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65-67 Church Street
Burham
https://whatpub.com/toastmasters
Built in 1812, this fine Free House was originally known as the "Royal
Exchange." The pub served the needs of the thirsty workers in the local
cement industry for many years, and it is known that at one time its cellar
served as the village mortuary! In 1964 the pub was purchased by Mr Sydney
Ward, who, prior to his retirement to Kent, was a well known Toastmaster in
London. It was he who gave the pub its current name, a name which is unique
among English pubs.
Now owned by Mr Dean Shardlow, who has managed to retain the character of
the place while extensively refurbishing the building, the pub is renowned
for it's excellent selection of Real Ales and boasts a fine Indian
Restaurant (with an award-winning Chef) complete with takeaway service.
The Toastmaster Inn Ghost
The following photo was taken by local resident Keith Thompson on New
Year's Eve 2001 in the "Toastmaster Inn," Burham. At first glance it appears
to be just an ordinary photo of a group of revellers at a New Year party.
But take a closer look at the picture on the wall at the extreme right hand
side of the photo - can you see the face in it. Nothing strange there, until
I tell you that the picture is actually that of an old corner pub.
There have been rumours about the pub being haunted for some time. The
snug bar in the pub used to be a separate cottage owned for many years by a
lady named Mabel. Mabel used to frequent the
 pub, and would sit at the bar
in the corner by the picture cleaning the glasses for the Landlord.
According to one former Burham resident: "I knew Mabel and her husband Sam
very well and Mabel never missed a day, lunch time and evening on the same
stool. Mabel was a real character, a larger than life lady, with a laugh to
remember with Sam being the quieter of the partnership." After she died her
cottage was acquired by the pub and converted into the snug bar and second
kitchen, and a plaque (still there today) was placed on the wall above the
bar in the corner where Mabel used to sit, proclaiming it to be "Mabel's
Corner". Since then there have been numerous reports of strange sounds,
glasses moving of their own accord and sightings of a ghostly figure.
So, is the mysterious face in the picture actually that of the late Mabel? I
shall leave you to form your own opinion...
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From an email received 4 April 2018.
The Toastmasters, Burham.
I don't know how true the story is but whilst Sydney Ward had the pub
it was considered a good place for fine food with an excellent cellar.
When he died the contents of the cellar were sold separately and reached
more than the pub itself. So old and delicate were some of the wines
that they couldn't be moved so the purchasers held special dinners at
the pub when the wine was opened and consumed.
Simon Hingley.
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From an email received 19 January 2019.
The picture on the wall is not
of Mabel. I worked at the "Toastmasters" in as a younglazed trainee chef
in the mid seventies and knew Mabel well up until her death in 1978 she
was originally from Snodland born in 1894 her husband Sam was injured in
the first world war and suffered from Shell shock throughout his life.
Paul Duvall.
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From an email received 19 February 2019.
I was at Wallington County
Grammar School with Sydney Ward's son Greg. When the family moved to
Kent, rather than interrupt upcoming GCEs, Greg stayed with my parents
in Surrey, returning to Burham at weekends. I often used to go along too
& was there the very day Sydney Ward took over the pub.
I have no doubts that the place was actively haunted. It was not
unusual during the night to hear crates or whatever being dragged around
in the cellar despite everybody being asleep in bed. Many times the door
leading down to the cellar would be opened while this noise was
occurring, only for the noise to stop immediately and the cellar to be
in total darkness. This happened frequently & eventually everybody
regarded it as a nuisance, so nobody bothered to go downstairs to
investigate. Odd things occasionally happened upstairs. Sydney placed a
cup of tea on a table only to find moments later that a teaspoon had
inexplicably been inserted in the cup handle.
I had no idea that the cellar was once used as a mortuary! The place
did have a rather depressing atmosphere at times.
K Tillman.
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From an email received 15 May 2020.
TOASTMASTER'S INN.
When Sydney Ward moved to Burham from Waddon (near Croydon), his son
Greg & I both attended Wallington Grammar School. Rather than disrupt
Greg's approaching GCE exams, he stayed with my family during weekdays,
travelling to Burham most weekends. I would often accompany Greg,
including going with the family on the day they moved into what Sydney
had already renamed 'The Toastmaster's Inn'. He had commissioned a new
pub sign depicting a portrait of himself (typical) in his toastmaster's
gear. He drew in a locals as most evenings he would play popular tunes
on his large 'Bird' electric organ.
After awhile, a dark 'presence' was sensed upstairs by everybody, which
gave a sense of distinct unease.
The main 'problem' became the cellar. At night the wooden beer crates
would be heard as if they were being dragged about. This was loud and
distinct. Upon opening the door to the cellar, there would be darkness
and the noise, whilst being loud as we stood by the door, ceased
instantly we opened it. Initially, this was deeply disturbing, as can be
imagined. Whatever the reason, beercrates would be found moved around
the following morning although I do not recall any damage. In time, this
disturbance became common enough for us all to more or less become
accustomed to it and nobody bothered to investigate the mystery any
further! However, the upstairs 'dark presence' would come and go, it
was almost intimidating at times. I do recall Greg's sister Lesley being
upset by it.
None of us knew anything about the cellar's grim historical use as
mortuary, which I believe we would have found to be very disconcerting.
Over the couple of years I was a regular visitor to the pub, there were a
number of smaller incidents, perhaps explained as 'poltergeist'
activity, all very odd.
About this time both Greg and I went our different ways, eventually
losing contact. Only in latter years did I learn that the pub was
resold, sadly I have no idea where the Ward family ended up, although I
do recall hearing Greg had taken over the running of the business. I
think the plan was to serve more food. I would really like to know where
they all went and how they are getting along these days. I also wonder
if later owners experienced the same things as we did in 1964 - 1965.
Keith Tillman.
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Apparently changed name to the "Butcher's Block" some time between 2014
and 2019.
I have just added this pub to that list but
your help is definitely needed regarding it's history.
As the information is found or sent to me, including photographs, it will
be shown here.
Thanks for your co-operation.
LICENSEE LIST
WARD Sidney 1964+
WARD Greg ????
SHARDLOW Dean 2014+
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