From the Dover Mercury, 2 September 2004.

Regulars give up smoking.

SMOKE-FREE: Tony Wellard and Sue Ralph throw out the ashtrays from The Hare and Hounds pub in Northbourne.

THE smoking ban at the Hare and Hounds has been a “brilliant success”, according to the pub’s owner, Sue Ralph.

“It’s gone amazingly well and we are so busy,” she said.

“So many people have come in and said that it is fantastic - now they can bring family members who have breathing difficulties or asthma. We have people eating here three or four times a week who couldn’t do so before.

“It is a pleasure to work in the environment now and our business has gone through the roof.”

Since June, smoking had only been allowed after 10pm in the comer of the pub if everyone had stopped eating. As of yesterday (Wednesday), it is now banned completely, although it will still be possible outside.

“About 10 of our regular customers have given up - they are not tempted to light up as no one else is smoking,” Mrs Ralph continued.

“We have had people coming from Hythe, Folkestone, Birchington and Canterbury to show their support and we would like to thank everyone who has supported us in this.

She added: “One of our customers has stopped coming here since the ban was introduced, and it’s not something that would suit every pub. “But for us it has been absolutely fantastic. It’s non-smoking forever here now.”

From the East Kent Mercury, 18 November 2011.

OLD PUB REOPENS

PRESERVING old English pubs is a must in the eyes of Melissa Osbourne, the new landlady of the "Hare and Hounds" at Northbourne.

The area's newest publican has added her voice to those of some of the town's landlords who are against big chain pubs like Wetherspoon's moving to Deal and selling cheap beer.

"We can't lose these traditional English pubs," she said.

"They're becoming extinct and it's such a shame."

She said the big brands like Wethspoon's and supermarkets like Tesco were "taking over the country."

It's such a shame because people work so hard to keep individual pubs alive and they're coming and trampling on everything," she added.

The "Hare and Hounds" is open again after closing its doors for one week while Miss Osbourne moved to the village from Essex.

Miss Osbourne studied forensic biology at Canterbury but said: "I couldn't work in a lab now. I have to have a conversation with people.

"Luckily the "Hare and Hounds" has always had a fantastic reputation.

"All I need if for people to know we're open again," she said.

From the East Kent Mercury, 10 November, 2011.

From the Dover Mercury, 12 January, 2012. 80p

RETURN OF POPULAR PUB PANTO

ON STAGE: Floyd Toulet will play a henchman in Snowy White and the Seven Broads at Northbourne

Picture: Martin Apps PD1975512

FACTFILE

Snowy White and the Seven Broads can be seen from 7.30pm at Northbourne Parish Hall on Friday and Saturday, January 20 and 21, and also on Sunday, January 22, from 3.30pm. Tickets cost £6.50 for adults and £3.50 for children from the "Hare and Hounds" in Northbourne, or by calling 01304 369188. Profits go to the League of Friends at the qEQM Hospital, Margate, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

CHANCE conversations in a village pub proved to be a springboard for a lot of fun at Northbourne, as well as a chance to raise cash for Help for Heroes.

The chats led to a charity panto last year, which was such a success that the "Hare and Hounds" Players was later formed and a second production will take to the stage this month.

Floyd Toulet, who was an Ugly Sister for Cinderella last year, is back in the cast as Trickey, an incompetent gangster henchman in Snowy White and the Seven Broads, which will open on January 20.

Floyd, 48, a freelance writer, of Deal Road, Northbourne, said: “It was originally going to be a one-off production and then we wanted to raise money for Sam Morgan at the same time.”

Sam, the son of Northbourne Parish Council chairman Steve Morgan, was injured while serving in Afghanistan and the villagers wanted to raise money for Help for Heroes. About three months ago, when regulars at the pub were remembering the fun of creating Cinderella, it was decided to form the "Hare and Hounds" Players.

Floyd said: “Throughout the run-up to last year's panto we got on so well. Northbourne is a lovely little village and the community combined for the performance last year. It created tremendous unity and we so enjoyed it.”

So when someone suggested at the pub that it would be fun to do it again, it was quickly agreed. Former villager Glenn Swanborough, now living in Wales, was invited to write the script and Snowy White and the Seven Broads was born. Floyd said: “It is fantastic and described as a jazz age gangster-mime. Rehearsals are going very well. We have reached a point of slight hysteria and have turned the whole hall into a theatre. I have spent my life trying to be professional and terribly important, so to be silly is completely different - it is a release.”

Floyd was born in South Africa and has been in England since the early 1980s.

From the Dover Mercury, 14 June, 2012. 80p

HARE AND HOUNDS' PLAY RAISES A SMILE AND MORE

Members of the "Hare and Hounds" Players at Northbourne present the QEQM League of Friends and the south east branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society with money raised from performances of their pantomime Snowy White and the Seven Broads.

TWO charities have received more than £2,000 to boost their fund thanks to the theatrical talents of villagers in Northbourne and surrounding parishes.

Members of the "Hare and Hounds" Players handed over £1,100 each to the south east branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the QEOM League of Friends.

Money was raised from performances of the pantomime Snowy White and the Seven Broads earlier this year.

The charities chosen held special significance for two members of the cast, Tracey Doodney and Michelle Doms.

Both Tracey and Michelle have benefited from the care and support of the QEOM hospital and Michelle, who has multiple sclerosis, has been helped by the society.

Yolanda Baker from the Multiple Sclerosis Society said: "Donations like this are so important to us and will enable us to increase awareness and reach more people."

QEOM League of Friends chairman Jeremy Voizey said the friends were delighted that the Hare and Hounds Players had raised this money for their organisation.

"Donations just like this one have helped to buy £80,000 worth of vital medical equipment recently and this money will go towards the next project," he added.

From the Dover Mercury, 4 February 2016.

A little drama helps breathe new life into the village pub.

A pantomime and the arrival of a pub landlord and his wife have brought the community back together in Northbourne.

Ryan and Georgia Lynch took over the Hare and Hounds in the village in November and, thanks to the am-dram group meeting there on rehearsal nights, the village feel is well and truly restored.

“Without them, this pub wouldn’t be open,” said Ryan, 32.

He and Georgia moved to the area from Bexley with their children, Bartholomew, three, and Lueila, two.

Ex-city worker Ryan left the financial sector and gained four years’ experience managing pubs but he became disillusioned by their ethos and set out on his own with support from his father.

He now wants to make his ventures a top-notch experience for customers and diners and his big aim is to have 10 pubs and eateries around the coast.

He has already branched out from Northbourne into Deal itself.

On New Year’s Eve he took on the lease for the "Jolly Gardener" in Golf Road.

Already he has invested in the North Deal complex’s latest eaterie, a pizzeria, and he flew over a specialist oven from Italy.

His vision includes a clientele of men stopping off after work for a drink, and ladies drinking prosecco and eating pizza.

Back at the Hare and Hounds he has invested in contemporary branding and an Italian menu is sure to offer an alternative for relaxing nights dining out and special occasions.

“I might be biased but our Sunday roast is something special too,” he said.

It’s a tribute to the Hare and Hound players for coming back to their old haunt, which is also their namesake.

They meet there before and after rehearsals in the village hall, having migrated to the "Crown" at Finglesham for rehearsals in the past.

“Now they come here again, which is nice because they are named after the pub after all.” In keeping with the village feel, Ryan and Georgia, 28, have bigger plans.

“We’re looking forward to the summer. There will be a three-day event on one of the May bank holidays with live music, like a little festival in the garden.”

The event is a fundraiser in support of a friend, whose child was born with a life-limiting illness but sadly died.

More details will be published when available but in the meantime Ryan and Georgia are working on building up the Hare and Hounds and the "Jolly Gardener."

“We’re planning on putting this place back on the map,” he said.

From the East Kent Mercury, 10 January 2024. By Max Chesson.

Historic site in village closes 'until further notice'

‘End of an era’ as country pub shuts.

The landlord of an 18th-century pub known for its Sunday lunches has closed the business in a move he called “the end of an era”.

The Hare and Hounds in The Street, Northbourne, brought down the shutters “until further notice” at the weekend following a leaving party.

Announcing the closure, landlord Roy O’Neill, who also runs the "Plough Inn" in Ripple, gave heart-warming thanks to staff and customers.

“Just want to say thank you to everyone who supported us,” he said.

“I have truly made some friends for life.

“Thanks to everyone that worked and was a part of here.

“End of an era and start of a new one.”

Pubs across Kent have struggled in recent times.

A Faversham pub recently closed just five months after reopening with new hosts who were “instantly smitten” by the inn.

And a much-loved pub in Sheppey was shut and put up for sale last week after “ever-increasing” bills forced it out of business.

The Hare and Hounds was forced to close early on New Year’s Day due to a lack of customers and decided last month to ditch opening on Tuesdays due to “a lack of support”.

But despite this, the village tavern had made a good name for itself thanks to its food - with a four-and-a-half star rating on Tripadvisor.

A total of 123 out of 197 reviews declared the place to be “excellent” with particular emphasis on the no-nonsense pub lunches and Sunday roasts.

Described as “a traditional country pub with a modern twist”, the Hare and Hounds has seen as many as five landlords trying to make a go of it in the past 10 years.

Current landlord Mr O’Neill took over the reins in July 2022 as he looked to steady the ship but was greeted with licensing issues which meant the establishment closed temporarily.

The first reference to a public house at the property was in 1740 when it Was known as The Horse and Hound - only earning its new name in the 1800s.

It was also one of the first in East Kent to introduce a smoking ban - bringing the rule into effect in 2004 before the habit of smoking indoors at public venues was eventually outlawed across the nation in 2007.

The pub has been contacted for comment.

From the East Kent Mercury, 16 January 2025. By Brad Harper.

‘We couldn’t make a profit!’: Bid to convert 18th-century pub into house.

An 18th-century pub that a string of landlords struggled to keep afloat before it unexpectedly shut could be converted into a home.

Developers have tabled a bid to transform the former Hare and Hounds in Northboume into a three-bedroom house.

They also hope to build three terraced homes on neighbouring land previously used as the pub’s car park.

Landlord Roy O’Neill announced the “end of an era” early last year when he closed the business “until further notice”.

With the pub empty since, planning applicant Matthew Lawrence, of Deal, submitted a recent bid to revamp the place to Dover District Council (DDC).

In official papers, he described how the building’s owner of the past 12 years no longer believes the business in The Street is viable.

He wrote it is due to the landscape for village pubs “having changed radically” and “the after-effects of Covid still being felt in the hospitality industry”.

Referencing the previous owners, the application states: “They have confirmed the business has run at a loss throughout their entire ownership, despite their commitment to keeping the pub open.

“They invested in a kitchen extension, new windows throughout, a complete rewire and extensive roofing works, among other things,” he said.

“Despite all of this the pub remained unviable and no purchaser was found who was willing to take it on as a pub.” During the first three years of the pub’s previous ownership, they managed it themselves and ran it with their own staff, official papers say.

But the planning application states this was “unviable” due to staffing costs - so the owners went down the tenancy route.

“They advised the pub was well supported by residents but this was not enough to maintain a profitable business and they were forced to close in January 2024,” documents added.

“The current building is in disrepair and would require a large investment to make it both compliant and habitable.

“Issues include many leaks in the roof, kitchen extraction not fit for purpose and the absence of heating throughout the building other than the bar area, which has resulted in a lot of dampness. A full refurbishment is needed.

“The pub has been marketed with Miles and Barr since August 5. However, no offers for the asking price have been received and no real interest generated other than for a development opportunity.”

The first reference to a public house at the property was in 1740 when it was known as The Horse and Hound - only earning its new name in the 1800s.

It was also one of the first in east Kent to introduce a smoking ban - bringing the rule into effect in 2004 before the habit of smoking indoors at public venues was outlawed across the nation in 2007.

In total, they have had five tenants and documents say none could create the “footfall required or run the pub well enough” to make Hare and Hounds cost-effective - except the most recent landlord.

The village tavern had made a good name for itself thanks to its food - with a four-and-a-half star rating on Tripadvisor.

Described as “a traditional country pub with a modem twist”, landlord Mr O’Neill took over the reins in July 2022 as he looked to steady the ship.

But he was greeted with licensing issues that meant the establishment closed temporarily. The planning application states Mr O’Neill - who also manages The Plough Inn in Ripple - had invested more than £64,000 to keep the pub afloat since the start of his tenancy.

From the East Kent Mercury, 6 February 2025. By Oliver Leonard.

A head teacher is among those calling for a former pub to be saved after plans were lodged to turn it into a house.

The proposals for the Hare and Hounds in Northbourne, near Deal, have sparked outrage among residents, who fear the modem housing will ruin the charm of the area.

More than 120 objections have been submitted to Dover District Council (DDC), with just two letters in support.

Developers also want to build three terraced homes on neighbouring land previously used as the pub’s car park - bringing the number of new homes to four.

But educator Natalie Christie, who has lived in the village for the past five years, called the loss of the pub “devastating” for the community.

“The Hare and Hounds wasn’t just a pub; it was a cornerstone of our community,” she said.

“Losing it to an ill-suited development feels like an attack on the village’s heritage.

“We know that people struggle nowadays to keep pubs alive.

“But there is a place, especially in such a tight-knit community as Northbourne, there is a place for a community space within a development project."

In documents submitted in the planning portal, Mark Venny said of the pub: “As a long-standing establishment within the village for over 300 years, it holds significant historical and cultural importance to our community which should not be underestimated.

“It is not merely a venue for drinking, but a vital space where villagers come together to socialise, celebrate, and support one another.”

A regular customer at the Hare and Hounds, Catherine Toulet, added the pub has a “deeper meaning” to the community, due to its rural location.

The closure of the Hare and Hounds last year followed “years of financial struggles”.

Landlord Roy O’Neill announced it was the “end of an era” when he closed the business “until further notice”.

With the pub empty since, planning applicant Matthew Lawrence, of Deal, submitted a recent bid to DDC to revamp the place.

In official papers, he described how the building’s owner of the past 12 years no longer believes the business in The Street is viable.

He wrote it is due to the landscape for village pubs “having changed radically” and “the after-effects of Covid still being felt in the hospitality industry”.

Referencing the previous owners, the application states: “They have confirmed the business has run at a loss throughout their entire ownership, despite their commitment to keeping the pub open.”

Ms Christie, who is a head teacher in the Medway district, spoke to the Mercury about the importance the pub has on so many in the village.

She added: “We go to work, we come home, it’s dark evenings, we close the door and we don't get to see each other.

“Whereas when the pub was open, we'd always nip up in the evening, even if it was to sit there for a coffee or a meal.

“It was really nice to get to see everybody.

“I recently hosted a curry night at Betteshanger Social Club and there was one lady that was crying, saying, "I haven't seen anybody since the last time thre pub was open."

The first reference to a public house at the property was in 1740 when it was known as The Horse and Hound - only earning its new name in the 1800s.

It was also a significant part of the village’s social fabric, serving as the birthplace of the Hare and Hounds Players, an amateur dramatic group that has raised money for charity through annual pantomimes for more than a decade.

Ms Christie also raised concerns about the implications for the village’s identity.

She added: “This isn’t just about losing a pub; it’s about losing part of our history and culture.

“We're not saying, 'save our pub as it is now’ but it needs to remain a part of the community in some way.”