From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 10 December, 1869. Price 1d.

SUDDEN DEATH OF A CHILD

An inquest was held at the “Grapes Inn,” Winchelsea Street, on Saturday afternoon last, before the Borough Coroner, W. H. Payne, Esq., on the body of a child named Alma Tabitha Castle, the daughter of a warder at the Dover Prison.

The Jury, of whom Mr. John Morris was chosen the foreman, having been sworn, and the body viewed, the following evidence was adduced:-

Mrs. Ann Castle said: I am the wife of James William Castle, a warder at the Dover Gaol. The deceased was my forth child, and her age was two years and nine months. She has been delicate from her birth. The child was six weeks old when it was attended by Dr. Astley, and sometime after that it was attended by Dr. Baird. It was an out-patient at the Hospital at the time. It got better, and continued sometimes better and sometimes worse until Thursday last, when it appeared to have a cold, and seemed loaded in the chest. This morning, a few minutes before seven, I found it wheezing very much and called one of my daughters. I found some phlegm on one side of her mouth, which I wiped off. I think took her in my arms, and had scarcely done so when she expired. I sent for Mr. Walter, who soon attended; but the child was dead. I had not given it any medicine for about a week.

By the Jury: The child was not subject to fits.

Mr. John Walter said, I am a surgeon, residing and practising in Dover. Shortly before eight o'clock this morning I was called to see a child at No. 16, Winchelsea Terrace, and on going to the house I found the child dead. On examination I found no marks of violence upon it. I have no doubt the child died of bronchitis. The deceased was very delicate and small for its age. The glands of the throat were much enlarged. There was nothing suspicious about the appearance of the child. I could not tell the exact cause of death without a post mortem examination.

The Jury found the deceased child dies from “Natural Causes.”

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 1 April, 1881. Price 1d.

TO BE LET

The "Grapes Inn," Winchelsea Street, Folkestone Road, doing a large and very respectable trade; no premium; incoming by valuation about £300. The position of the house is very commanding, being free from competition, and advantageously placed for securing the trade to the Clarendon Estate.

Apply to

Messrs. Worsfold & Hayward

Auctioneers and Valuers,

Market Street, Dover.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 7 August, 1885.

INQUEST

An inquest was held this morning at the “Grapes,” Winchelsea Street, on the body of a married woman, Cowley, who died suddenly when alone in her house on Wednesday. A verdict of natural causes was returned.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 30 August, 1889. Price 1d.

DOVER BREWSTER SESSIONS

THE GRAPES, WINCHELSEA

The landlord of the “Grapes Inn,” Winchelsea Street, was called up. The Chairman said that he had been fined for having his house open at improper hours. He must be careful not to offend again, or the license might be forfeited.

Dover Express 21st June 1918.

The Dover Tribunal 19th June 1918.

The N S R applied for the review of the case of Mr. J. H. Mellor who was placed in Grade on April 1st 1918. He was assisting his father at the “Grapes” Inn and had been granted 6 months exemption which did not expire until October. He was previously in grade 111.

Mr. Mellor, the father, said that his son was suffering from paralysis of the shoulder.

The N S R asked if the man had not improved in health.

Mr Mellor said that he had improved with the dry weather. He was in the volunteers, but could not drill properly. Dr. Elliot said that it would never be right.

Mr. Robson said that, after the London Board put him ciii for a physical disability from which no one could recover, he should move that the review be not considered and the appeal was dismissed.

From the Dover Express 30 September 1998.

THE GRAPES INN: Last orders were called in the bar in 1997.

Grapes Inn makes a very tasty home

A well known former public house is one of the more interesting properties on the market at Dover.

The Grapes Inn at Winchelsea Street has a charted history over many years and was delicenced last year.

Over the past year it has been renovated and now offers a very spacious four bedroom family home for an asking price of £65,000.

The ground floor is particularly extensive, retaining the open plan aspects of the original bars formed around a central counter console.

These could be divided into four separate rooms if required, but subject to any necessary consents.

Saloon

A particular feature is a floor to ceiling natural brick chimney breast in the saloon area having a living flame log effect gas fire.

From behind the counter steps lead to two cellar rooms, one offering trap door access from the pavement, originally used to import beer barrels.

Upstairs there are four bedrooms, a bathroom with shower over the bath and a kitchen/dining room with a range of units and separate utility room leading off.

The property is heated by a gas system extending to radiators, and carpets as fitted are included in the sale.

At the rear is an enclosed walled garden with rear pedestrian access into Winchelsea Road.

Black Horse Agencies Gearing & Colyer are agents for the sale.

From the Dover Express 21 May 1998

ONE of Dover's oldest pubs is up for sale as a four bedroom house for £65,000.

The Grapes in Winchelsea Street, off Folkestone Road, was once one of two pubs in Dover with that name.

Agents for the sale, Black Horse Agencies, say that over the past year the property has been subject to improvements.

"The ground floor retains the open plan aspect of the original bars formed around a central counter console.

"From behind the counter steps lead to two cellar rooms with one offering trapdoor access to the pavement."