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Church Hill
Sutton
Deal
Above photo, circa 1954, taken a couple of years after Charrington's
bought Thompson's Walmer Brewery and is one of a series showing the
recently acquired pubs in their new livery, kindly sent by Michael Mirams
and Rory Kehoe. |
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 27 November, 1970.
BOOT CLOSES DOWN AFTER 300 YEARS.
For the first time in 300 years there is no pub this week in the tiny
village of Sutton near Dover. The "Boot" has closed its doors for the
last time. The owners, Bass Charrington have decided to sell the public
house as a cottage.
Licensee for the last eighteen months was Mrs. Betty Kay who took
over from her husband George when he died, Together they ran the pub for
about five years.
But it was not Mrs. Kay who called the final "Time gentleman please"
on Wednesday night.
That unhappy task fell to farmer Mr. Cyril Wilson. Mrs. Kay had taken
an off-licence at Hastings and Mr. Wilson - of Borneo Farm, Sutton - has
been running the inn for her for the last three weeks.
The "Boot" - no-one seems to know the origin of its name - has
been selling drink for 300 years. Before that the premises existed with
the ancient church on the opposite side of the road.
Legend has it that it was occupied by monks. And there is a story
that once an underground passage ran from the cellars to the church.
Yesterday regulars were wondering where they shall now make their new
local. nearest pubs are the "Butchers
Arms," (closed in 2007) at Ashley and the "Plough
Inn" at Ripple.
Until the end the "Boot" had an active darts team.
Regulars, at the weekend showed their appreciation to Mrs. Kay for
her kindness as their land-lady.
Sutton has a good crime-free record. But recently a thief broke into
the "Boot" by smashing the front window. He stole 930 cigarettes and 30
cigars. Detectives are investigating.
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Also known as the "Star and Boot" when sold in 1822.
It appears to have been tied to a brewery owned by the prominent Sandwich
family, the Wyborns to 1822. In 1764 William Wyborn, brewer, died and his
business was left to his daughter Mary, who had married John Bradley. Their
son, William Wyborn Bradley was born in 1752 William being described as
"common brewer of Sandwich." William was elected Mayor Sandwich in 1785 and
died in 1788. The Sandwich brewery and its tied estate of 27 pubs was
eventually put up for "sale by private contract" by William's son (also
called William Wyborn Bradley, born 1779) as advertised in the Kentish
Gazette on 10th May 1822. I believe this is probably when the Star was
removed from the name.
Unfortunately closed at the end of 1970.
Been informed that there is now a cottage that displays the name of
"Boot", but no longer selling beer.
The former Boot at Sutton, picture from Google Maps 2010.
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Above photo, 2018, kindly sent by Kevin Cox. |
Above photo, 2018, kindly sent by Kevin Cox. The Boot is central. |
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From the Kentish Gazette, 28 June 1777.
To be sold publicly to the highest bidder, on Wednesday next, the 9th
day of July, at 5 o'clock in the Evening, at the sign of the "Boot" at
Sutton next Dover.
A neat and convenient Freehold Messuage, now in two dwellings, with the
Garden, Orchard, and 3 roods of land (more or less) thereunto belonging;
situate in the said parish of Sutton, and there in the several
occupations of Henry Patterson and George Beer.
For particulars enquire at Messr's Lane and Thompson, Attorneys at
Dover.
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Kentish Gazette, 9 July 1844.
Valuable FREEHOLD PUBLIC HOUSES, at Sandwich, Word, Deal, Sutton,
Northbourne, and Great Mongeham, in the County of Kent,
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
AT the "Three Horse Shoes," GREAT MONGEHAM, on THURSDAY, the 25th day of
JULY, 1844, (unless previously disposed of by Private Contract, of which
due notice will be given), subject to such conditions as will be then
and there produced, in several Lots.
Also a FREEHOLD PUBLIC HOUSE, called the "Star and Boot," situate in the
parish of SUTTON, next Dovor, with the outhouses and appurtenances
thereto belonging, now in the occupation of Mr. William Friend.
The above Property forms a most desirable investment, and (if not
forthwith Sold by Private Contract), will be offered for sale in
convenient Lots, as will be expressed in future advertisements.
For Particulars, and to treat for the Purchase by Private Contract,
apply at the Offices of Mr. Mourilan, Solicitor, Sandwich.
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From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury,
24 April, 1869. 1d.
PETTY THEFT
Henry Clayson, labourer, of Ringwould, was brought up by P.C.
Eaterman, charged with having, on the 16th inst., stolen a wooden
spitoon, value eighteen-pence, from the "Boot Inn," Sutton, the property
of Mr. T. Ratcliff.
Thomas Ratcliff deposed: I am landlord of the Boot Inn, Sutton. About
nine o'clock on Friday night last the prisoner came into my house in
company with several others and went into the tap-room. At the time they
entered the room there were six spittoons there; but after the prisoner
and his companions had left I missed one, and suspected the prisoner of
stealing it. I therefore sent word to Ringwould for him to bring it
back, and also informed him that if he did not do so I should take
proceedings against him. I gave him till last night to return the
spittoon. I said if he came and acknowledged the theft I would forgive
him, I have not seen the prisoner from Friday till this morning. I don't
know whether the message that I sent reached him or not. I do not wish
to press the charge further than you gentleman like. I only want a stop
put to this practise. The value of the spittoon is 1s. 6d.
P.C. Waterman said: I am one of the K.C.C., and am stationed at Great
Mongeham. Yesterday, between ten and eleven o'clock I received
information from Mr. Ratcliff, the last witness, that he had had a
spittoon stolen from his tap-room, and that he suspected the prisoner of
stealing it, and that he intended to prosecute it if he did not bring it
back. I then went to Ringwould and made enquiries for the prisoner. I
went to his house, and his mother came to the door. She said her son was
upstairs abed, and at my request called him down. I asked him if he was
at the "Boot," at Sutton, on Friday last, and he said, "Yes, I was." I
then asked him if he saw anything taken from there, and he replied, "I
took a spittoon from there." I said, "You acknowledge it then?" and he
said, "Yes, I do." I told him that I must apprehend him and take him
into custody, and he then offered to pay for the spittoon and said he
would pay anything. That was about half-past seven o'clock in the
evening. Prisoner also said he was very sorry for what he had done, and
that he should not have taken the spittoon if he had been sober. I found
that the prisoner had offered the spittoon for sale for a pot of beer at
both of the public-houses in Ringwould, ("Lord
Nelson" & "Five Bells")
and that it had been ultimately broken up in the tap-room of the "Lord
Nelson," and afterwards put on the fire.
The prisoner was remanded to Dover Petty Sessions, the Magistrates
offering to accept bail.
The mother of the prisoner, in answer to Mr. Clarke, said her husband
was minding sheep in the Marshes, and at the suggestion of the Bench
left the court for the purpose of securing his attendance to enter into
recognizance's of £5 for his sons appearance at Dover on the 20th of May
next.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 3 September, 1886. 1d.
WINGHAM BREWSTER SESSIONS
Superintendent Kewell reported: I have the honour to place before you a
list of ale houses, and grocers, and other licensed to sell spirits,
wine, and beer within that part of the Wingham Division under my
superintendence, and am pleased to report that the whole of them have
been well conducted during the past year, but I think it my duty to
inform you that James Gilham, the landlord of the “Boot” at Sutton has
been twice convicted during the last six months for being drunk whilst
in charge of a horse and cart on the public highway, having been
previously cautioned for similar offences.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 22
September, 1922.
LICENSING
The landlord of the "Boot," Sutton, applied for permission to remain
open from 2.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the occasion of a farm sale on October
10th.
On the suggestion of the Police the application was granted to 5 p.m.
so that the house should be closed for an hour before opening time.
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LICENSEE LIST
FRIEND William 1844-51+ (age 55 in 1851 )
PARKER William 1858+
RADCLIFF Thomas 1861-78+
 
(also carrier age 53 in 1871)
POTT Edwin 1881-82+ (also gardener age 34 in 1881)
GILHAM Gilbert James 1886-99+
THOMAS Henry 1901-03+ (age 44 in 1901) 
ATHERTON John to Aug/1909
POLLARD Arthur John 1911-13+ (age 47 in 1911)
MATCHAM William 1918-Jan/1920
COTTERALL T W Jan/1920+
COTTERILL Mrs Ada 1922+
ELLENDER Maurice Richard to May/1929
DURBAN/DURHAM/BURTON Frank William George May/1929-Nov/37
BOWEN Mr A Nov/1937-Jan/41 dec'd
BOWEN Elizabeth Jan/1941+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/Boot.shtml
The Dover Express report Arthur Pollard was formerly a Royal Marines
pensioner, of the Gardener's Cottage, Ripple.
From the Post Office Directory 1874
From the Post Office Directory 1882
From
the Kelly's Directory 1899
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
From the Post Office Directory 1913
From the Post Office Directory 1922
From the Dover Express
From the Deal Walmer & Sandwich Mercury
Census
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