From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 16 January 1869. 1d.

DRUNK AND QUARRELSOME

Thomas Jarvis, Edward Hood, and Francis Sutton, three young follows belonging to Kingsdown, were charged with being drunk and riotous at that place early on new Year's morning. A summons had been issued against another man named John Jarvis for the same offence, but he did not appear.

The Magistrates said that many people appeared to imagine that their own private affairs were of more importance than their public ones, but as John Jarvis had failed to attend, they should proceed with the case in his absence.

P.C. Waterman having proved the service of the summons upon John Jarvis personally.

P.C. Thompson was called. He said: I am a police-constable in the K.C.C., and I am stationed at Kingsdown. About quarter past midnight of the 31st December, I was on duty opposite the "King's Head" public-house at Kingsdown, and saw Hood and Thomas Jarvis come out of the public-house to fight. There were a few other persons standing outside of the house at the time. I interfered between the two men and tried to prevent them from fighting, but Hood swore at me and said that if I attempted to take him into custody I should have a "tough job of it." Both he and Jarvis were the worse for liquor, and made use of very bad language. I succeeded in separating the men, however, and they then went back to the public-house. About half-past twelve Hood again came out, and was followed by John Jarvis, who had his waistcoat off for the purpose of fighting. He got over the fence, and when in the field swore at me and said if I did not get out of his way he would give me a "shove" in the head. He was drunk, and although I tried to persuade him to go away he would not do so, but made use of bad language. About this time the landlord of the "King's Head" turned all his company out into the road. There were about 20 or 30 persons turned out. Most of the men were the worse for drink. I had heard a row inside the house, and that was the reason I stopped about there.

Mr. Clarke here remarked that he thought this fact should be remembered against the landlord of the "King's Head," Mr. Steven Sutton, when licensing day came around; for although it might not be an offence against the Act of Parliament, yet it certainly was against the license, which stated that the house must be kept orderly.

Superintendent Stokes promised to attend to the matter.

Examination continued: The defendant Sutton was amongst the men, and a general scuffle took place all round - some endeavouring to fight and others attempting to hold them back. I cautioned the defendants, as well as several of the others, but none of them would go away. I could not get them to disperse till about a quarter to two o'clock, and they were all very disorderly up to that time. The three defendants were the last to go away. I cannot say that Sutton swore at me.

In defence each of the defendants denied that they were either drunk or riotous. They admitted, however, that a few words had passed between them inside the public house, but declared they had nothing to do with the row outside.

In acquainting the defendants of the decision arrived by the Bench, Mr. Clarke admitted a sharp rebuke to each of the defendants, and also alluded in condemnation terms to the conduct of the landlord. The judgement of the Court was that John Jarvis would have to pay 40s., or in default be sent to prison for three weeks; Thomas Jarvis, 15s., or a fortnight's imprisonment; Edward Hood, £1, or a fortnight imprisonment; and Frederick Sutton, 10s. or a fortnight's imprisonment. The above amounts were exclusive of the costs, which amounted to 3s. 6d. in each case.

The money was paid.

From the Deal, Walmer, Sandwich and East Kent Mercury, 26 August 1954.

THE BEER-DRINKING GOOSE!

"The King's Head" Mourns a Good Customer.

A regular patron of the "King's Head", Kingsdown, has just passed on. Customers mourn one of their number who was to be seen there regularly five or six times a week, drinking a pint of beer.

The remarkable aspect of this little story, however, is that this late lamented customer was a goose, which belonged to Mr. J. Groombridge, a Kingsdown farmer.

"The goose came up for a drink nearly every day," said Mr. Alfred Watts, licensee of the King's Head, this week. "It would come and stand outside the pub and screech away until I came out with a pint of beer for it. And it would always drink the glass clean."

Last week, the goose with the taste for beer was accidentally run over.

From the East Kent Mercury, 20 April 2006.

Historic find at village pub.

A village landlord, who is extending his pub ready or the arrival of a new baby, has discovered historic oak beams hidden behind the walls.

Alex Evans, of the "King's Head," Kingsdown, was surprised at the find and believes the wood dates from the days of the English Civil War.

Builder Chris Gausden (seen in picture with Alex) decided to take a closer look and examined the joints in the timber as well as the colour, giving a fairly accurate estimate of their age.

They are from the time Oliver Cromwell, around 350 years ago, when England was engaged in a fierce civil war which ended with the execution of Charles I in 1649.

Mr. Exans said, "I was very excited when we discovered the wood.

"We were removing the existing wall in order to put in new wiring and pipes, but I was amazed when Chris uncovered the beams.

"They are in particularly good condition because the last extension of the building protected them from the elements."

The historic struts are soon to be blocked off once again as work on the new extension nears completion.