES Thomas 1901+ Census

GODMOH Albert 1903+ Kelly's 1903

TOLLEY Albert Allen to May/1938

BRETTON Henry John May/1938+

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

 

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

CensusCensus

 

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

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