GAME COCK Pubs of West Kingsdown

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Monday, 06 December, 2021.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1802-

Game Cock

Open 2020+

London Road

West Kingsdown

01474 852240

https://whatpub.com/fox-hounds

Above photo kindly sent by Tricia Francis, 30 March 2015.

Above sign, August 1986.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

The following information has been kindly research and submitted by Susan Wright:-

Isaac Aylin is recorded as Inn Keeper of Kingsdown when son Isaac was baptised on 28 Mar 1819, possibly/probably of the "Gamecock."

William Barr is recorded as Ostler at the Cock Public House when daughter Frances was baptised on 6 June 1824, presumably the "Gamecock."

Isaac Aylin is recorded as Inn Keeper at the "Gamecock" in 1826 when daughter Martha was baptised.

Isaac Aylin who died on or about 11 April 1843 recorded as a victualler late of the parish of Kingsdown in his Will dated 10 October 1842.

Samuel Burt of the "Gamecock" recorded Inn Keeper 8 June 1900 when son Samuel baptised.

Samuel Burt of the "Game Cock Inn" recorded Inn Keeper 25 May 1902 when son William baptised.

1941 Wills and Administrations.

Joseph Albert Valente of the Gamecock Inn Kingsdown near Sevenoaks Kent died 8 February 1941.

Kentish Gazette Friday 19 March 1802.

Lot 5. All that much-frequented substantial BRICK PUBLIC HOUSE, known by the COCK, at Kingsdown aforesaid, with barn, stables, yard, and other suitable out-houses, and about ten acres, (be the same more or less) of arable, hop, and garden grounds; let on lease, of which eighteen years were unexpired at Michaelmas last, at tire yearly rent of thirty-five pounds—in the occupation Mr. Edward Hackney.

Bexley Heath and Bexley Observer 15 December 1877.

The Gamecock, Kingsdown, has been transferred from John Slade to Thomas Whiting.

Bromley & District Times Friday 19 September 1890.

"Juvenile Thieves At Kingsdown"

Walter Lloyd, Robert Payne, Thomas Diamond, Thomas West, Richard West, and Thomas Hall, lads, at Dartford police court on Saturday were summoned for stealing a live rabbit, belonging to George Wansbury, of Kingsdown, on September 9th.

Mrs. Wansbury, wife of prosecutor, ostler at the "Gamecock Inn," stated that her husband kept one rabbit. On the previous Tuesday about two p.m. she left home, and the rabbit, was then in the hutch at the back of the house. The rabbit skin produced she identified as being the skin of the rabbit which she left in the hutch; the rabbit was worth about one shilling. When she returned home the rabbit was missed from the hutch, in consequence of what one of the Mrs. Whiting's children told her. Police-constable Dann afterwards showed her a rabbit he had found, and she identified it. The hutch was not locked up, but securely fastened. The hutch was forced.

Mary Ann Cogger, a single woman, living at Kingsdown, near the prosecutor, said that on the day in question, shortly after two o'clock, she saw about half a dozen lads in the road talking. One of them took a rabbit from a dog, and threw it over a hedge. Three of them then went after the rabbit, and she saw them beat it to death. The rabbit was again thrown over the hedge, and defendants walked away towards Wrotham. Witness sent her niece out to pick up the rabbit, and she brought it in. That was the rabbit produced, and they afterwards handed it to Police-constable Dann. Witness could not identify any of the defendants.

Police-constable Dann, stationed at Kingsdown, stated that about a quarter past three on September 9th, from information received he went in pursuit of prisoners, and overtook three of them at Peckham Wood Corner, in the parish of Ash. He asked them where the other three lads were who were with them a short time before at Kingsdown, and they replied "They have gone back." Witness then told them they would have to accompany him to some houses where they had been asking for water. Prisoners said they would do that, but it wasn't them who took the rabbit. Prisoners accompanied him back to Kingsdown, showed him the place the rabbit was stolen from, and the place where it was killed. Not meeting the other three prisoners, they accompanied him to Farningham, where he got information from Instructing-constable Barnes, and a description of the other three prisoners. He brought two of the prisoners (Lloyd and Payne) to Dartford, and left Hall with Instructing-constable Barnes. Shortly after Instructing-constable Barnes brought in the other two prisoners. They were then all charged with stealing a live rabbit from Kingsdown, when prisoner Lloyd said, pointing to Diamond, "That's the one who took the rabbit, and one of the Wests helped him to kill it."

Instructing-Constable Barnes saw the other three lads going past the "Bricklayers Arms" at Farningham, in the direction of London. They sat down on the bank, and witness asked them where they had come from. They replied that they had come from Sevenoaks, where they had been hop picking. Witness asked if it was not a fact that they had just come from Kingsdown, and all said "No." He asked them to accompany him down the road, which they did, and, finding Police-constable Dann had gone with the others, he told prisoners they would be detained, and charged with stealing a live rabbit at Kingsdown that same afternoon.

Hall said "Me and the oldest boy West were in the road, and Diamond and the younger West came from a cottage, Diamond carrying the rabbit under his coat. We told him to take it back, but he wouldn't, and killed it with a stick, afterwards throwing it over the hedge." He then took the prisoners to Dartford. All prisoners pleaded guilty, and made no statement.

Diamond was the only one of the prisoners who had before been convicted, and nothing was known against the others. All the prisoners were fined 2s. 6d. each, except Diamond, who was fined 5s. and allowed a week to pay.

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, 12 July 1892.

A protection order to sell at the "Gamecock," Kingsdown, till the next transfer day, was granted to William Charles Barton.

Bromley & District Times Friday 25 March - 30 Dec 1898.

The "Gamecock," Kingsdown.

Proprietor J. Bentley. Fully Licensed. First Class Pull-up. Accommodation for Twenty Horses. Beanfeasts and other parties catered for at Shortest Notice. Good Room for Dinner Parties The Best Wines, Stouts, Ales, Whiskies, Tobaccos and Cigars.

Kent & Sussex Courier Friday 25 January 1907.

“Sevenoaks Alleged Poaching Affray”

Frederick Deacon and Mark Edward Hills, labourer, of Shoreham, were charged, on remand, at Dartford, on Friday, with attempting to murder Victor Clarke, a gamekeeper.

Mr Ince, who appeared for the prisoners, said they admitted they were in the woods poaching, but they absolutely denied that they attempted to do any injury to the prosecutor.

Mr Clinch, who appeared for the prosecution, said that Mr Edward Pink had some woods at Kingsdown, which contained game. The prisoners lived at Shoreham, near Sevenoaks. He should call evidence to show that Hills and Deacon arranged to go out together, and that after refreshing at the "Gamecock," Kingsdown, they took a pint of ale and some gin in a champagne bottle.

Victor Clarke, head gamekeeper to Mr Pink, said on Friday night, as he was in bed, he heard shots in Westfield Wood, about a quarter of a mile away. He got up, and as he was going to the wood he heard other shots. Presently he saw Deacon with a gun and sprang him, but missed him. Deacon ran away, and as witness was gaining on him, he (witness) shouted "I know you." Deacon then turned round and fired at him. Witness was not struck by the shot, but the fire seemed to come "right in his face." He caught Deacon, and as they were struggling on the ground witness felt a blow in his side, and upon looking up saw the man in a light overcoat running away with Deacon's gun. He could not say that it was Hills who gave him the blow. He was not able to identify Hills. Afterwards, Constable Hussett and a shepherd came, and the constable picked up two caps, a bag containing eight dead pheasants, and the top of a bottle.

Cross-examined, witness said that if Deacon had any murderous intentions there was nothing to prevent him shooting at him when they first met. He knew it was dangerous for careless persons to run with a gun at full cock, but he did not agree that the safest thing to do if he did not want to injure anyone would be to fire the gun into the air. He did not suggest that the other man attempted to murder him.

Benjamin Stratford, a shepherd, spoke to hearing Clarke shout out that he was shot. Mrs. Foster, the wife of the licensee of the "Gamecock," Kingsdown, stated that the two prisoners were in the bar on Friday evening, and left about 10 o'clock. She identified one of the caps produced as that worn by Hills. P.C. Hassell said he heard shots in Mr Pink's wood and someone called out "I am shot." On going there, witness found the keeper lying in the wood. Blood was running down the keeper's face, and he seemed to have been knocked about. He was out of breath. Witness found the two caps, the pheasants, and the bottle-neck produced.

Inspector Stone gave evidence as to the arrest of Deacon, who said "I am not guilty, and can prove it."

When Hills was arrested by P.S. Poole, he said "You can take me to Dartford if you like."

Prisoner had a scar over his eye, and told the sergeant he received the injury while at work. The prisoners were committed for trial at the Kent Assizes, bail being refused.

Sevenoaks Chronicle & Kentish Advertiser Friday 17 August 1923.

"Bradley Cup Annual General Meeting”.

It was decided to change the headquarters from the "Portobello" to the "Gamecock."

Sevenoaks Chronicle & Kentish Advertiser 14 March 1924.

“Presentation"

On Tuesday evening a special general meeting of the Kingsdown Football Club was held in the Club Room at the Gamecock Inn. The Chief business of the meeting was the presentation of a beautiful clock to Mr. G. Start, late Hon. Secretary, for services rendered during the three years of his Secretaryship.

Sevenoaks Chronicle & Kentish Advertiser 20 June 1924.

"The Bradley Cup"

The annual meeting of the Bradley Charity Challenge Cup Football Competition was held at the Gamecock on Friday evening.

Sevenoaks Chronicle & Kentish Advertiser 1 August 1924.

"Bradley Charity Cup"

On Friday evening the Committee of the Bradley Competition met at the ‘'Gamecock” Inn to discuss the new rule book compiled by the Hon. Secretary. Although early in the season, eight new Clubs have entered the Competition for this season.

Sevenoaks Chronicle & Kentish Advertiser 24 September 1926.

"Bradley Cup Competition"

The annual general meeting will be held at the "Gamecock Inn," Kingsdown, on Tuesday next, 7.30 p.m. All Clubs within a radius of ten miles of are invited to be represented or send their entries, with 5s., by that date to Mr. G. Start, Kingsdown, Sevenoaks.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer Saturday 23 February 1929.

"An Ore Business Man".

The death of Mr. James Bentley of 367 Priory-road, Hastings, occurred on Monday at the age of 83 years. He was the landlord of the "Gamecock," Kingsdown, near Sevenoaks, for 15 years and afterwards came to Hastings where he started in business as a corn merchant in Priory-road and up to the time of his death had carried it on between 30 and 40 years. The funeral was on Thursday at the Borough Cemetery, the Rev. Robinson officiating.

Kent & Sussex Courier Friday 25 August 1933.

“Kingsdown"

Among the fresh clubs in the Sevenoaks League is Kingsdown, formed during the "close" season owing to the increased population of Kingsdown. It is a new club with no connection with the old club which competed in the Sevenoaks League a few seasons ago. Their President is Mr. J. Valente, of the "Gamecock Inn," who is also treasurer, and in addition to opening the subscription list with a generous donation is providing ground and accommodation free of charge. Another good friend to the Club has been Mr. Draper, of "Ivybank,” who, in addition to a donation has presented the Club with a new ball, jerseys and knickers. The colours will be green shirts with white V and white knickers. There is a good active non-playing committee and up to the present 17 players have registration forms.

Norwood News Friday 21 October 1955.

"L Driver Fined”

An “L” driver, Kenneth Colin Mackie, St. Julians Farm Road, West Norwood, was fined £5, at Dartford on Friday, for careless driving. He was ordered to pay £6 0s. 10d. costs.

His driving supervisor, Victor William Harvey, Deronda Road, Tulse Hill, was fined £5 for aiding and abetting.

As a motor-cyclist was driving past the “Game Cock” public house, West Kingsdown, Kent, Mackie was said to have driven his car out of a car park and collided with the motor-cycle. The motor-cyclist tried to swerve but there was nothing he could do about it, it was said.

The People Sunday 04 July 1976.

“Tortoise Takes an 11-Year Stroll”

When Gerry the tortoise popped out for a stroll it was obviously going to take some time. But even owner John Howland didn’t expect Gerry’s walkabout to last quite so long. His wandering tortoise has been found at last…. eleven years after he vanished. Not that Gerry got very far. He was spotted sleeping peacefully under a hedge just a mile from his home, the "Game Cock" pub in West Kingsdown, Kent. He was recognised because John, then a 13-year-old schoolboy, had painted his telephone number on the shell. “I’d given him up for dead years ago,” said John, now a quantity surveyor who lives at the pub with his mother. No-one knows what Gerry’s been up to all this time. At his maximum speed of 50 y.p.h. - that’s yards per hour - he might have been on a pub crawl. But he did manage to cross the 50-yard wide dual carriageway of the A20 London-Folkestone trunk road. “That must have taken him at least an hour,” said John, “and even at night with cars and lorries hurtling past.”

LICENSEE LIST

HACKNEY Edward 1802+