DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Sandwich, August, 2022.

Page Updated Sandwich:- Tuesday, 30 August, 2022.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1861-

Alma Tavern

Latest 1903+

39-41 Strand Street

Sandwich

Alma Tavern 1874

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

Alma

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

Harfleet House

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

Alma

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

Alma painting

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

Strand Street 2016

Above Google image, August 2016.

Pilgrims House 2019

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

Alma

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

Strand Street 2019

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 2019

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

 

I have no information regarding this pub at all at present, only the licensees from between 1874 and 1903. Further information hopefully to follow. The building has also been known as Harfleet House and Dragon Hall.

I am not yet convinced I have the correct building here regarding Pilgrims House. However, further information regarding that says the following:- Addressed as 39-41 Strand Street, it gained a Grade 2 listing on 19 May 1950. Circa 14th, 15th & 16th century timber framed building, the 1st and 2nd floors overhang on the protruding ends of the floor joists and bressummers. Curved braces. Plaster infilling. Ground floor rebuilt in brick. Modern casement windows, lead lights. There is an internal courtyard which is surrounded by the building on all sides. Another source says that the premises was used as a hotel and restaurant in the early 20th century. The roof peak at the right in the Pilgrims photo, now filled in, was once a smuggler's look-out.

 

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.

 

LICENSEE LIST

BUNTON Simon 1861+ (age 81 in 1861Census)

KEMP Isaac 1861 (age 22 in 1861Census)

FARLEY William Claringbull 1862-74+ Post Office Directory 1874

DILNOT Albert 1878+ Post Office Directory 1878

TERRY Christopher 1882 Post Office Directory 1882

SLAUGHTER Henry 1891 Post Office Directory 1891

WOOD Sarah E 1891+ (manageress widow age 55 in 1891Census)

LARBEY John to 1/Mar/1892 dec'd

SKINNER James William 1899-1903 (age 37 in 1901Census) Kelly's 1899Post Office Directory 1903Kelly's 1903

https://pubwiki.co.uk/AlmaTavern.shtml

http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/alma.html

 

Post Office Directory 1874From the Post Office Directory 1874

Post Office Directory 1878From the Post Office Directory 1878

Post Office Directory 1882From the Post Office Directory 1882

Post Office Directory 1891From the Post Office Directory 1891

Kelly's 1899From the Kelly's Directory 1899

Post Office Directory 1903From the Post Office Directory 1903

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

CensusCensus

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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