DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Saturday, 31 July, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1810-

Bricklayer's Arms

Closed 21/Sept/2015

Cox Hill

Shepherdswell

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Bricklayers Arms circa 1950?

Photo showing Bricklayers Arms, date circa 1950?

Bricklayers locals

Apologies for quality of above picture, should anyone have a better one please let me know. Date unknown.

Bricklayers Arms Shepherdswell

Above photo by Paul Skelton 4 August 2007.

Bricklayers Arms Sign 2010Bricklayer's Arms sign 1994

Above photograph by Paul Skelton 1 May 2010.

Sign right February 1994 with thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com

Painting of the Bricklayers Arms

Painting above by Rose McPhee, date unknown.

Kentish Gazette, Tuesday 9 October 1810.

Wanted at Michaelmas.

A married man, without, or with only a small family, to go with the Team, and board two or three Servants.

A good character will be required.

Enquire at the "Bricklayers Arms," Shepherdswell.

 

Kentish Chronicle 12 September 1863.

WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS.

Thursday. Mr. Greenhow, solicitor, of Dover, applied to the Bench to grant a spirit licence to Mr. John Knott, of the "Whitehall Inn," Shepherdswell. He presented a petition in favour of the application, signed by the vicar, churchwardens, and overseers of the parish, and stated that the inn was in close proximity to the railway station and was much used by travellers. No one appeared substantially to oppose the application, but the landlord of the "Bricklayers' Arms" was questioned by the magistrates, and stated that no other licensed house was required, for he could do more business if he had it. The application, however, was granted.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 23 July, 1869.

DRUNKENNESS

Henry Couchman, William Dale, and Charles baker, three farm labourers, were charged with being drunk and disorderly early on the previous (Sunday) morning.

Police-constable Seager, of the Kent County Constabulary, stationed at Shepherdswell, said that on Sunday morning last, at half-past twelve, he saw the prisoners coming out of the "Bricklayer's Arms" public-house, Shepherdswell. They were singing and making a great noise. he requested them to go home quietly, but they refused, and made use of very obscene and abusive language. he did all he could to persuade them to go home, but they persisted in refusing. he caught hold of the prisoner Couchman's arm, when the other two came up. Couchman then struck him on the side of the face, while one of the other prisoners said, Smash the _____, there is only one here." Neither of the others struck witness; but they all turned up their shirt sleeves apparently with intention of doing so. The constable asked them to give him their names, but they refused, and he then, with assistance, apprehended them, and brought them to Dover. They all came along the road quietly enough.

The Magistrates fined the defendants 15s. 6d. each, including the costs; in default, seven days.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 22 December, 1922. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

The licensee of the "Bricklayer's Arms," Shepherdswell was granted an extension for the Sick and Benefit Club dinner that evening, till 11.30 p.m.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 22 October, 1937.

PUBLIC HOUSE ALTERATIONS

Plans for converting two bars into one and enlarging the private bar of the "Bricklayers Arms," Shepherdswell, were approved by the magistrates at the County Petty Sessions, held at Dover on Thursday.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 November, 1938.

WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS

The licensee of the "Bricklayers Arms," Shepherdswell, was granted an extension till 10.30 p.m. on December 3rd, for a boxing tournament.

 

Dover Express 26th April 1946.

EAST KENT NEWS SHEPHERDSWELL.

Wedding of Miss K. Jaynes.

The wedding took place on Easter Monday at St. Andrew’s Church, Shepherdswell, of Miss Kathleen Jaynes, only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. C. Jaynes of the “Bricklayer’s Arms”, Shepherdswell, and Mr. Victor Hood, youngest son of Mr. Hood and the late Mrs. Hood of Paddington, London. The Rev. L. Elliott officiated at the fully choral service, with Mrs. Castle at the organ. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a white silk gown, headdress of orange blossom, a full length veil and carried a sheaf of lilies. She was attended by Miss Joan Hood (chief) (bridegroom’s sister), who wore a lavender satin gown, skull cap of lace and flowers, lace mittens and carried a bouquet of mixed tulips, and Miss Jean Woodgate and Miss Olive Gibbs, who wore quilted gowns of peach taffeta, coronets and veils to match, gold sandals and carried bouquets of tulips and little Miss Dilys Fox who was dressed in a gown of pale blue satin under silk net and lace headdress of rose-buds and blue plumes, lace mittens, white satin shoes and carried a posy of pink and blue anemones. The best man was Mr. S. Jaynes (bride’s brother). The cars were supplied by Mr. Hampshire.

 

Dover Express 2nd August 1946.

The Wingham Petty Sessions were held at Dover on Thursday before Viscount Hawarden.

The license of the “Bricklayer’s Arms, Shepherdswell was temporarily transferred to Mr. J. R. Fletcher.

 

From the Dover Express, 4 October 2001.

Day of fun honours Stuart's fund.

Bricklayers fund raising

A FUNDRAISING day at the Bricklayers Arms pub in Shepherdswell on Saturday was in aid of the Stuart Clarke Orphanage Fund. It also commemorated 22-year-old-Stuart, who was killed in a car accident while serving with the British Army in Kenya. His sister, Cara Bywater, Bricklayers fundraisingsaid: "During the final week of his life he helped build two classrooms at Nanyuki Children's Home and these have since been dedicated in his memory. "We have now sent in excess of £4,000 to help provide food and education for the children."

Left picture shows fun and games with Karen, Naiomi and landlady Cara in fancy dress, plus above, some odd skittle tactics at the Bricklayers Arm.

Pictures Vic Seymour Photographic Service.

 

From the Dover Express, 17 March 2007. By Jonathan Holden.

After pub lock-in.

THE landlord of a Shepherdswell pub has been given a police warning after up to 30 people were found boozing after hours.

Nicholas Ervine, of the Brickmakers Arms in Cox Hill, was present when police and licensing officers visited his pub at 12.15am on Saturday morning.

Between 20 and 30 people were found inside the pub and loud music could be heard from outside.

It followed a string of complaints to Shepherdswell's rural warden from residents unhappy about noise and other disturbance during the early hours.

Some drinkers grew agitated when police asked them to leave and Mr Ervine was also warned about allowing drunkenness on the premises.

Using the example of one patron, PC Hayden Kemp told him he was concerned about what would happen when the drinkers headed out into the night.

He said: "If he walks out into the street and somebody tells him and his mates to be quiet he's going to cause trouble because of the state he's in."

Some drinkers claimed the lock-in was a private birthday party while others said it was part of a golf tournament.

Mr Ervine was told no further action would be taken on this occasion, but it would be taken into consideration when his licence came up for renewal.

However, PC Kemp told him it was unlikely to affect future applications - provided there were no more breaches.

The visit by police and district council licensing and environmental health staff was part of an antisocial behaviour crackdown called Operation Detour.

The officers visited pubs and clubs as well as carrying out vehicle checks in Dover and Deal.

The landlord of the "Roman Quay" in Stembrook, Dover, will also get a warning after police found under-age drinkers in the pub.

Visits to the "Eight Bells", in Cannon Street, the "Louis Armstrong", in Maison Dieu Road, and the "Prince of Orange", in New Street, found no problems.

The "Studio One" nightclub in Adrian Street also met police approval for its improved security regime.

Soon after 10pm on Saturday, door staff apprehended a woman suspected of carrying ecstasy and she was handed over to police.

The operation also saw warnings and fixed penalties given to motorists for speeding, driving without seatbelts and, in one case, playing loud music during the early hours.

 

From the Dover Express, 24 July 2008.

Bricklayer's Arms 2008

Above showing the pub in 2008.

From the East Kent Mercury, 16 April 2015.

Did ghost hurl pint glass across bar of busy pub?

Staff and regulars left spooked by inexplicable occurrence.

Licensees 2015

A COUPLE were left stunned after a pint glass flew from the middle of a pub table, seemingly of its own accord, Spooky CCTV footage from the "Bricklayers Arms" in Shepherdswell showed the drink move, prompting petrified punters to jump out of their chairs in fright.

The pub's landlady of three years, Anne Hurst, told the Express that the table was dry, very sturdy, and there were no arms or legs near the pint.

She said: "We were all very freaked out as the pint was in the middle of the table, "We all stopped talking and could hear the glass grinding on the table," Her partner, a former solider, was reportedly so petrified that he returned home and slept night with the lights and the television on all night.

The eerie event joins a host supernatural wonders that have haunted locations in Dover over the past year.

In September 2014, a chilling video of a "ghost" at Dover Castle emerged. The creepy clip revealed a shadowy spectre appearing to walk across an entrance to the historic site before disappearing.

A viewer of the frightening foot age, Louise Hampton, said: "This is great! It looks like it tried to manifest. You can see the legs are actually walking."

In January 2014, a Dovorian believed he had caught ghost on camera when he took a picture of the seafront lights on Marine Parade.

Paul Boland, of the Gateway flats, took the spooky snap in the early hours of the morning when the streets were "completely deserted". He later noticed a mysterious man on the right hand side of the photograph.

He told the Express: "It looks like an image of an old seafarer with a sou'wester. There was nobody about anywhere at the time, the streets were completely deserted. The camera was set to maximum sensitivity, it wasn't a long exposure either so nothing blurred.

 

From the Dover Express, 16 April 2015. By Jordan Bluer.

Did ghost hurl pint glass across bar of busy pub?

Staff and regulars left spooked by inexplicable occurrence.

A COUPLE were left stunned after a pint glass flew from the middle of a pub table, seemingly of its own accord.

Ghost

Spooky CCTV footage from the Bricklayers Arms in Shepherdwell showed the drink move, prompting petrified punters to jump out of their chairs in fright.

The pub’s landlady of three years, Anne Hurst, told the Express that the table was dry, very sturdy, and there were no arms or legs near the pint.

Freaky.

Karen Megsen and her partner were at the pub at the time.

She said: “We were all very freaked out as the pint was in the middle of the table.

“We all stopped talking and could hear the glass grinding on the table.”

Her partner, a former solider, was reportedly so petrified that he returned home and slept night with the lights and the television on all night.

 

From the Dover Mercury, 3 September, 2015. By Victoria Chessum.

Village action group fear pub closure will lead to housing

Bricklayer's Arms action group

The Bricklayers Arms Action Group outside the pub in Shepherdswell.

A village community group fears for the future of a much-loved pub that will be boarded up by the end of the month.

The "Bricklayers Arms" in Coxhill, Shepherds well is being sold off by its owners Shepherd Neame.

The team, who call themselves The Bricklayers Arms Action Group, are angry with the brewery’s decision and fear the site will be earmarked for housing.

Secretary Allison Cooper, of Coombe Close, claimed the fabric of the pub had not been maintained and that there had been a lack of communication with licensee Ann Hirst.

She said: “The roof leaks, the kitchen has been condemned and the window frames are completely rotten.

“The lack of communication with the licensee has caused her a great deal of stress and anxiety over the past few months.”

The pub is one of two in the community and is set to be boarded up by Monday, September 21.

On February 19 this year Shepherd Neame informed Dover District Council (DDC) that it intended to sell the pub.

DDC then wrote to Shepherdswell and Coldred Parish Council on March 3 informing them that it was set to close two weeks later.

The parish council did not agree to buy it for the community, but have backed the action group in their efforts to raise awareness of what is going on.

A survey found people have been put off because of its “poor appearance” and lack of hot food on offer.

A Shepherd Neame spokesman said: “After careful consideration, the brewery is selling the "Bricklayers Arms" in Shepherdswell.

“The decision was not taken lightly, but the pub has not been economically viable for some time.”

MP Charlie Elphicke has been monitoring the situation closely.

He said: “The pub is a much-loved traditional community asset and I hope very much it will be able to continue as one. I hope Shepherd Neame will talk to people in the village who are concerned about this.”

The action group will form a community interest company to prevent other buildings, deemed a community asset, from being sold off in the future.

 

Above photo kindly sent by Billy Roberts who tells me the pub closed on 21 September 2015.

From the Dover Express, 7 April 2016. By Rebecca Smith.

Villagers vow to fight to reopen their village pub.

Pressure group hopes to stop the sale of community asset as home.

Bricklayer's locals 2016

The Bricklayers Arms Action Group was formed following the pub’s closure in September.

The 18th century pub, which is Grade II listed shut when landlady Ann Hirst closed.

The owner, Shepherd Neame, has since put the pub on the market ‘with potential for development’.

Value.

The pub has been listed as an Asset of Community Value since January 2014 and any application for redevelopment must be approved by Dover District Council.

The Bricklayers Arms Action Group have been working with their district councillors, Protect Pubs, CAMRA, The Plunkett Foundation and MP Charlie Elphicke to trigger a moratorium on any sale.

The group has also formed a Community Interest Company with the aim of protecting all six Assets of Community Value in the village including the Co-op store, Post Office, the "Bell" pub and doctors surgery - all of which are still open.

A group spokesman said: “The government has recognised the importance of pubs to communities, particularly in rural areas. Pubs Minister, Marcus Jones MP recently announced funding of £3.62 million to help support community groups to buy their pubs to slow the pace at which we are losing pubs in this country, estimated to be around 30 each week.

“Community owned pubs provide much needed social space for all members of a community and because they are free of tie can buy in high quality real ale, which is now enjoying a big revival throughout the country “We want The Bricklayers Arms to be owned and run by the village and become a much needed village hub that we can all be proud of.”

Recently, villagers in Ash were successful in their fight to prevent their pub, the "Chequer Inn," from being redeveloped and The Bricklayers Arms Action Group has now joined forces with them to share information and offer support.

From the Dover Mercury, 7 April 2016.

Campaign to stop homes on pub site

Campaigners in Shepherdswell are fighting to stop The Bricklayers Arms pub being turned into housing.

Last September the 18th century, Grade II listed village pub closed its doors for the final time.

According to The Bricklayers Arms Action Group, the owners, Shepherd Neame have since put the pub on the market ‘with potential for development’.

It was listed as an Asset of Community Value in January 2014 and any application for redevelopment must be approved by Dover District Council.

The enthusiastic group of villagers have been working behind the scenes, seeking help and support from district councillors, Protect Pubs, Camra, The Plunkett Foundation and MP Charlie Elphicke.

The Bricklayers Arms Action Group has also formed a Community Interest Company with the aim of protecting all six assets of community value within the village.

It is working hard to mobilise villagers to ensure that these facilities are not lost forever as a result of “apathy and making a quick profit.”

A spokesman for the group said: “The government has recognised the importance of pubs to communities, particularly in rural areas. Pubs Minister, Marcus Jones MP recently announced funding of £3.62 million to help support community groups to buy their pubs to slow the pace at which we are losing pubs in this country, estimated to be around 30 each week.

“Community owned pubs provide much needed social space for all members of a community and because they are free of tie, can buy in high quality real ale, which is now enjoying a big revival throughout the country.

“We want The Bricklayers Arms to be owned and run by the village and become a much needed village hub that we can all be proud of.”

The group has been reassured by The Chequer Inn at Ash which was refused planning permission to turn into a house.

The Save The Chequer Inn campaigners are now working on starting a Community Interest Company to reopen the pub.

For more information find The Bricklayers Arms Action Group on Facebook or follow @BrickieG on Twitter.
 

From the Dover Mercury, 14 April 2016.

Former pub for sale at auction.

The former Bricklayers Pub in Shepherdswell is to go under the hammer at auction next month.

The lot also includes Bricklayers Cottage, which is attached to the premises in Cox Hill.

It is among 152 lots listed for sale by Clive Emson, the land and property auctioneers.

This comes after a campaign group to save the pub, The Bricklayers Arms Action Group, succeeded in making the Grade 2 listed pub an Asset of Community Value last year.

It includes a bar, server, store room, kitchen and private living room with three bedrooms and two attic rooms.

The attached cottage has two bedrooms and garden and has a freehold guide price of £150-160,000.

The pub has a guide price of £160-170,000.

The action group have formed a Community Interest Company in the hope of turning the building back into a pub for villagers.

A spokesman for the group said: “We want The Bricklayers Arms to become a much needed village hub that we can all be proud of.”

The sale for lots in Kent and London takes place on Tuesday, May 3, at The Clive Emson Conference Centre in Detling, Maidstone, beginning at 11am.

 

I am informed that of 14 May 2016 the pub was sold at auction for £195,000.

 

LICENSEE LIST

PENFOLD Henry 1871-82+ (age 45 in 1871Census) Post Office Directory 1874Post Office Directory 1882

PENFOLD ELLEN Mrs 1901-Jan/05 Post Office Directory 1903Kelly's 1903Dover Express

WILLIAMS Thomas J Jan/1905-Jan/27 Next pub licensee had (age 42 in 1911Census) Dover ExpressPost Office Directory 1913Post Office Directory 1914Post Office Directory 1922Pikes 1924

MOORE Mark Jan/1927-32+ Dover ExpressPikes 1932-33

JAYNES Charles Next pub licensee had 1938-Aug/46 Dover ExpressPikes 1938-39

FLETCHER John W Aug/1946-56+ Dover ExpressKelly's Directory 1950Kelly's Directory 1953Kelly's Directory 1956

KNIGHT Ray & Sheila 1964-Oct/68

BROWN ???? Oct/1968-70

BARRETT Keith 1970-77 Library archives 1974 Shepherd Neame Ltd

SCOTT Dennis 1977-1990

HAWKINS Jim early 1900-Spring/1995

ONIONS Colin 1995-2000

???? George (manager) 2000

KOLHOFF Stuart Spring 2000-Spring/2003

ERVIN Nick 31/Apr/2003-21/Apr/08

Last pub licensee had HAMMOND Nick & Rebecca Apr/2008-Apr/2009

MOLLOY Paul 2009-30/Mar/2010

WHITE Deborah Mar/2010+

Last pub licensee had HUTSON Robert Sept/2011-Apr/12 Next pub licensee had

HURST Anna Apr/2012-21/Sept/2015

 

Post Office Directory 1874From the Post Office Directory 1874

Post Office Directory 1882From the Post Office Directory 1882

Post Office Directory 1903From the Post Office Directory 1901

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Post Office Directory 1913From the Post Office Directory 1913

Post Office Directory 1914From the Post Office Directory 1914

Post Office Directory 1922From the Post Office Directory 1922

Pikes 1924From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1924

Pikes 1932-33From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33

Pikes 1938-39From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1938-39

Kelly's Directory 1950From the Kelly's Directory 1950

Kelly's Directory 1953From the Kelly's Directory 1953

Kelly's Directory 1956From the Kelly's Directory 1956

Library archives 1974Library archives 1974

Dover ExpressFrom the Dover Express

 

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

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