Bridgen Road

Blendon

Above postcard, 1906, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, circa 1907, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard circa 1909. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard showing the original pub in 1914. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo 1912.

Above photo showing new pub in 1928.

Above photo, 1951.

Above photo 2006 by Dave Patten Creative Commons Licence.

Above photo, 2007 by Steve Thoroughgood.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo, date and licensees name unknown. Local knowledge required.

Above sign, January 1992 With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

The original pub can be traced back to 1825. It was known locally as the "Snake and Pickaxe" due to the shape of its anchor inn  sign. The original building was demolished in 1934 but after being rebuilt around 1928 on the other side of the road. It is situated a few hundred yards from the then new bypass road, up Arbuthnot Lane.

The Maidstone brewery Style and Winch owned both the premises since 1924.

LICENSEE LIST

TWITCHEN John 1861+ (age 36 in 1861)

SMITH Benjamin 1871+ (age 64 in 1871)

WATKINS Edwin 1900-03+

TOWNER/LOWNER Charles J 1901+ (age 35 in 1901)

From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Census