DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 20 July, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1841-

Dove

Open 2020+

Dargate Road / Pudding Lane

Dargate

01227 751360

http://www.dovedargate.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/dove-inn

Dove 1910

Above photo circa 1910.

Dove 1939

Above postcard, 1939, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Dove 1950s

Above postcard, 1950s, kindly sent by John Robertson.

Dove 2010

Above photo 2010 by Oast House Archives Creative Commons Licence.

Dove 2011

Photo taken 15 May 2011 from http://www.flickr.com Jelltex.

Dove sign 1994Dove sign 2010

Above sign left, April 1994, sign right, 2010.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

 

The pub we see today was built in 1872 on an adjacent site to replace a much earlier inn of the same name.

This earlier Dove was little more than a thatched cottage with a drinking parlour and serving room to the rear. It was built during the reign of King Charles 1 in 1633 and comprised then of a main tenement or messuage with outhouses, hempsland and barkside. At this point in time the property was a farm dwelling, it was owned by one Richard Coveman, a yeoman of Hernhill.

Upon completion of the present Dove, William Smith moved into the new Dove, however his stay was short lived since he died within 18 months of opening. His widow Lisa took over until June 1875 when she was succeeded by Thomas Goodwin who served until his death in 1898, whereupon his widow Margaret took over until 1903.

 

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 5 January, 1867. Price 1d.

Henry Ralph, a farm labourer, aged 29, was charged with stealing £1 18s., the money of William Meers, at the Villa of Dunkirk, on the 16th October.

Mr. Francis prosecuted, and Mr. Smith defended the prisoner.

Charity Meers said:- I am the wife of William Meers, of Dunkirk. On Tuesday the 13th October, I placed 38s. in a red handkerchief in my cottage window. The money was tied up in the handkerchief. I left the cottage shortly afterwards, and went to a beer-shop where I staid half an hour. The prisoner was there. He left with us. I went away and saw the prisoner with my daughter. As I was coming bock home, I met my daughter who said the money was gone, and that the prisoner had taken it, and I have not seen it since.

Cross-examined:- I have not lost any money before. When I got home I went to see if the money had been put away anywhere. I looked in the window because I thought the money might he hidden there.

Mary Ann Meers said:- I am the daughter of the last witness. On the 16th of October, I was at my mother's house, and I saw her place some money in the window of her cottage. I saw the prisoner on day. I had known him before. When prisoner came to the cottage with me he asked me for a light which I gave him. He then took the money out of the window, and he also took my net off my head, and he would not give me them back again. At last he gave me back the net, but he would not return the money, and I saw the handkerchief in his pocket.

Cross-examined:- We were about a quarter of an hour in the beer-shop. The prisoner was with us. When we left a man named Goodwin was following us as well as the prisoner. They were close behind us. Goodwin did not come in when I gave the prisoner a light. Emma Hadlow was with Goodwin, but they were not in the house at the same time. I asked the prisoner to return the money, and tried to take it from him. I told Hadlow and Goodwin that prisoner had got the money, and the former said go and tell your mother.

Emma Hadlow was with the previous witness at the beer shop together. Saw the prisoner go in with Mary Ann Meers into the cottage. Witness did not go in at that time. Did not see Ralph leave the cottage, but after he had gone the last witness said something about the money.

P.C. Bradley said:- I saw Ralph on the 17th of Oct, at Canterbury Fair. I apprehended him. He said he knew who had got the money. I asked him how much money he had, when be produced 2d. and that was all he had got. On my pressing him he produced 12s. 3d. in silver.

The prisoner's statement before the magistrate was put in and read, and Mr. Smith called George Goodwin, who said he lived at the “Dove” public house, where the prisoner and witness were on the day in question. He, the prisoner Emma Hadlow, and Mary Meers went into Mrs. Meers cottage together. Ralph and Meers went out of the house and left witness and Hadlow together. Did not Ralph come in again.

Cross-examined:- Meers told me that she had lost the money about a quarter of an hour after Ralph had left.

The Chairman said that he thought the slight discrepancy of evidence between the witness for the defence and those for the prosecution was hardly worthy of notice, but the Jury thought different and acquitted the prisoner. There was an attempt at applause in the Court when the verdict was announced which was immediately suppressed.

 

Canterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette 10 December 1887.

HERNHILL. A SOCIAL GATHERING.

The annual dinner at the "Dove Inn," Dargate, took place on Monday last, when a large party assembled, including many visitors from Whitstable. Host Goodwin provided a capital repast, to which full justice was done. After dinner Mr. C. Gurr, of Whitstable, was moved to the chair, and toast and harmony followed during the remainder of the evening. The Whitstable visitors included several well-known for their musical and literary talents, who enlivened the proceedings with songs, instrumental music, and recitations and altogether a very pleasant evening was spent.

 

From the Whitstable Times, 13 September, 1902.

REFUSING TO QUIT.

Henry Wright was summoned for refusing to quit the “Dove,” Hernhill when requested to do so by the landlord.

John Thomas Pout, the landlord, stated that he refused to serve the defendant and requested him to leave the house. He declined to so and witness put him out of the bar door.

There were six previous convictions against defendant, who was fined 5s. and 9s. costs, or seven days.

 

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 03 August 1935.

FREE FLIGHTS. SUCCESSFUL READERS.

The readers of "The Whitstable Times," "The Kentish Observer" and "The Faversham Mercury" who have been successful in becoming entitled to free flights at Sir Alan Cobham's aerial display at Swalecliffe to-morrow (Saturday ) INCLUDE:-

Mrs. T. Hockless, the "Dove Inn," Dargate, Faversham.

 

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 27 November 1937.

THE WHITSTABLE IMPS.

The soup supper at the Headquarters, Hamilton Road, on Monday last, was a great success.

On Sunday, a large party of Imps set out on a mystery hike and with the aid of clues all but two reached the "Four Horse Shoes," Graveney, in time for a very welcome tea. We learn that the two "lost sheep" ended their wanderings at the "Dove," Dargate, which is a favourite haunt of the Imps.

A large contingent from Whitstable attended the Herne Bay Imps' dance at the "Connaught Hotel" on Wednesday evening.

 

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 09 April 1938.

THE WHITSTABLE IMPS.

Another enjoyable hike, organised by the Whitstable Imps, was held on Sunday, when members walked to the "Dove Inn," Dargate. An excellent tea was served by Mr. & Mrs. T. W. Hockless.

 

I am informed in April 2018 that the pub is currently closed. However, after being renovated it opened again in August 2018.

 

From the https://www.canterburyjournal.co.uk 27th August 2018 by Alex Claridge.

Country pub reopens with a new team and after a major refurb.

The Dove at Dargate is one of those beautiful pubs in the countryside near Canterbury which have an almost mythical aura about them.

For us city folk, there’s always a bit of travel involved in getting there and we are never disappointed as we find ourselves supping ales and eating food in the outstanding landscape of rural Kent.

But for much of this year, the Dove has been shut after the previous tenant moved out of the Shepherd Neame pub in March.

Happily, the Dove reopened at the weekend and is now in the capable hands of business partners Sophie Webb and Will Shenow-Brady.

Dove licensees 2018

They met while working at the renowned Kathton House restaurant in Sturry where Will was a chef and Sophie worked front of house.

Dove 2018

And they will replicate their roles at The Dove, which underwent a major refurbishment while closed.

Sophie, 22, said: “People were really happy that we have reopened and to see new faces here.

“We’ve wanted to keep that country feel to it as much as possible.”

Will says the Dove will act as both a pub serving the community and a high quality destination for dining.

Lunch menus will change daily and evening menus will change every six weeks while all food will be fresh and local.

Will, 28, said: “It’s definitely been worth the wait while it was being done up. We have made sure we kept the country feel and we’ve got farmhouse tables for dining.

“Although Sophie and I aren’t related, we’re basically a family pub and my family, especially my wife Samantha, have been so supportive while we’ve been working on getting everything going.”

The Dove is in Plum Pudding Lane, Dargate, ME13 9HB.

 

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.

 

LICENSEE LIST

GOODWIN James 1841-Mar/75 dec'd (aged 55 in 1851Census)

GOODWIN Edward Mar/1871-81+ (age 42 in 1881Census)

GOODWIN Jane 1891+ (widow age 45 in 1891Census)

POUT John Thomas 1901-03+ (aged 52 in 1901Census related to Goodwin) Kelly's 1903

HOCKLESS Thomas William 1911-38+ (37 in 1911Census)

MORRIS Bridget pre 2008 Next pub licensee had

SHENOW-BRADY Will & WEBB Sophie Aug/2018+

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

 

CensusCensus

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

 

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

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