DOG AND DUCK Pubs of Stourmouth

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Saturday, 22 April, 2023.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1800s

Dog and Duck

Open 2020+

West Street

Stourmouth

Plucks Gutter

01843 821264

https://www.dogandduckpub.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/dog-duck

Above photo showing the original "Dog and Duck" in about 1902, when it was on the opposite side of the road, showing the new river bridge being built.

Above photo kindly supplied by Edney Abbott, date unknown.

Above postcard, date unknown.

Above photo late 1950s, kindly supplied by Doug Pratt.

Above photo, 1950s, kindly sent by Michael Mirams.

Above photo kindly supplied by Charles Gibbes-Paveliev circa 1936. Who says the man on the right, in the lighter coloured suite, is my father George who ran the small farm attached to Stourmouth House until he joined the RAF in 1940.

Again supplied by Charles Gibbes-Paveliev circa 1936.

Above photo, circa 1973, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above sign left July 1986. Sign above March 1991.

Above sign left 2007. Sign right 2013.

Above with thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com and 2013 sign Doug Pratt.

Above sign, July 1991.

Above drawing, 2018.

Above photo December 2013, kindly supplied by Doug Pratt.

Above photo taken and sent by Rory Kehoe July 2018.

Above photo, 2023, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. This is the only pub found, which has etched glass windows advertising "Francis A White's Stourmouth Ales." Major F. A. White died in 1904 and this, along with the Stourmouth brewery and 10 other pubs was sold, in May 1905, to Flint & Co's St. Dunstan's (Canterbury) Brewery, for £16,500.

The above pub was built in 1902 after it replaced the original Dog and Duck and is built on the river Stour and is now a public house and caravan park. Just above the pub is the Stour Bridge, rebuilt in the 1990's. In the late 50's it was an iron structure with high girders and the Army Disposal Unit had to be called out as a bomb was found during routine repairs.

A local story I have heard says that during the building of the bridge here last (19th) century, a Pluck is said to have ferried the builders to and fro across the river, and in friendly appreciation of his services they nicknamed this stretch of the Stour "Pluck's Gutter". It seems from further information, this must just be a local rumour as the name Plucks Gutter is listed from the 1700's and certainly long before the Road Bridge was built in 1902; so the tale that it was named after a Mr Pluck during the bridge building is wrong.

However, the real story of how the name Pluck came to be goes back far before the bridge and according to local tradition, the river Stour at this point takes its name from a Mr Pluck, a landlord of the Dog and Duck inn although the current landlady of the pub (Susan Fagg) says Mr Pluck never held a license for the pub, he was the Dutch immigrant who drained the land in the 1500s and was given some acres "in perpetuity" in lieu of pay!!

The ferry Cottage was originally built about 1530 when it was a timber framed farmhouse and ferry; it is first recorded as an alehouse as well in 1622 when it was called The Dog and Duck. Many pubs are called this, especially where dogs were used to flush out ducks to guns and retrieve them.

The ferry cottage remained as an alehouse until Francis A White (owner of the Stourmouth Brewery, and a local councillor) contributed to the building of the new road bridge and the building of a new pub in 1902. He closed the old Dog and Duck at this time together with the ferry, and the cottage passed eventually to the water board as a sluice keeper's cottage.

Maps drawn in the first half of the 19th century sometimes show Plucks Gutter as Plux Gutter. In 1821-23, the notorious North Kent Gang of smugglers made use of Pluck's Gutter. They travelled some fourteen miles, on foot, through Trenleypark Wood to Stodmarsh, via Grove Corner to Pluck's Gutter where they crossed the river, northeast to Mount Pleasant then up to Marsh Bay.

Modern day maps still show Plucks Gutter, where the ferry used to run. Just under the bridge, right alongside the river, is a small cottage that was owned by the Water Board. During the '50s and '60s Mr and Mrs Fred HODGES lived here; Mr Hodges worked for the River Board. The writer (Maggie Baldwin) whom this information was taken, used to visit the cottage regularly as Mrs Hodges was her mother's best friend. This building was the original Dog & Duck - it had low ceilings, tiny windows, and small rooms. Moored on the river bank was a wooden boat known as a "blow boat" which the River Board used to clean the river. It was built by Maggies' father, who worked on it at one time and brought home lovely fresh eels that we stewed in a parsley sauce.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 18 October 1879.

FORDWICH.

At the magistrates' clerk's office for the Borough of Fordwich, Burgate-street, Canterbury, on Wednesday last, Jesse Adams, landlord of the beerhouse at Pluck's Gutter, in the Liberties of Fordwich, was summoned for being found drunk on premises licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquors in his own occupation on 28th September, 1879.

P. C. Verrall, K.C.C. proved the case. - Fined 5s., and costs 9s.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 4 March, 1921.

WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS

OBJECTIONS TO PUBLIC HOUSE LICENCES

Mr. Joseph applied for the renewal of the "Dog and Duck," Stourmouth. He mentioned that the house was in the position of a private hotel and was used by holiday makers and excursionists.

The house was referred.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 3 March, 1922. Price 1½d.

OBJECTED TO LICENSES RENEWED

The Magistrates set to hear objections to the renewal of licenses of three licensed houses in the District. In the first case, “Dog and Duck,” Stourmouth, Mr. R. Mowll appeared and formally asked for the renewal. He said that the licensee could not attend owing to being ill with phlebitis.

Sergt. Martin said the place was fully licensed, and was erected in 1902. The tenant, Daniel Deverson had been licensee since 1912. The owners were Messrs. Flint and Co. of Canterbury. The tenant also carried on business as a dealer in live stock and was a pensioner. There was very little trade carried on. It was about ¾ mile from Stourmouth and the nearest houses were “Rising Sun,” ¾ away and “New Inn,” Monketon, 1½ miles away. Witness did not consider that the house was required in the interest of the public.

In reply to Mr. Mowll, witness said that there was plenty of accommodation for visitors. The house was opposed last year on the same grounds.

Lord Northbourne asked why witness said that the house was not required.

Witness said that he based his opinion on the ground of statistics. The house was well conducted.

Mr. Godfrey: Do people stay at the house for fishing?

Yes, a few in the summer.

Mr. Mowll said that it was opposed last year on exactly the same grounds, but it was renewed and his submission was that the house should never have been objected to this time. It served a very useful purpose - the Bench had the figures of the trade and would not dwell on them – for people staying in the district.

The Bench retired, and, on their return, said that the license would be renewed.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 15 January, 1937.

The Magistrates approved plans for alterations to the "Dog and Duck," Stourmouth, involving the private and public bars, the tea garden and the cellar.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 16 December, 1939. price 1½d

LICENSE EXTENSIONS

The "Dog and Duck," Stourmouth, was granted extensions till 11 p.m. on 26th December, for dances, in aid of the Services Comforts Fund.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 10 July 1942.

Gaming in Public House

Frederick David Chell of the "Dog and Duck," Stourmouth, pleaded guilty to using his premises as a gaming house.

Mr. E Weale prosecuted, and it was stated that P.C. Reynolds visited the premises and found three machines, one fruit and two others, pin tables. D.Sergt. Chaimberlain obtained and executed a search warrant, and took away the machines, the defendant being taken away before a magistrate and bailed to appear.

Mr. R. Mowll, for the defendant, said that there were a lot of these machines about.

Defendant was fined £5, £1 0s. 2d. witness expenses, and one guinea prosecutor's costs, and the machines were ordered to be confiscated. The 19s. 4d. found in the machines was ordered to be paid to the defendant.

East Kent Times and Mail, Wednesday 2 February 1972.

Death of Pilot Publican.

One of Thanet's most experienced and skilled pilots, publican Paul Cash, 51, had a heart attack and died in the early hours of Friday morning.

Mr. Cash moved from Nottingham to take over the "Dog and Duck" public house at Plucks Gutter 11 years ago. His main hobby was flying.

Mr. Cash was the chief instructor to Ramsgate Flying Club and the Cinque Ports Club. he was well-known too for his charity work especially for the spastics association.

Mr. cash leaves a widow, a son and daughter. The funeral will be at Barham Crematorium tomorrow.

LICENSEE LIST

PLUCK Mr 1800's

ADAMS Jesse 1874-79+ ( Beer retailer, Pluck's Gutter Ferry)