DUKES HEAD Pub of Hythe

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Hythe, August, 2024.

Page Updated:- Monday, 19 August, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1795-

Duke's Head

Closed 2016

9 Dymchurch Road

Hythe

https://whatpub.com/dukes-head

Above photo taken 31 August 1983, kindly sent by Chris Excell.

Above photograph and sign below right by Paul Skelton 9 June 2013.

Above showing the side view. Photo taken by Patricia Streater, 10 June 2013.

Abobe photo 2016.

Duke's Head sign left March 1991. Sign right June 2013.

Above with thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com

Above aluminium card issued June 1951. Sign series 3 number 13.

Above advert, date unknown.

Kentish Chronicles, 14 August, 1795.

Death.

Saturday died, at Hythe, Mr. Leo. Watches, master of the "Duke's Head," public house, at that place.

Kentish Gazette, 2 March, 1821.

An inquest was taken on Monday last, at the "Duke's Head," Hythe, before Robert Finnis, esq. Mayor and Coroner, on view of the body of Elizabeth Mannering, aged 21, found in the Royal Military Canal near the above house, in the morning of that day. The deceased had been missing more than a month, and from the appearance of the corpse, had lain that time in the water.

Verdict — Found Drowned.

From https://hythehistoryblog.wordpress.com accessed June 2024.

On 2 February 1815, a young Irishwoman approached the Hythe Overseer of the Poor, George Scott. Her name, she said, was Jane Harris and she was the wife of George Harris, a soldier in the 95th Regiment, and the mother of his five children. George had been sent overseas, to America and had not left her any means of support. She showed him a document, which proved all she said and asked him for money to get her and the children to Dover, where she had friends who would help her.

George Scott had no reason to doubt her. Many soldiers left their families unsupported when they were posted and he knew that the 95th, the Green Jackets, were constantly on the move. He gave her six shillings and sixpence.

Shortly afterwards, however, he was told that a party of ‘vagrants’ was in town and using false documents and that his ‘Jane Harris’ was one of them. He found her at the "Duke’s Head inn," in company with two other women, Mary Welch and Mary Davis, and several children.

Scott then went and searched the yard of another public house in Hythe, the "King’s Head," and found a quantity of stolen printed forms for emergency passes, mostly issued by the City of Canterbury.

He said later he had been ‘acting on information.’ The information came from Mary Davis. She really was the wife of a soldier, but had fallen in with the group and subsequently fallen out with them and was now getting her revenge. She also told Scott that it was Mary Welch who was the organiser of the scam. It was she who supplied the documents but not the one presenting ‘uttering’ – them, so she was at once remove from the offence. Presumably she also got a cut of the ‘takings’.

‘Jane Harris’, whose real name was Mary Supple, was arrested, along with Mary Welch, who had been wanted for some time by Bow Street police in London. Both women were committed to Hythe Town gaol. In fact the fraud had been going on across the county. Only weeks before the Hythe arrests, another woman was detained in Rochester for exactly the same trick, but using the name of Easterwood. She was sentenced to seven years transportation, and that was the sentence Mary Supple received, too, from the Hythe magistrates. Mary Davis gave evidence for the prosecution. Of the organiser, Mary Welch, there is no further trace after she was sent to London for trial.

Mary Supple had been born in County Cork in about 1791 and had married Patrick Beehan, though whether he was at this stage alive or dead we do not know. They had a child together, another Patrick, born in 1813 in Ireland. Little Patrick was with Mary when she was arrested and was transported with her in July 1815. They sailed on board the ship Mary Anne along with ninety-nine other women convicts for New South Wales, arriving on 19 January 1816 – this was an unusually long voyage.

Between 1788 and 1852, about twenty-four thousand women were transported to Australia. Some of these, until about 1820, were given their ticket of leave on arrival – if they had either money or a recommendation from the ship’s captain. The others were sent to The Female Factory at Parramatta, a squalid loft above a gaol.

We don’t know which of these happened to Mary, but she had the very good sense to find herself protection early on. She married, or perhaps co-habited with, James Nugent, another convict who had been sentenced to twenty-one years in 1811 for highway robbery. A single convict woman in New South Wales was incredibly vulnerable and regarded by the authorities, other convicts and free settlers alike as fair game for abuse and exploitation.

Mary worked as a laundress and she and James had three children: James, Mary and Thomas.

She died in 1830, but all her children, including her first, Patrick, survived childhood and married and had children of their own and lived long lives. Their descendants still live in Australia.

Canterbury Journal 12 January 1850.

On Tuesday last, the quarter sessions for the borough of Folkestone were holden at the Guildball, Folkestone, before the Recorder (J. J. Lonsdale, Esq.,) the Mayor (D. Major, Esq.,) and Messrs. C. Golder, Wm. Major, and S. Bateman, magistrates.

James Osborne, labourer, late of Hythe, was indicted for having stolen a piece of copper, value 9d., the property of Mr. Owen Fickell Algar, proprietor of the "Pavilion Hotel."

Guilio Giovarni, manager of the "Pavilion Hotel," deposed that the piece of copper was brought to him by Pearson, the policeman, and which he recognised as being the top of a “bain marie” It had not been used for two years; originally coat 25s.; and had been put away in the scullery.

Matthew Pearson, policeman, on the 25th of December, went to John Myers, the marine store dealer, at Hythe, in consequence of information he had received; saw the piece of copper produced; asked where it came from; was told by Myers that he had purchased it from the ostler of the "Duke’s Head Inn," named Osborn Lee; took it away and brought it home; next day took it to the "Pavilion Hotel," where the servants identified it as being the property of Mr. Algar.

John Myers, marine-store dealer, deposed that Osborn Lee, ostler of the "Duke’s Head," brought the piece of copper produced; asked him how he came by it; said it was all right; told him all right was sometimes all wrong; gave him 4s. for it, but told him he might have the difference in the price, if any, at some future time; did not know the exact value; told him, over and over again, he was afraid it was stolen.

The Recorder cautioned this witness about his dealings, and told him to be more cautious in future.

Osborn Lee, ostler at the "Duke’s Head," Hythe, deposed to selling the piece of copper for Osborne, without any suspicion that it had been stolen.

Mary Roker, still-room maid at the hotel, identified the copper as belonging to the “bain marie” at the "Pavilion." Saw it last in the still-room, two or three years since.

William Francis, whitesmith, identified the copper produced, it being fitted by him in the place it occupied.

The prisoner, on being asked what he had to say, stated that about a fortnight ago he was sent for a load of ashes. One of his master's sweeps was down the ash-hole at the "Pavilion Hotel;" he passed the piece of copper through the hole, and when be (prisoner) cautioned him about it, he said all thrown in there belonged to the sweeps. The sweep asked him to sell it for him, and he passed it to Osborn Lee for the purpose.

The Recorder summed up, and the jury, having retired for a short time, acquitted the prisoner. He was, however, detained in custody, to be brought up as evidence against the sweep.

James Graham, the sweep alluded to in the previous trial, was then indicted for having stolen the piece of copper, value 9s., and pleaded Not Guilty.

The evidence in this case was precisely as before, with the addition of James Osborn's statement as to the conversation between him and the sweep, and his undertaking to sell the item in question.

Witnesses were called to speak to character.

Verdict: Guilty – one month's imprisonment.

Kentish Gazette, 15 January 1850.

QUARTER SESSIONS.

On Tuesday last, the quarter sessions for the borough of Folkestone were holden at the Guildhall, Folkestone, before the Recorder (J. J. Lonsdale, Esq.,) the Mayor (D. Major, Esq.,) and Messrs. C. Golder, Wm. Major, and S. Bateman, magistrates.

James Osborne, labourer, late of Hythe, was indicted for having stolen a piece of copper, value 9s., the property of Mr. Owen Fickell Algar, proprietor of the "Pavilion Hotel."

Guilio Giovarni, manager of the "Pavilion Hotel," deposed that the piece of copper was brought to him by Pearson, the policeman, and which he recognised as being the top of a "bain marie." It had not been used for two years; originally coat 25s.; and had been put away in the scullery.

John Myers, marine-store dealer, deposed that Osborn Lee, ostler of the "Duke’s Head," brought the piece of copper produced, asked him haw he came by it, said it was all right, told him all right was sometimes all wrong; gave him 4s. for it, but told him he might have the difference in the price, if any, at some future time; did not know the exact value, told him, over and over again, he was afraid it was stolen.

The Recorder cautioned this witness about his dealings, and told him to be more cautious in future.

Osborn Lee, ostler at the "Duke's Head," Hythe, deposed to selling the piece of copper for Osborne, without any suspicion that it had been stolen.

Mary Roker, still-room maid at the hotel, identified the copper as belonging to the "bain marie" at the "Pavilion." Saw it last in the still-room, two or three years since.

William Francis, whitesmith, identified the copper produced, it being fitted by him in the place it occupied.

The prisoner, on being asked what he had to say, stated that about a fortnight ago he was sent for a load of ashes. One of his master's sweeps was down the ash-hole at the "Pavilion Hotel"; he passed the piece of copper through the hole, and when he (prisoner) cautioned him about it, he said all thrown in there belonged to the sweeps. The sweep asked him to sell it for him, and he passed it to Osborn Lee for the purpose.

The Recorder summed up, and the jury, having retired for a short time, acquitted the prisoner. He was, however, detained in custody, to be brought up as evidence against the sweep.

South Eastern Gazette, 14 February, 1860.

DEATH.

On the 30th ult., at Hythe, the wife of Mr. J. Forster, of the "Duke’s Head Inn," aged 60.

South Eastern Gazette, 23 October, 1860.

APPEAL.

Kemp v. The Justices of Hythe.

This was an appeal against the judgement of the justices of the borough of Hythe, in respect to a license being refused for the appellant's house, the "Duke's Head," at Hythe. Mr. Biron appeared for the appellant, and Mr. Addison for the respondents.

Mr. Biron informed the bench the nature of the appeal, where Mr. Addison requested that the notice of appeal might be proved. Mr. Biron replied that he was not then in a position to do so, as his witness was not in court, but would be there in the course of an hour. Mr. Addison said he had understood that the notice had not been served upon all the magistrates.

The Bench suggested that the appeal should be proceeded with, and the service of the notice should be proved when the witness was present.

Mr. Biron laid the facts of the appeal before the court. It was an appeal against a judgment of the Hythe borough magistrates in refusing to grant a licence to the appellant for the "Duke's Head," at Hythe, at the annual licensing day held on the 6th of September. The house in question had been public for 100 years, and for a very many years it had had a licence. A few years since a man named Foster took the house, to whom a licence was granted, and the business was carried on by him up to the last annual licensing day. Foster wished to get rid of the house, and assigned the goodwill to the appellant, Kemp, who had been a constable of Hythe. He (the appellant) informed the Hythe bench of magistrates that was it was his attention to take the house, to which they replied that they thought that as Kemp was a constable, it was not right that he should keep a public house in the town of Hythe, and that if he took it he must resign his office as constable. At the same time the appellant was told that in order to give him an opportunity to tender his resignation, a special meeting of the watch committee should be held. Kemp accordingly gave up his office, which he had held 30 years. He attended the licensing meeting, and was then told, without any reason being assigned, and without any evidence being given, that the licence was refused. He (Mr. Biron) thought that a most extraordinary thing, as they did not give the appellant an opportunity of speaking. If there had been any sound reason for the refusal of the licence, it would have been better if the bench had told the appellant first that they did not think that he was a proper person to keep a public house, and that there would be some difficulty in Grant in the license. That would have been the better course to have been taken, as the appellant had resigned the office of constable in the anticipation that a licence would be granted him. The appellant had attended the court very frequently, had shown considerable intelligence in discharging his duties, and was known to every person in the neighbourhood. He had also raised a little money from his earnings, which he had invested in the purchase of the goodwill of the "Dukes Head." He (Mr. Biron) would hand in a memorial in favour of the appellant, signed by six of the borough magistrates, the church wardens, some members of the town council, and 200 of the burgesses.

Mr. Addison then took a legal objection, which arose upon two Acts of Parliament, viz., the 9th of Geo. 4th, chapter 61, and the 5th and 6th Victoria, chapter 44. In the present case it was required by those Acts that the magistrate should have notice of the intention to apply for the licence, in order that they might have an opportunity of seeing whether the applicant was a fit and proper person. Now it had not been proved that anything of the kind had been done, but Mr. Biron had proceeded under a section which did not apply to the case in question. The application for the licence had reference to an annual general licensing day, and under the Act it was required that the notice of the application should be given also to the constable and overseer of the parish, but that had not been done.

Mr. Biron, in reply, contended that it was unnecessary, as the bench had heard the case, and they knew all the facts. It had also been publicly talked of. The magistrates, knowing the case, gave their judgment by refusing that license. He could not conceive what Mr. Addison required.

After a little consideration, the Chairman said the bench had ruled in favour of the objection, and he remarked that the course taken by the appellant was most discreditable.

From http://www.folkestoneherald.co.uk 1 December 2014. By Amy Woodland.

Plans to convert pub into housing move closer.

TOWN councillors have given their support to a plan to convert the Duke's Head pub into housing, due to tough economic times.

The owners of the Hythe pub have applied for permission to change the use of the main Grade II-listed, early 19th century building to three homes and for an outbuilding to become a separate dwelling.

It is the second time plans to redevelop the pub have come before the council. In April last year the town council said they would support a change of use if the owners could show that the business was no longer viable.

A report by chartered building surveyors, Godden Allen Lawn, submitted as part of the application, states: "Obviously the proximity of Sainsbury's with supermarket prices and offers has had an adverse affect, but even so the neighbourhood has five public houses and two subsidised clubs in total competing for the same dwindling customer base."

It adds that while the business keeps its "head above water" it does not generate enough to pay for renovations that are needed and reveals that attempts to sell the business as a going-concern have so far been unsuccessful.

At a meeting last Tuesday, councillors on Hythe Town Council's plans and works committee agreed to support the conversion of the Dymchurch Road pub.

The plans submitted as part of the application also propose the demolition of garages in the car park of the pub to make way for four flats, but town councillors were only asked to comment on the listed building consent on Tuesday.

Cllr David Own said: "We sent this back because we needed confirmation that the business was not viable. I think we have that now."

He said he had "grave concerns" about putting flats on the site but added: "On the basis of what is here I am happy to agree this proposal."

Cllr Malcolm Dearden said: "I can remember when it was a very busy pub.

"Although I regret the loss of the Duke's Head to the town, people are not going out like they used to. Therefore I agree that this is all they can do."

Shepway District Council will make the final decision and has a target decision date of December 16 for both the listed building consent and the planning application for the pub.

From http://www.ghostpubs.com accessed 17 June 2015.

HAUNTED.

At this most ancient of ports, with close to the canal, the Dukes Head exhibits ghostly manifestations. These include an old man called George. He has been given that name by employees who have ‘met' him, since his history is unknown. Locals know George manifests on regular occasions, with strolls around in a most benign manner. Hythe is one of the Cinque Ports, with although it is on a broad bay of the English Channel, silting removed its harbour three centuries ago.

From an email 17 June 2015.

There seems to be a lot of comment about the pub being haunted – my mother, age 91 daughter of H T Membrey, says she knows nothing about this and certainly “George” wasn't in existence when she lived there.

Harry Thomas Membrey was married to Lottie and they ran the pub together.

Kind regards,

Lesley Quinn.

From an email 2 June 2016.

The pub as run 1975-1990 possibly longer by Betty & Bernard Hamilton. I stayed there many times and stories of a ghost never surprised me.

On the day they took over the pub, the previous tenants had seemingly just got out of bed and walked out the door, personal possessions left in every room!

I'm not often in Kent but went to have a look the other day. Looks like it's been closed for a while and the owners want to convert to residential. Another pub gone!

John Beecham.

According to John Beecham, the pub has been closed for some time. (4 June 2016)

Latest news from Sylvia Thomas tells me that the pub is likely to be turned into housing. (January 2018).

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Molly Mileham-Chappell, 20 April 2018.

Grade II listed former pub Dukes Head in Hythe on the market for £1 million.

Mystery surrounds the future of a former boozer after it was put up for sale with a huge price tag.

The "Dukes Head" site on Dymchurch Road in Hythe has been slapped with an on-application guide price of £1 million.

The dilapidated pub, which dates back to the early 19th Century, was in operation until 2016 but has been left empty since its closure.

The Dukes Head on Dymchurch Road (1506394)

The venue is deemed to be historically important and was first listed as a Grade II property in 1950.

It's sale is being advertised as a freehold property through London-based estate agents Alex Neil.

The property is described on the estate agent website as: "A former Public house, set within a large plot located on the edge of a large residential area.

"The development is of brick construction under a pitched tile roof and is understood to be Grade II listed.

"This is a redevelopment opportunity to potentially convert the existing buildings into a multiple mixed unit residential development.

"It could also be considered as mixed use development, all subject to planning permission (STPP)."

It means any proposed development regarding the future of the site will have to be in keeping with some of the building's original features, limiting the scope for what it could be transformed into.

However, subject to planning permission, the site has potential for uses such as apartments, or a bar or café and suitable applications could be considered by Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC).

A FHDC spokesman said: "Obviously we could consider any planning applications that are put forward by the buyer, but until then, it is not our place to speculate."

In 2014, when the building was still a drinking establishment, an application to turn the site into three properties, as well as convert the barn into another, while erecting a two storey block of self contained flats was refused.

The decision was on the grounds that it "would result in the loss of an existing social and community facility and it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated in the application that there is no longer a need for the facility and that it is unsuitable for adaptation into a viable enterprise."

At the time, one objector John Carpenter commented: "This pub is an asset of community value. Pubs are under threat throughout the UK and local authorities have a duty to protect what is a vital part of our cultural heritage."

In February last year, FHDC, then known as Shepway, granted permission for the development on the land for a roof extension and other external alterations to convert the outbuilding for residential use.

Listed building consent was also given for the alterations o the basis that work would begin within three years, but the property is now on sale.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Oliver Leonard, 21 December 2022.

The Duke's Head in Hythe set to be turned into flats and restaurant or cafe after being left empty since 2016.

A historic pub that has been empty for six years is set to be turned into flats and a restaurant or cafe.

The Duke's Head, in Dymchurch Road, Hythe, was finally sold this week to investors who have ambitious plans for the site.

The ground floor of the Grade II-listed pub, which dates back to 1795, must be used for commercial purposes.

The new owners - property developers Link ID - are understood to be keen to turn the downstairs into a restaurant.

Meanwhile, the first floor will be converted into three flats, while two new houses will be built overlooking Hythe Green.

There are also plans to demolish the existing garage block at the site in order to provide parking for the new residents.

Planning permission has already been given for the changes to be made.

A CGI submitted with planning application showing the building overlooking Hythe Green.

A CGI submitted with the planning application.

A rare look inside the bar at The Duke's Head.

The pub was originally put up for sale for £1 million in 2018, but due to a lack of interest the price dropped to £825,000.

After years of failed attempts to find a buyer, on Tuesday it was snapped up by Link ID.

Michelle Ferbrache, The Good Estate Agent franchise owner for Hythe, was delighted to get the deal over the line, having only taken on the site in May.

"I feel completely chuffed that as a local estate agent I have been able to secure the sale after so many years," she told KentOnline.

"We have been lucky to work with a great investor development company Link ID.

A CGI submitted with the planning application.

"I feel really pleased for the Hythe residents that this is finally done. It gives me great pleasure to be able to do this for the seller, the buyer, and the locals."

The pub occupies a prominent site near the canal and residents have become frustrated at the sight of it being left unused for so long.

"I think Hythe residents will be really happy," Miss Ferbrache said.

"I’m hoping for an Italian restaurant!

"From the conversations I have had with the new owners, I do think they are swaying towards the idea of a restaurant. I think it would do the town a lot of good."

Link ID announced the sale on their Facebook page last night and have already started receiving positive feedback.

One user commented: "Lovely! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!"

Another said: "Absolutely great news, congratulations. Excited to see it unfold and brought back to life!!"

Co-owners of Link ID, Craig Shields and Suzanne Elsey, are both keen to begin work.

Mrs Elsey commented on Facebook saying: "We are so excited. We can't wait to get started."

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Oliver Leonard, 6 February 2024.

Work to transform The Duke's Head in Hythe set to be completed by April.

A historic pub dating back more than two centuries is set to reopen later this year after sitting abandoned for seven years.

New owners of the long-empty Dukes Head in Dymchurch Road, Hythe have confirmed building on the site to turn it into a cafe or restaurant should be finished by April.

The ground floor of the Grade II-listed pub, which dates back to 1795, will be used for commercial use and a one-bedroom and three-bedroom flat is being built above.

As well as this, the existing barn building adjacent to the former pub is being converted into a three-bedroom semi-detached house.

Planning permission has also been granted for the erection of two three-bedroom dwellings within the rear car park.

The new owners - property developers Link ID – purchased the site in December 2022.

Suzanne Elsey of Link ID told KentOnline she is “excited to bring the historic building back to life”.

“After speaking to people in Hythe I know they have been fed up with the eyesore and I think this development will add to the community,” she said.

“It will be nice to see such a historic building being brought back to life as it was left in such a state.

“Hopefully it means there will be housing for people that want to stay in Hythe and will also bring business into this part of the town.”

The pub was originally put up for sale for £1 million in 2018, but due to a lack of interest, the price dropped to £825,000.

After years of failed attempts to find a buyer, it was snapped up by Link ID.

Ms Elsey estimates work at the site will be completed by April this year and says they have already had interest in the properties.

She added: “We are hoping to sell the new homes to local residents or people that want to move into the area.

Planning permission has also been granted for the erection of two three-bedroom dwellings within the rear car park.

The former Dukes Head in Dymchurch Road, Hythe could is set to be used as a cafe or restaurant.

“Our aim is to improve local neighbourhoods. So we would rather they were not turned into Airbnbs.

“We have already had plenty of interest in the old pub but the council has said the new business can only open until 6pm which could cause us some issues.”

Despite the fact the Dukes Head was able to stay open until 11pm when it was trading, the new business will have some limitations on opening times.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) says within the planning documents that the use of the restaurant premises will be restricted to the hours of 9am-6pm on weekdays and Saturdays.

On Sundays and bank holidays, the commercial space will be open from 9am-4pm.

Ms Elsey says this is something Link ID is not appealing at the moment, but may in the future if it affects the sale of the building.

LICENSEE LIST

WATCHES Leo 1795+

KING Thomas 1828+