BULL INN Pub of St Paul's Cray

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- St Marys/Pauls Cray, March, 2023.

Page Updated:- Sunday, 26 March, 2023.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1840-

Bull Inn

Open 2020+

Sandy Lane / Main Road

St Paul's Cray

01689 821642

https://www.thebullinn-stpaulscray.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/bull-inn

Above postcard, date unknown.

Above Google image showing a similar shot circa 2016.

Above photo, date unknown, kindly supplied by Matt Minch.

Above photo, circa late 1970s, kindly supplied by Matt Minch.

Above Google image 2016.

Above photo, 2016, kindly taken and sent by Eric Rush.

Above sign left February 1994, sign right, 2006.

With thanks from Brian Curtis and Roger Pester www.innsignsociety.com.

Above map 1840.

Above map, date unknown.

The actual address of the "Bull Inn" is Main Road St Pauls Cray, however, just to confuse matters everyone round here calls it ‘The Bull at Sandy Lane’ as it is on the junction of Sandy Lane and Main Road, probably as there are several roads called ‘main road’ round here. This used to be the main route to Sidcup / Foots Cray before they built the Orpington bypass, it is thought that this pub is two older 1700’s cottages joined together, possibly.

It was on the same road as a massive paper mill called Nashes.

I also have reference to a "Bull Inn" that is addressed at Birchwood Corner, St. Mary's Cray.

Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 24 May 1871.

The Eltham Murder.

The following extraordinary statement in reference to this mysterious case has been made to the police. The author of it called upon Mr. Pook, the accused's solicitor, on Monday evening, and was immediately taken by that gentleman before the police inspector, at the Blackheath Road station, who took the statement down. It has been sent to the Treasury.

The statement is as follows:- "I, John Hutton, of the "Clarence Hotel," Jeffreys Road, Clapham, and of the "Bull Inn," Birchwood corner, St. Mary Cray, Kent, say:- On Thursday afternoon last I was at my house, the "Bull Inn," Birchwood corner, when Mr. Bridge, of the "Running Horses," Erith, called upon me with reference to the purchase of a tent which I have the sale. In the course of conversation the subject of the Eltham murder was mentioned, and Mr. Bridge turned around, and in the most energetic manner said, "So help me God, they have not got the right man. Pook is not the man', nor "the murderer," I cannot say which. I said, "What are you saying? Be careful; and he replied, "So help me, God, I know the murderer." I said, "Bridge, you are not doing your duty to the public;" adding, "Are you waiting till Pook is discharged and the reward is offered by the government?" Bridge then said, "I have told the police, but they did not take much notice of it." I then asked him who he believed was the murderer, and he said, "I know him, and I could pick him out of a thousand. He is a soldier," and with great force repeated the words "I can pick him out of a thousand." Some other conversation then followed, but I do not remember the words, after which Mr. Bridge said, "The soldier came to my house on the night of the murder, between 11.30 and 12 o'clock, without hat or cap. Blood was on his hands and clothes, and I took him into the kitchen and assisted to wash him. I do not recollect Mr. Bridge saying anything more."

Kentish Mercury, Saturday 14 October 1871.

A smoke nuisance.

William Nash, paper manufacturer, St Pauls Cray Mills, was summoned for allowing his factory chimney to send forth black smoke, whereby a nuisance was caused.

Mr. Hickson, district inspector of nuisances, said that, in consequence of repeated complaints, he served a notice, per registered letter, on the defendant to abate the nuisance within 14 days from July 24th; but the defendant not doing this, he summoned on October 5th.

The Rev. George Langton, incumbent of St. Paul's Cray, liveing about 600 yards from the mill, said he attended the court that day on public grounds rather than the smoke being a private nuisance. For the last 2 months dense volumes of smoke could be seen rising from the shafts of defendants mill 10 or 15 times a day. When the wind blew in his direction the blacks settled on the house and entered his rooms.

Richard George Boynton, cab proprietor and landlord of the "Bull," St Paul's Cray, living within 100 yards of the mills, said he had seen black smoke issuing from the defendant's chimney day and night for 3 or 4 months past. The smuts fell upon the clothes hanging out in the garden.

Defendant said his chimney was allowed to smoke 3 minutes while the fire was being made up.

Mr. Litter referred to the sanitary act and found that there was no time whatever allowed for the nuisance to continue.

Defendant said the chimney shaft was 115 feet high, the internal diameter at the base 12 ft, and the top 6 ft. He had not put in a smoke consuming apparatus, as it would have a tendency to spoil the draught. He had never seen any smuts fall though he lived close to the mills, and his neighbour Vincent had never complained of it. He tacitly admitted there was a little nuisance which he attributed to his inability to get Welsh Anthracite Coals, and promised that when the strike in the Welsh collieries was settled they should have no cause for complaint.

The Chairman said the nuisance had been before the Board of Guardians (the local nuisance authority) and the defendant promised to put up a smoke consuming apparatus to abate it. The Bench now ordered that it should be done within 2 months, and told the defendant to pay the costs of the summons and hearing amounting to 10s. 6d.

Bromley & District Times - Friday 07 December 1894.

Over Watered Gin.

William Laslett of the "Bull Inn," St. Pauls Cray, had been summoned by Mr. George Tucker, inspector of Foods and Drugs, for selling gin adulterated, with 37.51% of water being 2.51 above the legal limit.

Mr. Gregory appeared for the defendant, who pleaded guilty.

Mr. Tucker said that the gin was served by the defendant's daughter. When he was taking a sample she said that her father was out, and that in his absence she had had to break some of the spirits down. She said she hoped it would turn out all right.

Mr. Gregory said that this was exactly the truth, and inasmuch as the defendant's spirits had been tested on five different occasions and had never been found wanting, he appealed for a very small fine - the payment of the cost would be sufficient, he's submitted.

The Bench fined defendant 6d., 8s., costs, and 10s. 6d. the analyst's fee.

LICENSEE LIST

MORGAN James 1840+

STYLES Richard 1861+ (age 53 in 1861)