EIGHT BELLS Pub of Hawkhurst

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Hawkhurst, September, 2024.

Page Updated:- Sunday, 08 September, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1841-

(Name from)

Eight Bells

Open 2020+

The Moor

Hawkhurst

01580 389039

https://theeight-bells.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/eight-bells

Above postcard, circa 1908, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, coloured version of above, circa 1908, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, circa 1920, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent by Debi Birkin.

Above postcard, circa 1948, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, circa 2014.

Above sign left, March 1991, sign right 2015.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

The "Eight Bells Hotel" is a traditional grade two listed country pub and restaurant with off road parking, situated opposite the village green, approx one mile outside the village of Hawkhurst on the A229 in Kent.

The building which was situated near to the St. Lawrence church was devastated by fire in the early 1990's and was later restored to its former glory. Some of the original Oak beams survived the fire which are around 400 years old.

I believe the church at one time had only five bells and later another added making six, and later still another two to a total today of eight. As more bells were added so the name of the pub was changed to match.

Southeastern Gazette, 8 March 1853.

CRANBROOK. Petty Sessions, Thursday.

(Before C. T. Pattenson, Esq., chairman, the Rev. F. Barrow, T. L. Hodges, W. P. Croughton, M. Tweedie, J. C. Schrieber, and G. R. Stevenson, Esqrs.)

The licence of the "Eight Bells," Hawkhurst, was transferred from Mr. W. Winter to Mr. George Mills.

Kent Times, 4 January 1862.

Petty Sessions, Thursday.

Before A. J. B. Beresford-Hope*, Esq., Chairman, Captain Tweedie, G. French, Esq., R. Tooth. Esq., and E. Loyd, jun. Esq.

The license of the "Eight Bells," Hawkhurst, was transferred from Mrs. Thwaites to John Lennard.

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Monday 6 July 1868.

Hawkhurst. Volunteer Inspection.

On Tuesday the 23rd of June, our Rifle Volunteers underwent their annual inspection at Cranbrook. Drill being finished, they returned home, and after halting at mine host's of the "Royal Oak," Highgate, for a preliminary wet, they were invited by the Captain of the corps to partake of a cold collation, which had been provided by Mr. and Mrs. Seymour, of the "Eight Bells Inn." After partaking of the same they were regaled with sundry bowls of punch, at the expense of Lieutenant Piper. A merry party, under the chairmanship of Ensign Herschel, was the result, and all appeared to enjoy themselves very much.

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Monday 6 July 1868.

Cricket.

An interesting game of cricket was played on the Moor, on Saturday last, between the carpenters and bricklayers of the parish. The game was a well-contested one, and at the conclusion it was doubtful which would have proved victorious. After cricket the part of the assembled at the "Eight Bells Inn," where between 50 and 60 sat down to an excellent supper, served by the host and hostess Mr. and Mrs. Seymour, in good style. Amongst the company were Mr. R. Harvey (chairman), Mr. W. Harvey, Messrs. Message, Pipers (bricklayers), Pipers (stonemasons,) Mr. E. Davies Mr. G. Steadman, mr. J. Harmer, Mr. T. Collins, Mr. Sinden, Mr. Elphee, Mr. Rhodes &c. &c. A most convivial evening was spent, and song and toast went merely round till the time for departure came, when all went to their respective homes highly gratified with the days pleasure.

Subjoined is the score. Carpenters 1st innings, 63; 2nd innings 92; total 155.

Bricklayers, 1st innings 53; 2nd innings 72 ; total, 125 with eight wickets to go down.

Hastings and St. Leonards Observer, Saturday 8th July, 1871.

Summer Holidays.

Mr. Rock's employees have their annual bean feast at Hawkhurst on Thursday. They left the town in waggonnets and carriages soon after 8 o'clock. They took dinner at the "Eight Bells," Hawkhurst, J. Rock, Esq., who drove over from Northiam, to honour the occasion, occupying the chair, and Mr. W. Betts, the vice-chair. The toasts, usual to such gatherings, were given, the health of Mr. and Mrs. Rock meeting, as it deserved, the most favour.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herold, Saturday 11th December, 1875.

Liquidations in Kent.

Elijah Seymour, "Eight Bells Inn," Hawkhurst, innkeeper.

Sussex Advertiser, Wednesday 20 March, 1878.

Death.

Albert James, son of Charles Cooper "Eight Bells," Hawkhurst, age 3 years.

Hastings and St. Leonards Observer, Saturday 19 April 1879.

For sale, a Bay Mare, 3 years old; also Bay Gelding, 4 years old; each 15 hands 3 in; both quiet in single and double harness; the property of a gentleman; price 100 guineas. Apply to J. P. Cooper, "Eight Bells Inn," Hawkhurst.

Sussex Agricultural Express, Saturday 8th November, 1890.

Extension of time.

To Mr. Cooper, of the "Eight Bells," Moor, Hawkhurst, for a gathering of the Ancient Order of Foresters.

From the Sussex Express, Surrey Standard. 9 December 1893.

EXTENSIONS.

Extensions of time were granted to Mr. G. Cooper, of the "Eight Bells," the Moor, Hawkhurst, for the annual bell-ringer's dinner.

From the https://www.itv.com 12 July 2012.

Police release CCTV footage of pub attack gang.

The incident happened at the Eight Bells pub in Hawkhurst.

Police have released a series of CCTV images following a serious assault which took place at a pub in Hawkhurst in early May, in a bid to identify them.

Police describe it as a particularly nasty assault Credit: Kent Police

The incident happened at the "Eight Bells" pub in Hawkhurst just before midnight on the sixth of May when there was a confrontation between six men who had been drinking in the pub, assaulting another man.

He had serious lacerations to his head and bruising to his ribs.

Police want people to get in touch with any information Credit: Kent Police

I would urge the public to study these images and anyone who may recognize the men pictured should contact us. Alternatively, the men who appear in the images may wish to rule themselves out of our enquiries.

LICENSEE LIST

WINTER W Mr to Mar/1853

MILLS George Mar/1853+

THWAITE Charles 1858+

THWAITE Mary Ann 1861-Jan/62+ (widow age 59 in 1861)