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237-238 London Road
Dover
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Above photo by kind permission of Dover Library ILL/1330. Date circa
1910. |
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A trip for regulars at The Fountain 1910. |
Above photo circa 1960, kindly supplied by Terry Wheeler of the Ramsgate
History Society. |
The Fountain 1976 (Photo by Paul Skelton) |
On the corner with Erith Place, it was built on the former site of a
farmhouse and that in its turn had stood on part of the grounds of William
Kingsford's brewery. I never discovered the origin but it is known that
Edmund Ashdown made a successful application for a spirit licence in 1863.
By 1910 it was serving Gardner's Ales.
It was previously known as the "Prince of Wales" and with another house of like
name in the immediate vicinity at Shooters Hill some confusion existed. The sign was
therefore changed to "The Fountain" in 1873. We already had the "Fountain"
at the Market Place and an "Old Fountain" at Stembrook so the logic escapes
me. It survived just the same and served Gardner for many years before
passing to Whitbread.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 24 August, 1881. 1d.
BUILDING NOTICES
The surveyor reported in favour of the proposed alterations of cant
windows, etc., at the “Fountain Inn,” Buckland, by Mr. Ashdown, which
were in accordance with the bye laws.
The report was adopted, and the alterations allowed subject to there
being no objections by the neighbours.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 19 February, 1886.
A sad case of death occurred at Buckland last Sunday morning. A youth
named William Ashdown, son of Mr. E. Ashdown, of the “Fountain Inn,”
Buckland, went to his work on Saturday as usual to the Packet Yard, but
whilst there he was taken in a fit, and was obliged to return home. On
Sunday morning, as he did not seem to be much better, Dr. Duke was sent
for, but before the doctor arrived he expired. Deceased had, it seems,
been for some time under the care of Dr. E. F. Astley, suffering from
bronchitis and a weak heart.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 9 July, 1886. Price 1d.
APPLICATION
On the application of the landlord of the “Fountain Inn,” Buckland, the
Magistrates granted an early license for the place to open at 5 a.m.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 11 November, 1887. Price 1d.
ASSAULT CASE
Alfred Davis, and Thomas Hills, were charged with assaulting Henry Hogg,
on the 31st of October, at Buckland.
Henry Hogg said: I live at Prospect Place, Buckland, and last Monday
night between 10 and 11, when I was in the “Fountain” public house,
Buckland, the two defendants came in and began to abuse me, and when I
was leaving about ten minutes to 11, the defendant Hills, came out after
me and caught hold of me and wanted me to go back into the house.
I went back and asked them what they wanted, and as I was coming away,
they pushed me against the window and tore my coat. The defendant Hills
interfered with me on Jubilee day.
Henry Hush stated that he was in the “Fountain Inn,” Buckland, on Monday
last about 10.30. The complainant Hogg was there and also the two
defendants. Witness saw the defendant Hills push Hogg, when he got
outside the house.
Charles George Pettitt, living at Herbert Cottage, Buckland, gave
corroborative evidence.
The Bench dismissed the case.
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During the second world war, a barrage balloon used to be moored just
outside, and I am informed by Phil Eyden that his next-door neighbour, who
has lived in the area since 1942, can remember it being shot down on at
least one occasion.
A short close in the 1980's but reopened by Stephen
Benn in July 1986. Trading ceased again in March 1990 and it was on offer
for £70,000. It reopened on 18 May 1991 as a free house, re-titled "The
Sportsman". Michael Phillips.
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From the Dover Express, 26 May,1944.
At the Dover Police Court on Monday, George Victor Lovell of the “Fountain” Inn, 238 London Road was fined £1
for allowing light to show from the premises.
Defendant wrote pleading guilty.
Supt Saddleton said that at 10.5 p.m. on 5th May, P. W. R. Sladden saw a
bright light showing from the unscreened public bar window of the
“Fountain” Inn. He was unable to make the occupier hear by knocking on
the door, so he climbed over the gate and turned out defendant, who said
that the public house had been closed all day as he had been in London.
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Dover Express 18th August 1944.
SECOND BLACK-OUT OFFENCE.
At the Dover Police Court on Friday before Messrs. G. Golding, W. G.
Jeffery, C. Byford and J. H. Brazier and Mrs. Binge. George Victor Lovell, “Fountain” Inn, London Road, was summoned for
allowing light to show from the premises at 11.10 p.m. on 17th July. PWR Finn said that the light was showing through the public bar door. He
got no reply to his knocking, so, with PC Steggles, he entered the rear
of the premises and put out the light. The black-out curtain was on the
floor. Defendant suggested that someone must have broken in. Insp. Drury said that the defendant was fined £1 for a similar offence
on 22nd May. Fined £3. |
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 15
May, 1953.
THE DRUNKEN PIPERS
Spent Night in Police Cells
Trying to force their way into the "Fountain Inn" on Thursday last
week, just on closing time, two soldiers were told by a policeman to get
back to barracks. They continued trying to get into the bar and were
taken to the Police Station.
This was told to Dover Magistrates on Friday when Fusiliers Joseph
Adlington and Anthony Daniels, both aged 23, of the Royal Inniskilling
Fusiliers, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in London Road.
They had spent the previous night in custody and were both conditionally
discharged.
Inspector Piddock told the court that P.C. Blunden saw the men pushed
out of the Inn, then trying to get back inside. The Inspector said he
understood that there had been a little trouble in the bar and "time"
had been called when the soldiers wanted more drink.
From defendants' unit an officer pointed out that both men were
pipers in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The Secretary of State was
visiting the Regiment later that day and the band was going to beat
"Retreat."
Announcing the conditional discharge, the Chairman of the Magistrates
(Mr. G. Golding) told the soldiers that he hoped the troops would enjoy
themselves in the town but that kind of conduct was undesirable.
"You belong to a well-known and respected regiment - and you are
letting that regiment down. Enjoy yourself but don't lower the tone of
the town or the regiment.
"Now go away and I hope the Secretary of State will hear the pipes in
full-strength," he said.
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LICENSEE LIST
ASHDOWN Edmund 1873-84 (also carpenter age 44 in 1881 )
 
BIRCH Joseph or John Charles 1882
BURDEN James Apr/1886-1905 end
     
CASPELL John Frank Apr/1905-17
 
PANTER Robert 1917-32+
    
KINGSNORTH Herbert senior 1933-39 end
 
HOLLAND Charles Horace Lawrence 1939-Oct/42 end
O'CONNELL Thomas 2 Oct 1942-Aug/43
LOVELL Mr G V Aug/1943-46 end
GILMORE Mrs Frances H 1946
GILMORE James 1948-50 (
GILMAN F G)
PALLET William T 1953-55 end
ADAMS Frank R 1955-56+
COOPER William Frederick H 1969-72
YOUNG William R G N 1974-81
Gardner & Co
BENN Stephen Howard Kenneth 1987
From the Post Office Directory 1874
From the Post Office Directory 1882
From the Post Office Directory 1891
From the Kelly's Directory 1899
From the Post Office Directory 1901
From the Post Office Directory 1903
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1909
From the Post Office Directory 1913
From the Post Office Directory 1922
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1923
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1924
From the Post Office Directory 1930
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33
From the Post Office Directory 1938
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1938-39
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1948-49
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
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