GEORGE HOTEL Pub of Yalding

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Monday, 01 April, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1828-

George Hotel

Closed Nov 2022

Benover Road

Yalding

01622 814376

http://thegeorgeyalding.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/george

Above print, 1881.

Above photo date unknown.

Above postcard, circa 1919, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, circa 1921, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, date unknown kindly sent by Garth Wyver.

Above postcard circa 1980, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Incorrectly identified as West Malling.

Above photo 2014, kindly sent by http://www.kentphotoarchive.com

Above photo 2022.

Above photo 2023.

Above sign, 1978.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Above sign, left and right 2002.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

South Eastern Gazette. Tuesday 28 December 1841.

Yalding.

A concert was held on the evening of Wednesday, the 22nd instant, at the "George Inn," Yalding, by the amateurs of that place, in aid of the poor who have suffered severely from the late floods. The overtures selected were Kotzwara's No. 4, which was very creditably performed as was also the "Caliph of Baghdad." Much praise is due to Mr. Ballard, the leader, and the other performers, for their talent and exertions. The glees selected were "The friend in need," I fine glee, and we'll sung by Messrs. Ballard, Baker, and Town. "The winds whistle cold" was also sung by the same party, and was deservedly encored. "God Save the Queen" concluded the evenings entertainment. The room was crowded to excess. The arrangements of the worthy host, Mr. Meers, were very good. The collection amounted to £20.

South Eastern Gazette 11 January 1853.

DEATH.

Jan. 6. After a short but severe illness, Mrs. Skinner, aged 21 years, wife of Mr. Henry Skinner, landlord of the "George Inn," Yalding.

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, Saturday 5 February 1859. Price 1d.

HOP DUTY MEETING

On Friday evening last, a numerous and influential meeting of hop planters was held at the “George Inn.” Mr. Hartridge having been elected chairman, explained the object of the meeting, namely that of “promoting the Repeal of the Excise Duty on hops.” He expressed his opinion as to the inequality and injustices of the excise duty on hops, showing them to be most oppressive.

Mr. Body and other gentlemen concurred in the chairman's remarks. A revolution was proposed by Mr. Corke and seconded by Mr. E. Monckton that the excise duty on hope is unequal in its operations, and pressing with the greatest severity on low priced hops, and in years of abundant crops. That it deranges the markets, absorbs the capital, and annihilate the profits of the planter, and that ought to be repealed. The resolution was carried unanimously. Several excellent speeches were made in the course of which it was remarked that all their efforts would be of no avail unless they solicited their members to support them. A vote of thanks having been given to the chairman, the meeting then broke up.

South Eastern Gazette, 24 January, 1860.

YALDING. Suicide of a Female.

Last week the son of Mrs. Tompson, of Congelow, Yalding, on going home to his dinner, missed his mother, and on making search, found her in the well, at the back of the house. Assistance was at once procured, and the body was taken out. She had of late shown symptoms of aberration of intellect. An inquest was held on Wednesday, at the "George Inn," before J. N. Dudlow, Esq., coroner, when a verdict to the effect that deceased destroyed herself while in a state of temporary insanity was returned.

South Eastern Gazette, 15 May, 1860.

This being a special day for the transfer of licenses, the following were granted the "George Inn," Yalding, from Alfred Holder to Peter Wilkins.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Matt Leclere, 30 May 2022.

Landlord of The George pub at Yalding left in hospital after attack.

A pub landlord has been taken to hospital after being attacked in his own bar.

The incident on Saturday night at The George in Yalding is said to have happened after the owner, Tony, approached a group and asked them to leave.

Police were called at about 7.50pm to reports of an assault.

Earlier reports of a stabbing taking place have been denied by police.

Villagers have given their support to the popular landlord, who runs the pub with wife Julie, in well-wishing messages from community leaders, villagers and in posts to the pub on social media.

Rachel Curley, 45, ordinand at St Peter and St Paul Church, said: “Tony is a big part of our community.

"Both he and his wife Julie do a lot for our community. Tony and indeed everyone at the pub are in our thoughts and prayers.”

The church's vicar Father Paul Kish, 53, added: “Tony and his family are very much at the heart of our village and we hold them dearly in our hearts as well."

Churchgoers prayed for his recovery during the morning service on Wednesday.

Tim Chapman, Post Master at the village post office said: “I’m sure I can speak for the whole village when I say that everyone is hoping Tony gets better soon.

“I hope the miscreant is apprehended.”

The pub closed from Sunday and reopened on Tuesday.

In a message to customers, the pub said: "Hello all, I would like to thank you all who sent messages of thought for Tony and us all.

"He is still in hospital but please God will make a very lucky recovery and we all want to thank you for all your kind thoughts."

A Kent Police spokesman has said: "We were called at around 7.50pm on Saturday to reports of a disturbance at a public house in Benover Road, Yalding.

"Officers attended the scene where a man was arrested but has since been released without charge. South East Coast Ambulance Service also attended and a man was treated for a head injury before being taken to a local hospital. Inquiries into the circumstances are continuing."

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Ben Austin, 22 April 2023.

The George pub in Yalding could become farm shop and café.

A plan to convert a Grade II-listed village pub into a farm shop and cafe has split opinion.

An application has been put in to change the use of the ground floor of The George, in Benover Road, Yalding.

The farm shop proposal, put forward by applicant Mr D Mahendran, shows around two thirds of the floor space would become the store with a cafe and bar area occupying the rest of the space.

The proposition has riled many in the village making their opinions know of the new application.

A villager took to Facebook to rally support against the plans, sharing a form which offers reasons to keep the building as a pub.

The form suggests it could still be a viable business for the right owner and it is unique in the fact it has both indoor and outdoor facilities.

Ian Simmons also voiced his concerns in a letter opposing the application.

The floor plan for the farm shop and café that could be created at the George.

He said: "Our worry is that we will lose the oldest pub in the village, the only licensed premises in the village with a lovely outside garden space in spring, summer and autumn.

"The existing proposal just looks like a café with a few tables and chairs."

Valerie Lovett said: "If it is as stated a farm shop and will showcase local produce then fine but it needs to do that.

"Realistically we have enough facilities and pubs in the area so I could be welcome for a shop but it has to work with the community."

Chairman of the Yalding Parish Council Geraldine Brown said: "I don't think it'll make a difference.

"These days you have to be realistic. There are a lot of pubs in the district.

"I'd rather it was occupied and open to the community."

The pub has been a feature of the village for centuries with documents showing its licensees being recorded as far back as 1838 but its history is said to date to the 1500s.

It was initially earmarked to become housing in 2015 but the application was withdrawn and a new landlord and landlady, Tony and Julie Chalker, took over.

On May 21, last year, Tony was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after he was punched in the throat by an unwanted guest.

The pub was running a ticketed event in the evening when a group of 30 people arrived. Tony and Julie invited them to stay for one drink but asked they leave once it turned 8pm.

As Tony tried to usher them out, a man ran back in and punched him in the throat, causing him to fall to the ground.

The blow left him struggling to breathe and he was rushed to hospital.

He said: "All the doctors said we don't know how you're alive.

"They kept bringing students in to look as they said they probably won't ever see someone in my condition again.

"I was just lucky there were paramedics there already enjoying their night."

Tony spent 10 days in hospital with a collapsed throat, concussion and a slipped disc in his spine - all of which left him with long-lasting problems.

The couple are no longer with the pub after leaving in September last year due to troubles with a bridging loan taken out on the property.

They took the short-term loan as a way to free up funds to invest in a business proposition but, due to Covid forcing the pub to shut, they weren't able to find a long-term lender.

The couple fell into default and by November 2021 they went into receivership.

They had tried to sell the pub in June 2019 but couldn't find a buyer.

The pub was not able to reach the levels of trade pre-Covid and so by November last year it closed its doors permanently.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Elli Hodgson, 31 March 2024.

The George pub in Yalding to reopen as village fish and chip shop and Mr Dan’s Takeaway convenience store.

A riverside pub once threatened with plans to transform it into flats is now set to get a new lease of life as a village’s first fish and chip shop.

The Grade II-listed George pub in Yalding had served punters for centuries and dates back to the 16th century.

Dan Mahendran said the process to opening had been long.

But the vintage drinking hole in Benover Road has now sat vacant since closing almost two years ago.

In August last year planning permission was granted to change the use of the property from a pub to a takeaway, along with retail facilities.

This change will provide the village’s only takeaway fish and chip joint, alongside a store filled with local produce.

The new Yalding Supermarket and Mr Dan’s Takeaway is part of a six-month renovation project which owner Dan Mahendran says hasn’t been straightforward.

The 32-year-old business owner told KentOnline: “It’s been a long project - finding the right builders and the right team has been a headache, but we got there in the end.”

Since renovations began, Dan says local people have been curious about the progress.

He added: “People are interested in having a convenience store that sells local produce and also Yalding hasn’t got a fast-food takeaway place, so people are excited about the fish and chips.

“We will always have a garden where customers can sit down and eat takeaway food in the summer outside.”

The new takeaway joint will offer fish and chips along with pizza and kebab options with “their own secret flavours and sauces”.

Opinion was split following submission of the change of use application back in April 2023.

One resident took to social media to vent.

They said: “I’ll be objecting to its change of use, I’ve only ever known it as a pub and would love to see it stay a pub and become as popular as it used to be.”

However, many residents also voiced their support for the new business.

One said: “If it’s not a viable pub then changing its use is a great way to stop it from becoming empty and neglected.”

Dan, who also owns Heath Stores in Horsmonden, says he hopes to create six local jobs through the business, as well as stocking local produce and general products.

The pub is set to become a supermarket and takeaway.

“It will be a good shop with good customer service and a wide range of products,” he added.

While the takeaway will open in the next four to five weeks, the general store will open this Thursday (April 4).

The business will be open from 7am until 11pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The venue, which has 13 car parking spaces, sits on a flood zone and the new owner is aware that the building has flooded twice before.

Despite this challenge, Dan said: “It is what it is, you’ve just got to carry on.”

The store will provide a wide range of products and local produce.

The George pub had been a feature of the village for centuries with documents showing its licensees record as far back as 1828 - but its history is said to date back even further to the 1500s.

It was initially earmarked to become housing in 2015 but the application was withdrawn and a new landlord and landlady, Tony and Julie Chalker, took over.

In May 2022, Tony was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after he was punched in the throat by an unwanted guest.

The couple left the pub in September 2022 due to troubles with a bridging loan taken out on the property.

They took the short-term loan as a way to free up funds to invest in a business proposition but, due to Covid forcing the pub to shut, they weren't able to find a long-term lender.