GATE Pubs of Dover

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, August, 2024.

Page Updated:- Monday, 26 August, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1868

Gate

Latest Oct 2003

79 Crabble Hill (Buckland Street)

Dover

Above photo of the "Gate" date unknown.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo, 1930s, kindly sent by Michael Mirams.

Above photo, 1972.

Above photo, 1986, kindly sent by Michael Lock.

Gate Inn circa 1987 (Photo by Paul Skelton)

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 15 October, 1869.

ASSAULT

John Golder, a farm servant, was summoned by James Thompson, a gardener, for unlawfully assaulting him on the 1st of October.

The complainant said he was a gardener , living at Ash. On Friday afternoon he met the defendant in the "Gate" public-house, at Buckland, when they had some porter together. They afterwards started on their journey, and witness and the defendant walked and chatted together. After they had gone some distance they lay down on a bank. While they were laying down on the bank, talking the defendant said he did not care for anybody. He (witness) made the same remark, whereupon the defendant got up and struck him several times. He had not struck defendant. The defendant's mate was the only person present. The defendant afterwards went on his journey, and on meeting witness again, asked him to make it up, and witness shook hands with him, witness fearing that if he did not do so he would be struck again by the defendant.

The defendant admitted striking the complainant, but said that he had done so in self-defence.

He called William Cox, who said he lived at Wimbledon Oats and was the defendant's mate on the day in question. he was on Whitfield Hill near to defendant's waggon, when he heard the defendant and complainant jeering at each other. he heard defendant say that he did not care for anybody. He saw the complainant getting up, and heard him repeat the same words used by the defendant, when the defendant went up and struck complainant. They afterwards shook hands.

A letter was laid before the Bench written by the employer of the defendant, giving him an excellent character.

The Magistrates considered the assault proved and fined defendant 2s. 6d., and costs 10s., which he paid.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 14 May 1870.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF A CHILD.

The borough coroner, W. H. Payn, Esq., held an inquest on Friday afternoon, at the "Gate Inn," Buckland, on the body of a child two months old, named Hannah Elizabeth Franklin. The evidence showed that the child had been overlaid by its mother, and the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental suffocation."

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 24 June, 1870.

COX v. QUESTED

This was a claim of £7 12s. 9d. for public-house fixtures, the defendant having taken the "Gate Inn," at Buckland, from the plaintiff, and undertaking to pay for the fixtures when he should have obtained his beer license.

Mr. Minter was for plaintiff.

Charles Cox: I formerly occupied the "Gate Inn" at Buckland, and gave up possession to the defendant at Michaelmass last. On leaving the house certain fixtures were left in the house, for which the defendant undertook to pay when he should have obtained his beer license. The undertaking was given in writing, and I produce it. The beer license was obtained by the defendant in March last.

The defendant did not deny the agreement, and his only reply to the case was that the license under which he was selling was only a permissive one, and that he would pay as soon as it was made permanent.

The Judge considered that the license had been obtained within the meaning of the agreement, and ordered the defendant to pay the amount in two instalments.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 16 September, 1870. Price 1d.

THE ANNUAL LICENSING DAY

FRESH APPLICATIONS

A licence was granted to James Quested (supported by Mr. Lewis) for a beer house at Crabble Hill.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 1 March, 1872. Price 1d.

BEER LICENSE

Mr. Coleman applied for a license to sell beer at the "Gate" public-house, Buckland, for Mr. Birch, the late landlord of the "Flying Horse Inn," King Street, which was granted.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 6 September, 1872. Price 1d.

ANNUAL LICENSING MEETING

Application was made by John Fenn for the licence of the “Gate,” Buckland, to be transferred to him. In reply to the Magistrates, he said he had never kept a public-house before, but had been employed as an engine-driver by Mr. Robson, of Crabble. When asked by Mr. Stillwell if he had any certificates to character, he produced a couple of papers, but the first was only an approximate certificate, being a receipt for £18, and the other was a circular the applicant had received from Mr. Stillwell. The production of these “certificates” was hailed with considerable mirth by the crowded Court; and as the applicant did not seem inclined to make a further search among his papers, which appeared he kept promiscuously in his pockets, he was told that he must make another application at the adjourned meeting at Broadstairs, and then provide himself with the necessary documents.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 18 April, 1873.

PUBLIC HOUSE OFFENCES

John Finn, the landlord of the “Gate,” was charged with serving intoxicating liquors during illegal hours, on the previous Sunday.

Police-sergeant Raymond deposed: I was on duty at Buckland on Sunday morning last, and visited the “Gate” at 11.45. In the back part of the premises I found three artillerymen, wearing the badge of military police. One had a quart pot in his hand about three-quarters full of beer. The landlord and landlady were both present. I asked the landlord how this happened; and he said the men came to the door and asked for beer, and he served them. I told him I should report the case.

The Magistrates fined him 20s. and 9s. 6d., the conviction to be endorsed on his license.

Richard Harrison, John Malony, and James Cruckling, three artillerymen, were charged with drinking on the premises of the “Gate” during illegal hours, on the previous Sunday.

The defendants Harrison and Malony pleaded guilty, and Cruckling not guilty.

The Magistrates fined defendants 1s. and costs, 9s. 6d; to be paid on the following Monday morning, with the alternative of seven days' imprisonment.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 6 January, 1905.

LICENSING

The landlord of the "gate Inn" applied for an extension of an hour on the occasion of a Slate Club dinner on the 4th, which was granted.

From a local paper 1908.

CHILDREN IN BARS.

NOVEL METHOD OF EVADING THE LAW.

An application was made by Mr. Lister, from Messrs. Gardner and Co., for leave to build a porch to the "Gate Inn," at Crabble Hill. It was stated that the porch was being made in order to serve children under the age of 14 in jugs or bottles, they, by the Children's Act- not being allowed to go into a bar.

It was stated that the children would be served through a window. There would be no entrance into the house.

Mr. Bradley said that as it was to carry on the legitimate business of the house, he thought it should be granted. As to the question of serving children, that would bb left to the applicant’s own responsibility. There must be no drinking from this window.

Mr. Lister said that they would see that it was not, as it would defeat their ends.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 5 March, 1909.

CHILDREN IN BARS

NOVEL METHOD OF EVADING THE LAW

At the Dover Police Court on Friday morning, an application was made by Mr. Lister, from Messrs. Gardner and Co. for leave to build a porch the the "Gate Inn," at Crabble Hill. It was stated that the porch was being made in order to serve children under the age of 14 in jugs or bottles, they, by the Children's Act not being allowed to go into a bar.

It was stated that the children would be served through a window. There would be no entrance into the house.

Mr. Bradley said that as it was to carry on the legitimate business of the house, he thought it should be granted. As to the question of serving children, that would be left to the applicant's own responsibility. There must be no drinking from the window.

Mr. Lister said that they would see that it was not, as it would defeat their ends.

From the Dover Chronicle, 6 Mar, 1909.

CHILDREN IN PUBLIC HOUSES

NOVEL APPLICATION

At the Dover Police Court, on Friday, Mr. Lister, of Messrs. Gardner and Co., asked for leave to build a porch at the "Gate Inn," Crabble-hill.

Mr. Lister stated that the porch was being made in order to serve children under the age of 14, in jugs and bottles, they being, by the "Childrens'" Act, not allowed to go into the bar.

Mr. Bradley said that as it was to carry on a proper and legitimate business of the house, the application would be granted.

The picture, above, is a water colour by James H. Tucker showing Crabble Hill in 1869 with the old tollgate some distance away from the Gate Inn. The picture is owned by former ambulance driver Mr Joe Harman who also has a copy of a picture by the same artist depicting the old windmill and Kingsford's brewery at the foot of Coombe Valley Road.

From the Dover Express. 1957ish

JUG AND BOTTLE BAR DISAPPEARED.

Above photo showing the truck loaded with crates of tinned food, this heavy vehicle crashed into the jug and bottle department of the "Gate Inn," Crabble Hill, on Tuesday morning.

CRASH AT THE "GATE INN."

A eight ton lorry, fully loaded with crates of tinned food crashed into the side of the "Gate Inn," Crabble Hill, on Tuesday morning, and completely demolished the "jug and bottle" bar.

The crash occurred shortly after opening time, but, very fortunately, there were no customers in this bar.

The lorry, owned by Bermondsey haulage contractors, was driven by 51-year-old Mr. Walter Davis, of Camberwell, who escaped with minor cuts and bruises.

"Another vehicle travelling in front of me down Crabble Hill stopped rather suddenly, and I was left with the choice of crashing into a horse and cart coming up the hill, or trying to turn off into Pioneer Road," said Mr. Davis afterwards.

"If I hadn't been fully loaded I might have made it, but, as it was, I hadn't a chance," he said.

Mrs. Eames, the wife of licensee Mr. Sam Eames, who is in hospital at the moment, said she was serving a customer in the saloon bar when there was a sudden crash.

"I though the whole house was coming down on top of me," she said.

Colin Kingsnorth stands beneath his historically inaccurate pub sign and the actual sign in question. 5 August 1983.

From the Adscene Thursday 5 August 1983

Pub sign on wrong track.

Road to Rail - thanks to brewery mistake.

SHARP eyed passers-by on Crabble Hill, Dover, were surprised to see rail bad taken over from road.

The new inn sign at The Gate shows a steam train being held up by the gate on a railway crossing.

But The Gate Inn, at the corner of Pioneer Road, got its name from the highway tollgate that stood close by until about 1871

For years successive inn signs have shown a gate on a road. Landlord Colin Kingsnorth, in his fifth year at The Gate, says customers have told him it's been changed three or four times in their lifetime.

One sign, of a five bar road gate, read: This gate hangs well and hinders none, refresh and pay and travel on.

Mr Kingsnorth says: "This change of sign has nothing to do with me. It's been a talking point among customers."

Pub owners Shepherd Neame decided the inn sign needed a repaint so they put up the new one showing the wrong kind of gate.

Jonathan Leach, surveyor with the brewers and responsible for signs says: "There's no reason for the change. We are in the middle of a three year programme replacing the signs on nearly 400 pubs.

Not purposely

"I personally did not know the reason why this pub was called The Gate but the research would have been left to consultants who would have submitted their proposals to us.

"Often we replace signs like-for-like but not always. This change to a railway scene was not done purposely."

Said a customer in the bar: "Perhaps they know something we don't. Perhaps they are planning a railway crossing on Crabble HiII!"

Correct Gate sign left, 1987. Sign right November 1993.

Above with thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com

On the corner with Pioneer Road and retailing in 1868. The name was derived from the toll gate which stood close by to late 1871, the sign amply demonstrating the fact. It had been a private residence before entering the trade. The house was originally built for a foreman paper-maker who was employed at the mill opposite.

I mention a licence refusal in 1869 because Quested was granted one in 1870. That was for a beerhouse on Crabble Hill. It suggests he may have reopened here but it is possible that a "Liberty" retailed lower down the road.

The sign that still hung in 1906 still made reference to the toll gate it was named after, said the following:-

"This gate hangs well and hinders none,

Refresh and pay, and travel on."

Dover Mercury 30/Oct/2003

Where collectors would take a toll

A PUBLIC house which marks the spot where tolls were once collected on the main road from Dover to Canterbury is up for house.

The Gate Inn, at Crabble Hill, is among the lots going under the hammer at Clive Emson's auction at the Ramada Hotel, Hollingbourne, next Thursday, October 30 2003.

Tolls towards the cost of maintaining the roads were collected until the middle of the 19th century.

The Corporation bought the rights and used the gate to collect the dues for coal coming into the town. A policeman who was near retirement was lodged in the Tollhouse to man the gate.

Planning permission has now been given for the conversion of the building into two three-bedroom houses.

From the website www.thisiskent.co.uk. Thursday, November 14, 2008.

TRIBUTES TO RAIL DEATH DAD

TRIBUTES have been paid to local footballer and dad-of-two Carl Dancer who died after being hit by a train near Dover Priory Station last week. Carl Dancer

The 30-year-old, of Lowther Road, was spotted on the track at Buckland Junction by the driver of the 9.18pm Faversham to Dover train at 10.05pm on November 5.

The driver is understood to have sounded his horn after seeing Mr Dancer but could not avoid striking him.

British Transport Police said his death is not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Dancer, a railway maintenance man, was well known in Sunday League football circles, playing for Gate FC before his untimely death.

He was father to 18-month old, Mia, with partner Charley Dryden, 18, also of Lowther Road and son Jordan, eight, from a previous relationship.

Former Astor College pupil Carl had three brothers: David, 34, Matt, 32 and Steven, 29. His parents Timothy, 57, and Diane, 53, live in Whitfield.

Elder brother Matt, of London Road, Dover, paid tribute to Carl on behalf of the family.

He said: "He was a charmer. He knew how to talk to the ladies. He had the words. He was one of the funniest people you could find. He knew how to make you laugh. He loved his football. We just miss him."

London Fancy box worker Matt said Carl had visited his house at 9pm Wednesday last week, the night he died.

He said: "He just came up to see me and borrow something. He was only here for a couple of minutes."

Charley's grandmother June McTaggart, 69, of Chamberlain Road, said grieving Charley is still coming to terms with Carl's tragic death.

She said: "You just don't know. Different people take it in different ways. You can be devastated to hear the news and then all of a sudden there's a blockage like it's not happened. It's a tragic thing."

After Charley was told of Carl's death she went to stay at her mum Sheree's, Monins Road home to be comforted.

For the last five years Everton fan Carl played for Sunday League side Gate FC, winning four Premier Division titles and at least eight cup winners' medals.

Gate FC joint manager Gary Spiers said his teammates are "devastated" by the news.

He said: "They are just completely gutted. Carl was a smashing lad, very quiet. I can't speak any higher of him."

The incident caused major delays to the network with some trains terminated early at Folkestone, Ashford and Canterbury, and the 10.54pm Dover to Ramsgate train called back to the station. The 750 volts conductor rail had to be shut down until the following morning while police cordoned off the platform.

*Carl's funeral is at Barham Crematorium tomorrow from 1.20pm. The dress code is informal with an Everton FC theme. Messages of condolence will be read out at the service. A wake follows at The "Sportsman" pub in London Road, Dover.

This number will vary over the years. A road widening was effected lower down in when some properties disappeared but the project was not finalised until post war. An outlet of Shepherd Neame that was serving till 2006 when it ceased trading and is now a Chinese Takeaway titled "Yummy".

Photo above by Paul Skelton 8th Sept 2007. Now closed Gate Inn, now Chinese takeaway called Yummy.

( Closed web http://www.doverpages.co.uk) 26th October 2003

The "Gate Inn" Public House first became a public house in 1868 the first landlord then being C Pryor. Previous to becoming a public house the building was a foremans cottage from Crabble Mill. This historic building has been sold by the owners Shepherd Neame. It closed as a public house on Sunday 26th October 2003.

Just below the building stood the old toll gate from which the pub takes it name in the 18th & 19th century this was one of the main gates into Dover from places such as Canterbury and London. After going through this tollgate travellers would then go down the hill to what is now Buckland Bridge where they would go through a weir crossing the river Dour and on into Dover.

The pub nearest to Crabble Tollgate was the 'Liberty Inn' just up from the "Three Cups" this pub dated from 1861.

An eight ton lorry loaded with crates of tinned foods crashed into the side of the "Gate Inn" on Crabble Hill 17th September 1957 and completely demolished the bottle and jug bar. Fortunately the crash happened just after opening and there were no customers in the bar.

The lorry owned by a Bermondsey haulage contractor was driven by 51-year-old Mr. Walter Davis, of Camberwell.

Mrs. Eames. the wife of licensee Mr. Sam Eames who was taken to hospital, said "she was serving a customer in the saloon bar when there was a sudden crash, I thought the whole house was coming down on top of me.

LICENSEE LIST

PRYOR C Jan/1868