|
Article taken from "'Whitbread the Inn behind the Signs" by David
Harper IBSN 0 9549477 03
The Tickled Trout / formerly The
Chequers, West Farleigh.
F. Leney, Fremllns, Whitbread.
This old timber-framed building was erected in 1541, probably as a
hall house. Subsequent renovation took place in the mld-1700s when
it was converted into an ale house. For a long while in the 1800s
the Leney brothers were tenants of William Fitzherbert paying an
annual rent of £96. The lease dated 7th December 1878 also included
a meadow and woodland comprising 21 acres. 3 rods and 2 perch.
Frederick Leney & Sons Limited purchased the freehold on 21st
September 1921 for £2,750; the house was valued as this figure In
the company books the following year. By 1925 the valuation had
dropped to £2,350 - this was probably accounted for by the fact
that, in 1924, Leney had sold, for £350, woodland, 2 1/2 acres of
land plus grass to Mr. A Margetts. This same gentleman, in February
1930, purchased further land for £325 and the valuation dropped to
£2,025. In 1962 improvements were carried out at a cost of £570.
During 1916 a tenant was experiencing financial difficulties and the
brewers considered a reduction in his rent. The outcome of the
negotiations is not known.
Any inn sign collector who called in the 1950‘s could not fail to be
impressed by the massive chestnut tree standing on the pub
forecourt, but sadly this has long gone. It is, however, still a
very pleasant experience to call here as the house is near the River
Medway and a path winds down to the river. The pub was re-named the
"Tickled Trout" in 1987. The original inn sign remained, until the
name change, whilst all the other "Chequers" had new designs. This
is one of the oldest names for a public house and depicts the
Romans' enjoyment of tavern games and their practice of changing
money there and calculating on a ten-square chequer board.
The house boasts a popular restaurant, its speciality being sea
food. It also housed a fine collection of match-box tops prior "The
Tickled Trout".
The "Tickled Trout" - has one of the most extensive menus in the
county. The pub has also been recommended for several awards.
|
.jpg)