Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, Friday 25 May 1883.

The annual dinner of this old-established Friendly Society took place on Monday last at the "Yeoman Inn," Seal. As is usual on such occasions, the festivities were not confined exclusively to the members and friends of the club, efforts being made to make it a merry time for juveniles. In the main street were Ranged several stalls such as are usually seen a country feasts and fairs, laden with a variety of edibles, so delightful to youthful palates. At convenient spots stood a shooting gallery, swings, a round-a-bout, and other amusements, which present powerful attractions to youths and maidens, and sometimes make dizzy men, possessed of spare cash, dizzier. The weather was magnificent. Scarcely a cloud was to be seen, and the sun shone brightly, tending greatly to impart gay and festive feelings in the minds of holiday makers, and aiding the instrumental and vocal musicians in their endeavours to make the proceedings animated and joyous.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser 25 August 1916.

PUBLIC NOTICE. RE: GEORGE WARREN, DECEASED.

ALL Persons having any claim or demand against the Estate of the late George Warren, of the "Kentish Yeoman," Seal, in the County of Kent, Licensed Victualler, who died on the 11th August, 1916, are requested to send in particulars thereof forthwith to us the undersigned.

Dated this 22nd day of August, 1916.

Knocker, Knocker and Co.,

Solicitors to the Executors, Sevenoaks, Kent.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, Friday, 3 May, 1935.

'Bus Damages Inn Sign. Wrotham driver in court.

A month after his omnibus ran away in Seal High Street, and damaged the sign outside the "Kentish Yeoman," Jack Gage, Linden wood Villas, Fairseat, appeared at Sevenoaks Court on Friday to answer a summons alleging that he had quitted the vehicle without having set the brake properly.

Defended by Mr. Geoffrey B. Rush (instructed by the Transport and General Workers' Union) he denied the offence.

Russell Ragge, 33, Church Street, Seal, said he was in the vehicle at 12:30 on March 20, when it was standing outside the Post Office. Soon after he got in the 'bus started moving and the conductor rushed out to try and stop it. The drive it was not there. The vehicle ran about 25 yards into the "Kentish Yeoman."

P.C. Westmore explains that the saloon bar and the signpost of the inn were damaged. Later on he saw Gage, and stated that he had left the brakes full on but when he came back he found that the brake had eased three notches.

Mr. Gage submitted that there was no evidence that the brake was not on, but the passing traffic might have shaking it off. The prosecution had to prove that the brake has not been put on. There was no evidence that anyone did not interfere with it, the only thing the prosecution said was that the 'bus moved off.

Gage stated that he switched the engine off and put the handbrake on as tight as he could get it before he left. Shortly afterwards he heard a heavy lorry go by and as soon as it did so the 'bus moved. The vibration could have moved the brake. He held seven safety first diplomas, and medal and 2 bars.

It was suggested by the magistrates at the vehicle should have been left in reverse gear, but they were informed that it was contrary to regulations to leave a public service vehicle in gear, although it would have been a double precaution.

The summons against Gage was dismissed on payment of costs.

From the http://www.sevenoakschronicle.co.uk 22 March 2012.

Another inn on way out for new homes project

A plan to turn a community pub into a housing complex has been given the green light.

The "Kentish Yeoman" in Seal High Street has been the subject of fierce debate since July last year after it closed down in 2010 due to a lack of business.

Landlord Jamie Brady lodged a planning application to turn the listed building and summerhouse into a four-bedroom home, a three-bedroom home and a two-bedroom home.

Seal Parish Council recommended refusal, noting The "Crown" pub further along the street had already closed and the one remaining pub, the "Five Bells" in Church Road, was struggling to handle the level of custom due to a lack of parking spaces.

The matter was sent to Sevenoaks District Council's (SDC) Development Control committee, which ruled last Thursday that the application should go ahead – with a number of conditions attached.

Mr Brady can begin work, as long as he makes a financial contribution to affordable housing in the village under a Section 106 agreement.

No development can take place until SDC has approved separate details such as landscaping, materials and parking.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Brady – who grew up in Sevenoaks and went to Wildernesse School – said taking over the pub had been "a dream come true" but business slumped after the "Five Bells" reopened.

He added: "Standing there at 9pm on a Saturday night with only one customer was no fun for anyone.

"Social networks mean the pub culture has changed, as people don't meet to chat anymore.

"These family houses mean local businesses will benefit."

Town councillor Roderick Hogarth spoke out against the application, noting: "I really feel there's not enough justification to take away the local amenity."

But district councillor Michelle Lowe said: "It is sad to lose a pub but the houses are a beautiful design."

Elsewhere, work continues to turn The "Crown" pub into an office block.

It is unknown when the construction will be completed, but Keith Fox, agent for A-Tec Developments, the firm behind the redesign, said it may be ready early next year.