CHEQUERS Pub of Aylesford

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated Aylesford:- Thursday, 29 September, 2022.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1816-

Chequers

Closed May 2022

63 High Street

Aylesford

01622 717286

http://thechequersaylesford.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/chequers

Above photo, circa 1890.

Above postcard circa 1900, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. The pub is on the extreme right, just in shot.

Above photo 1960.

Above from the 1967 film "Half a Sixpence" showing the "George" (right) and "Chequers" (left).

Above photo, 1979.

Above photo, October 2012, kindly sent by Les Swaffer.

The above painting has been sent to me from Dan who says it was owned by his grandfather. That was all the information he could give.

The above close-up clearly shows the sign, but at present the date of the painting is unknown.

It is said that the inn was originally built about 1511 as a wool merchant's. By 1740 it was owned by the second Early of Aylesford and later renovated, added to and opened as the inn.

One time leased to Holmes and Style's brewery and then Style and Winch from 24 June 1901 for the next forty years. George Beer and Rigden then took possession followed by Rigden's Brewery and then Fremlins.

Source: Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Probate 30 Mar 1816.

William Baldock of Maidstone, hoyman, will dated 4 Aug 1812

Friend Thomas Lawrence of Bethnal Green, London, gentleman, trustee & executor

Brother Samuel Baldock of Ditton, miller, trustee & executor

Nephew Edward Baldock of Rotherhithe, hoyman, trustee & executor

Property at Aylesford, including "Chequers’" public house, occupied by John Hills.

Property at 2 Earl Street otherwise Bullock Lane, Maidstone occupied by my brother Thomas Baldock of Maidstone, hoyman

Nephew John son of my brother John Baldock of Maidstone, hoyman

Sister Ann Baldock (wife of Thomas?)

Nephew Isaac Lawrence of London, gentleman

James Manwell of Ditton, coal merchant

Mary, daughter of my late niece Mary Manwell deceased

James & George Manwell, brothers of the said Mary

Niece Rebecca Alfre formerly Lawrence, wife of John Alfree of Dartford, biscuit baker

Niece Elizabeth Lovegrove & her first son James

Witnesses Eliza S? Lamprey - John Green - Step. Lamprey

Probate to Samuel Baldock & Edward Baldock, the surviving executors.

From Maidstone Telegraph 6 July 1861.

CHEQUERS INN, AYLESFORD.

Mr. Draycon has much pleasure in informing the inhabitants of Aylesford, his friends, and the public that Mr. W. C. Windebank will give a Concert at the above Inn, on Saturday next, 13th July 1861, when lovers of good Vocal and Instrumental Music will meet with two hours real enjoyment.

Doors open at half-past Seven. Concert to commence at Eight. Tickets 6d. each.

From Maidstone Telegraph 03 August 1861.

CHEQUERS INN AYLESFORD.

Alfred John Draycon Begs to inform his friends and the public that he has taken the above old-established Inn, and to solicit a share of their favours.

The House is one of great antiquity, having been an ancient hostelry to the Friars there.

Good Wines, and Spirits of the best quality.

Baldwin, Holmes and Styles' Fine Ales, Bottled Ales, and Stout. Cyder, Lemonade, Soda Water, Ginger Beer, etc.

Parties visiting Aylesford by water can land at the approach to his house from the Medway.

Dinners and Teas provided at the shortest notice at moderate charges. Boating Parties, Picnics, Dinners, Teas, etc., provided on the shortest notice.

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 31 August 1861.

Chequers Inn, Aylesford.

Alfred John Draycon begs to inform his friends and the public that he has taken the above old established Inn, and to solicit a share of their favours.

The House is one of great antiquity, having been an ancient hostelry to the Friars there.

Good Wines, and Spirits of the best quality.

Baldwin, Holmes and Styles' Fine Ales, Bottled Ales, and Stout.

Cyder, Lemonade, Soda Water, Ginger Beer, &c.

Parties visiting Aylesford by water can land at the approach to his house from the Medway.

Boating Parties, Picnics, Dinners, Teas, &c. provided on the shortest notice.

Maidstone Telegraph - Saturday 11 October 1862.

An innkeeper fined.

Robert Cheeseman, of the "Chequers Inn," Aylesford, was summoned for allowing drunken and disorderly conduct in his house, contrary to the tenor of his licence.

Police-constable Whitcombe said he was on duty in Aylesford Street on the night of 20th September, when he heard a great noise in defendants house, and on going there he found a number of men and women fighting. He cleared the house and cautioned defendant against drawing them anymore drink. Defendant, however, again let in the parties, and they had more beer. Soon after 12 on the same night he again went to the house. The Superintendent (Mr. Hulse) was then with him. They found 9 men in the house all more or less drunk. The defendant was very abusive. He was fined £5, including costs, and paid the money.

Dover Express 03 September 1869.

At Aylesford, on Friday evening, a little boy named Thomas Quaif, eight years old, son on the landlord of the "Chequers Inn," was playing on his father's premises and not having been missed, much consternation was caused on his body being found embedded in the mire of the river behind the inn. How he had got into the river is not known. The father of the deceased was recently landlord of the "Bridge Tavern," Maidstone.

From the Kent Messenger, April 1888.

AYLESFORD THE FATAL ACCIDENT TO MR. MARSHALL.

On Saturday Mr Richard Preston, deputy coroner, held an inquest at the "Chequers Inn," to enquire into the circumstances attending the death of Edward Marshall, master carter, who was killed by being wedged between a wall and a van-load of bricks, subsequently, it is believed, being run over.

The accident was brought about by the running away of the deceased's horse. The following evidence was taken at the inquest:-

Mrs Marshall, wife of the deceased, and who seemed much affected, said that her husband was 48 years of age. He was a carter, and on Thursday he went to Burham after some bricks. Witness saw him when he started, but saw no more of him until after the accident.

Dr Muirhead practising at Aylesford, deposed that he had examined the deceased and found a number of ribs broken besides other internal injuries. Witness did not know whether his back was broken, as he did not examine it. The injuries he had described were the cause of death.

James Goldsmith, living at Aylesford, proved seeing the accident. He saw the deceased coming down the hill with horse and van. The horse seemed very restive, and witness believed the deceased struck the animal, which caused it to bolt.

When they got down to the bottom of the hill the horse swerved, and the deceased still holding its head, got wedged between the wall and the cart. Witness did not see the van pass over the deceased.

The Coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict that the deceased died from injuries accidentally received. Mr Marshall leaves a widow and nine children"

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, Friday 4 April 1919.

Aylesford. Quarryman's Death.

An inquest was held on Monday at the "Chequers," Aylesford, by Mr. H. G. Thompson, Deputy Coroner, relative to the death of William Norman, age 63, who died at the Stone Quarries, Allington.

Henry May, quarryman, said he was with the deceased on the morning of 27th March, when he complained of pains in his chest. About 1 o'clock he heard him groaning, and asked what was wrong, but he got no reply, and he went to his assistance and he expired in his arms. He had known deceased over 20 years, and the always enjoyed good health.

George Lindley, manager of the quarries, said the deceased had been in his employ three and a half years, and was a good workman.

Dr. T. A. Palm deposed to making a post-mortem examination and finding that the deceased had died as a result of angina pectoris, an affection of the heart.

A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Local knowledge required please, all emails answered.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Ed McConnell, 13 April 2016.

Bollywood blockbuster Rustom films at The Chequers in High Street, Aylesford.

An historic village boozer was transformed into a Bollywood film set when an army of cast and crew members descended.

The Chequers Inn, in High Street, Aylesford, played host to more than 75 people on Saturday as well as unsuspecting punters who had come to watch the Grand National.

At one point there were so many people arriving on the set the narrow village streets were completely blocked.

Chequers landlord Peter Collins agreed to rent out his pub when he was contacted by the producers of the new blockbuster Rustom, due for release in August.

Mr Collins, 57, said: “Producers approached us and explained they wanted to shoot a wedding scene in an English pub.

“I’ve been landlord here for 10 years and as you can imagine, this was one of the more unusual requests we’ve had.

“But we were sworn to keep it secret so when our regulars turned up on Saturday we knew they were in for a surprise.”

Andy Oliver, 45, was among those who found themselves surrounded by Bollywood’s finest.

He said: “To say it was a surprise is the understatement of the year. We came up to watch the Grand National but when we got here there were only a handful of production guys dolling the pub up in flowers and props.

“By the time the race started there were at least 75 people swarming around getting the actors in place and preparing to film in the beer garden.

“It was amazing just what a full-scale operation it is to film just one scene in a Bollywood film.

“The next day I don’t think I was the only regular to wake up and wonder if I’d dreamt the whole thing.”

Set in the 1950s, Rustom is a multi-million pound up and coming Hindi film starring Akshay Kumar - described as Bollywood’s answer to Tom Cruise – and Ileana D-Cruz, one of the most famous and beautiful Bollywood superstars.

It is understood they have filmed in several locations around the south of England, boosting the economy by more than £500,000.

While the Bollywood arrival may have shocked regulars, the village itself is no stranger to being transformed into a film set.

Scenes from the classic Hollywood blockbuster Half a Sixpence, starring Tommy Steele, were film on the village’s 14th century stone bridge.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By KentOnline reporter, 22 May 2022.

Chequers Inn in Aylesford damaged in fire.

The owners of an historic pub have spoken out after a huge fire in the early hours of this morning.

Eight fire engines were at the scene of the blaze at the Chequers Inn in Aylesford High Street after first receiving a call at 3.48am.

The scene of the blaze in Aylesford. Picture via Chequers Inn Facebook.

People living nearby were asked to close windows and doors due to the large amount of smoke being generated by the fire.

MP Tracey Crouch, who lives nearby, tweeted images of the fire and praised the fire service for their action.

She said: "Huge kudos to #kentfirerescue who in the early hours of the morning came to a fire at The Chequers, Aylesford and through their incredible efforts managed to stop the fire from completely ripping through the pub."

The pub said in a statement on its Facebook page: "We are very sorry to say that our beloved Chequers suffered a fire in the early hours of this morning. We are not sure on the extent of the damage yet but it’s safe to say we won’t be open today.

The scene at the pub. Picture via Chequers Inn Facebook.

"We will be contacting all of our bookings as our sister sites The Hengist Village Bar & Dining Room and The Walnut Tree, Yalding remain open. Massive thank you to Kent Fire and Rescue Service for their help and we will update you all as soon as we know more."

There have been no reports of injuries and the cause of the blaze is not yet known.