NEW INN Pub of Birchington

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Birchington, April, 2024.

Page Updated:- Monday, 01 April, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1768

New Inn

Latest 1938+

8-12 The Square

Birchington

Above photo showing the "New Inn," date unknown.

Above postcard, 1900.

Above photo, circa 1901, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo showing Percy Reed's Coaching business. Circa 1903.

Above postcard, circa 1904, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, circa 1912, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Showing the West Street Hunt.

Above photo, circa 1912, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, circa 1915, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Just in front of the New Inn, then a Tomson & Wotton tied house, Major Percy Powell-Cotton of Quex Park, is shown ascending the ladder, in order to adjust the total amount of money raised during War Weapons' Week in Birchington. Although Major Powell-Cotton (1866-1940) had served in the Boer War, his offer to volunteer in WW1 was turned down, as he was considered too old. Determined to "do his bit" Major Powell-Cotton turned Quex Park over the military and it was used throughout WW1 as an Auxiliary Hospital. It is now a natural history museum, showcasing the life and works of Major P-C, who was a noted conservationist and ethnologist.

The above photo was taken c.1907: the year he got married and was badly mauled by a lion whilst on honeymoon in Kenya.

Above postcard circa 1928, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard circa 1930. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above map, 1872.

As seen from the photograph, the pub was at one time a Tomson and Wotton's tied house.

To date I have traced the pub back to 1847, but from the look of it it is a lot older than that. Further research and look of the Dutch gabled roof suggests the building is from the time of the reign of William III (1689-1702).

Just found reference to a "Quex New Inn" from the Kentish Gazette or Canterbury Chronicle of 1768, however, I believe this is the building now called the "Powell Arms."

At present, unfortunately, certainly this 21st century, the pub has seen a lot of changes, especially in name and function, in May 2012 it was operating under the name of "Carbeez" a Caribbean Restaurant and Coctail Bar.

Kentish Gazette 17 July 1801.

Saturday last died, age 63, Mrs. Blue, mistress of the New Inn," Birchington, Thanet.

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal 1 January 1802.

Kentish Gazette 1 January 1802.

On Monday last died, Mr. Blue, of the "New Inn," Birchington.

From the Kentish Gazette, 5 September 1848.

TO BAKERS, INN-KEEPERS, BREWERS AND OTHERS.

VALUABLE FREEHOLD PROPERTY, TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY MR FRANCIS CROSOER, ON the Premises, at the "New Inn," BIRCHINGTON, in the ISLE of THANET, on THURSDAY, the 14th day of September, 1848, at Twelve o’Clock at Noon (subject to the conditions to be then and there produced)

IN THE FOLLOWING LOTS:—

Lot 1:— A Substantial DWELLING HOUSE, in Birchington aforesaid, with Bakehouse, good Garden, and other conveniences, now in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Harris. Baker.

A good well established Baker’s Business is attached to these Premises.

Lot 2:— A good Substantial and well-accustomed PUBLIC HOUSE, called the "New Inn," situate at Birchington aforesaid, with the Stable and other Outbuildings, Yard and Garden used therewith, now in the occupation of Mr. Augustus Pointer, as under-tenant to Mr. Cramp, Brewer, of Ramsgate.

The Tenants are under Notice to quit at Michaelmas next.

For further Particulars apply at the Offices of Messrs SURRAGE & EMMERSON. Solicitors. Sandwich and Deal.

Thanet Advertiser, Saturday 12 May 1866.

To be let.

The "New Inn," Birchington. An excellent house, and the oldest established Inn in the parish, containing 11 rooms, offices, stable, and a large garden, doing a good trade, and capable of extension. Rent low. Incoming moderate.

For particulars apply to Mr Pointon, appraiser, 1, Royal Crescent, Margate.

Thanet Advertiser, Saturday 2 June 1866.

Re Joshiah Lyon Adams, late of the "New Inn," Birchington.

Josiah Lyan Adams having agreed to give up all his effects for the benefit of his creditors, they are requested to send in their accounts to me, the undersigned, within seven days from this date.

Samuel Pointon.

1, Royal Crescent, Margate, 1st June, 1866.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 12 May, 1882. 1d.

Yesterday the Dover Coroner (W. H. Payn, Esq.), held an inquest at the “New Inn,” Birchington, on the body of E. J. Taylor, a Gravesend Trinity Pilot, who was drowned by the upsetting of a boat on the 24th of March, and since that time the body lad lain in a cave where it had floated. A boy who discovered the body received £10 reward.

From The Advertiser, Saturday 28 February, 1920.

PUBLIC HOUSE THEFT. WOMAN SENT TO PRISON.

Separated from her husband, her children removed from her custody, and a charge of theft before her, the wife of a London insurance agent was a sorry figure in the dock at the Cinque Ports Police Court, Margate, on Monday.

Milly Utting was charged with stealing one shilling, belonging to Mrs. Doris Grace Marfleet, wife of the licensee of the "New Inn," Birchington.

It appeared that the prisoner, who was living apart from her husband - a London agent of the Prudential Assurance Company who had served in the Army - came to Birchington in March last, and she had been employed at various places, but her conduct, in the words of Inspector Ford, was not satisfactory. She was employed by Mrs. Marfleet as a "daily help," being paid 9d. per hour for three hours work per day. Mrs. Marfleet missed food and money, and in consequence, P.C. Lined marked four coins - a half-crown, florin, shilling, and sixpence - which he placed in Mrs. Marfleet's purse. The purse as put into a bag at the "New Inn" on 11th February. On the following day the shilling was missed. When cautioned by the constable, prisoner said, "I don't know what made me take the money," and produced the marked shilling. She also said, "I will pay Mrs. Marfleet back all the money I have taken, which was 2s. on Monday. 2s. 6d. on Thursday, 1s. on Wednesday, and 1s. this morning. I am sorry for it."

Prisoner pleaded guilty.

There were two other charges against her - one of stealing four tumblers, two spoons, one fork, two dusters, and a number of paper plate covers, value 18s. belonging to Mrs. Marfleet, and another of stealing household linen and various articles, value £12, from Mary Oscar.

Prisoner said she was guilty of these offences also, and Inspector Ford asked the bench to take that fact into consideration. prisoner had lived at 15, York Terrace, Birchington.

In reply to the Bench, the Inspector said he did not think the husband had anything to do with the prisoner now. He had taken the two children - a boy and girl, aged nine and twelve years respectively - out of her custody. The parties had been living on very unsatisfactory terms, and the husband allowed her £1 a week.

Prisoner said she was "brought up in dishonesty ever since she was a child, and she had got it now that she was married."

She made an accusation against her husband, which elicited from the Chairman (Dr. Flint) the remark. "You don't want to aggravate the offence by incriminating others. You do not do yourself any good by talking like that."

In reply to the Clerk, prisoner said she came to Birchington because her little girl was delicate.

Sergt. Norris, of the County Constabulary, in reply to the Bench, said that the woman paid a rental of 10s. a week and rates.

The Chairman said it was a very painful case, and prisoner would go to prison for two months with hard labour. The bench hoped that when she came out she would determine to try and lead a better life.

The Chairman suggested that the family should endeavour to make a fresh start together.

Prisoner remarked she did not suppose her husband would let her have the children.

From The Advertiser, Friday 7 June, 1935.

MUSIC LICENSES.

Margate magistrates, on Wednesday, granted music and dancing licenses in respect of the "Bay Hotel," the "Powell Arms," the "Beresford Hotel," the "Bungalow Hotel," and the "New Inn," Birchington.