|
14 Margaret's Street
Canterbury
Above photo showing the inside of the pub in 1942, kindly sent by Rory
Kehoe who says the following:-
"I'm not sure if this next bit is strictly true but let's say it is!
The pub had previously been the "Freemason's Inn" but the Baedeker raid
put paid to the north side of the building, which included the
accommodation and the undercroft, under which which carriages, cars etc.
accessed the old stable yard. All this is 100% correct. With no
accommodation, the "Freemason's Inn" could no longer accommodate bona
fide travellers and was, therefore, downgraded to being a mere Tavern.
Sounds fair to me! However, the "Fremason's Tavern" was still knocked
about pretty badly and there was some delay in it re-opening. The
regulars referred to their local as "Dirty Dick's" and some wag, rather
poignantly, placed this sign by the beer pumps! |
Above picture from 1965 shows a miner's May day rally outside the old "Marlow
Theatre." To the left of that is the "Freemason's Tavern." |
Above map 1874 identified by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, August 2017, kindly taken and sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Originally called the "Mermaid"
the house had changed name by 1858.
In 1917 the premises was also referred to as the St. Margaret's Hall and
the Y.M.C.A. branch held its meetings there.
14A St. Margaret's Street was owned by Gardner & Co, Ash Brewery, as
their Brewery Office in 1889, and were advertising their Family Bitter Ale,
4 1/2 Gallons 4/3 & 6/3 For Cash on Delivery. Full price list on application
at the stores. Canterbury, Dover, Hastings, Ashford, Ramsgate,
Sittingbourne. In 1917 the manager was named as E. J. Martin
The pub closed on 5 April 1965 and the licence held in suspense following
compulsory acquisition.
|
From the Dover Express, 17 March 1860.
BIRTHS.
March 8, at the "Freemason's Hotel," Canterbury, the wife of Mr. W.
H. F. Moore of a son.
|
|
From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 2 June 1900. Price 1d.
CANTERBURY POLICE COURT, FRIDAY.
Before Mr. J. Cox (in the chair), Mr. J. Hunt, and Mr. H. G. Sadler.
THE MUSIC HALL AND THE STAGE PLAY.
Mr. Lang, proprieties of the "Freemasons' Hotel," was summoned for on
the 16th May allowing a stage play to take place in the Music Hall
without getting the consent of the Town Council.
The defendant, who was represented by Mr. Scripps, pleaded not guilty.
Superintendent Farmery stated that on Wednesday, the 16th, he went to
St. Margaret's Hall at about 9.30 p.m. The hall formed part of the
licensed premises of the "Freemasons' Hotel," and there he saw a
laughable sketch being played by Mr. Arthur Roberts and Company. The
title of the sketch was "Stop, thief, or Desperation.” There were five
persons, including Mr. Roberts, in the performance. There was no
singing; it was all speaking. The play lasted about a quarter of an
hour. In cross-examination witness said he did not get the name of the play
from Mr. Graham Falcon. Mr. Falcon was present, but he was not bringing
these proceedings. Witness took them himself. He did not hear one of the
company announce that as the hall was not licensed only selections would
be given from the sketch. Mr. Scripps called Mr. Victor Roi, who deposed that be was a theatrical
provider. He made an arrangement with Mr. Roberts to come down and give
an entertainment at St. Margaret's Hall. He engaged him as a concert
party. When the bills were sent to witness a stage play was advertised,
viz. a sketch called "A Race for a Thousand Pounds." Witness ordered the
printing. On the evening of the 16th May witness told Mr. Roberts that
the hall was not licensed for stage plays. Mr. Roberta replied " Very
well, then we will give selections from the sketch.” It was not a stage
play as given by Mr. Roberts. Witness wrote to Mr. Roberts when Mrs.
Lang received the summons, and Mr. Roberts wired and referred witness to
the author of the sketch in London, who had had it acted time after time
in the London music halls, and no notice had ever been taken of it. The Chairman and the magistrates considered a breach of the law had been
committed. The defendant was liable to a fine of £20, but as this was
the first time she had been before them, they would deal leniently with
the case, and only impose a fine of £1 with costs. |
LICENSEE LIST
USHER John 1858+
MOORE William H F 1860-62+ (age 32 in 1861 )
 
BEKEN A 1868+
SKINNER John 1874+
GOLDSMITH Alfred W 1881+ (age 35 in 1881)
GILLETT F 1882+
FEWSON H 1889-91+
HOOKER John W 1891+ (age 45 in 1891)
JEFFREY George William 1917+
HOLLOWAY James 1940+
BAXTER W G 1949+
http://pubshistory.com/FreemasonsTavern.shtml
From Melville's Directory 1858
From the Post Office Directory 1862
From the Post Office Directory 1874
Census
From the Post Office Directory 1882
From the Post Office Directory 1891
Historic
Canterbury web site www.machadoink.com
Greens
Canterbury Directory 1868
|
