DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 31 March, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1735-

Friendly Port

March 1920

125 Mongeham Road

Great Mongeham

Friendly Port Great Mongeham 1905

Above photo taken in 1905 and kindly sent by Terry Wheeler of the Ramsgate Historical Society.

Friendly Port, Great Mongeham

Above photo of the Friendly Port, right of picture, date unknown, kindly supplied by Sue Solley.

 

The Friendly Port, is reputed to have been frequented by smugglers and smuggled spirits were for sale. It also became local tearooms later in it's life before becoming a dwelling, now known as 125 Mongeham Road.

The land in between the Friendly Port and the "Three Horseshoes" once hosted village allotments, along with other land behind the closed dairy site.

I am sure that the "Three Horseshoes" had just as chequered a history, as it has been a well used hostelry since at least 1735 and is mentioned in many old books when you look up Great Mongeham.

Henry III gave a grant to hold a weekly market on Thursdays in Great Mongeham, and for a three day fair, for cattle and peddling on October 17th, 18th and 19th each year. However, this became a one-day fair held on October 29th annually. There was a meadow off Mongeham Road where this took place, which I suspect to be between these two public houses and on the land behind them. This was always known as Fair Field.

 

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 10 October 1891.

DEAL. FIRE AT MONGEHAM.

At a quarter-past three on Friday afternoon, the Deal Fire Brigade received a call to Mongeham, a fire having broken out on the premises of the "Friendly Port" public-house, situated on the east side of the Main road. The Brigade turned out very quickly, arriving on the scene about half-past three, but by that time the flames had obtained a firm hold of the building, and the roof being constructed of thatch, the fire spread very quickly indeed. There being no water near, the engine was of little or no use, but the Brigade worked the harder, and though the extensive premises were completely gutted, we believe they were successful in preventing the flames from extending to the adjoining property. It seems that the fire broke out at about three o'clock in an old cottage in the rear of the "Friendly Port" public-house. The Deal Fire Brigade were called at 3.12 and by 3.20 had proceeded to the scene with their engine and hose cart. The "Friendly Port" and three cottages adjoining were found to be well alight, as also the old cottage and outhouses in the rear. The whole of the property being roofed with thatch, and, being very old, the fire rapidly gained. The Fire Brigade had but little water, and this was very wisely reserved in case any of the houses and buildings should became ignited. It is believed that the property is all insured, and the cause of the fire is not yet known.

 

Dover Express 22nd September 1916.

Eastry Rural District Tribunal 13th September 1916.

A. G. Hopper, the “Friendly Port”, Great Mongeham, aged 33 blacksmith – conditional exemption.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 21 March, 1919.

WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS

Next on the list was the "Friendly Port," Great Mongeham.

Superintendent Stone said the population was 410, and there were two houses. There was another house which was just out of the village, but it made three within one hundred yards of each other.

Dr. Hardman said that there were signs of growth in the district, and a sinking (coal) was shortly to be made in the village of Northbourne adjoining. The house was already fulfilling a need in the village as witnessed by the memorial they received.

The application for the license was granted.

 

 

It looks as if that license wasn't long lived as on April 3rd, 1920, the property was sold for £600.

 

From the Deal, Walmer and Sandwich Mercury, 29 November 1919.

Among the awards of compensation in respect of licensed houses decided last week by the East Kent Compensation Authority, were the following:-

"Friendly Port," Great Mongeham. - £1,236 (Messrs. Russell & Co., Gravesend, £1,106, and Mr. A. G. Hopper £130).

 

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 29 November 1919.

COMPENSATION FOR EXTINGUISHED EAST KENT LICENCES.

At the supplemental meeting of East Kent Compensation Authority held at Canterbury last week, under the presidency of Lord Harris, the amounts awarded by the Committee's valuer (Mr. Cobb) were apportioned among owner and tenants, as follows:—

"Friendly Port," Great Mongeham, £1,236 (Messrs. Russell and Co., £1,106; Alfred G. Hopper, £130).

 

From the Deal, Walmer and Sandwich Mercury 20th March, 1920.

Messrs. S. HINDS & SON

Have received instructions to Sell by Auction at THE MART, PARK STREET, DEAL. ON WEDNESDAY, 31st MARCH, 1920, at Three o'clock in the Afternoon, in Nine Lots, the following FREEHOLD AND LEASEHOLD PROPERTIES

Lot 1. -- A Detached Freehold Brick-Built and Slated Property, recently known as "The Friendly Port," Great Mongeham, with vacant possession; together with a small Freehold Cottage, Coachhouse and Garden in rear.

From the Deal, Walmer and Sandwich Mercury dated April 3rd, 1920:-

Property Sales. -- Messrs. S. Hinds & Son held two successful sales of property at the Mart, Park Street, Deal, on Wednesday. [...] In the other sale the following prices were realised : Freehold lately known as "The Friendly Port," Great Mongeham, with vacant possession, £600.

 

Former Friendly Port Former Friendly Port

Above pictures taken from Google Maps 2010.

Friendly Port 2014

Above photo, May 2014, kindly sent by Erik Hartland.

 

LICENSEE LIST

BIRD Henry 1871+ (age 41 in 1871Census) (Beer-shop keeper)

DRAYSON Daniel 1881-91+ (also agricultural labourer age 28 in 1881Census)

COX Thomas 1901+ (age 71 in 1901Census)

HOPPER Alfred Hopper 1911-19+ (listed as Bricklayers Labourer 29 in 1911Census)

https://pubwiki.co.uk/FriendlyPort.shtml

 

CensusCensus

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

TOP Valid CSS Valid XTHML