HALF MOON AND SEVEN STARS Pubs of Preston

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 12 August, 2025.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1674

Half Moon and Seven Stars

Open 2025+

The Street

Preston

01227 722296

https://www.halfmoonandsevenstars.com/

https://www.facebook.com

https://whatpub.com/half-moon-seven-stars

Above photos taken by Paul Skelton, 21 August 2013.

Above photo shows the Half Moon and Seven Stars at Preston. Photo taken from http://www.roundsandsounds.co.uk

Half Moon and Seven Stars sign left July 1986.

Sign right, 2013, photo by Paul Skelton.

Above with thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com

Photo taken 28 January 2011 from http://www.flickr.com Jelltex.

Above photo, June 2017, kindly taken and sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, 2025.

In 1730 W. Simmons, a Margate brewer, acquired the premises.

Next earliest reference found so far is in the Wingham Division Ale Licence list, which shows the "Seven Stars," Preston, (without the Half Moon prefix) to be re-licensed for the sum of 8 shillings in 1740 indicating that the pub was present before 1740.

The pub was still being referred to as the "Seven Stars" in 1844 and the "Moon and Stars" in 1874 & 1882.

From information displayed inside the pub.

THE HALF MOON AND SEVEN STARS

This inn known by the name of the "Half Moon and Seven Stars," was built in the 3rd year of Charles I, in 1672.

When first built the property was a farm dwelling, consisting on a main tenement with stables and outbuildings. The amount of land attached to the house is hard to determine, it was at this early date bounded on all four sides by its own land, but these boundaries were interrupted by land belonging to other farms. It was owned by one Sladden Holness, a farmer of Preston Parish, who probably commissioned its building. He lived there from 1627 until the year of his death in 1849. He bequeathed his house and his estate of seventeen pounds to his widow Nyomi, however she had little benefit from her bequest since she died within a week of her husband. She had bore him ten children, but as was usual of the times not all of these survived the perils of infancy and at the point of the widow Holness' death only five were recorded alive.

It was to a son Gaylor, that the property eventually passed in 1649. In 1653, he sold eight acres of land belonging to the property to Jacob Culmer, farmer of Preston. In 1661, he disposed of a further five acres and in 1663, sold the house to Thomas Lynn, a saddler and harness maker of Minster. In 1674, he stood before Magistrates at Canterbury and offered two sureties on his good character to keep an ordinary house and was granted a license to sell ales under the terms of the licensing legislation of 1552. And so it was that in May 1674 the first ale was sold from this house, which at first bore no title of registration other than that of an ale-house at Preston-next-Wingham and that Lynn a saddler, harness maker and ale keeper was of that house.

in 1677, Lynn sold the house to Henry Mockett, a farmer of Ash-next-Sandwich. in 1693, he made it over in his will to his son Jacob and he in 1732 sold the property as a thriving ale house to William Symmonds, a brewer of Margate. In that same year, at a hearing to transfer the license, he registered the house under the title of the "half Moon and Seven Stars." He leased the house to James Streeter, a miller of Littlebourne, who kept it until his death in 1765, whereafter the lease extended to his widow Marie. In 1768, she gave up the house to Edwin R Jay and he in 1776 to Isaac Keel, a draper of Palace Street, Canterbury.

Keel kept the house and continued to conduct his original trade from it as well as sell ales, until his death in 1781, whereafter his son was granted an extension of the lease. He kept it until June 1803, when he was succeeded by John Hills, gaoler of Mill Hill, Sandwich. Hills son Lewis went on to fill his fathers position and was gaoler at Sandwich from 1828 until 1869. John Hills gave up the lease of the "Half Moon and Seven Stars" in July 1825, and was succeeded by Daniel Ralph junior. Daniel Ralph senior was a farmer of Mellon's Farm, Preston.

In 1833, the Symond's Brewery of Ramsgate sold out to Francis Cobb and Son, Brewer, also of Margate. As well as the brewery, Cobb's purchased the "Half Moon and Seven Stars," the "First and Last," at Herne, the "New Inn," the "Six Bells," the "George," and the "Prospect," at Margate, the "King's Head," at Sarre, the "Crown and Sceptre," at Acol, and several excise licensed beer-houses. In that same year of 1833, the "Half Moon and Seven Stars" was granted a wine and spirit license. One Walter Haynes was granted a lease on the house and kept it until 1846, when he was succeeded by William Hughes. in 1853, part of the title of the house was dropped and it became the "Moon and Stars". In 1854, Hughes gave up the tenancy to George Goldfinch and he in 1857, to John Harris, a pork butcher in Canterbury. He kept it until 1863, when he was succeeded by Ralph Sulley, a boot-maker of Preston Parish. His uncle Charles was parish clerk of Preston, whilst his father Stephen was a farmer... and his brothers, millers all of Preston. In 1866, Solley gave up the tenancy here in the partnership Thomas Huskins and Charles L Gibbs. Like the Solley's the Gibbs' family were prominent members of the parish. William Gibbs was a tenant at Deerson Farm whilst others were bakers and gardeners.

In 1870, Robert Harvey took over the house, but was replaced in the same year by James Sabin, who was here until 1877, when Benjamin Palmer, a tea dealer of Sandwich took over. He kept the house until 1893, when Thomas William Johnson took over, staying until 1902, when he was succeeded by Robert H Miles farmer of Preston parish. In 1906, the name of the house changed back to the "Half Moon and Seven Stars." In that year Robert Miles was succeeded by Thomas Henry Wilkinson, butcher of Sandwich, who kept the house until 1929, when he was succeeded by Victor Danes and he in 1932 by William Arthur Grounds. Grounds was succeeded by Lawrence Cox and he in 1944 by Ernest Davidson, who was the last tenant of the Cobb Brewery. in that they sold out to the Whitbread Brewery. Their first tenant was John Barlow, he was succeeded in 1959 by William Murray and he in 1966 by Frederick Parnard. He gave up the tenancy in 1976 to James Bettis and he in 1986 to Michael Murphy who was succeeded in the same year by Richard Williams the present keeper of the "Half Moon and Seven Stars."

Date unknown.

Kentish Gazette, 26 March 1844.

PRESTON NEXT WINGHAM. Caution to Publicans.

A short time back a number of silver tea and table spoons of about £6 value, the property of Mr. Hughes, the landlord of the "Seven Stars" public-house, was stolen from a cupboard which had inadvertently been left unlocked in the parlour. As soon as the robbery was discovered, Mr. Hughes made it known to the Canterbury Police, who exerted themselves in a very praiseworthy manner to obtain a clue to the theft, but unfortunately without effect. There is a Prosecuting Society in this neighbourhood for the mutual protection of the property of its members, and to which Mr. Hughes belongs, so that no doubt every available means will yet be exerted to discover the guilty party.

South Eastern Gazette, 1 November 1853.

Ash. Fatal Accident.

On Friday night week, Henry Baldock, in the employ of Mr. Austen Gardner, of this place, brewer, having been sent in the early part of the day with a load of ale to Herne-bay, was returning to the brewery, when an accident occurred, which deprived him of life. The body of the unfortunate man was discovered upon the roadway, at a place called Elmstone about three miles from Ash, by Mr. Norwood Woollett of Stourmouth. From the position of the horse and dray, it is supposed that, the night being exceedingly dark the cart was driven upon the bank skirting the road and overturned, when, falling on Baldock, it produced instant death, the horse remaining uninjured. The deceased was married, had one child, and his widow is far advanced in pregnancy. An inquest was held upon the body on Saturday week, at the "Seven Stars Inn," before Mr. Delasaux, when a verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

From the Kentish Gazette, 16 May 1865.

ST. AUGUSTINE’S PETTY SESSIONS.

Tuesday. (Before Wm. Delmar, Esq., and G. T. Tomlin, Esq.)

Stealing Money and Swindling.

Thomas Wanstall, was brought up on remand, charged with stealing at St. Stephen's, on the 3rd instant, 5s. in money from Mr. M. Greenstreet, and also with obtaining, by false pretences, at Harbledown, on the 4th instant, 13s. 6d. from John Ralph.

Mr. Delasaux appeared for the prisoner.

The circumstances of these two cases were reported in our last issue.

Mr. Delasaux cross-examined the various witnesses, but failed to shake their testimony, and the prisoner was committed for trial on both charges.

Wanstall was then charged along with another man named William Scott with obtaining money by false pretences, on the 21st April, from Charlotte, wife of Thomas Hopkins, of the "Seven Stars" public house, Preston. It appeared that, on the day in question, the prisoners went together to Preston, in a pony trap, and put up at the "Seven Stars." Wanstall told the landlady he had come to buy some pigs from a person at Preston, and that he should receive a reply in half an hour's time. After staying some time Wanstall went out, leaving Scott behind. When Wanstall returned he told the landlady he had bought the pigs, but had not money enough to pay for them, and asked her to lend him 18s. She replied that she was short of money herself, and should require all she had got to go to Canterbury market with on the following day. He told her that she would repay her at the "Flying Horse" public house, Canterbury, on the following morning, and as security his friend Scott would leave his watch, which was a four guinea one. Not having change to the amount of 18s., she then let Wanstall have two half sovereigns. On the following day she saw both the prisoners at Canterbury, but could not get back her money.

The statement of Mrs. Hopkins was supported by the testimony of her niece, who was present when the money was lent.

Mr. N. Jacobs, of Canterbury, deposed that he had sold several such watches as the one produced. Both the prisoners had been to his shop to buy watches of that kind, the selling price of which was 7s. 6d. each, or 7s. 9d. with chain and key. The watches consisted of works taken out of old watches which had become unsaleable, put into electroplated cases. The sale of such watches had increased considerably during the last six weeks or two months.

Both prisoners were committed for trial. They were also committed for trial on a charge of obtaining, by similar representations, the sum of 22s. 6d. from Michael Delany, of the "Magpie" public house, Rough Common, Harbledown. In this case the watch palmed off as security was represented as being worth three or four pounds.

Scott was also committed for trial on a charge of obtaining 28s. by false pretences from Mr. Richard Athon, of Wootton. In this case Scott pretended that he wanted the money to pay for a pony which he had bought at Denton, and left one of the 7s. 6d. watches, which he said was worth £3 10s., as security. He promised to repay the money on the following Monday.

From the Kentish Gazette, 4 July 1865.

The Notorious Watch Swindler.

Thomas Wanstall, a fish hawker, was indicted for obtaining by false pretences, the sum of 13s. 6d., from Thomas Ralph, with intent to defraud him, at Harbledown, on the 4th May, 1865. There were two other charges against him — one for stealing 5s. from Mace Greenstreet, at St . Stephen’s, on the 3rd May, and 20s. from Charlotte Hopkins, with intent to defraud her, at Preston-next-Wingham.

Mr. Barrow prosecuted, and the prisoner was undefended.

Mrs. Ralph deposed she was the wife of Thomas Ralph, the prosecutor. On Thursday afternoon, the 4th of May, the prisoner came to her house and wanted her to let him have 5s. He said he had a silver watch in his pocket, and that he gave four guineas for it about a twelve month ago. He showed her the watch. There was a sweep in his house, and he told witness that she would be all right if she lent him 5s. The prisoner asked her where her husband was, and on telling him, he went away, and returned with her husband. Her husband told her to go and get 13s. 6d. She told her husband she did not think the watch was silver.

Thos. Ralph, husband of the last witness, said that on the afternoon in question the prisoner came to him and asked him to let him have 13s. 6d., as he had bought some fowls and he wanted to pay for them. He had got a watch which he said he had given four guineas for about twelve months since, and he would let him keep it until he paid him the money. He never came back to witness to repay him the money.

Mr. Jacobs proved the value of the watch to be 7s. 6d., and stated the prisoner bought similar watches at his establishment in Sun-street, Canterbury. They could be obtained for 6s. from the manufacturer. They were old works of silver watches put in new cases of German silver, electro-plated.

The prisoner then addressed a few words in defence, and the jury found him "Guilty."

The case for obtaining 20s. from Charlotte Hopkins, by false pretences, was then gone into, and a person named Wm. Scott, a fish hawker, was charged in conjunction with the prisoner Wanstall.

Charlotte Hopkins stated she was landlady of the "Man (sic) and Seven Stars," at Preston-next-Wingham. On the day in question both prisoners came to me. The prisoner Wanstall asked me for 18s. in the presence of Scott, as he had not enough to buy some pigs, and if I did not like lending him it, he said Scott had got a four guinea watch which he would leave in my hands until he returned the money. Scott produced the watch, and said it was a silver watch, and he gave four guineas for it. I eventually let them have the money. I let him have £1, as neither of us had change.

In reply to Mr. Francis, witness said she let him have the money her lending the money.

Mr. Barrow said in that case he could go no further, and the jury returned a verdict of "Not Guilty."

Wm. Scott was again charged with obtaining by false pretences, the sum of £1 8s. from Richard Athow, with intent to defraud him, at Wootton, on the 7th April, 1865.

Richard Athow said that on the 7th of April last prisoner came to him, and he said he had got a pony and cart, with three pigs in it, at Denton, and that he had bought another pony and paid £1 deposit on it. He said he bought it at Denton, and he had not got quite enough money to pay for it. He wanted 28s. Witness believed what he said or else he would not have let him have the money. The prisoner offered him a watch, and said the watch would pay the money. On Monday witness told him that he did not want the watch so as he had the money. He let him have the money, and made inquiries at Denton, and found there had been no pony bought. He saw the prisoner there, and asked him what he meant by telling him such false things. He merely laughed, and asked if it was the first lie he had found him out in.

Both prisoners were sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 13 September 1879.

ELMSTONE.

The Court Baron of the ancient Manor of Elmstone was held on Saturday, the 30th ult., at the Manor House of Mr. William Chandler Heald, the Lord. In consequence of the court being appointed for a Saturday, the attendance of the tenants was not so numerous as heretofore. We were pleased to see, however, that the respected Rector of the parish and Mr. Dowker, of Stourmouth were represented. After the usual routine business, the Lord of the Manor and his steward (Mr. Thomas Dale, of 6, Furnival’s Inn, Holborn) accompanied the tenants to the "Moon and Stars Inn," at Preston, where the host, Mr. Palmer, had provided an excellent dinner. After this had been thoroughly well discussed, to the evident satisfaction of all present, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given and received with that feeling always observant amongst the loyal gentry and yeomen of Kent. The healths of Mr. and Mrs. Heald, and more particularly that of Miss Heald, were duly given and responded to; nor was that of Mr. Dale, so well known amongst the tenants of the manor, forgotten. After a very pleasant afternoon the meeting broke up. We congratulate Mr. Heald upon the kindly feeling he has created amongst all the tenants and inhabitants round Elmstone. This is the more noticeable from the fact that unavoidable circumstances compel him at present to reside a considerable distance from his manor.

Eastry Rural District Tribunal 19th June 1918.

The following applicant was granted 6 months exemption (to 19th December 1918)

T. A. Wilkinson, aged 45, married, Grade 11, publican of Preston, one month exemption (to July 19th) granted.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 19 April, 1929. Price 1½d.

PRESTON LICENSEE CONVICTED

Thomas Henry Wilkinson, of the “Moon and Stars,” Preston, was summoned for selling whiskey which was 46.81 under proof.

Supt. Lane. K.C.C., Wingham, said on February 26th, at noon, he visited the “Moon and Stars” kept by defendant, and purchased a quartern of Irish Whiskey. Analyst's certificate showed the whiskey was 46.81 per cent. under proof, whereas genuine whiskey should not be more than 33 per cent.

Defendant gave evidence. He said he had been at the house for nearly 24 years. The whiskey was in a bottle corked up, and it was filled from a half gallon jar from the brewers. He never interfered with the whiskey in any way.

Supt. Lane: Do you realise that the amount of water in your whiskey represents no less than two pints to the gallon?

No. I did not. I should not understand it.

Two pints of water would mean £1 a gallon extra profit!

I suppose so.

Mr. Shea, defending, said that the defendant only committed a sin of omission in not seeing to the condition of the quartern measure into which a washed funnel dripped.

Supt. Lane, after the Bench had decided to convict, said that there was no previous conviction, but in 1919 he was summoned for supplying rum 43.50 under proof, and the case was dismissed on payment of costs.

Fined £2.

Above photo showing the licensees Bill Murray circa 1960. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above matchbox, circa 1970.

In 1840 the pub was owned by Delmar and Co and was referred to as simply the "Seven Stars." William Hughes was listed as the licensee.

Licensee Benjamin Palmer was identified as being the KCC village police constable in the 1871 census, and 20 years later was a jobbing gardener.

In 1934 the telephone number was 6.

The pub gained Grade II listed status on 26 November 1987.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sam Lennon, 26 July 2025.

Villagers react as Half Moon and Seven Stars pub in Preston painted bright yellow.

A bold makeover of a historic pub has turned heads in a Kent village - after its new owners painted the building bright yellow.

The eye-catching transformation of the Grade II-listed Half Moon and Seven Stars in Preston, near Dover, has sparked a backlash from locals.

The redecorated Half Moon and Seven stars in The Street, Preston.

Questions have also been asked about the legality of the work, which was completed at the 18th-century inn without listed building consent.

“It looks an absolute eyesore,” wrote Richard Barwick on the Preston Kent Facebook page.

“I have lived in the village for more than 30 years and never seen anything like it. Very upset resident.”

Kev Smith added: “I passed it yesterday. Jeez, that’s bright.”

Others questioned whether the colours were appropriate for the setting.

Valerie Gilliott said: “What on earth are they thinking? Such a shame - would be lovely to have a quaint village pub with pretty hanging baskets.”

Kevin Hunter wrote: “Totally lost its character as a local country pub. It’s the talk of the village. However, not the response I’m sure the pub was looking for.”

Under planning rules, changes to a listed building that affect its character - including external colour schemes - typically require listed building consent.

Dover District Council (DDC) has confirmed that no such permission was sought or granted before the repainting took place, adding that it is looking into the matter.

But not everyone has been critical of the fresh paint job, with some locals defending the owners for trying something different.

Craig Barsby wrote: “I love seeing them try to improve and make a good impression in a tough industry. Their boldness and friendly atmosphere are definitely noteworthy.”

Kerry Louise Miles added: “At least it’s done what it’s meant to do and got people talking.”

When KentOnline visited the village, most residents declined to comment publicly, though several expressed concern that the paintwork was out of keeping with the village.

Others were more sympathetic.

One woman said: “I’m not sure it fits the area, but at least they’re doing something. Country pubs are dying out.”

Another added: “It could have been a different colour, but I’m not that bothered.”

The pub has been under new ownership since January and is undergoing a three-year improvement plan requiring significant investment.

A spokesperson, who did not want to be named, said: “The pub needed a new identity, which we have certainly given.

“We have had nothing but good feedback from passers-by. This has been a struggling pub and we are trying to make it a success.”

A spokesperson for DDC said: “We are aware of the painting of the Half Moon & Seven Stars Public House and continue to look into this matter.

“No listed building consent has been sought or granted for the exterior painting of the pub.”

The pub’s owners say they are in discussions with the council and will not comment further until those talks are complete.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sam Lennon, 1 August 2025.

Mossy ‘O Flynn, owner of Half Moon and Seven Stars pub in Preston, near Canterbury, defends bright yellow makeover.

The owner of a pub redecorated bright yellow has defended the new look after criticism that it was an “eyesore.”

Mossy O’Flynn said he decided to change the look of the Half Moon and Seven Stars in Preston near Canterbury because the old appearance was “drab and dreary.”

The work, completed at the end of June, led to a string of comments on social media with another contributor saying the pub had “totally lost its character”.

When KentOnline visited the village last month, comments were mixed with some locals concerned that the paintwork was out of keeping with the village.

Others were more sympathetic, with one woman saying: “At least they’re doing something. Country pubs are dying out.”

Mr O’Flynn, who took over the pub late last November, said: “I didn't do it for shock, I did it simply to brighten a very drab and dreary building up.

“A lot of people have an opinion on it, saying it's garish, it's too bright. I mean, what's too bright? I don't get it. It's not shocking pink”

MR O’Flynn told the BBC that he had invested a lot of money to get the pub up to its present standard.

He said: “A lot of people mentioned to me that they passed it on several occasions and didn't even know it was a pub.

“So it was quite a drab and dreary Victorian type house, that's what it looked like. It didn't look like a pub at all.”

The Half Moon and Seven Stars, a Grade II listed building, attracted comments on the Preston Kent Facebook page after the makeover.

The work had also included painting the doors and window frames green.

Richard Barwick wrote: It looks an absolute eyesore.

“I have lived in the village for more than 30 years and never seen anything like it.”

Kevin Hunter commented: “Totally lost its character as a local country pub. It’s the talk of the village. However, not the response I’m sure the pub was looking for.”

Mr O’Flynn also told the BBC: “We had a wedding in June, and I took a decision that it had to be decorated, just to brighten it up,

“I made the decision, split second, that it was going to be yellow and green, no particular reason.”

Other social media commentators were more supportive.

Craig Barsby wrote: “I love seeing them try to improve and make a good impression in a tough industry. Their boldness and friendly atmosphere are definitely noteworthy.”

Kerry Louise Miles added: “At least it’s done what it’s meant to do and got people talking.”

Under planning rules, changes to a listed building that affect its character - including external colour schemes - typically require listed building consent.

The pub falls under the Dover district. Dover District Council (DDC) confirmed that no such permission was sought or granted before the repainting took place, adding that it was looking into the matter.

LICENSEE LIST

LYNN Thomas May/1674

MOCKETT Henry 1677-93 dec'd

MOCKETT Jacob (son) 1693-1732

SYMMONDS William 1732-

STREETER James (John) 1732-65 dec'd