Barnsole Road

Staple

01304 813723

http://www.theblackpigstaple.co.uk/index

www.staple-online.com

https://www.facebook.com

https://whatpub.com/black-pig

Above photo, circa 1905, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Showing Frank Tritton standing in the door way on the right, the man on the left is a friend of his called Jack.

Above photo, circa 1912, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Showing Frank Vincent Tritton, left and friend Jack on right.

Black Pig at Staple in 1912. (Showing the village shop in its original position.) The pub must have only just been bought by Gardner & Co. as it's still displaying its 'Tritton's Fine Ales' sign as well as the Gardner's sign. The little girl in the doorway is Olive Cumberland (aged about 2 ½,) Frank Vincent Tritton's daughter.

Above postcard, circa 1928, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. This photo was taken just after the time when the former Tritton's brewery plant finally ceased production. From 1912, when Frank Tritton sold the pub to Gardner's Ash Brewery, until 1926, Gardner's highly-regarded ginger beer was brewed at the "Black Pig."

Above photo 1936.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday,  9 January, 1970 Only the lettering on the wall and the neat lines on the car park mark the passage of time since Trittons Ales were brewed at The Black Pig more than 50 years ago. The 'Modern' 18th century additions blend with the 16th century timbers and are set off by the ancient yew.

Above two photographs show the Black Pig in Staple, date circa 1950.

Above photo, 1962, people and event, unknown.

Above photo and person, unknown.

Above photos taken by Paul Skelton, 11 September 2010 Above sign August 1991. With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com

Above photo by Rory Kehoe September 2018.

South Eastern Gazette, 8 May, 1860. WINGHAM. At the Petty Sessions on Thursday last, before N. H. D’Aeth, J. Godfrey, and M. Bell, Esqrs., John Tritton, the landlord of a beer-house at Staple, was charged, upon the information of Superintendent Stokes, with having kept his house open for the sale of beer after ten o’clock on the night of Saturday, the 21st April. P.C. Drury, K.C.C., stated that he was stationed at Staple. At a quarter-past ten o’clock on the night in question he entered the defendant's house. In the taproom he saw seven or eight men, and amongst them the defendant, with pots and glasses containing beer before them. Witness told the defendant that it was a quarter-past ten by his (witness's) watch, which he had set by the parish church. He was passing the defendant’s house at 10 o’clock when he heard a clock in the house strike. Defendant contended that the parish clock had gained a quarter of an hour between the 15th and the 21st April, which he was not aware of. He denied that it was his clock that the constable heard strike. Charles Hopkins, a witness for the defendant, said he was the parish clerk of Staple. That morning the defendant asked him if he had altered the church clock between the 15th and 21st April. Witness replied that he had not, but he believed that during that time the clock had gained as much as a quarter of an hour. The clock was in a very bad condition, and complaints were frequently made to him of the irregular time it kept. In answer to the Bench, the constable said he thought the clock did vary, but not so much as the clerk stated. Superintendent Stokes informed the Bench that it was not twelve months since that the defendant was convicted for having his house open at an improper hour on a Sunday. Defendant, who was told by Mr. Godfrey that he must go by the parish clock, was fined 10s., costs 10s.

Dover Express 12 October 1934. Wedding of Miss C. M. Newing. The wedding took place on Tuesday, at Staple Church, of Miss Gladys May Newing, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs. H. Newing, the "Black Pig," Barnsole, Staple, to Mr. Albert Richards, sixth son of Mrs. H. W. Richards and the late Mr. Richards, East-field, Sandwich Road, Ash, formerly of Betteshanger. The Rector. the Rev. C. P. Johnson, officiated. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a dress of ivory crepe satin, veil and coronet of orange blossom. Her gold bracelet was the gift of the bridegroom, and she carried a bouquet of white chrysanthemums. She was attended by Miss A. Hewing (sister of the bride), Miss M. Ralph (cousin of the bride) and Miss D. Richards (niece of the bridegroom), who wore dark red velvet trimmed with white satin collars, cuffs and sashes, head-dresses of silver leaves, red and white crystal necklaces, the gifts of the bride-groom, and carried bouquets of red and white chrysanthemums. Mr. Ernest Richards, (brother of the bridegroom) was best man and a reception was held at the home of the bride's parents. The honeymoon is being spent at Southsea. The cars were supplied by Mr. W. Kemp, Chillenden, and the bride went away in blue floral silk, blue; coat and hat to match. Mr. and Mrs. A. Richards were the recipients of upwards of 80 handsome and useful presents.

From the Dover Express, Friday 10 February, 1939. STAPLE WEDDING. The wedding took place on Monday, at Staple Church, of Miss Marjorie Amy Newing, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Newing, the “Black Pig,” Barnsole, Staple, to Mr. Francis Charles bean, son of the late Mr. Bean, of Westmarsh, and Mrs. Beerling, of Canada. The Rev. C. P. Johnson officiated. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a white satin dress, with veil and orange blossom and white shoes, and carried a blossom of red and white tulips. She was attended by Miss Marjorie Ralph (bride’s cousin) and the Misses Joy and June Chapman (bride’s nieces), who wore pink taffeta with head-dresses of silver leaves and rosebuds. Miss Ralph wore a crystal necklace and the Misses Chapman gold chain necklaces, the gifts of the bridegroom. Mr. T. Chapman (bride’s brother-in-law) was the best man, and a reception was held at the “Black Pig.” The honeymoon is being spent at Beckenham, and the bride went away in navy blue, with coat and hat to match. Mr. and Mrs. F. C. bean were the recipients of numerous and useful presents.

Dover Express 29th July 1949. WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS. Emptied Beer in His Hat. A sitting of the Wingham Petty Sessions was held at the Guildhall, Sandwich, on Thursday before Mr. T. G. Elphinston (in the chair), Lord Hawarden, Mrs. Dobson and Mr. W. Newman. Charles Maxted of Black Pond Cottages, Staple, was fined 10s for assaulting Alfred Foreman of Flemings Cottages, Woodnesborough, at Staple on July 23rd. Foreman said he went to the “Black Pig”, Barnsole, about 10.15 p.m. and defendant shot two or three pints of beer in his (Foreman’s) hat and slapped it on his head. When he came out, he said to Maxted “If you call yourself a man, I don’t” and Maxted hit him on the left cheek bone. He did not take his jacket off, swear at defendant or threaten him. Maxted said Foreman started boasting about being able to use his hands. He (Maxted) shot a little beer in his hat and put it on his head and said “Now shut up for a bit”. As he came out, Foreman called him all the things he could and pulled his jacket off. “He struck at me and I struck at him in self-defence” concluded Maxted. “He went down, got up crying like a kid and went off on his bicycle”.

From the East Kent Mercury, 1st May, 1975 The "Black Pig" at Staple - one of the most interesting public houses and satisfying restaurants in the area - is the only hostelry so named in Great Britain. This fact comes from licensed trade historian, Roy Denison. He has just been delving into the interesting past of the "Black Pig," where Philip Aunger presides. The "Black Pig" says Mr. Denison, was the last public house in Kent to brew its own beers. He writes: "Although the building is itself very much older, the earliest record of the brewery dates from around the year 1800. At that time the owner was Robert Tritton and his beers became so popular with local people he was able to buy four other local pubs. When Robert Tritton died, he left his five pubs to his five children. Robert junior received the "Marquis of Granby" near Ash, now a newsagent's shop (1975), the "Black Pig" and brewery went to his brother John. One of Robert's junior children - he had 16 - Frank Vincent Tritton, went to work for a Captain Lister who lived at Ash. Later he went to sea with him as his valet. When John Tritton died in 1894, Frank, then aged 24, returned home and borrowed money to buy out John's children's share of the estate and bought the "Black Pig" outright. Frank Tritton continued to own and manage the pub and brewery until 1912 when it was sold to Gardners Brewery, of Ash. The brewery was then used to brew ginger beer. The demand for the ginger beer grew so much it became necessary to transfer its brewing to Ash and the old brewery at the "Black Pig" finally closed. Gardners continued to own the "Black Pig" until their merger with Tomson and Wotton, of Ramsgate, Kent's oldest brewers, founded in 1634. In 1968 Tomson and Wotton were themselves taken over by Whitbreads, who announced the "Black Pig" was being considered for closure, but following considerable protests by local people it remained open and was sold as a free house.

The Black Pig is a family run Inn, Freehouse, Restaurant & B&B; situated on the edge of the village of Staple, Kent. It is a fine old 15th Century, timbered building, with a large garden and ample parking. The building has a very interesting history, and was constructed from the timbers of local shipwrecks (Wrecked off the coast in the year 1588).

According to the Staple website (www.staple-online.com). The Black Pig is the only pub in England to bear that name. It is a very old building; some parts of which are thought to date back to the 13th or 14th century. Although the building is very much older, the earliest record of a brewery at the Black Pig is 1800.

At that time it was owned by Robert Tritton. Tritton's beers became so popular that he was able to buy five local pubs. When he died, he left the pubs to his five children: Robert junior inherited the "Marquis of Granby" at Ash (now Bickers, the Newsagents), whilst John inherited the Black Pig Pub and Brewery.

John died in 1894 and left his estate to his children. Robert junior also had children (16 of them!), and in 1895 one of them, Frank Vincent Tritton, borrowed the money to buy the Black Pig and Brewery outright from John's children. (Frank was 24 at the time).

F. V. Tritton ran the business from 1895 until 1912, and brewed beer continuously throughout this period. (The last pub in Kent to brew its own beers, 'Tritton's Fine Ales'). (Unless anyone knows differently. Paul Skelton).

The other pubs in the Staple Brewery estate were:- "Jolly Gardener," Ham: "Black Horse," Densole; "Moor's Head," Adisham; "Plough & Harrow," Tilmanstone and possibly, the "Coach & Horses," Lyminge but that's to be confirmed.

As well as being a brewery and a pub, the building also functioned as the village stores. (And for a while as a newsagents).

In 1912, the business (by then just a pub and shop, as brewing at the Black Pig had ceased), was sold to a large, local brewery, Gardeners of Ash. In 1913 the plaster was stripped off the main building, exposing the old beams. Original windows were enlarged and some new ones inserted.

Gardner's installed Mr Harry Newing as a tenant. The pub was to remain under the management of the Newing family (Newing then Richards (nèe Newing) ) for a further 59 years!

In 1914 the brewery was brought back into service. But this time it was used solely for the production of Gardener's famous Ginger Beer. Ginger Beer was produced at the Black Pig from 28th August 1914 until 27th September 1926. (Production stopped due to Mr Tritton's old steam engine breaking down.) Gardener's Ginger Beer production then transferred to the Ash Brewery. (Where it continued until 1955).

The Newing family, father and daughter, were tenants at the Black Pig for 59 years, and until 1949 the pub was also the village shop and newsagents. As of 1987 the licensee would show interested customers an unopened bottle of Tritton's Staple Ale, bottled before 1912 and still sparkling and clear after seventy years. I do not know whether it is still there today.

Significant Dates In The Pub's History:

In 1945 a wine licence was granted to the pub. The Black Pig didn't have a traditional pub sign until 1947. In 1949 a spirit licence was granted (and hot & cold water installed!)

Also in 1949, the shop moved into what remained of the old brewery. (Most of the brewery having been demolished that same year). The cellars of the old brewery were used as an air raid shelter during the war.

In 1962, to celebrate 50 years of Newing/Richards occupation, the villagers presented the pub with a commemorative bench. (Which was later installed in the recreation ground).

Gardeners continued to own the Black Pig until their merger with Tomson & Wotton (of Ramsgate). Tomson and Wotton were themselves taken over in 1968, by Whitbreads. Whitbreads announced the imminent closure of the pub, but after strong complaints by local residents, changed their minds.

In 1971 the family line at the Black Pig was broken, when Mr & Mrs Richards left and moved to Sandwich (due to Mr Richard's poor health). That year the pub was sold as a Freehouse. The shop closed the following year (1972), and in 1973 (April 3rd) Mr Richards died.

The Pub was then run by a succession of landlords and landladies until December 6th 1995, when it closed as a pub. (For almost a year). It was then bought by the present owners, David Jones and Nicola Phelan who, after some frantic renovation, opened its doors again on 14th December 1996.

I know little of the history for the period between Mr Richards and Dave Jones, except for the names of (most) of the landlords:

As of July 2014, the pub closed with an uncertain future.

Opened again around Christmas 2014.

Above photo, kindly taken and sent by Rory Kehoe, July 2019.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Lynn Cox, 18 June 2019. The Black Pig pub manager stole more than £5,000 worth of goods from old employer the Grove Ferry Inn. The manager of a pub stole more than £5,000 worth of goods from it as he was moving to another boozer to set up on his own. Billy Morgan, 28, was a trusted member of staff at the "Grove Ferry Inn" in Upstreet, Canterbury, when he started stockpiling items to take to his new pub, the "Black Pig." Morgan had worked at the pub in Grove Ferry Road for about two years but the chef there started noticing items were missing from bulk orders which had been delivered to the venue. Billy Morgan (12575391) The chef's partner, who is also the venue's cleaner, also noticed a stockpile of goods being piled up in an area of the pub and they both become suspicious. Various items were taken from deliveries and even cutlery and other items used in the pub trade went missing. The pair were suspicious of Morgan because they knew he was about to take out the lease of the "Black Pig" in Barnsole Road, Staple, near Canterbury, to run it himself. The "Grove Ferry Inn" is owned by the Yummy Pub company and the matter was reported to bosses who then reported it to police. In total, Morgan who lives at the "Black Pig," stockpiled £5,842 of goods belonging to the "Grove Ferry Inn" and enlisted two associates to help him move the haul to his new pub. Billy Morgan runs the Black Pig in Staple, near Canterbury. However, after the goods were moved, Morgan was arrested and later charged with theft by employee and was found guilty of the offence by magistrates in Thanet. The matter was sent to Canterbury Crown Court so he could be sentenced and Morgan appeared in the dock today. Prosecutor Caroline Knight told Judge Catherine Brown the theft of the goods had an impact on business at the "Grove Ferry Inn" and had caused a disruption in trade because some dishes were not able to be served because of missing items. She also told the court the items had been photographed as a haul at the "Grove Ferry Inn" and had also been snapped in a pile at the "Black Pig." The Black Pig pub in Staple. She added: "He also involved two others in the removal of the goods." Ian Bond defending told Judge Brown Morgan started running the "Black Pig" in August 2017 and has since introduced a general store in the pub for villagers. Judge Brown jailed Morgan for 10 months for the offence, but suspended the term for 18 months. She also ordered he carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and pay the Yummy Pub company, £5,842 in compensation. She added: "You had a good record as a worker and manager and it is plain this is more an error of judgement and out of character for you. "You had a high degree of trust placed in you and you breached that trust. "Employers are entitled to trust their employees I hope you have learned your lesson. "Be honest all the time."

LICENSEE LIST

TRITTON Robert 1841-51+ (also brewer and grocer age 59 in 1851)

MAXTED Richard 1881+

TRITTON John to 1894

TRITTON Robert jun. 1894-95

TRITTON Frank Vincent 1895-1912 (also brewer and farmer age 40 in 1911)

MAKEY Francis 1911 (widow age 58 in 1911)

NEWING Harry 1912-39+ (age 62 in 1939)

NEWING Ellen E to Jan/1947 (age 58 in 1939)

RICHARDS A Jan/1947-71

PODBURY Peter and 1972-73

TAYLOR Valentine Thomas 1972-73

AUNGER Philip and Barbara 1973-86

WELLS Pat and James 1986-90

GOULD Graham and Clair 1990-92

WATSON Peter 1992-95

JONES David & PHELAN Nicola 1996-2009

FRIGHT Mark & Vicky 2009-May/2013

STEWART Chris Dec/2013-Jul/14

HARRIS Mick Dec/2014+

THORNBER-TAFT Ali & Jane 2016-Aug/2017

MORGAN Billy Aug/2017-19

Library archives 1974

From the Dover Express

Census