5 North Lane
Canterbury
Above map 1874 identified by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, circa 1926, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, circa 1926, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, circa 1954. Left of photo. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photograph by Edward Wilmot 1965. |
Above photo, date unknown. |
Above photo 1987. |
Above photo, 1988, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, circa 1989, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo taken from Google maps March 2009. |
Above photo, date unknown. |
Falstaff Tap sign left, 1967, sign right, May 1991.
Above with thanks from Rory Kehoe (left) and Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com |
Above beer-mat kindly sent by Mike Lyon. |
Whitbread sign.
Above card issued April 1955. Sign series 5 number 20. |
Listed as early as 1700 from brewers records, this could have been
associated with the "Falstaff."
The tap room being where beer was served from the tap or cask and often
relatively near to or indeed next door to (but not always) a larger premises
of the same name where coach drivers and servants were accommodated.
Licensee James Scutt was convicted for being open before hours in 1854.
The premises unfortunately closed in 1998 after shortening its name to
simply the "Tap." However, in 1999
Wethspoons bought the premises next door, named it the "Westgate Inn."
When the "Falstaff Tap" became the "Tap"
and subsequently closed, it was not subsumed within the "Westgate
Inn." The "Falstaff Tap" site is still owned by the "Falstaff
Hotel" and the premises are still used for storage and staff
accommodation. The old bat and trap pitch became hotel parking.
It is said that the house was situated in the poorer part of Canterbury
and the pub reflected this, having somewhat of a "spit and sawdust"
atmosphere.
From the Kentish Gazette, 23 September 1845.
Awfully Sudden Death.
Mr. Williams, who entered only last week into possession of the
"Falstaff Tap," Westgate, Canterbury, fell down in a fit, we believe, of
apoplexy, on Sunday evening, and was instantly a corpse. The deceased
appeared quite well and hearty after partaking of his dinner at noon.
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Maidstone Telegraph and West Kent Messenger. 28 August 1870.
James Elvey, landlord of the "Falstaff Tap," was charged with keeping
his house open for the sale of beer after 11 o'clock on Sunday night.
He
pleaded guilty and was fined 1s.; costs 12s. 6d.
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From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 31 March 1900. Price 1d.
DRUNK AND CARRYING FIREARMS WITHOUT A LICENSE.
Harold Shand wass charged with being drunk and incapable on the
previous night.
P.C. HoIness stated that at 11.20 the previous night he was in St.
Dunstan's when be heard shouts of "Murder" and "police." He went to the
"Falstaff Tap" and found prisoner there helplessly drunk. He was obliged
to take him into custody.
The Magistrates imposed a fine of 5s. and 6s. 6d. cost, or seven days'
imprisonment.
The prisoner was further charged with carrying firearms without a
licence on the same night.
Richard Bervel, a cabman, living at 54a, North Lane, deposed that he was
in the "Falstaff Tap" on the previous evening at about 8.15, and the
prisoner was there also. Witness saw him in the bar again at 10.20, when
prisoner was having something to drink. Prisoner and someone else were
speaking about the war when the former pulled out of his pocket the
pistol produced and some shots, saying, at the same time, that that
would do for the Boers. Witness asked prisoner to give him the pistol
and he did so. He asked him for it as he thought he might do some harm
with it as he was the worse for drink.
Serge. Swain stated that at 10.15 that morning he was in the police
office when he told the prisoner that the pistol was found on him, and
he asked him if he had a licence for it. He said he had not, and did not
know he required one as he had carried it for some years, and never had
one. Ha carried it while in the West Indies for his own protection.
The Bench imposed a fine of 5s. and 8s. 6d. costs, or seven days
imprisonment.
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From the Historic Canterbury web site www.machadoink.com
1907 "Falstaff" Mews, North Lane Canterbury. W. Burton, Proprietor.
Superior Broughams, Landaus, Victorias, Brakes, Waggonettes, Dog Carts,
etc., at reasonable terms. Funeral Cars and Carriages supplied. Complete
turn-outs jobbed. Special facilities for commercial gentlemen. Sole
Contractor at Canterbury West Station for Omnibusses and Flys. Orders
received at the "Falstaff" Mews and at Nash's Brushshop, 23 St. George's
Street. Tele No. 50. Patronized by Royalty. |
LICENSEE LIST
GREEN Henry
WILLIAMS Mr Sept/1845 dec'd
SCUTT James 1854+
ELVEY/ELPHEE James 1870-71+ (age 52 in 1871)
BURTON William 1874-91+
(and livery stables)
SADLER George Edward 1903+
NEWPORT C J 1913-22+
SWAIN Wallace 1930+
BETTNEY Charles Fred 1938+
HARRIS Ted & Bet ????
https://pubwiki.co.uk/FalstaffTap.shtml
http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/falstafftap.html
Stapleton's
Guide 1838
From the Post Office Directory 1874
Census
From the Post Office Directory 1882
From the Post Office Directory 1891
From the Post Office Directory 1903
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
From the Post Office Directory 1913
From the Post Office Directory 1922
From the Post Office Directory 1930
From the Post Office Directory 1938
Inns of Canterbury
by Edward Wilmot, 1988
Historic
Canterbury web site www.machadoink.com
Maidstone
Telegraph
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