NEW INN (York Street) Pubs of Dover

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, March, 2024.

Page Updated:- Sunday, 31 March, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1830-

New Inn

Latest May 1962

33 (46 in 1903) York Street (Priory Lane and Back Ditch)

Dover

Above picture of the "New Inn" date unknown, kindly sent by Kevin Healey.

Above photo from the John Gilham collection, circa 1920.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo kindly sent by Mac McAllister circa 1950.

New Inn is seen down road on left just where the lamp post is. Date unknown.

From the Dover Mercury 7 July 1999.

MOTORISTS driving along the York Street dual carriageway may be surprised to know that York Street used to be quite a narrow road, as the above photograph shows.

It is another picture taken by former Dover motor mechanic Arthur Couch and shown to us by his daughter.

York Street used to run from the end of Worthington Street to Market Street, and included a range of small companies.

Olby Ltd had builders' stores in the street, and there were two general carriers, George Potter and William Castle.

This photo was taken looking towards Worthington Street. On the corner of New Street was Martin's general shop, and the New Inn was also there.

On the opposite side of the road was the St George's Press - a printing business run by G. W. Griggs and Son - plumbers T. Francis and Son, a greengrocers shop run by William Lamkin, and WaIter Hogben's hairdressers.

New Street (which can be seen in the centre of the photo) contained the Prince of Orange pub - which is still there today - Andrews - undertakers, W. B. Allen's upholsterers and the Eight Bells pub, run in those days by Mrs L. Marsh.

Alfred Newing's confectionery shop was no doubt popular with young and old alike.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday, 18 October, 1845. Price 5d.

GENERAL QUARTERS SESSIONS

These sessions were held on Wednesday, before William Fuller Boteler, Esq., Recorder, and a full Bench of Magistrates, when the following prisoners were tried:-

Sarah Clements, charged with feloniously converting to her own use the amount of a cheque for £59 19s., belonging to Mr. C. Mills, the landlord of the “New Inn.” This case occupied the Court upwards of 4 hours, Mr. Rose appearing for the prosecution, and Mr. Horne for the defence.

Guilty. Twelve months imprisonment and hard labour in Sandwich gaol.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 3 January, 1846. Price 5d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

An inquest was held on Thursday, at the "New Inn, York Street, before G. T. Thompson, Esq., Coroner to the Borough, on the body of Mary Leman, widow, aged 81, residing in one of the almshouses.

Elizabeth Cross deposed that she lived with the deceased, who was very helpless, and had been bed-ridden about two years. On Tuesday last, about six in the evening, while at work in the lower part of the house, heard a rustling noise on the stairs leading from the bed-room where she supposed deceased was in bed. On opening the door, saw deceased lying at the bottom of the stairs. Being alarmed, she ran out for assistance, and with the help of Grace Sturgess, Mr. Cheeseman, and another person, deceased was placed in a chair and carried up stairs to bed, and a medical gentleman was sent for. Deceased was in the habit of trying to get out of bed herself. She was sensible when picked up, and said, "Oh dear, this is a bad misfortune." She lingered till about 10 o'clock when she expired.

James Cuthbert Ottaway, surgeon, deposed - that being sent for, about 7 o'clock on Tuesday evening, he went immediately and found deceased in bed apparently in a dying state. Could find no appearance of external injury, except some bruises on the wrist, and attributed death to the severe shock her brain and nervous system had sustained from the severity of the fall. Prescribed for her, but power of swallowing was gone.

Verdict, "Died from accidentally falling down stairs."

From the Dover Telegraph 19 June 1847.

Mr G .J. BRETT, landlord, the “New Inn”, DOVER Kent – announcement of birth of a son on 10 June.

From the National Pubs index

George BRETT, – was occupier of the "New Inn," Dover from 1842 to at least 1855

Kentish Gazette, 1 July 1851.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

An inquest was held at 7 o'clock on Thursday evening, at the "New Inn," York Street, on the body of a newly born female infant of Susan Royle, the wife of a gunner No. 4 company, 7th Battalion, Royal Artillery, formerly stationed at Dover, and now at Canada, British North America, which was found concealed in a water closet on the premises.

The jury returned a verdict of Wilful Murder against Susan Royale.

South Eastern Gazette, 23 October, 1860.

Another Death by Drowning.

Yesternight week an inquest was held at the "New Inn," York-street, before Mr. W. H. Payn, coroner, on the body of Mr. W. Pascall, which had been floating in the harbour, from the eastward, about 9 o’clock on the previous Saturday morning. The deceased was a grocer in Market-street, where he had carried on business for the last 18 years, living with an unmarried sister. On Saturday morning, shortly before 6 o’clock, he rose and went to her bed-room to enquire after her health, as she had met with an accident on the previous afternoon. He then said he was going down to the market to see if the pork-butchers were there, but he should not be gone two minutes. He had, however, for some time before been himself in bad health, and was suffering from congestion of the brain, which rendered him very giddy. There was no evidence to show how he got into the water. The jury returned the following verdict:- "That the deceased was found drowned, but how his body came into the water, there is no evidence to show."

Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 22 December 1860.

Sudden Death In The Streets.

On Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock, a respectable jury was summoned by W. H. Payn, Esq., (coroner), at the "New Inn," York Street, in this town, to investigate the circumstances attendant upon the death of William James, a shoemaker, who died on Monday evening, under the following peculiarities.

The jury having appointed Mr. Isaacs their foreman, proceeded to view the body, which was found lying upon the bricks in a miserable tenement, for which it was said deceased paid 1s per week; his hat was found in the fireplace, and it was further understood that deceased had not had a fire for the last 6 years, either winter or summer.

George Gedds:- I am a sergeant in the Dover Police Force. About 10:30 last night I was on duty at the station house - the Superintendent was at the door, and my attention was called to a man who was "crooked down" about 7 or 8 yards distance. I went to him and asked what was the matter? and he told me he was suffering very much from rheumatism. He wished to be assisted home, stating that he lived in Ruffin's court. With the assistance of a constable he walked as far as Princes Street; on the way he told us he had been to Mr. Moody's to tea, and had just left. In Princes Street he declared he was in great pain from rheumatism in his back, and just at the same moment his legs seemed to give way under him, and he became helpless. We got a stretcher, and took him to the direction he had given; but on looking in, the place seemed so unfit to leave him in that we conveyed him back to the station house thinking he was in a fit; we then sent for Mr. Walter; when he came he pronounced him dead. I asked if he had been drinking anything, but he told me "No, he never drank anything but tea and coffee." The following morning when we took the body in I searched the rooms he occupied, and found some money in three different places, amounting to £2 6s. 6 1/4d. a silver watch and a pair of spectacles were in his room and I found another pair and a silver watch in the rooms. On the shoemakers seat was a loaf and a piece of cheese. I did not see any coals in the house.

Mary Moody:- My husband Henry and I live in the bottom of St James's Lane; he is by trade a shoemaker, I have known deceased a very long time, for several years. He came to our house yesterday, between 4 and 5 o'clock, and remained until about 10:30. When he came I was rather startled or, as he was labouring for breath and complained of being very ill. I told him it was a pity he came out, but he seemed to get a little over it after he had a cup of tea. He said "I don't think I shall live long, I've got such strange feelings."

Mr. Walter, surgeon:- I was sent for about 11 o'clock, to attend at the station house, where I found James on a stretcher quite dead; there were no marks of injury. It is my opinion, from the evidence I have heard to-night, and what I have observed, deceased died from disease of the heart.

The jury returned as their verdict "That deceased's death was occasioned by disease of the heart accelerated by low diet, and a damp condition of his habitation.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 29 July, 1870. Price 1d.

FATAL ACCIDENT TO A CHILD

On Monday evening last the Borough Coroner, W. H. Payn, Esq., empanelled a Jury at the "New Inn," York Street, to enquire into the circumstances attending the death of a little boy, between four and five years of age, named Robert James Mills, the child of a comedian lodging at York Terrace. The injuries from which the child had died had resulted from a fall which the little fellow had sustained on the Wednesday before. It will be seen from the evidence given below that on the evening of the day named the deceased was playing on the terrace in front of his parents' place of residence, with another child of about his own age, when he pitched over the railing which skirts the terrace and fell into the road beneath, a distance of about fourteen feet. Although the fall was so serious a one its fatal effects were some time in manifesting themselves. At first the child did not even lose consciousness, but jumped up and ran home, the only injury he exhibited being a bruise on the cheek. This his mother at once bathed and kept it bathed with cold water during the night, and on the following morning the child got up and ate his breakfast. Subsequently, however, his mother became a little anxious about him, and on the recommendation of a neighbour took him to the Hospital, where he was seen by the house surgeon, Mr. Owens, who prescribed for him. Mr. Owens thought the case a serious one from the first, and visited the child at its home with great kindness up to the time of its death, having his last visit only a quarter of an hour before midnight last Sunday. Shortly afterwards death took place, the cause being concussion of the brain.

Mr. J. Wright having been chosen foreman of the Jury, the following evidence was given:-

Ann Jones Mills: I am the wife of Robert James Mills, a comedian, and living at York Terrace. The child was my youngest son, and was four years and five months old. On Wednesday evening last, he ran out of the house to play, between seven and eight o'clock. I saw him run up the kitchen steps, and lost sight of him for six or seven minutes, at the expiration of which he came to the kitchen window, with his face bleeding. I took him in, and bathed his face in cold water, and afterwards put him to bed. I continued to bathe his face the whole of the night, and on Thursday morning he was able to get up and eat his breakfast; but during the day he seemed to be getting worse, and on the recommendation of a neighbour I carried him to the Hospital. The surgeon at the Hospital examined him, and prescribed for him, directing me to put a bread and water poultice to his eye. I followed the surgeons directions; but the child continued to get worse, and died last night about twelve o'clock. The surgeon came to the house daily, and paid his last visit about a quarter of an hour before the child died. Death was occasioned by concussion of the brain. I was told that the injuries were occasioned by the deceased falling from the railings in front of York Terrace. The deceased was sensible up to the last. He told me that he fell from the railings himself, and that no one pushed him.

Margaret Warner: I am the wife of Edward Warner, the landlord of the "Marquis of Anglesey," a public house on the corner of York Terrace. On Wednesday evening last, about eight o'clock, I saw the deceased playing with another child about his own age, upon the terrace. When I saw them they were balancing themselves on the railings and the other child said to the deceased. "Drop; you won't hurt yourself." before I could get to the spot the deceased had loosed his hold, and instead of coming on his feet, on the inner side of the railings, had pitched over and fallen upon his head on the roadway beneath. I was running to him, but before I could get to him, he had got up and ran home. I sent my daughter to enquire after the child, as I thought he must have hurt himself seriously, but she brought word back that he was doing comfortably.

Charles Arthur Owen Owens: I am resident surgeon at the Dover Hospital. On Thursday morning the deceased child was brought to the Hospital by its mother. The child was very much bruised about the head and face, and the left eye was closed from swelling. The mother told me that the injuries were the result of the fall the last witness had described. I attended to the child in the surgery, and subsequently visited it at its home several times. I prescribed linseed poultices for the eye. I thought it a serious case from the first. I attended the child till last night just before its death, and in my opinion death resulted from concussion of the brain.

The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

A Juror suggested that the proprietors of the houses at York Terrace should be recommended to cover the railings with spikes, so as to prevent a similar calamity in the future; but the remainder of the Jury seemed to think any formal recommendation unnecessary.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 9 June, 1876. Price 1d.

SUICIDE BY HANGING

On Saturday morning David Hastings, living in a court, in Market Street, committed suicide by hanging himself in the back yard. He was living with his two boys, his wife having died a few months ago and his mind seems to have failed. He rose about six o'clock on Saturday morning, and telling the boys he should come back to the bedroom again soon he went down stairs. They heard nothing of him for some time. A little before 7 o'clock one of the boys went down and on going into the back kitchen he was horrified to se his father hanging from a big nail in the wall over the back door. As soon as he could recover himself he gave an alarm and the body was taken down quite dead. The neighbours in the court were excited by the terrible affair and they showed their sympathy by comforting the lads and taking them into their houses. An inquest was held at the “New Inn,” York Street, on Saturday afternoon. Mr. J. R. Adams being the foreman of the Jury. The body having been viewed the following evidence was taken:-

David Hastings deposed: I am son of deceased, the eldest at home. My father was shop-man in the employ of Mr. T. V. Brown, currier, Market Square. He lived in Markey Court, Market Square. His age was 56. His health has not been good lately, and he has been very low spirited, my mother died on the 14th of last March. He has been very much depressed ever since. I last saw him alive at six o'clock this morning in the bedroom. He had just got up, and told me he was going down into the yard. I said I was going to get up, and he replied “Never mind I am coming to bed again.” I laid down and went to sleep again. At ten minutes past seven I woke up and finding that he was not in bed I ran downstairs. I found him hanging in the doorway in the yard at the back of the doorway. I stood still for I could not move. I then ran into the house of Mrs. Smith, a neighbour. She came and called out for assistance, but did not cut deceased down. Mr. Creed came in and cut him down, and laid him on a sofa. I then left the house. My father never threatened to kill himself, but he said he did not believe he should ever get over his trouble. They did not treat him as they ought to have done in the shop, and that depressed him more. He said they treated him like a dog and not as an old servant.

Mr. Brown: As something has been said referring to me and my people, I must ask leave to give evidence presently.

Edward Creed deposed: I am employed at Mr. Dickeson's candle factory, in Market Street. This morning I was at work in the melting house, and about seven I heard Mrs. Smith screaming. I ran out of the shop and went up the court. They told me that deceased had hung himself in his house. I went through into his yard and saw him hanging near the back door. I at once cut the cord by which he was suspended, and carrying him into the room, laid him on a sofa. He was quite dead, though still warm. I know he has been very low spirited lately.

Mr. T. V. Brown deposed: I am a currier, carrying on business in Market Square. I have known deceased for many years, and it is perfectly true that he has been for some time in very low spirits. He was so long previous to the death of his wife. But it is altogether untrue that that condition of mind was caused by unkindness, either on my part or on the part of my fellow employees at my establishment. It was unfortunately produced by a failing of his, which has caused a great deal of trouble. I have had to complain of his want of sobriety lately. He has been in the employ, with a single interval I will mention, of Mr. Mummery and myself for thirty-six years. The only time when I was obliged to act adversely to him was when he was in charge of the shop at Deal, in a position of responsibility, having a great deal of money passing through his hands. I was written for to go there because he was drunk and incapable in the gutter. I had to tell him I could not look it over, but at the request of his wife and through remembering his long connexion with the business, I took him on again against the advice of friends.

The Foreman: I think that quite exonerates you. (Hear, hear.) There is evidently no ground for complaining of your conduct.

A Juror: What do you think brought him into this condition?

Mr. Brown: I suppose it was his drinking habits.

A Juror: Not the loss of his wife?

Mr. Brown: I have no doubt that was the crowning trouble. As to the conduct of the other hands, I expressly told them never to refer to the circumstances I have mentioned, and I have every reason to believe that it has never been mentioned. I promised him at the time that it should never be referred to. Since then we have gone on very well. I have had to remonstrate him once or twice since, and then only in a friendly way. At the time of his death he was under no threat of dismissal or anything of that kind. I have noticed that his mind has failed, and that he has become almost childish of late, and it is only justice to the other hands to say that I have seen them constantly helping him in a quiet sort of way in his work.

A Juror: has he been more addicted to drink since the death of his wife than before?

Mr. Brown: I think his mind has gone. When his wife died he came to me and said, “I know you will sympathise with me.” I must say I was surprised to hear the boy say what he did.

A Jury said he could quite confirm what had been stated to as to the effect the death of his wife had on deceased. He often said he should never get over it.

Mr. E. G. Chapman, foreman at Mr. Brown's, said he could bear out that statement that deceased was treated by everyone at the shop with the greatest possible forbearance. Often when he came the worse for liquor he gave him some secondary work to do in the back shop.

Dr. Edwin Duke deposed: I live at 1, Cambridge Terrace. This morning, about half-past seven, I was called by the Police to a house in Market Court. I found him lying on a sofa in the front room. I made an examination of the body and found a black mark round the neck as if a cord, similar to that produced, had been drawn tightly round it. Death had evidently resulted almost immediately.

The Superintendent said he did not think it was necessary to have the evidence of Police-sergeant Hemmings as he was not called until deceased had been cut down.

The Coroner: Certainly not.

Mr. Brown said he might suggest to the Jury that they should add to their verdict a rider to the effect that deceased had not been driven to the act by ill-treatment.

The foreman and Jury said there was no imputation against Mr. Brown and his employees. It was abundantly clear that he had acted with the greatest kindness and consideration. (Hear, hear.)

A verdict “That deceased committed suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity,” was returned.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 11 August, 1889. Price 1d.

ROBBERY FROM A TILL

At the Police Court on Saturday, William Bonser, a boy 15 years old was charged with stealing 2 shillings from a till at the Bar of the “New Inn,” York Street.” Mr. James Marvin Dunn, the landlord of the “New Inn,” said that about three o'clock on Friday afternoon he was in the bar, parlour at the back of the bar, saw the prisoner come into the bar, and reaching over the counter opened the till and take 2 shillings out of the bowl. Witness coming out of the parlour said “you have robbed my till” and the lad ran up the hill opposite but was caught by him and brought to the Police station. When charged there he denied all knowledge of the robbery and said he had no shillings. He was told to take his boots and socks off and the 2 shillings fell out of his socks. The prisoner pleaded guilty. The Chairman in addressing him said “Bonsor this is a very alarming record you have got. You have appeared before the Bench in December 1887 charged with stealing 6 shillings from a till, you were then sentenced to receive 10 strokes with the birch rod and 7 days hard labour, on the 20th, December you came out of prison and were charged again with stealing 5s. at the Seaman's Rest and committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions and then discharged. On the 14th January you were charged with stealing 2s. from the “Rose Inn,” for which offence you were sentenced to 2 months' imprisonment with hard labour, on the 9th, June 1888 you were charged with stealing a purse containing half a sovereign and some coins from a till at 38 Snargate Street and committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions and discharged. Since then you have been sent to sea and that was thought to be the best thing to do to keep you out of the way of this till robbery, your career since has been a robber's till now. You have been detected and had a good thrashing on the Esplanade. You will now be sentenced to 3 months' imprisonment with hard labour because you are so incorrigible.”

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 27 September, 1889. Price 1d.

PUBLIC HOUSE CHANGE

At the Police Court on Monday, Mr. Spain applied on behalf of Mr. James Marvin Dunn for permission to draw at the “New Inn,” which was granted.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 10 August, 1906. Price 1d.

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE INSTEAD OF A DOCTOR'S CERTIFICATE

At the Dover Police Court this morning before Messrs. J. L. Bradley, T. A. Terson, and J. Scott, the licence of the “New Inn” was transferred from J. M. Dunn to Walter Gardner. A doctor's certificate was produced to show the inability of the outgoing tenant to attend on account of illness. In the first instant, Mr. H. Brown produced, to the great merriment of the Court, a marriage certificate.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 17 March, 1922. Price 1½d.

STRANGE OBJECTION

The “Royal Oak,” Whitfield, applied for an extension from 2.30 to 6, and the “New Inn Hotel” an occasional licence for the Point to Point races at Whitfield on April 5th.

The Chief Constable of Kent objected to the former, but not the latter application.

The Bench granted both applications.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 12 December, 1952.

PUBLIC HOUSE BROKEN INTO

Soldier sent for trial

In the middle of November, Mrs. Rose Staveley, the licensee of the "New Inn," York Street, discovered that her house had been broken into and property stolen. A window had been broken, through which access to the house had been gained. Seven days later the window was again broken, the house entered and property stolen.

On Friday, Fusilier Brian Gallogly, of the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, stationed at the Castle, Dover, was committed for trial on charges of breaking and entering the "New Inn" on 21st and 28th November.

Mrs. Staveley told the court that she found the house in a state of disorder on 21st November and that a pan of glass was out of the kitchen window. On November 28th, "it was practically the whole thing over again as the week before," she said. "The glass had only been put back the previous morning."

Mrs. Staveley said that among the articles missing was a door key of the "New Inn."

Detective Inspector O. C. Lindsay stated that he went to the "New Inn" at 9.45 p.m. on 28th November where he saw Gallogly. He asked the soldier what certain white stains were on his raincoat and the man replied that they were chalk marks. The soldier was then asked to go to the Police Station and later they both went to the Castle where Gallogly's kit was searched. Three bottles, one each of rum, gin and whishy were found and these the Fulsilier said he had brought from London. Back at the Police Station, Gallogly was found to be in possession of a key.

Prosecuting, Mr. S. J. Moss said that Gallogly had made a statement under caution which said that he was short of money so he wet to the "New Inn" where he scrapped away putty from a glass pane and got in through the window. He took four bottles of spirits. About a week later he went there again and got in the same way.

Committing Gallogly for trial at the next sitting of the Quarter Sessions the Chairman of the Magistrates (Mr. H. T. Hawkfield) extended bail of £20.

From the Dover Mercury 9 March 2000 by Bob Hollingsbee.

Post-war York Street

THIS photograph taken after the Second World War shows York Street looking towards Queen Street.

Martin's General Shop can be seen at the junction with New Street and the boarded-up building was previously used by Tailor H.J. Olifent.

In 1935, J. Dalton was the Licensee of the New Inn, which is on the left, towards the bottom of the photograph.

On the right hand side is St George's Press, T. Francis & Son plumbers and the York Street Almshouses.

Information taken from Dover Mercury 12 September 2002.

Hostelry played host to ghostly visitors

THE granddaughter of the licensees of a former Dover pub is asking Mercury readers for help with information and photos of the building. The New Inn stood in York Street before the area was flattened for the dual carriageway in the 1970s.

"It was established in the 1850s and it closed in May 1962," said Jeanette Healey, who lives in Ashford. "It was demolished in December of that year.

"It was reputed to have associations with smuggling. There had been a tunnel which connected this house to several of the pubs in the area.

"I believe the car park along York Street, next to the Roman Painted House, is where the New Inn stood.

"My grandparents, Thomas and Rose Staveley, managed the pub. Nan Staveley was a medium and would talk to many spirits there.

"It is also said that many people have seen a spirit of a Chelsea pensioner in the pub.

"I stayed in that pub as a child. Although certain places like the attic bedroom, the back room where the customers played darts and the cellar did frighten me.

"Sometimes it felt as if I could see the rooms through a distorted mirror. As an adult I have seen this many times as a medium."

Mrs Healey would like to hear from anyone who can provide her with information and photos of the pub.

The photo is from a collection belonging to former Dover motor mechanic Arthur Couch.

It shows York Street at the junction with Market Street. The New Inn is the building next to the lamp post in York Street.

She can be contacted at Jeanette Ann Healey, PO Box 354, Ashford, Kent TN25 4EL, or by e-mail at jeanette.healey@wanadoo.fr

Established by the 1830's and reputedly having associations with the smuggling fraternity in the past. An underground tunnel was said to connect this house with the "Five Alls" and a regimental ghost was reported, dressed as a Chelsea pensioner, who no doubt frightened the revenue officers away.

In 1877, as an outlet of Truman, Hanbury and Company, it was known as "Buckland's New Inn" Certainly Buckland was the patron from 1873 to 1879.

James Pope Meadows, licensee between 1881 and June 1883 was previously a paper hanger in 1861 and an upholsterer in 1871, and lived on the premises with his wife Marie Elizabeth and 7 children aged 12 years and under. I expect pub life didn't suit him as he left the pub in June 1883 and by 1891 he had reverted again to Paper hanging, although moved to the "Endeavour" where he died in 1894.

In the post war years a new road was considered necessary to connect Northampton Street to Folkestone Road. The town therefore bought the pub and closed it in May 1962. Demolition was complete by December.

Information supplied by Colin Talbot.

My son was recently doing a project for school on “Victorian Housing”. They were asked to look at remaining Victorian houses in their area and describe them. This made me realise how distorting this was – because what remains of Victorian housing is middle and upper class. The working class slums have been knocked down.

I was born in a real working class, privately rented, house in Dover in 1952. It makes the ‘Monty Python' sketch about “I was so poor that…” look all too real.

We had no internal toilet or bath. The toilet was in a little hut at the top of the sloping garden – absolutely freezing in winter and full of spiders. The bath was a tin one my Mum had to fill in the kitchen for us, with water off the coal fired range.

The main thing I recall is how cold and damp it always was. We had fireplaces in every room but could not afford to have them going. I guess the walls were not cavity ones, so the house leaked heat like a sieve. we used an oil fired stove in the living room, which several times burst in columns of fire. Amazing the place never burnt down really.

Below are the drawings I did for my son, this premises was directly opposite the "New Inn" and I believe the layout inside would have been similar.

The layout of the house was bizarre – with central staircases between each floor that opened into both rooms on the floor (see right hand inset). This made for great games of hide and seek between me and my older sister, but was crazy in terms of wasted living space.

The ground floor had a kitchen at the rear, opening onto the ‘garden'. I don't remember what was in the front room, but think it might have been a cellar/coal store.

The first floor was a living room at the front and my sisters bedroom at the back (I think). The second floor was my parents room at the front and my room at the back. The third floor in the attic space was so cold and cramped it was just used for storage.

LICENSEE LIST

BRETT George J 1842-61+