Above photo, circa 1874, from 'Sandwich in Old Photographs' by Charles Wanostrocht. The Alma is furthest away in the picture.

Above photo showing the No 39 Harfeet House, and 41 Dragon Hall, right, date unknown, kindly sent by Gary Thatcher.

Above photo, showing Harfleet House next to the former Alma, date unknown kindly sent by Gary Thatcher.

Above photo, showing the Alma next to Pilgrims, Dennis & Sons, date unknown, kindly sent by Gary Thatcher.

Above painting, date unknown, kindly sent by Gary Thatcher.

Above Google image, August 2016.

Above photo, 2009, showing what is part of Pilgrims House.

Above photo shows what is now (2022) known as Dragon Hall, I am informed was the "Alma."

The above Google image, June 2019, actually looks like the same shot as above to me. (Now found to be incorrect assumption.) Local knowledge needed here please. If that is so, then the Alma is actually now known as "Marchant Hall," 3 Strand Street.

Marchant House, 3 Strand Street, 2019, this is not the "Alma" as thought.

From an email received 23 June 2022.

Hi, I've lived in Harleet House 39 Strand Street for 15 years at one time it was the Chantry Tea Rooms.

Number 41, Dragon Hall used to be The Alma Pub, it was also Barclays Bank pre 1927 when both 39 and 41 followed by 43 became The Pilgrims Hotel/Guest House.

In the 1930s a Squash Court and garages were built at the rear of the houses for the hotel, accessed via The Butchery.

It was owned by Lady Pearson until World War II when she was imprisoned for being a fascist.

It remained The Pilgrims until '87 when all three houses were sold off back in their original configuration.

My house, 39, has been dated by Nottingham University as being built in 1334. Number 41 is a similar age and 43 a little later.

39 and 41 were both built by wool merchants and both had their own private quays on the river Stour.

I hope that helps.

All the best.

Gary Thatcher.