CROWN AND SCEPTRE Pub of Acol

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated Acol:- Monday, 26 December, 2022.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1770

Crown and Sceptre

Closed May 2012

The Street/Margate Hill

Acol

https://whatpub.com/crown-spectre

Above postcard, postmarked 1916. Kindly sent by Graham Butterworth.

Above photo, 1920s, kindly sent by Michael Mirams.

Above photo, date unknown, by David Redfern.

Above photo 1938, probably showing Harold & Vidor Dillistone.

Above photos from http://www.yell.com

Crown and Sceptre sign left July 1993. Sign right 2010.

Above with thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com

Above photo 2012.

Above photo November 2022, kindly sent by Chase Winchester.

The premises dates back to the 1660 and was originally two farm buildings. When open it contained a restaurant titled the "Stock's Restaurant," where the Magistrates used to hold their court cases.

The former stables and barn have been converted into a games room and the back bar shows its original oak beams.

Opened as an inn in 1770, it was nicknamed the 'Clown and Spectre' after the proprietor and proprietor's wife of that time. Their ghosts can still be heard bickering and rowing throughout the day. When they do make an appearance, he is tall and thin, with she small and dumpy.

This was probably the hostelry referred to by William Cobbett in his Rural Rides. In 1823, Cobbett ‘took breakfast' at Acol, but was unable to buy corn for his horse or bacon for himself, so his opinion of the little hamlet was low in the extreme.

Prior to 1833 the pub was owned by the Symond's Brewery of Ramsgate, but they sold the business and pub to Francis Cobb and Son, brewer also in Ramsgate that same year.

I am informed that the brothers of 1861 and 1871 as listed below were working as farmers in Acol in the 1881 census.

From Kentish Gazette 24 July 1784.

STRAYED or STOLEN

From his Stake Line, near ACOL, in the Isle of Thanet, On Wednesday the 21st Instant.

A Black Pony, about thirteen Hands and a Half high, and Blind with the off Eye, has a cut Tail, and has been wrung upon his Back; had a pair of Locks and a Chain on his near fore Foot.

Whoever has got him, and will bring him to Mr. Page's at the "Crown" at Acol, in the Isle of Thanet, or to Nathaniel Wixson, on Lady Wooton's Green, Canterbury; or will be so kind as to let them know where he is, so that they may have him again, shall receive all reasonable satisfaction.

From Kentish Gazette 23 March 1785.

To be Sold by Auction, on Friday, the 8th Day of April next, About Five o'Clock in the Afternoon, At the "Crown" at Acol in the Isle of Thanet, (if not sold before by Private Contract).

Two Dwelling Houses, with the Buildings, (all in good Repair) Gardens, Orchards, and several Pieces of good Arable and Pasture Land, thereunto belonging, containing together. Twenty four Acres more or less, with the Appurtenances; situate in Acol and Monketon in the said Isle of Thanet, and now in the Occupation of Mr. George Friend or his Under tenants.

Thanet Advertiser, Saturday 25 April 1896.

Acol. A costly drink.

At the County Sessions at Margate, on Tuesday, Edward May, painter, of 6, Chester Road, Westgate, and Frank Smith, painter, of Canterbury, were charged with falsely representing themselves to be travellers and obtaining intoxicating liquid from John J. F. Robinson, landlord of the "Crown and Sceptre Inn," Acol, during the time the house was required to be closed.

John J. F. Robinson, landlord of the "Crown and Sceptre," said:- On the day in question, about 4 o'clock, defendants came in and asked for refreshments stating that they were from Margate. On that statement they were served with a pint of beer. Whilst there P.C. Dryland came in and took their names and addresses, and they also told him they came from Margate. Defendants was strangers to him. P.C. Dryland said on Good Friday he visited the house and company with P.C. Bretman. He saw the two defendants in front of the bar with a pint of beer. Witness asked the landlord if the defendants were travellers and he said they told him they came from Margate. Witness then asked defendants where they came from and they said "Margate."

Witness, said "Don't tell me that story. I know you both. You come from Westgate."

May then admitted that he came from Westgate and Smith said he came from 6, Hawks Lane, Canterbury, but was lodging at Westgate, where he slept on the previous night. Smith said that he told the landlord he came from Westgate and not from Margate. He was sorry if he had broken the law. He only went to Westgate on the Thursday from Canterbury, and slept there for the night. May said he walked round by Birchington, a distance of 4 miles, and he thought he was entitled to a drink.

He was fined 5s. and 10s. costs and Smith 5s. and 12s. costs, in default ten days each.

The money was paid.

Smith:- This is a dear glass of beer, sir; good morning.

Canterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette, 2 May 1896.

Westgate-on-Sea. The Bonafide Travellers Question.

At the Cinque Ports Petty Sessions, held at Margate, on Tuesday, before Captain Hatfield, Dr. A. Flint, and J. T. Friend, E. S. Goodson, J. Crawford, T. D. Ind and J. Ward, Edward May, of Westgate, and Frank Smith, and 6, Victoria Grove, Hawks Lane, Canterbury, were summoned for, on Good Friday, April 3rd, falsely representing themselves to be travellers, and obtaining intoxicating liquor, from John J. F. Robinson at the "Crown and Septre," Acol.

Mr. Robinson said, at about 4 p.m. on the 3rd instant, the defendant's went to his house and said they had come from Margate, and, on that statement, they were served with a pint of beer. On P.C. Dryland arriving, he saw the defendant's, who told him they had come from Margate. As they were strangers, he believed their statement, he supplied them with drink, thinking they were bona fide travellers. Smith afterwards gave an address at Canterbury and May gave one in Chester Road, Westgate.

P.C. Dryland said that he and P. C. Bateman, on going to the house at 4 p.m. on Good Friday, saw the defendant's there, with glasses in front of them. He asked the landlord who they were? and he replied that they told him they came from Margate, but he (Dryland) saud he knew them very well and thought they came from Westgate. He had since found that both slept at Westgate on the previous night. The "Crown and Sceptre" was about a mile and a half from Westgate.

Smith said he thought he walked the prescribed distance and was thus a bona fide traveller; but, being a Canterbury man he did not know the exact distance.

May said he had walked from Margate, but slept at Westgate on the previous night.

May was fined 5s. and 10s. costs or 10 days' hard labour; and Smith, 5s and 12s cost; and the Chairman said they might have got the landlord into trouble.

Smith said he was sorry, but it was a dear glass of ale.

Thanet Advertiser, Saturday 26 November 1898.

Acol. Publican Heavily Fined.

At the Cinque Port Petty sessions, at Margate, on Monday, J. J. F. Robinson, "Crown and Sceptre Inn," Acol, was summoned for permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises, on the 10th instant.

Sergeant Hoare said, on the 10th instant, at 11 a.m., he was on duty in Acol Street. He heard loud talking in the defendant's house, and subsequently he saw 9 or 10 men there, some of whom were drunk. The defendant was at work in the garden, and when he spoke to him about the state of some of the men, and told him he must not serve them with more drink, he said he had not served them for the past half hour, and told them to go. He then went with him (the sergeant) to the men, and said "You won't get any more drink." One man, he was sober, said "All right, governor, let them sleep it off." He refused. Subsequently, he served a man called Patsey, who was sober. At 11:15 3 or 4 came out, and one afterwards tried to return, but he refused to allow him to go in. Some of the men became disorderly, and another fell on his back and could not get up without assistance. Five were drunk and two under the influence of drink. He took two into custody.

The defendant said the men had been drinking before going to his house, but he served a man who was sober and he took the beer into the Tap Room; but he (defendant) afterwards saw that two were drunk, and he ordered them to leave and refused to supply more drink. He was in a weak state, having been ill, and had not the strength to eject them.

The Chairman pointed out that he could have asked the sergeant to do so.

Edward Settlefield, Acol, farmer, said he saw the defendant refuse to serve the men, before the arrival of the police.

The defendant was fined £5 and 10s. costs; but the Chairman said the Bench would not endorse the licence.

Thanet Advertiser - Saturday 07 October 1899.

ACOL.

At the Cinque Ports Petty Sessions on Monday, at Margate, the licence of the "Crown and Sceptre Inn," Acol, was transferred to Mr. W. J. Vincent.

Dover Express 4th June 1942.

TOWN PORT AND GARRISON.

At the Dover Licensing Sessions on Monday, the licence of the “Crown and Sceptre”, Acol, was transferred from Mrs. Dillstone to Mr. J. T. Watts of Penge.

Thanet Advertiser, Tuesday 4 May 1943.

Raid on public house. Late drinks at Acol.

Following a police raid on an Acol public house a number of summonses alleging drinking after hours were heard at the Cinque Ports police Court, Margate, on Monday.

Mrs. Vidor Dillistone, licensee of the "Crown and Sceptre" public house, was fined £5 for supplying intoxicating liquor during other than permitted hours on 27th of March, and £5 for failing to cause the premises to be closed after 11 p.m. in accordance with the direction of the Regional Commissioner.

The following four defendants were fined £1 each for consuming intoxicating liquor after the permitted hours and £1 each for remaining on licensed premises after 11 p.m. Ldg-Acm Thomas Richard James Burrows, R.A.F., of Church cottages, Acol; John David Richard Swain and his wife, Louisa Swain, of Margate Hill cottages, Acol, and George Edward Prescott, of Minnis Bay, Birchington.

On behalf of all the defendants Mr. A. R. Young pleaded not guilty to all the summonses.

P.S. Wilkinson, stationed at Minster, related how he kept observation on the public house and said that after 10:15 p.m. he heard sound similar to money changing hands and glasses being filled. At 11:45 p.m. he entered the premises through the kitchen door. On the counter in the bar were two glasses of light ale, one belonging to Burrows and one to Prescott, one glass of brown ale, to grape fruits and a pint glass of beer which belong to Swain.

P.C. Thompson gave corroborative evidence.

Mrs. Dillistone denied that she was in the bar when the police officers entered. She said she was in the kitchen helping her daughter cook the supper. The only drink she served after 10 o'clock with those she gave the people in the bar. She had had a present of fish and asked several friends to stay to supper.

In addition to the fines, defendants between them were ordered to pay three guineas costs.

In 1963, licensee Reg Cook had a performing parrot named Polly that would do tricks to the amusement of the customers.

Above postcard, 1964, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, 1963, showing the performing parrot.

Thanet Times, Tuesday 21 July, 1964.

Polly likes to show off with his tricks.

Polly the grey parrot is an attraction at the "Crown and Sceptre" Public House, Acol, and has brought customers from as far away as London as well as all over Thanet.

With the aid of his master and licensee of the house, Mr. Reg Cook, Polly is enthusiast about showing off his tricks to his public. Lying on his back, hanging by his beak on a bottle, whistling wolf whistles, coughing and talking quite audibly are parts of his repertoire.

His latest gimmick is making a collection of pennies that is to be donated to the Cancer Research Fund. In the past 10 days, pennies put into his cage in the saloon bar have amounted to over £6.

Mr. Cook explained in between serving drinks to a full house, recently, that he and his wife, Jean, bought Polly just before they moved to the "Crown and Sceptre" about two-and-a-half years ago.

"We couldn't really be without him now," said Mr. Cook. "It is not only the trade he brings in, but he has got to be almost like a member of the family."

Polly is only part of the success of the booming trade at the "Crown and Sceptre," which is Mr. Cook's first public house.

Commented Mrs. Cook:- "We have a good partnership behind the bar. This in particular makes people feel happy — as we want them to be."

She added:- "Since we moved to Thanet from Sidcup we have found the people helpful and that has helped as to settle down and be happy here ourselves."

Thanet Times, Tuesday 27 September 1966.

Pictured here is Mr. Jack Bowles, the new host at the quaint "Crown and Sceptre," Acol with his attractive wife Joan.

Jack and Joan, as they insist on being known, arrived al the pub after being in charge of the catering at the "Swan," in Teynham, near Sittingbourne.

Said Jack:- "We have been in the licensed trade for the last 15 years, but this is the first time we hare actually served behind the counter in our own pub. We are delighted with the house and are looking forward to making lots of new friends in Thanet."

The couple have two daughters, Carolyn (20), and Sally (15).

Before entering the licensed trade, Jack was Appeals Secretary for the Royal National Institution for the Blind, in Cambridge.

Thanet Times, Tuesday 31 May 1977.

Publicans withdraw pleas for extension.

TWO publicans in Margate's old town centre withdrew applications at Margate Court on Wednesday for licensing extensions to open their premises during the afternoon of 6 June.

They were licensees of the "Ruby Lounge" and the "Queen's Head" hotels.

Parties for the young and elderly to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee are planned in the square during the afternoon.

The bench also turned down an application by the landlord of the "Crown and Sceptre" at Acol for a Jubilee day extension to coincide with an afternoon fete and carnival being held on a field opposite his public house.

Thanet Times, Tuesday 19 December, 1978.

Drinks Thieves Raid Two Village Pubs.

Thieves raided two village pubs on Thursday.

More than £1,000 worth of spirits was stolen from the seller at the "Crown and Sceptre Inn," Acol, during the afternoon.

The thieves broke in through the delivery hatch whilst licensing Mr. Ronald Evans and his wife were upstairs.

During the night, £400 worth of wines and spirits was taken from the "Jolly Farmer," at High Street, Manston.

Youtube clip of parrot:- https://youtu.be/IxIkz6yJ8cc

I am informed that the pub is currently closed and for sale. (April 2014.) And unfortunately looks like it won't open again as a pub.

From the https://theisleofthanetnews.com By Kathy Bailes, 9 August, 2017.

Residents brand plans to demolish an historic village pub and build houses as a ‘Cell Block H’ proposal.

An application submitted to demolish the Crown & Sceptre pub in Acol and build two homes in its place has been branded a Cell Block H proposal by villagers.

The former Shepherd and Neame pub shut in May 2012. It was then put on the market for £240,000 but only one offer was received and that was later withdrawn.

In April 2013 it was sold for a sum below the original asking price but deemed unsuitable to open as a pub again.

Shepherd and Neame said the pub was not viable with falling beer sales before its closure, little passing trade and a lack of kitchen and restaurant space.

Margate Civic Society has objected to the “complete annihilation of the historic building.”

In an objection letter the group says: “There were premises here in the 1400s, occasionally used by magistrates. The house has some claim to literary recognition as it must be the hostelry featured by William Cobbett in his Rural Rides (1823).”

Previous applications to develop the site have been withdrawn or modifications were requested.

The building is currently in a poor state with the roofs gone and weather damage inside.

A new building already on the site has been described as “a disgrace” in one letter of objection, with the resident adding: “To erect another huge building will make what used to be a pleasant pub and car park like cell block H.”

The resident also brands the lack of work to put in a temporary roof as “deliberate architectural vandalism” adding: “The developer should be made to restore the building to the condition it was in when he bought it, before he left it empty and rotting for years.”

Another resident also said the property had deliberately been left without a roof and houses built on the same plot by the developer “are an eyesore and resemble a prison block rather than homes.”

The loss of the pub is in addition to the closure of Acol’s shop and post office.

The premises dates back to the 15th century contains a ‘stock’s restaurant’ title, showing magistrates used to hold their court cases at the site.

The “Crown and Sceptre” was an inn in 1770.

Prior to 1833 the pub was owned by the Symond’s Brewery of Ramsgate, but they sold the business and pub to Ramsgate brewer Francis Cobb and Son that year.

A decision on the application is yet to be made.

From the https://www.kentlive.news By Adele Couchman, 19 OCT 2017.

An historic Thanet pub will no longer be demolished but it will still be earmarked for housing.

Developers tried to demolish a 17th century pub and put two houses in its place, but villagers were left furious.

Plans to demolish a 17th century pub in Birchington have been refused by the council - although developers have confirmed the site could still be pursued for housing.

The Crown and Sceptre pub served the people of Acol but has been shut down since 2012 after brewing giants Shepherd Neame struggled to make profits and sold the pub to a developer the following year.

But a recent planning application from Torran Projects to demolish the entire building and build two three storey homes in its place has been refused by Thanet District Council due to its status as a "non-designated heritage asset".

A notice explaining the reasons for its refusal said: "A proposal would result in the full demolition of a non-designated heritage asset within the village of Acol, for which there is no justified need.

The pub has since had its roof removed which has prompted backlash from villagers.

"The heritage asset is considered to have historic significance within the village, both through the age and historic use of the building, but also through its local interest as a historic landmark.

"The loss of this significant heritage asset is not considered to be outweighted by any public benefits, and as such is considered to be an unsustainable form of development that would cause harm to the historic environment."

Conversion of the building.

Developers originally gained planning permission in 2014 to convert the old pub into a four bed dwelling and build two three bedroom semi-detached homes in the pub car park.

Original plans included converting the pub into a four bed dwelling house, with two semi-detached homes.

Construction of the two homes commenced earlier this year and are expected to be completed in 2018.

Due to the poor state of the building, developers then sought to demolish the building after it was found the current conversion plans were not "economically viable".

Although no final decision has been made on how the historic building will be used following the demolition refusal, director of Torran Construction John Rodgers has confirmed that the original renovation plans may still be explored, or the building may be sold to another developer to allow them to renovate the building.

Other "planning possibilities" are also being reviewed.

Controversy surrounded the building earlier this year after the roof of the building was removed, leading villages to question whether the move was deliberate to "wreck the building".

In an objection written to Thanet District Council, Sally Whitwoth of Margate Civic Society said: “I am concerned the developers have already removed the roof and appear to be trying to demolish the building before planning permission has been granted.

"Part of the top floor has gone – any further demolition should be stopped immediately.”

She added: “The original plan to turn the building into dwelling houses should remain in place – to pull down such an historic building in the village to replace with modern houses perhaps just shows how little the past is valued in Thanet."

A spokesman for Torran Construction said that the roof was removed as it was in a poor state and needed repairing.

According to John Land’s book Village Pubs Of Thanet, the Crown and Sceptre began life as two farm dwellings as long ago as 1660 before becoming a pub.

From the https://theisleofthanetnews.com By Kathy Bailes, 10 January, 2018.

Thanet council serves notice on Acol Crown & Sceptre owner ordering rebuilding works.

Thanet council has served notice on the owner of the former Crown and Sceptre pub in Acol ordering them to carry out rebuilding works – including the replacement of the roof.

Last October an application submitted to demolish the pub and build two homes in its place was refused.

The former Shepherd and Neame pub shut in May 2012. It was then put on the market for £240,000 but only one offer was received and that was later withdrawn.

In April 2013 it was sold for a sum below the original asking price but was deemed unsuitable to open as a pub again.

The planning application from Torran Construction was vehemently opposed by many residents in the village.

Margate Civic Society objected to the “complete annihilation of the historic building.”

The building is currently in a poor state with the roof gone and weather damage inside. The notice served by Thanet council requires the roof to be replaced.

The premises dates back to the 15th century.

The TDC Section 215 notice orders the:-

Rebuilding of the front elevation wall and from second floor cill level and repairing of any cracks within the main building elevations.

Replacement of the three front windows in the same design and materials as previously installed.

Replacement of timber roof structures and replacement of the roof using the same materials and design as before.

Rebuilding the north end gable of the rear addition.

The notice will take effect from February 7 and requires the work to be completed within three months of that date.

A TDC spokesman said: “The council can confirm that a Section 215 Notice has been served on the owners of the Crown and Sceptre. This requires works to be carried out to the building, including rebuilding the removed parts of the front elevation and replacing the roof, to bring it back to an acceptable standard.’

“The notice comes into effect in February, unless an appeal is received beforehand, with a three-month compliance period. If an appeal is made to the magistrates court and accepted before the notice comes into effect then further action will held in abeyance while the appeal is heard.”

A Section 215 notice can be served on any interested party where land or buildings have become untidy and are considered to adversely affect the amenity of the area. There is a right of appeal to the magistrates court.

From the https://theisleofthanetnews.com By Kathy Bailes, 29 October, 2018.

Former Crown & Sceptre pub in Acol sold at auction.

The Crown & Sceptre pub.

The former Crown & Sceptre pub in Acol has sold at auction for £152,000 – the lower end of the £150-£160,000 guide price.

The property went under the hammer at a Clive Emson auction today (October 29).

In October 2017 an application submitted to demolish the pub and build two homes in its place was refused.

The former Shepherd and Neame pub shut in May 2012. It was then put on the market for £240,000 but only one offer was received and that was later withdrawn.

In April 2013 it was sold for a sum below the original asking price but deemed unsuitable to open as a pub again.

The planning application from Toran Construction was vehemently opposed by many residents in the village.

Margate Civic Society objected to the “complete annihilation of the historic building.”

In January Thanet council served notice on the owner ordering them to carry out replacement and repair works to the roof and structure.

The building is currently in a poor state with the roof gone and weather damage inside.

Part of the premises dates back to the 17th century.

From the https://theisleofthanetnews.com By Kathy Bailes, 24 July, 2019.

Former Crown and Sceptre pub in Acol sells at auction – again.

The property has planning permission to be converted into two homes; one with two bedrooms and the other with four.

It was among 124 lots listed for sale by Clive Emson, the land and property auctioneers, at its latest sale.

The former hostelry lies between Birchington and Minster and had a freehold guide price of £165-175,000 but sold for £215,000.

Kevin Gilbert, auctioneer, said: “This was a fine opportunity for a builder to create new, in-demand residential properties.

“It is a large building in a good location and therefore we anticipated a great deal of interest, which we received.”

The former pub last sold at auction in October 2018 for £152,000.

In October 2017 an application submitted to demolish the pub and build two homes in its place was refused.

The former Shepherd and Neame pub shut in May 2012. It was then put on the market for £240,000 but only one offer was received and that was later withdrawn.