DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Monday, 09 September, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1842-

King's Head

Open 2024+

Headcorn Road

Grafty Green

01622 850259

http://kingsheadgraftygreen.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/kings-head

King's Head 2005

Above photo 2005, by Dave Skinner Creative Commons Licence.

King's Head sign 2013King's Head sign 2022

Above sign left, 2013, sign right 2022, by Tricia Francis.

King's Head 2018

Above photo March 2018 kindly taken and sent by Rory Kehoe.

King's Head 2022

Above photo February 2022, kindly taken and sent by Tricia Francis.

 

A 16th century Coaching Inn, once frequented by famous smuggler "Dover Bill".

 

South Eastern Gazette 15 November 1842.

8 ACRES OF VERY VALUABLE UNDERWOOD,(TITHE FREE).

In Mason's Wood, in the parish of Lenham, varying from 10 to 17 years old.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY MR. TOOTELL.

At the "King's Head," Grafty Green, on Tuesday, November 22nd, 1842, at One for Two o'clock precisely, in 7 lots, by order of Mr. Thomas Simmonds.

Mr. Baker, the landlord of the "King's Head Inn," Grafty-Green, will shew the falls.

Catalogues and conditions of sale may be had at the "Dog and Bear Inn," Lenham; the "Swan," Charing; the place of sale; and Mr. Tootell's office, Maidstone.

 

South Eastern Gazette, 12 March, 1860.

SECOND COURT. (Before Gathorne Hardy, Esq., Chairman.)

Robbery from the Person.

Charles Bay was charged with stealing a watch, value £1, and 18s., the property of James Offen, of Boughton Malherbe, on the 9th Jan. last. Mr. Russell was for the prosecution, and Mr. Dunbar for the defence.

The prosecutor said that on the 8th January he was at the "Pig and Whistle" with prisoner. They then went to the "King’s Head," where they had some gin, and on their leaving prosecutor purchased a pint of gin with a sovereign, and in change the landlord gave him some half-crowns, one of them having a peculiar mark upon it. Prosecutor had a silver watch with him. On the road they drank the gin, and the prosecutor became intoxicated and lost his senses. When he came to, on the following morning, he found himself at the "Pig and Whistle," with his money and watch gone.

Mr. Avery Kite, landlord of the "King’s Head," said prisoner and prosecutor left his house in company about eleven o’clock on the night in question.

Police-constable Brisknell said he saw the prisoner and Offen on the high road, about 11 o’clock, and on returning between two and three o’clock he found the prosecutor lying in the road, with his pocket torn out. He had no money or watch with him. Witness searched prisoner on the following day, and found some money on him; but did not find the watch.

Mrs. Elizabeth Jarvis said the prisoner was a tenant under her husband, and on Monday, the 9th, he paid her the half-crown produced. (This half-crown the landlord of the "King’s Head" identified as one he had paid to prosecutor on the night of the robbery).

Mr. Dunbar urged that no evidence had been given with regard to the watch, and that the evidence as to the half-crown was insufficient to convict the prisoner.

The jury returned a verdict of acquittal.

 

Maidstone Telegraph 18 December 1869.

BURGLARY.

Charles Pearson, was charged with burglarously breaking and entering the dwelling house of Mr. John Broad, and stealing a gun and a quantity of bread and cheese and tobacco, on the 9th inst. at Staplehurst.

It appeared from the evidence that the prisoner was at the house the day previous, the prosecutor's wife being his sister. He stayed in the neighbourhood all night, and effected an entrance between half-past four and a quarter-past five. Prosecutor got up at half-past four to attend to his horses, when he left the doors fastened. His wife got up at half-past five, and missed the articles stolen. Prisoner was suspected, he having been guilty of a similar offence before. Information was given to the police, and the prisoner was apprehended by Sergt. Coppinger, at Sutton Valance, in consequence of information he received from the police of the Cranford division, to whom he handed him over. I.C. Ellis, of the Cranbrook division, traced the gun to the possession of Mr. Avery Kite, beerhouse keeper, Grafty-Green, Boughton Malherbe, where the prisoner had left it for beer, victuals, and money.

Prisoner was committed to the assizes for trail.

 

Taken from http://www.timetravel-britain.com

Maidstone is now the county town of Kent -- a large district centre with many former villages forming its suburbs. One of these is Grafty Green where the "King's Head" was frequented by an infamous fellow known as Dover Bill. Local tradition tells that Bill and his fellow smugglers were surprised by the Revenue while drinking in the pub, and events escalated to a full-scale running battle. Eventually all of the gang except Bill were captured, leaving Bill as an outcast amongst his friends and neighbours. The captured members of the gang were hung at Penenden Heath, which witnessed the capital punishment of many smugglers, including two of the Ransley brothers.

 

Taken from http://legendarykent.wix.com

"On one cold and damp autumn afternoon in the early part of the 1800s, an event happened that has shadowed the sleepy village of Grafty Green until this very day. Grafty Green stands in the shadow of Boughton Malherbe, near Lenham in Kent.

This particular afternoon, the rain had just stopped. Four men were expected to walk home from the "King's Head" and along the old church road to Lenham, but because of the coldness and the rain, they decided to stay put, knowing that a coach was due. It was running extremely later than usual because of the weather.

The coach finally arrived, to the relief of these four men who were now worse for wear. The coach driver, Jenkins, was soaking wet but remained his usual cheerful self. He changed his horses in the stables that were set behind the pub. This set him back 15 minutes before setting off again to Lenham with the four men inside.

The light was beginning to draw in as his horses galloped along this ancient road at a pace. More bad weather looked certain as they approached Boughton Malherbe. The coach hadn't gone far, just a short distance, when the horses became spooked by a noise that was said to be the sound of gunshots. Could this have been from the highwaymen who regularly operated in these parts as they did all over the Kentish countryside? It could also have possibly been the sound of thunder claps that seemed to be rolling in.

The horses quickened and Jenkins was struggling to control them, especially at such a speed. The coach was approaching a left-hand bend when the horses bolted to the right instead, smashing into trees and were killed instantly, as too was Jenkins whose head was severed as the coach flipped and rolled to a sudden halt. The four male passengers inside were also killed in the accident".

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Keely Greenwood, 19 March 2023.

Guns and drugs found lying around at The Kings Head pub in Grafty Green, Maidstone.

A pub is at risk of losing its licence after a police raid discovered guns lying around the premises.

Police fear the The Kings Head in Maidstone is unsafe for customers and are asking for the licence to be revoked following a search of the pub.

During the raid on the pub in Headcorn Road, Grafty Green, on Wednesday, February 8, officers found a number of guns in the bar area, including two imitation firearms, a BB gun, a starter revolver and an ASP baton in the bar area along with a supply of ammunition upstairs.

Four shotguns were also found at the premises. Although these were legally held under a shotgun licence, only three of them were correctly stored, while the fourth was found standing at the top of the stairs.

The application said drugs were also found in the upstairs rooms in the form of small bags of cannabis and bags of white powder which police believed were connected with the supply of drugs.

Kent Police want to revoke the pub's licence due fears about the safety of the pub's customers.

It stated: "It is the belief of Kent Police that this premises, if allowed to continue to operate unchecked, represents a serious and real danger to the safety of the public. It is clear from the location where items were seized from that the premises licence holders were aware of them and permitted them to remain on site.

"The presence of multiple weapons within the public areas gives rise to concerns with regards to the intended use or need for these items and believe it is indicative of an involvement of those present in serious crime.

"Due to the serious nature of weapons being in the bar gives Kent Police concern in the management’s ability in running a safe pub."

Kent Police are requesting the premises supervisor be removed and the pub licence be revoked.

The landlady of The Kings Head declined to comment.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Keely Greenwood, 7 May 2023.

The Kings Head in Headcorn Road, Grafty Green can stay open after licence review dropped.

A family-run pub threatened with losing its license after a police raid uncovered guns and drugs lying around has been told it can continue trading.

The Kings Head at Grafty Green in Maidstone was threatened with closure owing to fears over the safety of its customers.

Kenneth and Evelyn Sweet

Kenneth and Evelyn Sweet, pictured with their daughter Beverley, have run The Kings Head for the last 33 years.

It comes after a police raid found a number of guns in the bar area and drugs in the upstair rooms.

Beverley Simpson-Sweet told KentOnline her family, who have been running the pub in Headcorn Road for 33 years, have been worried sick about a review of its licence.

Speaking to Kent Online, Beverley said: “It’s been a very tough time, especially for my parents, who are in their eighties. It’s been so worrying. We are so pleased to be able to continue running.

“We want to thank our customers for all their support during this terrible time. We are good people and there has never been any bother here.”

Beveley’s elderly parents Kenneth Sweet, 84, and his wife Evelyn, 85, still play an active part in helping Beverley behind the bar.

The pub’s licence came under threat after a police raid in February found a number of guns in the bar area, including two imitation firearms, a BB gun, a starter revolver and an ASP baton in the bar area along with a supply of ammunition upstairs.

Four shotguns were also found at the premises. Although these were legally held under a shotgun licence, only three of them were correctly stored, while the fourth was found standing at the top of the stairs.

The application said drugs were also found in the upstairs rooms in the form of small bags of cannabis and bags of white powder which officers believed at the time were connected with the supply of drugs.

Police wanted to revoke the pub's licence due to fears about the safety of the pub's customers.

However, Beverley said she has now been told the licence review has been dropped, subject to her attending a refresher personal licence course. She said there were no issues with guns or drugs.

A spokesman for Maidstone council said: “In accordance with the council’s statement of licensing policy, the hearing scheduled for 28 April 2023 has been cancelled.

“In the circumstances, all parties have agreed that the hearing is unnecessary and that matters have been resolved such as to ensure promotion of the licensing objectives.”

Inspector Steve Kent, of the Maidstone Community Safety Unit, said: “We are working with the licence holder for the King's Head public house in Grafty Green, to add new conditions to the premises licence.

“This will assist the management to deliver their responsibilities under the licensing objectives and operate a safe establishment.”

 

LICENSEE LIST

BAKER Mr 1842+

BAKER Sampson 1851+ (also farmer age 41 in 1851Census)

BUTLER William 1858+

KITE Avery Mr 1860-71+ (also farmer age 61 in 1861Census)

WICKENS John 1881-1903+ (also farmer age 46 in 1881Census) Kelly's 1903

SWEET Keith & Evelyn 1990-23+

 

CensusCensus

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

 

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