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40 (39) Sandling Road (King Street 1893 )
Maidstone
01622 752620
https://www.dragoonmaidstone.co.uk/
https://whatpub.com/dragoon
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Above photo 2010 by Oast House Archives
Creative Commons Licence. |
Above photo 2022. |
Above sign date unknown.
With thanks from Roger Pester
www.innsignsociety.com
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Above sign left, 1964, sign right, May 1991,
With thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com.
 
Above sign left, November 1993, sign right 2010. |
Above matchbox, date unknown, kindly sent by Debi Birkin. |
In 1869-70 the pub was part of a consortium who were advertising their
goods of selling tea in response to grocers' selling beer and wine. (Click
for further details.)
One time a Mason's tied house, but the brewery was bought out by Shepherd
Neame in 1956 and the brewery was subsequently closed and has been
demolished.
This was originally situated opposite the Barracks in Sandling Road and
probably gained its name due to that effect.
During an air-raid on Maidstone on 27th September 1940, the landlord and
his wife Mr. and Mrs. Payne, escaped unhurt when a bomb demolished
the rear of the pub. They later restored the damage.
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The Thanet Advertiser, 22nd November 1879.
Robbery By A Soldier.
At the Maidstone Petty sessions on Saturday, before the Mayor (W. Day,
Esq.), in the chair, C. Ellis, D. S. White, and G. Edmett, Esqrs., and
Dr. Monkton. Thomas Pearce, a private in the 50th Regiment, was charged
with stealing a rabbit, value 1s., the property of Thomas Biscoe. The
prosecutor, who is the landlord of the "Dragoon" beer house, King
Street, stated that on Wednesday night he had three rabbits hanging up
in his bar, and at about 10 the prisoner came into his house, and was
served with some beer. He had occasion to leave the bar for a few
minutes, and on returning he found that the prisoner had left and one of
the rabbits was missing. He at once went in search of the prisoner, and
overtook him a short distance from his house with a rabbit in his hand.
On seeing him the prisoner threw down the rabbit and ran away.
On the following morning he went to the barracks and picked the prisoner
out from a body of 20 soldiers. The accused expressed his sorrow for
what had occurred, and said he was drunk at the time.
He was committed for 1 months' hard labour.
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From the
https://www.shepherdneame.co.uk 20th January 2016.
MUM FULFILLS LIFELONG DREAM BY TAKING ON LOCAL PUB.
A Maidstone mum has fulfilled a lifelong dream by becoming licensee of
her local pub, The Dragoon.
Clare Parslow, 56, officially took over the Shepherd Neame pub in
Sandling Road on Tuesday, January 19.
Clare, who grew up in Maidstone and attended South Borough Girls School
in the town, has worked in pubs for more than 20 years, after starting
out behind the bar at the "Dragoon."
She said:-
The "Dragoon" was the first pub I ever worked in, so it holds a lot of
memories for me. Bar work was great while my children were growing up as
it was flexible, and I loved the social element of it, particularly
meeting new people. I had always dreamed of running my own pub, and now
my children are older, aged between 17 and 36, I thought it was the
right time to do something for myself. When I heard the "Dragoon" was
available, it seemed the perfect opportunity.
The Dragoon Maidstone - Geoffrey and Clare Parslow.
The pub, which dates back to the 1900s, boasts Maidstone’s only bar
billiards table. It is open from 10am to 11pm every day, and offers a
selection of light snacks.
Clare said:-
It was quite daunting, as although I have worked in pubs for years I
have never run one before, but Shepherd Neame provided lots of help and
I took courses on areas such as cellar management and health and safety
before moving in. My husband Geoffrey has been a huge support, and I
have also been made to feel really welcome by the customers, which is
lovely. It is amazing to finally be my own boss after all these years.
Shepherd Neame’s director of retail and tenanted operations Nigel
Bunting said:-
The "Dragoon" is a great community local and we wish Clare every success
in her new role.
For more information visit the pub's website or phone 01622 752620.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By David Gazet, 27 March 2017.
Kayleigh Caesar, who was found dead at the Dragoon pub in Maidstone, had
received abuse on Facebook.
A young care nurse who took her life on Christmas Eve had been receiving
threatening Facebook messages, an inquest heard.
The hearing into Kayleigh Caesar’s death was told how the 28-year-old
was found hanged in her room at the "Dragoon" pub in Sandling Road,
Maidstone.
Ms Caesar had mental health problems and had also suffered two recent
bereavements. In 2012 she lost her baby Oliver and last year a close
family friend, Paul Robinson.
Kayleigh Caesar was found dead on Christmas Eve.
The court heard how in August last year Mr Robinson was assaulted in the
"Dragoon" and died two months later. No one was prosecuted in connection
to the incident.
Giving evidence DS Daniel Barker said Ms Caesar had helped police with
their investigation and she told officers she had been receiving
malicious messages from people connected to the case which she found
upsetting.
Though she did not consider her life was at risk, she was told to keep
her phone on her and that CCTV should be improved at the pub.
There were no signs of third party involvement and notes were found in
her room.
A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was suspension and
tests revealed she had been drinking and had taken cocaine on the day of
her death.
The coroner was told how Ms Caesar struggled with depression and drink
and had previously attempted to take her own life.
Giving a verdict of suicide, assistant coroner Katrina Hepburn said she
was satisfied Ms Caesar intended to cause her death.
Ms Caesar’s mum, Clare Parslow, said: “We miss Kayleigh every day of our
lives and it is not any easier but in life you have to go on no matter
what.
“It is unbelievable how many people truly loved that girl and how many
hearts are broken because she couldn’t carry on.”
If you would like confidential support on an emotional issue, call
Samaritans free on 116 123.
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From the
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news By Kathryn Cain, 27 Mar 2017.
TAUNTED TO DEATH?
Young nurse found hanged in her bedroom on Christmas
Eve received barrage of threatening Facebook messages before death.
A pal had died after being assaulted two months before and Kayleigh
Caesar claimed she was being harassed by those involved.
A YOUNG care nurse who took her life on Christmas Eve had been receiving
threatening messages on Facebook, an inquest has heard.
A hearing into Kayleigh Caesar's death was told how the 28-year-old was
found hanged in her room at the "Dragoon" pub in Maidstone, Kent.
Kayleigh had mental health problems and had also suffered two recent
bereavements in the run-up to her death last Christmas.
In 2012 she lost her baby Oliver and last year close family friend Paul
Robinson passed away, an inquest at Maidstone Coroner's Court was told.
The court heard how in August last year Robinson was assaulted in the
"Dragoon" Pub, which was run by Kayleigh's mum, and died two months later.
No one was prosecuted.
Giving evidence DS Daniel Barker said Kayleigh had helped police with
their investigation and she told officers she had been receiving
malicious messages from people connected to the case which she found
upsetting.
Though she did not consider her life was at risk, she was told to keep
her phone on her and that CCTV should be improved at the pub.
There were no signs of third-party involvement and notes were found in
her room.
A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was suspension and
tests revealed she had been drinking and had taken drugs on the day of
her death.
The coroner was told how Kayleigh struggled with depression and drink
and had previously attempted to take her own life.
Giving a verdict of suicide, assistant coroner Katrina Hepburn said she
was satisfied Kayleigh intended to cause her death.
Her mum, Clare Parslow, said:- "We miss Kayleigh every day of our lives
and it is not any easier but in life you have to go on no matter what.
"It is unbelievable how many people truly loved that girl and how many
hearts are broken because she couldn't carry on."
She added: "Kayleigh's view of life was simple: Make people happy and
help others less fortunate than yourself.
"To this end she had worked tirelessly over the years in various old
people's rest homes offering comfort and help to those in need.
"But sometimes the pressures of life can be cruel and a shining star of
beauty and goodness has been extinguished.
"She will be sorely missed but never forgotten by all her family and
friends. Rest in peace Kayleigh."
Nephew Marcus Holness said: "You've left us all in bits Kay, I feel let
down by myself I promised you it was us against everything and anyone.
"You didn't realise how much you meant to us."
Vikki Baldock said: "Going to miss her so much, feel like my heart is
completely broken."
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please
call the Samaritans on (free) 116123 or 020 7734 2800.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Alan Smith, 2 January 2023.
Clare rings time at Maidstone's Dragoon pub.
A popular pub landlady is preparing to draw her last pint and retire to
spend more time with her family.
Clare Parslow, 63, has been the licensee at The Dragoon pub in
Maidstone, since 2016.
Clare Parslow, last landlady of The Dragoon pub in Sandling Road,
Maidstone.
Her last day will be January 19, which will be seven years to the day
since she took over the watering hole in Sandling Road.
She said: "We're going to have a big party, with karaoke and lots of
fun."
Mrs Parslow said that taking on a pub had been a life-long dream, and
taking over The Dragoon had been particularly significant to her.
She said: "I used to work as a cleaner, and then I was a barmaid for 20
years. I used to clean The Dragoon, and it was here that I was given my
first barmaid's job by the then landlords, John and Loretta Noakes. So
you could say that The Dragoon was my introduction to the trade."
She said that although she had loved her time at the Dragoon, her stay
had also been tinged with sadness.
Her daughter, Kayleigh Caesar, took her own life in her bedroom at the
pub back in 2016. She was only 28.
Mrs Parslow said: "Just recently, a number of our regular customers have
also passed away.
"It's made me reassess my life a bit. My husband's 10 years older than
me and I think it's time to spend more time at home."
By home, she means their house in Calder Road, Maidstone.
But she said: "I will miss the customers though, especially the regulars
like Ken Ross, who literally comes in every day!"
Geoffrey and Clare Parslow on the day they took over The Dragoon in 2016.
Mrs Parslow, who is of Hungarian heritage, said she would always
remember the parties at the pub.
She said: "We had a fantastic one on my 60th birthday, when my sister
came over from South Africa to join us and all my nieces and nephews
were here."
But she said now was probably the time to quit the industry.
She said: "To be honest, business has been very, very dead.
"We've never recovered our trade since Covid. Sometimes Ken is the only
customer in here."
Most of Mrs Parslow' seven children have also worked in the pub at some
time, as has one of her grandsons, though her husband Geoffrey kept his
own job as an architect.
The pub was also given a very favourable write-up by KentOnline's Secret
Drinker who praised its Tardis-size interior and friendly welcome.
Mrs Parslow said retirement would give her more time to return to her
hobbies of running and swimming and also more time to spend with one of
her daughters, Casey, who has learning difficulties and lives with her.
Sadly, when the Dragoon's regulars attend her farewell party, they may
also be saying farewell to the pub.
George Barnes, property director of the Shepherd Neame brewery which
owns the place, said: "We can confirm that The Dragoon in Maidstone is
in the process of being sold, as it no longer fits our business needs.
The sale is part of an ongoing evaluation of our property portfolio to
ensure that we target our resources effectively."
The buyer is Jim Mills, who two years ago bought the "Dog and Gun" pub in Boxley Road, Maidstone, after it closed.
He gained planning permission to convert it and it has since been turned
into eight homes.
A pair of bungalows are being built in what was the pub garden. |
LICENSEE LIST
BAILEY Thomas 1867+
KEMSLEY A M 1869-70+
THORNTON Michael 1871+ (also master baker age 36 in 1871 )
BISCOE Thomas 1879+
HUNT H Mrs 1882+
HUNT W J to/Sept/1893 dec'd
HUNT Mary Ann (widow) Sept/1893-99+
BURGESS Joseph Archibald 1903-13+ (also quarryman age 58 in 1911)
BISHOP Charles Henry 1918-22+
FINCHER Leonard Arnold 1930+
PAYNE W F 1938+
VICKERS Douglas & Audrey 1982+
PARSLOW Clare Jan/2016-22
https://pubwiki.co.uk/Dragoon.shtml
From the Post Office Directory 1867
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