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125 Mongeham Road
Great Mongeham
Above photo taken in 1905 and kindly sent by Terry Wheeler of the Ramsgate Historical Society. |
Above photo of the
Friendly Port, right of picture, date unknown, kindly supplied by Sue Solley.
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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It looks as if that license wasn't long lived as on April 3rd, 1920, the
property was sold for £600.
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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).
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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).
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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.
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Above pictures taken from Google Maps 2010. |
Above photo, May 2014, kindly sent by Erik Hartland. |
LICENSEE LIST
BIRD Henry 1871+ (age 41 in 1871 ) (Beer-shop keeper)
DRAYSON Daniel 1881-91+ (also agricultural labourer age 28 in 1881)
COX Thomas 1901+ (age 71 in 1901)
HOPPER Alfred Hopper 1911-19+ (listed as Bricklayers Labourer 29 in 1911)
https://pubwiki.co.uk/FriendlyPort.shtml
Census
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