ANCHOR Pubs of Wingham

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1645

Anchor

Still open

High Street

(Wingham)

01227 720392

http://www.theanchoratwingham.com/

Above photos and sign left by Paul Skelton 17 February 2008.

Anchor sign right August 1991 with thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com

Anchor at Wingham circa 1930. Jim Greatorex, son of landlord Archie Greatorex, 1958-74 says the cottage behind the Anchor sign used to be attached to the "Anchor" and part of the property, but was demolished soon after his father took over in 1958. The business card shown below shows the cottage removed.

Above shows a business card circa 1960's

From left to right, the Anchor contains portions of 15th, 16th and 18th century buildings that represent "Canons Row". They are supposed to represent the Colligate buildings of the six Canons attached to the Collegiate Church.

Below is a copy of an article that can be found hanging in a frame upon one of the walls inside the pub.

The inn known as the "Anchor" was built during reign of Charles I (1625-1649) in the year 1645.

Records show that originally it was two farm cottages, part of a larger estate. Extensive works were carried out in the early eighteenth century and the two cottages were made to form one. It was during this period that the house became an "Ale House".

"Ale Houses" became popular in the eighteenth century, though they are recorded as far back as 1200. Their popularity was due to the vast growing numbers of small independent breweries opening up all over Kent, who sought extra outlets in their ales and ciders.

By the mid eighteenth century, greatly improved highways, faster coaches, and the steady growth of a regular postal service brought about the needs for a stage post house in Wingham. The site of the "Ale House", now the "Anchor" was chosen, and a stage post room was set up where mail was collected and sorted before being taken by post boys to outer lying areas.

To accommodate the post boys a room on the first floor of the inn was sectioned off into cubicles and fitted with small cot beds. There the post boys would remain until called upon to carry out their duties. Each was supplied with a post sack and post horn.

In 1760, a license was granted, and the house became the "Anchor" and a sign duly hung. The significance of the sign of the anchor, dates back to the Pilgrim fathers, and is a religious sign of hope.

The first recorded landlord of the "Anchor" was one Joh Puttock, a farmer of the parish of Wingham.

The inn today gives out the same generous glow of warmth and hospitality that it has done for over two centuries, so stay, enjoy the fare and reflect on those bygone days.

Above article by kind permission of The Anchor.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 20 February, 1914. Price 1d.

ANNUAL LICENSING MEETING

The licensee of the "Anchor," Wingham was granted an extension from 10 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, February 28th, on the occasion of the annual concert of the Oddfellows' Lodge.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 2 June, 1922. Price 1½d.

An application was made by Mr. Twiddy for an hour's extension on Thursday next, on the occasion of the annual dinner of the Lesser Stour Football Club; and this was granted.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 5 October, 1923. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

Plans for extending the "Anchor Inn," Wingham, by taking an adjoining stage, making two extra bedrooms and a separate entrance to the bar parlour, were submitted; and approved.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 4 January, 1924. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

An extension was granted for the "Anchor," Wingham, for the Market Gardeners' dinner on January 16th.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 2 January, 1925. Price 1½d.

Mr. E. G. Twiddy, of the "Anchor Inn," Wingham, was granted an extension of one hour for the annual dinner of the market gardeners on January 14th.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 22 January, 1926. Price 1½d.

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS

The "Anchor Inn," Wingham, was granted an extension from 10 to 11 p.m. on February 3rd for the annual dinner of the Market Gardeners' Association.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 October, 1935.

DOVER LICENSING SESSIONS

Extensions

An extension was granted for the "Anchor," Wingham, from 10 to 10.30 p.m. on October 19th, for the Folkestone Cricket Club annual dinner.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 28 October, 1938. Price 1½d.

LICENCE EXTENSIONS

The licensee of the “Anchor Inn,” Wingham, was granted an extension until 11 p.m. on November 10th for a British Legion dinner.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 17 March, 1939. Price 1½d.

LICENCE EXTENSIONS

Extensions of time were granted to the "Anchor Inn," Wingham, on March 16th, from 10 p.m. to 10.30 p.m., for the annual supper and social evening of the Pearl Insurance Coy., Ltd.

Saturday 5th August 2006 Ghost Search

There appears to be no found documented history on The Anchor inn, we do, however, know that the building first started out as three cottages (thought to be Tudor?). When the conversion took place we have no idea. However, Wingham itself is steeped in history and I have added some highlights for you to read:

Wingham has been a settlement for centuries, it was occupied during the New Stone Age and by the Celtic tribes.

It is likely that Wingham got it's name early in the Saxon period, then known as "Wigingaham": meaning 'Settlement of the people of Wigga - Wigga itself being the name of the leader who brought his people to Wingham. Richard l (the lion heart) was in Wingham in 1194 as well as his brother King John in 1213. During the 1890's coal was first discovered here which led to an establishment of a colliery at Wingham (since closed). In 1252 two fairs a year (May & October) were held in the local churchyard, but by 1444 they were expelled due to 'Noise & Ribaldry'!

This beautiful building seems endless once you cross the threshold. I'm not going to give too much away as I think it will be nice for the team to come across the many Spirit that reside here for themselves. What took both Adam and myself by surprise was the high number of active Spirit that came to meet us whilst we sat having a cup of coffee. All the Spirit introduced themselves and presented themselves as happy. I was quite interested to note that at one time Wingham was a meeting place of the clergy for sending members to Parliament and would hold council and give seat of petty-sessions. The interest came because a male energy had presented himself as a man of 'title', it is in one of the upper rooms that we found a number of other male energies who appeared to be holding a meeting with regards to the village of Wingham and the locals....although I don't think the villagers of the time knew they were lining their own pockets!! I'm looking forward to investigating The Anchor Inn, I feel there is much history to be found within these walls, lets hope the residential Spirit are willing to spill all!

The Investigation Report

The Anchor Inn was one of those locations that was alive with Spirit activity, but lacking in information. We started with a séance in the function room on the first floor. We were all aware of the presence of Spirit and there was plenty of hand movement and pushing and pulling. At one stage it looked as if Glen (medium) was dancing. Donna was made aware of a gentleman of about 5’5"-5’6" with a round chubby face; she said that he wore a suit. Some time later a tall man made his presence known to her and gave the impression of having passed with chest pains and unable to get his breath. Neither of the gents offered any further information. Several members of the circle felt uncomfortable and nauseous at times, and were aware of flashing/moving lights around the room. The room was pitch black and although we couldn’t see anything Peter (camera operator) who was holding Donna’s hand in the circle, felt Donna’s bracelet move up her arm and fall back down onto his hand, even though both of their hands were down and hadn’t been moved. Glen had a lady and young girl ask her for help (to cross over), this was done. I saw a man in RAF uniform running calling out "it’s over, it’s over" (I had the feeling of WW2 but I was not sure where he was). In his excitement he forgot to be alert to danger and stepped onto a landmine and was killed instantly.

In the kitchen we discovered a male energy who took great delight in holding peoples hands. If you held your hand out palm up and fingers straight, you could feel a "solid" hand hold yours, and the fingers on your hand slowly moved into a grasping position. This was experienced by at least six people. Again no information was given.

In the bar area we held a table tipping session as these always prove to be popular (both with the guests and Spirit). Just to prove that the energy moving the table is "aware" we asked it to move the table towards Les (researcher) which it did, we then asked it to find Gary (Parapsychologist), again, it did without hesitation. We then sat Shannon (guest) on the table and asked Spirit to move the table gently, and the table slowly moved in an anti-clockwise direction. We decided to see if we could gain some information from the Spirit concerned. We asked Spirit to move the table in one direction to show us a "Yes" answer. The table turned anti-clockwise, we established that we were in contact with a male, who had passed over in 1752 aged 64 (he passed of natural causes). It was a shame that we didn’t get more in the way of information, but we cannot dictate to Spirit what we do or don’t want. Each event is an experiment and we have no control over the happenings (or lack of).

Many thanks to Di for the lovely food and coffee, and the warm welcome she extended to us all.

Pete. (Ghost Search Uk Paranormal investigator).

http://www.ghostsearchuk.co.uk/

From an email received 14 March 2011

I'm finding your site more and more interesting!

My G. Grandfather actually left The "Three Colts" in Sandwich in 1898 to take over the license of The "Anchor Inn" at Wingham, but died shortly after going there.

His wife Sarah took over the license and lived there with her two sons Horace Leonard (my grandfather) and Ernest Sydney.

I was really interested to read how the "Anchor" was used as a posting station, as in 1901 my grandfather and his brother were both listed as "Postal Rural Messenger."

Ernest later took over as licensee until about 1914 when he opened a fish and chip shop in Canterbury and died shortly afterwards as the result of injuries sustained when one of the fat ovens exploded!

I have attached a couple of early pictures that I have of the "Anchor" and one of The "Three Colts" that I have. I would love to be able to make the visit down to Kent sometime but at the moment I live in North Yorkshire so it's a bit of a trek. Hope the photos are of some interest.

Pam Lacey.