FOUNTAIN INN Pub of East Peckham

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Peckham East and West, March, 2024.

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 26 March, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1858-

Fountain Inn

Closed 1973

Bullen Lane

East Peckham

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo 2020, kindly sent by Paul Narramore.

Above photo 2020, kindly sent by Paul Narramore.

Above photo showing the plaque in 2020, kindly sent by Paul Narramore.

Above aluminium card issued May 1949. Sign series 1 number 48.

The marginal description of the location being known as Bush.

I am informed (2017) that the pub is closed, date unknown, and the building is now a private dwelling.

South Eastern Gazette, 11 September, 1860.

Petty Sessions, Sept. 3. Before J. Savage, Esq., chairman, Lord Falmouth, the Hon. and Rev. Sir F. J. Stapleton, Bart., Col. Fletcher, W. Lee, Esq., M.P., R. Tassell, J. W. Stratford, and M. H. Dalison, Esqrs., and Capt. Cheere, R.N.)

Application for a spirit license was made by Fanny Walter, of the "Fountain," East Peckham. It was supported by Mr. Langham, of Uckfield, and opposed by Mr. Hoar, of Maidstone on behalf of Messrs. Brenchley and Co. It came out in examination that the occupier of the "Bush" was charged 6s, per barrel more for his beer, because it was a brewer’s house. The application was refused, as were also three other similar applications.

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 7 September 1861.

Petty sessions, Monday.

This was a general annual licensing meeting. There were five applications for new licences, namely, Mrs. Fannie Walter, of the "Fountain," East Peckham, supported by Mr. Langham, Uckfield, and opposed by Mr. C. Hoare, of Maidstone.

Thomas Kemsley, of the "Walnut Tree," Aylesford, supported by Mr. E. Hoare, and opposed by Mr. J. Monckton, of Maidstone.

George Butler, of the "Red Bull," Bull Lane, Aylesford, supported by Mr. R. Prall, of Rochester, and opposed by Mr. Monckton.

Ann Brooker, of the "Windmill," Burham, supported by Mr. Prall and opposed by Mr. Monckton.

Thomas Barton, of the "Prince of Orange," High Street, West Malling, supported by Mr. Monckton and opposed by Mr. Hoar.

The licence was granted to Mrs. Walter, who, it appeared, had applied 16 times, and the others were refused.

Maidstone Telegraph, 09 August 1862.

PECKHAM, EAST.

On Saturday last a match of cricket was played between East and West Peckham, when the former was victorious, beating their opponents by 12 runs. At the conclusion of the game they adjourned to the "Fountain Inn" where a very pleasant evening was spent.

Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 9 April 1976.

Life goes on at the pub with no beer.

The unchanged exterior of the "Fountain Inn" at Peckham Bush, East Peckham, has prompted many travellers to stop here hoping for a drink.

In fact the "Fountain" ended its life as a pub 3 years ago, and work is now in progress to transform it into a private house.
Mr. Keith Mexter and his wife, Jennifer, a young couple who have recently moved from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, are tackling the conversion job themselves.
The windows of the buildings are the feature that confuses so many thirsty travellers. Each one faces and the road bears the word "Whitbread's Bottled Beers."
"The interior is just like a pub," said Mr. Mexter. "We still have a bar, which we will be removing, and an old outhouse behind the building will come down so that we can build a patio.
Green Fingers.
The large garden was a definite attraction for the Mexters when they looked over the "Fountain." "We both have green fingers and I'm looking forward to getting the garden in shape," he said. "We are not made of money we decided to buy this place instead of an estate semi."
Mr. Mexter is a production planning director in Sidcup and his wife teaches at East Malling Primary School.
The name of the old pub will not be lost forever. The Mexter's will be calling their home "The Fountain."

LICENSEE LIST

WALTER Frances (Fanny) Mrs 1858-62+ (also grocer age 57 in 1861)