DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Westerham, May, 2024.

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 28 May, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1828-

Warde Arms

Closed ????

32-34 High Street

Westerham

Warde Arms 1904

Above photo, 1904, kindly sent by Debi Birkin. Showing the Pride of Westerham, one of several coaches operated by the licensee, John Townsend.

Warde Arms 1933

Above photo, circa 1933, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Former Warde Arms

Above photo circa 2016.

 

Many of the early Inns were owned by the Lord of the Manor, who would probably let them to his steward. From this originated such names as "The Warde Arms."

I have recently (Nov 2016) seen this house as sold on a Durling's web site and referred to as the "Warde Arms and Cormorant House." It is said that it is office buildings (2 interconnecting) with planning consent to provide 2 houses.

 

South Eastern Gazette 25 June 1839.

Pursuant to the Act for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors in England.

The COURT for RELIEF of INSOLVENT DEBTORS. The following Prisoners, whose Estates and Effects have been vested in the Provisional Assignee by order of the Court, having filed their Schedules, are ordered to be brought up before a Commissioner on Circuit to be dealt with according to the Statute—as follows,

Alexander Mills, formerly of Westerham, in the County of Kent, Corn Factor, Omnibus and Van proprietor, then of the “Warde Arms” Westerham aforesaid, Innkeeper, Cornfactor and Omnibus and Van Proprietor; thereof Westerham aforesaid, Cornfactor and Van proprietor; and late of the same place, Livery Stable keeper.

 

Kentish Gazette, 10, December 1839.

Westerham, Kent.

To post Masters, Taverns Keepers, and Others.

Excellent household furniture, fixtures, and fittings, of the "Ward Arms Inn," Nine useful horses, Carriages, Phaeton, two Four-wheel chaises, Pair Horse Van, Harness, and effects.
To be sold by auction, by Messrs Ventum and Hughes.

On the premises, the "Ward Arms Inn," High Street, Westerham, by order of the assignees of Nathaniel Davies, bankrupt, on Thursday, 12th of December, 1839, and following day, at Eleven, the whole of the excellent and modern furniture.

Comprising mahogany pillar and inpanneled tent and French bedstead, seasoned beils and bedding, wardrobes, chests of drawers, looking glasses, Brussels and Kidderminster carpets, sets of dining and other tables, mahogany chairs, eight day dial, window curtains, pedestal sideboard, plate, linen, china, glass, culluary utensils, and the customary effects of a well frequented inn.

Also the whole of the superior household furniture, pianoforte, and effects, at the private residents.

May be viewed the day preceding the sale. Catalogues had on the premises of Messrs. Newington and Stenning solicitors, Tonbridge, "Crown," Sevenoaks, "White Hart," Godstone, "Crown," Croydon, "White Hart," Bromley, and of Messrs. Venton and Hughes, Angel Court, Throgmorton Street.

 

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Tuesday 27 June 1843.

1843 SEVENOAKS PETTY SESSIONS.

The licences to the "Polhill Arms," Shoreham, (Halstead) & to the "Warde Arms," Westerham, were respectively transferred to Mr W Bine & Mr Joel Cloud.

 

South Eastern Gazette, 4 December, 1860.

Petty sessions, Friday. (Before Earl Stanhope, chairman, Col. Northey, C. R. C. Petley and W. Tipping, Esqrs.)

Transfer of Licenses.

The "Warde Arms," Westerham, from William Mills to Charles Troughton.

 

Kent Times, 26 April 1862.

Petty Sessions. April 26th, before Earl Stanhope (in the chair) Admiral Warde, H. F. Mildmay, Esq., M.P., George Perkins, Esq., M. Lambarde, Esq., C. R. C. Petley, Esq.

Transfer of License.

The "Warde Arms," Westerham, was transferred from Charles Troughton to James Charlton.

 

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, Friday 20 March 1874.

Westerham. Suicide of a Publican.

On Saturday afternoon, J. N. Dudlowe, Esq., coroner, held an inquest at the "Warde Arms," on the body of William Henry Collins, the landlord of that house, who was found hanging in his skittle alley on the previous morning. Mr. Isaac Atkinson was foreman of the jury. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased was in embarrassed circumstances and a writ of being served upon him, and that coupled with his wife's death had disturbed his mind, as he was always of a very nervous disposition. The jury returned as their verdict that the deceased was of unsound mind when he committed the act.

 

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 20 February, 1880.

WESTERHAM. FATAL ACCIDENT TO TWO MEN, AT THE NEW DRAINAGE WORKS.

On Saturday last Joseph Rogers, Esq., Coroner for the Tonbridge District, held an inquest at the “Warde Arms,” relative to the death of William Maitland and George Royce, two excavators employed on the drainage works at the Darenth Valley Main Sewer, who were killed by the falling in of a drain on Thursday, the 12th inst.

Mr W J Edmed was chosen as Foreman of the Jury.

Mr H D Brown, solicitor, appeared to watch the case on behalf of the contractor for the execution of the works, Mr J Bingham, of Headcorn.

The bodies having been viewed, the following evidence was given:- William Martin deposed: I live at Headcorn, and am foreman in the employ of Mr. Bingham, who is contractor for the sewage work here in connection with the Darenth Valley Drainage. On Thursday the two men, Maitland and Boyce, were engaged on the work, with other men, in the High Street, just below this house. They were excavating a cutting or trench. Maitland belongs to Sutton Valence, and was a labourer. He was, I believe married, and should think that his age was from 35 to 40 years of age. I only knew Boyce by sight. He was a native of French Street, Westerham. The trench was from 6ft to 6ft 6in in depth, at the time of the accident occurred they had not quite got to the bottom. The soil was not shored on either side. About a quarter to eleven I was standing from eight to twelve feet from the men at the head of the drain to see that everything was going on satisfactory, when I saw a small piece of earth drop from the side of the trench, close to where the men were at work. I at once called out, “You had better get out men.” Those engaged in the trench attempted to do so, but before the deceased men could get out the soil gave way and buried them except their heads. I should think that the soil would have weighed from three to four tons. The soil all fell in from the side next to the carriageway. I at once, with 40 other men, took steps to extract Boyce and Maitland. Before the men got out Dr. Rathill was sent for, and arrived just before they were rescued. I should think it was three quarters of an hour before the bodies were got out. I have been engaged as foreman in sewage and excavation works of various kinds for Mr. Bingham for the last three years. No part of the works in which the accident occurred was shored up, but we have had shores in at parts of the works. We did not consider that the ground there required shoring as the soil is of a hard, rocky, or stony character, and not likely to slip, and therefore, in my opinion, did not require any shores. The soil, where shores were put in, was of a loamy sandy character, and wet. After the accident I saw, by marks, that a traction engine had passed along the road, about six feet from the drain, and that might have had an effect on the soil. Before the men went to work in the morning I examined the ground, as I always do, and found nothing wrong then to cause any suspicion.

Mr Dadds said that the traction engine passed along the road about six hours before the accident occurred.

By the Jury: The clerk of the works comes from seven to nine o’clock in the morning, and did not draw my attention to anything, nor did any of the men to anything being wrong, as they believed they were at work in perfect safety. The excavations was about 4½ feet deep when we left it on Thursday night, and only about two feet was taken out in the morning.

By the Coroner: The men would call my attention if they saw anything wrong, when they were at work, but they had no complaint.

By the Jury: I always ask the men when they are at work whether they see any danger, and about 10 o’clock I asked whether they would have the sides shored, but Maitland said that they did not want any shores. Maitland was only one of my principle men and had been with me some time.

William Ades, a labourer, of Whittersham, said: Yesterday I was engaged with the two deceased men in excavation near this house. I was working about four feet from Maitland, who was the nearest man to me. I should think there were about 15 of us engaged in the work. About 11 o’clock a little piece of the soil came in on the road side, and I heard Martin shout, “run out, my lads,” I got out the best way I could, but I do not know how. Some of the soil came on my legs before I could get out., and a large portion of the soil came in from the side nearest the road. I did not see where the deceased men were till after I got out, and I then saw that they were covered over all but their heads. I with others helped get the men out. I have been engaged in excavating work at Westerham and Edenbridge for the past four or five months, but I have been in the habit of excavating ever since I was a boy. The soil did not require shoring. I heard Martin ask about 10 o’clock whether he wanted shores put in, and I was one of those who replied that we did not.

Mr Robert Mostyn Ratsill surgeon, of Westerham said: Thursday morning I was sent for into the High Street soon after 11 o’clock, to see three men who were said to be buried in the drain but there were only two. I was present when the bodies of the deceased men were excavated from the soil. Maitland was alive when I first saw him, but when he was taken out of the trench he was quite dead. I never saw any life in Boyce, and told the foreman that he was dead at first. I was at the spot half an hour before Maitland was taken out, and kept administering cold brandy and water to him. I borrowed a bath, and Mr Dadds sent some hot water from the brewery, and everything was ready here when the men got out Maitland’s body was placed in the bath, and I used the usual means to restore animation, but without success. The same course was adopted with the body of Boyce. In my opinion death was caused by suffocation.

Luke Smith, gardener of French Street, Westerham, deposed: I knew Boyce. He was a labourer, and lived with me, having married my daughter. He was about 22 years of age, and leaves a wife and two children.

The Jury at once returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”

The Foreman said that Mr. Bingham, the contractor, had, in addition to paying all the costs of the funeral of both men, offered to head a subscription for the widow with £5. The Jury would also subscribe, and an appeal would be made to the general public.

 

Kent & Sussex Courier 04 November 1904.

SEVEN OAKS PETTY SESSIONS. FRIDAY. LICENSING.

Mr John Townsend, "Warde Arms," Westerham, was granted one hour's extension for a Foresters' meeting on November 7th.

 

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser 07 December 1906.

LICENSE TRANSFERS.

Mr. John Townsend, the landlord of the "Warde Arms," Westerham, was granted an extension of his license for the Oddfellow's annual business meeting.

 

From the obituary for John Townsend, February 1917.

“...He commenced his walk in life when a young man, coming to Westerham and taking charge of the stud of the late Mr Kitchin, at Dunsdale. Always extremely fond of animals he soon became known as an expert in colt breaking, and this knowledge he turned to use, when after a few years he started business on his own account. He embraced it with a livery business and hired the yards at the "Grasshopper" and the "George and Dragon." His keenness for business and thorough knowledge of colts soon established his reputation for miles around. He was a follower of the hounds while employed at Dunsdale, and his advice was much valued in respect of the hunters, many of which he had trained.

With that inborn instinct of the real Englishman he turned to the land and took Cover’s farm, and the added responsibility of the proprietorship of the 'Warde Arms.’ His interest centred mostly in farming and he proved that the stock of English farmers was not an extinct breed, for he was successful with his management and made the farm pay.

It was a common saying: “what John Townsend did not know about farming and horses, was not worth knowing...”

John and Mary Townsend

Above photo showing John and May Townsend, pre 1917.

Kent & Sussex Courier 07 January 1938.

THE WESTERHAM MOTOR GARAGE LTD.

Opposite "Warde Arms," High Street, Westerham, Phone: Westerham 38.

THIS WEEK'S BARGAIN 1937 AUSTIN 12 ASCOT SALOON.

Mileage 7,000. Excellent Condition £180.

 

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, Friday 19 December 1947.

£1,000 blaze at inn.

Damage estimated at £1,000 was caused on Saturday morning in Westerham's most disastrous fire for 35 years gutted the rear and upper part of the "Warde Arms" public house in the High Street.

Warde Arms fire 1947

The outbreak, believed to have been started by a cigarette and which lodged in the panelling under the stairs, had a stronghold before being discovered by the licensee, Mr. C. Potter.

It was stemmed after a spectacular effort by Company Officer Colborne who, watched by large crowds, broke in through the roof from the top of the escape and went straight into the flaming interior, hose in hand, to fight the fire at its heart.

Describing his adventure afterwards to a "Chronicle" reporter, and wincing as he did so from a leg injury he received at the time, Mr. Colborne remarked. "It was pretty hot in there - in fact the place was a furnace. The flames have gone right up through the wall and spread out in the roof space - the worst possible place. It was a mass of flames, and the only way to tackle it, if we were not to lose everything, was from the inside."

The alarm was received at the fire station at 10:44 a.m. comma and when - two minutes later - the first appliance left, flames were already shooting up through the roof, and a huge volume of smoke was bellowing from the building. Leading fireman Withall and Nicholas were in charge of the initial turn out, but company officer Colborne and E. F. Godfrey, attending a Fire Conference at Sevenoaks, were warned by telephone, and arrived soon afterwards.
So effectively did company officer Colborne and the men who followed him into the building do their job, that three quarters of an hour after the alarm a "stop" message was sent to say that the outbreak was under control.

Mr. A. C. Sharpe, himself a former member of Westerham fire brigade, whose premises are next to the "Warde Arms," spoke with enthusiasm on the efforts of Mr. Colborne and his men.

"I saw the flames go up through the roof as the alarm was sounded," he said, "and I'm sure that Mr. Colborne, by his prompt leadership, saved Mr. Nicholas's house on the other side of the "Warde Arms."

Mr. Sharp told the story of Fireman Singer, of Caterham, who was soaked with water after stopping to lend a hand while passing through the town. "When I remarked, 'surely you are off duty?' said Mr. Sharpe, he drew himself up to attention and replied. 'Sir, I belong to the National fire service.'"

There were many stories of outside help; men from a furniture lorry unloading near, cooperated with bystanders to form a human chain and carry the furniture of Mr. C. Clarke (already twice blitzed) from the lower story of the building across the High street for safe custody elsewhere. Mr. H. J. S. Gibbs and Mr. R. Coleman, entering through a rear upstairs window, were able to save a wardrobe and some small articles before being forced back by heat.

Business as usual.

As the flames were subdued by Westerham and Edenbridge firemen, salvage work was carried out at top speed by firemen and civilians working together. Fifteen salvage sheets put in position for the fireman protected the roof, and beneath an army of men worked, determined that the house should open on the same evening.

Besides members of the "Warde Arms" darts team, toiled businessman like Mr. Peplow (a local bank manager); Mr. A. C. Sharpe, Mr. J. Cattaway (whose mother only relinquished the licence of the "Warde Arms" to Mr. Potter nine weeks ago,) Mr. Ledingham, and a host of others.

Cellars were pumped dry, debris swept and shovelled away, floors swabbed, emergency lighting installed, and at six o'clock the chalked notice, "Business as usual," was as good as it's word.

Behind and above neat and orderly bars, however, lay devastation and gutted rooms, and Mrs. Potter, when she returned that evening with her daughter from a hospital visit, found her home destroyed.

Traffic was seriously held up and much was diverted around the west end of the town by way of Croydon Road and Farley Lane. 'Buses on route 410 were unable to get through for some time.

 

LICENSEE LIST

DAVIS Nathanial 1828+ Pigot's Directory 1828-29

HOWARD Benjamin 1830-32+ Pigot's Directory 1832-34

MILLS Alexander to 1839

CLOUD Joel Mr June/1843+

MILLS James 1858-Dec/60 South Eastern Gazette

TROUGHTON Charles Dec/1860-Apr/62 South Eastern Gazette

CHARLTON James Apr/1862+

LEANEY Edwin 1867+

COLLINS William Henry to Mar 1874 dec'd Kent and Sussex Courier

LEGGETTER Henry William 1874-81+ (age 38 in 1881Census)

TOWNSEND John 1891-1911+ (age 70 in 1911Census) Kelly's 1903Kent and Sussex Courier

FORD David 1913+

HIGGINS Stephen 1918+

COLLINS George 1922+

CATTAWAY William 1930-39+ (age 69 in 1939)

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

http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/wardearms.html

 

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

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

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Kent and Sussex CourierKent and Sussex Courier

CensusCensus

South Eastern GazetteSouth Eastern Gazette

 

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

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