COCK HORSE Pub of Detling

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Monday, 02 May, 2022.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1911+

(Name from)

Cock Horse

Open 2020+

39 The Street

Detling

01622 730144

http://www.cockhorsedetling.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/cock-horse

Above postcard, circa 1919, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, circa 1957, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. The caption says:- This 14th century inn. on the A22* just north of Maidstone, stands right on the Pilgrims' Way which originally went through the forecourt of the inn. There used to be stables at the inn, where the cock, or trace, horse was stabled. This was used as extra "horse power" to help the stage coaches and heavy carts over Detling Hill. Although the inn has a modern exterior, the interior has old beams and a warm, friendly atmosphere. Telephone Maidstone: 87092.

*Oh no it doesn't! The A22 runs from London to Eastbourne! The "Cock Horse" is actually off the A249 just east of Maidstone.

Above photo 2000 by Nigel Chadwick Creative Commons Licence.

Above sign 1967.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Above sign left, 1978. Sign right, 2014.

Above photo, May 2019, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

The "Cock Horse" at Detling has no connection with either poultry or horse. One theory is that the name is taken from the descendants of Richard Cok, who were mentioned in local records for over 700 years, and left their mark in places like Upper Cock Street, Lower Cock Street and Cock Hill.

Name change - theory by Rory Kehoe. The Cock was in the tied estate of Isherwood, Foster & Stacey until 1929, when this company was taken over by the neighbouring brewery, Fremlin's. Being rather Victorian in their thinking, the Fremlin family may not have approved of the idea of the Cock Inn (fnarr, fnarr) and added the word Horse to the pub's name. A "cock horse" being the descriptive title given to the additional motive power needed to get heavy carts up steep hills. Detling Hill having a 1:10 gradient, a cock horse would definitely have been required.

The pub stands on the Pilgrims Way. This is a very ancient trackway which runs between Winchester and Canterbury and was already an important West-East trade route in pre-Roman times, between 500 and 450BC. There has been an inn on the spot since the 14th Century, and it stands at the foot of the steep North Downs escarpment. The name is derived from the need to supply a "cock" or trace horse to provide the necessary horsepower to get stage coaches and heavy carts up the hill. The stables can still be seen at the rear of the building.

From http://www.kentonline.co.uk 24 February 2006

DISCARDED CASH LINKED TO ARMED SECURITAS HEIST

DETECTIVES are counting cash thought to be discarded by the armed gang who carried out Britain's biggest ever cash robbery.

The money, thought to be millions of pounds, was found in a white Ford Transit van abandoned at the Ashford International Hotel, near to the Eurostar Terminal, Ashford, following a tip off from a member of the public on Friday.

Police say it is too early to speculate on the exact amount of cash, but confirm they are linking it to Wednesday's robbery at the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, in which an armed gang kidnapped depot manager Colin Dixon, his wife and young son, and stole up to £50million.

The van and its contents are being examined by forensic experts, as are four other vehicles thought to have been used in the record breaking heist.

Speaking at a press conference at Kent Police headquarters on Friday, Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Leppard urged those who may have been involved "around the edge" of the crime to come forward.

Referring to a reward of £2million put up by Securitas and its insurers for information leading to the recovery of the stolen cash and conviction of the robbers, he said: "A reward of £2million is significant and unique - that £2million could be yours."

He added: "You may be fearful about ringing in but I urge you to do so. We will look after you. Please make that call."

Mr Leppard also spoke of the ordeal endured by 51-year-old Mr Dixon, his wife Lynn and their nine-year-old son, who were kidnapped by the armed gang and held at gunpoint along with Securitas staff members.

He said the family remained traumatised but had still managed to celebrate their son's ninth birthday on Friday.

He added: "We have tried to make his birthday as special as possible for him. He has had his presents and we are trying to get him some of our own presents as well."

Four other vehicles thought to have been used in the record-breaking heist were found on Thursday in villages near Maidstone.

A Volvo S60 saloon, believed to have been used during the abduction of the depot manager, 51-year-old Colin Dixon, was found burning in Burberry Lane in Leeds late on Thursday night.

Firefighters were called to the scene after reports the car was on fire and they alerted police just before 11pm.

The car is known to have been stolen from Krisswood Avenue, New Addington, near Croydon, on the morning of February 1.

Police are also linking a red Vauxhall Vectra car found partially burning alongside the Volvo to the gang who abducted Mr Dixon.

Mr Dixon's car, a silver Nissan Almera, was discovered on Thursday night parked at the "Cock Horse" pub, Detling.

A red van with Parcelforce graphics on the side was found abandoned at the "Hook and Hatchet" pub in Hucking.

A detailed forensic examination of all the cars is being carried out.

The white Renault lorry, which the gang used to transport the cash, is still missing and police urgently want information to trace its whereabouts and movements.

Meanwhile, three people arrested on Thursday in connection with the robbery have been released on police bail, pending further enquiries.

They include a 29-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman arrested in the Forest Hill area of London, and a 41-year-old woman who was arrested at the Portman Building Society in Market Square, Bromley.

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

HOLE Vic late 60's-1981 dec'd

TILYARD Mike Aug/1985-Nov/89

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

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