DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Saturday, 05 April, 2025.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1837

Alma

Open 2025+

Painters Forstal

01795 533835

http://www.almafaversham.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/alma

Alma

Above postcard, date unknown including the bark (right) which has been demolished and is now (2025) their car park.

Alma 1940

Above photo, 1940, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Alma

Above photo, date unknown.

Alma 2010

Above photo 2010 by Pam Fray Creative Commons Licence.

Alma 2023

Above photo circa 2023, by Peter Wright.

Alma 2024

Above photo, 2024, kindly sent by Michael Harris.

Alma sign

Above photo date unknown.

With thanks from Roger Pester  www.innsignsociety.com.

Alma sign 1993Alma 2010

Above sign left, July 1993, sign right 2010.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

 

It is said that there has been a pub here since 1837, when the landlord used to light candles on the premises to show thirsty hop-pickers the way in the dark.

 

Faversham Times and Mercury and North-East Kent Journal 04 November 1939.

OSPRINGE. LICENCE TRANSFERRED.

At the Faversham County Petty Sessions yesterday (Thursday) the licence of the "Alma," Painters Forstal, Ospringe, was transferred to Mrs. Field as administratrix of her late husband's estate.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Luke May, 20 June 2019.

 The "Walnut Tree," East Farleigh was named Turnaround Pub of the Year.

 Elsewhere in Kent, the "Walnut Tree Inn" in Aldington won the Heart of the Community award, Dargate's the "Dove" scooped the Pub Food gong, New Licensee went to Joe and Jane Mullane of the "Four Fathoms," Herne Bay, "Dover Castle" in Teynham won Tenanted Pub of the Year, the "Alma" in Painters Forstal had the Best Floral Display, and Nick Kings-Kemsley of the "Marine Hotel," Tankerton was named Manager of the Year.

Meanwhile, The "Green Man" in Hernogate, Essex, won the Best Hero award.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By the Secret Drinker, 4 April 2025.

Secret Drinker reviews Shepherd Neame’s The Alma pub in Painters Forstal, near Faversham.

Sitting on the corner of a triangular plot, it was a good job there was a Shepherd Neame pub sign standing above the fence or I might have missed The Alma altogether.

But round at the front, the neatly weather-boarded white façade looks every inch the quaint village hostelry we were seeking for a quiet Friday afternoon drink.

Alma 2025

Situated on a triangular plot of land in the centre of Painters Forstal, if it hadn't been for the pub sign above the fence I might have missed The Alma altogether.

And once inside this Painters Forstal pub it’s equally apparent this is somewhere with a long history of providing thirsty travellers with a convenient stopping off point.

But before Mrs SD and I could get through the door, a guy pulled up in a Land Rover and limped in ahead of us before going straight into the kitchen to have a chat with the staff.

When a second person, this time a lady, also walked in with a pronounced limp it looked like a real coincidence, but when the very next punter came in dragging one leg I began to wonder if everyone in the village was afflicted or maybe some sort of bizarre prank was being played?

Alma 2025

From this angle it still wasn't very clear we'd discovered the country pub we were seeking.

Alma 2025

Once you find the front of The Alma it's clear you've arrived at a picturesque, traditional country pub.

Unsurprisingly for this time of day, apart from a few limpers, the pub was fairly empty and the barman seemed genuinely pleased to have something to do. His co-working barmaid kept herself busy polishing the brass pumps while he poured a Whitstable Bay Pale Ale for me and a large Malbec for her. Facing a host so keen to chat, I asked how old the pub was and my new found friend said: “It’s been here for ages”.

It’s an L-shaped building with low wood-panelled ceilings and appears as if it has been decorated throughout fairly recently and, looking at the structure, I reckon it could easily be 150-years-old.

There is no pool table, no jukebox and certainly no fruit machine, although there is an interesting-looking dartboard at the far end near to the toilets, with its rope and wooden backboard, it looked like an extra decoration.

Whilst I’m on the subject, the loos are incredibly small but, as Mrs SD maintains, size is not important and the gents’ facilities, with a single urinal, are beautifully formed with everything fully stocked and excellent two-tone tiling on display. Mrs SD reported the ladies’ toilet is equally well appointed.

Fresh daffodils had been carefully placed in the centre of each table and long strings of fairy lights were slung across every available free space. The rest of the staff were hidden away in the kitchen busy prepping for the evening shift but at one point we were joined in the bar by a trio of pub bosses who proceeded to hold a business meeting and discuss everything from upcoming menus, to staffing lists and the wines to be stocked – all interesting stuff.

They seemed to be covering a fair few subjects and, with my lack of qualifications, far be it from me to make comment in any of these areas they were discussing.

Alma inside 2025

Like the lower half of the walls, the ceilings have also been wood-panelled.

Alma bar 2025

It was a reasonably bright afternoon in The Alma but the fairy lights were still on.

However, if I was to pass on one small suggestion, I would recommend investing just a little time talking to staff about the rich history of The Alma. None of the bar staff had any idea about the heritage of the pub that I’m sure has been an important part of the local community for many years.

And, when I noticed a hatch at the top of the wall in the bar and questioned its purpose they again had no idea – I took a picture in case a knowledgeable reader may be able to offer a suggestion.

To be fair, key tasks were being performed well – we were served in a timely fashion and the bar staff were all very friendly. Equally, there can be no doubt there’s an effective regime of cleaning in place and the pub is in immaculate condition, but arming the staff with even a little of the background behind the place they’re working would surely be a good idea.

Alma hatch

We were fascinated by what appeared to be some sort of hatch high up in the wall of the bar but unfortunately the staff were unable to shed any light on its purpose.

We enjoyed our visit to this classic Kentish country pub and, given all the kitchen prep we witnessed, slightly regretted our decision to eat before we visited.

Finally, it wasn’t until we left that I spotted the garden, which is separated from the pub by the car park at the front.

Like the rest of The Alma it looked extremely well kept and presented though, at the time, it wasn’t set up for use with tables and chairs still stacked up and protected from the weather.

Alma garden 2025

Just over the hedge, the garden is separated from the pub by the car park at the front.

Alma gents 2025

Carefully designed - what the gents' toilet lacked in size it more than made up for in presentation.

Décor: Looking as if it’s been recently decorated, the whole place is beautifully presented with a number of interesting historical items dotted about – special mention for the tiling in the gents. *****

Drink: The pale ale was well kept and well served and Mrs SD said both glasses of wine were decent examples. The choice of drinks is somewhat restricted for obvious reasons. ***

Price: A pint of Whitstable Pale Ale will set you back £5.20 and a Hurlimann 30p more at £5.50. The large glass of Malbec and Esk Valley Sauvignon Blanc clocked in at the same cost, £9.40. A packet of crisps is £1.40. ***

Staff: Obviously, the staff will be a great deal busier at other times, but while we were in, the barman and barmaid were happy to divide and rule – he pulled the pints, she concentrated her efforts on getting everything gleaming. ****

Alma darts

The dartboard, with its rope and wooden backboard, is almost a design feature itself.

Alma toilets

Spotlessly clean and fresh, with some great tiling work and polished stainless steel accessories, the facilities were impeccable.

 

LICENSEE LIST

WOOD Thomas 1861+ (age 53 in 1861Census)

MOON Richard 1881+ (age 50 in 1881Census)

FEARN Emily 1891-1901+ (age 48 in 1901Census)

TAYLOR Charles William 1913-22+

FIELD Harry 1930-Nov/1939 dec'd

FIELD Mrs Nov/1939+

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

 

CensusCensus

 

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

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