St. Margaret's at Cliffe

Above photo circa 1900.

Above photos kindly sent by Eileen Coleburn showing 1920s licensees Frank Sherwood and his wife Ethel May Sherwood. While licensee, Frank also had a job as a teacher at Dover College.

Above photo taken in 1960 and kindly sent by Terry Wheeler of the Ramsgate Historical Society.

Eileen Coleburn emailed me to say:- "apparently there was a parrot kept in the bar while Frank Sherwood was licensee around 1920, whether inherited from previous licensee or not I don't know, but it was famous for shouting to departing customers "Take your umbrella, it's going to rain!" REPEATEDLY!!!! One can only imagine that it was removed to the living quarters pretty damn quick before all their customers left for good."

She goes on to say that Eileen sadly passed away suddenly in 1920. According to the records, Frank stayed at the pub just one more year to 1921. Both are now buried in the churchyard opposite.

This pub has now been renamed The "Smugglers" probably due to its distant past when it was frequented by various smugglers with their goods from St. Margaret's Bay.

St. Margaret's Bay being the closest part of England to France.

Dover Express 11th August 1944. A MARINE REMANDED. At an occasional Court at Deal on Wednesday before the Mayor (Alderman E. J. Dobson OBE) Marine Arthur Edward Nixon was charged that, on the night of August 7th-8th, he entered the "Carrier's Arms", St. Margaret's at Cliffe, occupied by May Annie Weston, with intent and further with being found on enclosed premises, the "Carrier's Arms", for an unlawful purpose. At the request of Inspector W. Bennett, Nixon was remanded to Wingham Petty Sessions at Sandwich on August 24th. Defendant made no application for bail and the prison authorities are to be asked to provide a medical report.

Dover Express 17th June 1949. Licence Transfer. At a sitting of Wingham Magistrates on Thursday last week, the licence of the "Carrier's Arms" was temporarily transferred from G. H. E. Cant to J. H. Anderson.

Carriers Arms dart team, circa 1980. Carriers Arms ladies team (unknown event) circa 1980. Carriers Arms dart team circa 1980.

LICENSEE LIST

MAUD/MAND Charlotte 1861+ (age 36 in 1861)

JELL Ann 1881-89+ (age 37 in 1881)

GAGE John 1890-1900+

NORRIS Herbert 1891-1901 (age 36 in 1901)

WOOD Herbert 1901+ (age 36 in 1901)

GRANT William 1911+ (age 48 in 1911)

GRANT James to May/1913

LIEL Henry May/1913+

SEAL Mrs 1914

SHERWOOD Frank Caton to Nov/1921

COX/COCKS George Henry Nov/1921-Apr/31

MATCHAM Richard Henry Apr/1931-July/32+

JOHNSON Mr Frank July/1932-Jan/1941

CROCKER Ernest William Jan/1941-Sept/42+

(B)ROACH Edward James Sept/1942-Jan/44

FINCH Ernest W Jan/1944-Sept/44

MEERS John G Sept/1944+ (From Cranford)

CANT Mr G H E-June/49 July/1946+

ANDERSON Joseph Henry June/1949-56+

ANDERSON A Mrs 1961+

DRIVER Ann 1974+ Gardner & Co

WILLCOX John 1980's

SHAW Ron & Glenys 1982-86

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1890

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1891

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1895

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1896-97

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1898

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1899

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1899-1900

From the Post Office Directory 1901

From the Post Office Directory 1914

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1923

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1924

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1938-39

From the Kelly's Directory 1950

From the Kelly's Directory 1953

From the Kelly's Directory 1956

Library archives 1974

From the Dover Express