30 High Street

Rolvenden

I have found this reference to a pub named the Edgar Willsher, after the cricketer born in the village.

At present this is all the information I can find regarding the pub, and don't know whether it changed name for another. However, it doesn't seem to be with that name today, if indeed it is still a pub.

However, Judy Vinson kindly informs me that it was previously known as the "Star," then the "Lemon Tree" for a short time, before reverting back to the "Star" again.

Edgar "Ned" Willsher was born 22 November 1828 at Little Halden Farm and became a left-handed bowler and lower order batsman and was probably the leader in cricket bowling adopting the over-arm style instead of the then popular round-arm bowling, playing for Kent County Cricket Club between 1850 and 1875 and took over 1,300 first-class wickets despite having only one lung. After leading a tour of Canada and the U.S.A. in 1868 he retired and became an umpire. He died on 7 October 1885.

Further information from Stephen Cox tells me in Nov 2024 the following:- My Aunt and Uncle were Valerie & James Penny that ran and renamed the pub the "Edgar Willshire." Sadly, James has passed away, but Valerie is still alive. James originated from East Fife in Scotland and Valerie from Tamworth in Staffordshire. They met in London and ran Hotels in Bayswater and Earls court. After moving from the Edgar Willshire they moved to the Roundstone in in East Preston eventually settling back in London at the Kings Head in Teddington.

Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 10 September 1976. Two Kent cricketers, Alan Ealham and Derek Underwood were at the reopening on Friday of the "Edgar Willshire" pub in Rolvenden. Pictured with them are new owners, Valerie and James Penny, who decided to name the pub after the famous cricketer.

LICENSEE LIST

PENNY James & Valerie 1976+