DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 08 June, 2022.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1851-

Plough

Latest 1974+

 

Guston

Above photo, date unknown, Kindly sent by Leonie Frean.

Above photo, circa 1952, showing Leonard Hayes. Kindly sent by Leonie Frean.

Plough ladies skittles 1957

Ladies skittles winners circa 1957. The team from left to right was ‘Christine’ maybe Godden, her mum Mrs Godden(?) - they lived in Dover, unknown lady, Mrs Jim Johnson, Mrs Hetty Harris, Mrs Young, Mrs Rose Huntley, her sister next to her. In the front crouching down is my Mum, Mrs Pamela Hayes, holding our dog Lucky, little girl next to her is Georgina Huntley about 3-4 yrs old, and next to her Alfie Huntley (both children of Rose & George Huntley). I am not there as I expect I was in bed - or peeping out of my bedroom window wishing I was down amongst the fun!! Kindly sent by Leonie Frean.

From the Dover Express 9 April 1998 by Bob Hollingsbee.

Plough Inn at Guston

Harry Harris sent this picture to Bob Hollingsbee in 1997 and says she is now now living away but her mother lives in Valley Road, River. The above picture is of Guston outside the old Plough Inn. The postcard must date from the early part of the century. He says his grandfather, also Harry, is in the centre of the group of three children and later became a licensee of the Plough.

Plough Inn Guston Harry Harris

THIS picture left, of former Plough Inn, Guston licensee Harry Harris with two of his friends was of considerable interest to 86-year-old great grandmother Mrs Ada Broadley who lives near the family's Lenacre Farm, in Forge Lane, Whitfield.

On the left of the group was her grandfather Frederick Claringbould who was also a licensee for some time - at the Swingate Inn, on the Dover to Deal road. "That was until 1910 when his son, William, my father, took over," Mrs Broadley told me.

Her grandfather then took Westcliffe, St Margaret's.

"My father was at the Swingate Inn until the First World War when he was called up.

"Mum had five children and could not afford to stay on so the family moved to Ashley. After the war Dad ran a farm at Oxney Bottom, Ringwould for a Major Banks.

"But, about 1921, we moved to Solton Close, East Langdon."

In 1934 the young Ada Claringbould married farmer Edward Broadley who, in 1974 took over Lenacre Farm, Whitfield from his father William.

"Then, about 1976 our son Keith who lives in Lenacre farmhouse took over."

Mrs Broadley and her husband, who also have a daughter Jean, have just celebrated 64 years of marriage.

They have four grandchildren and the latest addition to the family, is their fourth great-grandchild, Daniel Marshall, who was born on February 1.

 

Plough at Guston 1993

Plough at Guston in 1993.

Plough Guston
Plough Guston
Plough Guston Sign

Above 3 photos by Paul Skelton 18 August 2007.

Plough, Guston after 1921

Above photo kindly supplied by Ian Norris from a postcard, who says his father was born there in 1921. The picture was taken after that date.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 16 June, 1871. Price 1d.

GUSTON, NEAR DOVER

TO BREWERS, DAIRYMEN, AND OTHERS.

Notice of sale of a FREEHOLD BEER HOUSE AND THREE PIECES OF PASTURE LAND.

Messrs. Worsfold and Hayward, have received instructions from the Mortgagee, with Power of Sale, to Sell by Public Auction, at the “Royal Oak Hotel,” Dover, on Thursday, the 27th day of June, 1871, at two for three o'clock precisely, in Four Lots, the following Freehold Property:-

Lot 1. A licensed beer-house, situate in Guston Street, known as the “Plough,” late in the occupation of Mr. Fox, with cow lodge and sheds, small paddock and garden.

Lot 2. An excellent piece of pasture land, lying close to the road leading from Guston to Langdon, adjoining the Guston Butts, containing 0a. 2r. 14p.

Lot 3. A meadow, situate at the junction of the roads leading from Guston to Pineham and the Frith farm, adjoining the Wesleyan Chapel, containing 0a. 3r. 35p.

Lot 4. A piece of Pasture Land, near Lot 3, on the road leading from Guston to Pineham, containing 1a. 0r. 29p.

Particulars and Conditions of sale may be obtained of Messrs. Worsfold and Hayward, Auctioneeers, Surveyors, and Estate Agents, New Bridge, Dover; or of, Mr. James Stilwell, solicitor, Dover.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 2 March, 1877. Price 1d.

SHORT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

George White, publican, Guston, was fined 15s. and 8s. costs for having deficient measures.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 4 May, 1877. Price 1d.

CHARGE AGAINST A BEERHOUSE KEEPER

John Chapman, landlord of the “Plough” beerhouse, at Guston, was summoned for having his house open for the sale of beer during prohibited hours, on Good Friday, the 30th March.

Mr. Mowll, solicitor, Dover, appeared for the defendant.

It appeared from the evidence that the men represented that they had travelled from Folkestone. On the strength of that representation Mrs. Chapman supplied them with beer. They afterwards admitted that they came from Dover, which was not three miles distant.

The Bench dismissed the case.

CONVICTION FOR BEING ON LICENSED PREMISES

Joseph Brewer, Horse Chandler, and John Doughty, of Dover, were summoned for being on the above mentioned licensed premises, during prohibited hours.

Chandler did not appear, and the charge against him was not gone into.

The defendants were the men found drinking outside the house of the defendant in the above case, and Instructing Constable Mercer and Mrs. Chapman having repeated their evidence as to the charge against the defendants, they were each ordered to pay a fine of 5s. and 12s. 2d. costs.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 16 February, 1917.

LICENSING SESSIONS

The license of the “Plough,” Guston, was temporarily transferred from Mr. H. Harris to Mr. C. Groombridge, recently in the Police Force.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 12 Mach, 1937.

Mr. Rutley Mowll applied for a wine on licence for the licensee of the "Plough" Inn, Guston, and said that busses stopped outside, and there were many calls for wine.

Henry Digby Turner gave evidence that he was constantly receiving requests for wine.

The application was granted.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 17 December, 1937. Price 1½d.

EXTENSIONS

Mr. F. A. G. Aldington made applications for extension of time for the "Plough Inn," Guston, for December 24th and 27th. He said he had not given notice of an application for December 31st, but he understood there was to be a general application from licensed houses in the Division for that date.

The application was granted for the three dates till 10.30.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 19 May 1939.

LANDLORD AND VISITORS FINED

At the Wingham Petty Sessions, at Dover on Thursday, Henry Digby Turner, licensee of the Plough Inn, Guston, was summoned for selling intoxicating liquor otherwise than during the permitted hours on 22nd April, and further for supplying drinks after hours.

Defendant pleaded not guilty to both summonses.

Charles Edward Thorpe, a butcher, of Queen Street, Deal, James Casbolt and Charles Whittle, of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, Dover and Thomas Wellard of Guston, were summoned for consuming intoxicating liquor after hours.

 Defendants pleaded not guilty.

The summons against Turner were taken first.

Mr Eric Weale, County Prosecuting Solicitor, after outlining the evidence, said that it was quite clear that there was a money transaction, and it had been decided in the past that it was not necessary to see money passed providing that there was evidence to support the fact that money was passed and that evidence could support the fact that there was a sale of some description.

Police Sergeant Wood, St. Margaret's-at-Cliffe, said that at 11 p.m. on 22nd April, with P.C. Witherden and .C. Hobby, he went to the garden of the Plough Inn, Guston. As they entered the lights of a car were turned on outside the public house and a car was driven away in the direction of Dover. They took up a position against the window of the rear room of the public house. The blind was down, and there was a space at each side, but not enough for them to be able to see any of the occupants. He could hear laughing and talking among the occupants and heard coins dropping on wood, and voices saying "Cherio". The conversation was about Dover, and a female voice said, _____ Dover" and "_____ Dover." The talk then changed to darts. Then followed general talk about the distance to London. He could repeatedly hear glasses being placed on wood. Then the talk changed to hanging up game, and a male voice said. "What are you going to have?" That was 11.20 p.m. The same voice then said, "How much?" Another voice, which he afterwards found was the landlord's, said "Ten and eight and eighteen, and three, that's 1s. 9d. altogether." There followed a general discussion about the prices. He heard coins rattle, and the landlord's voice said, "Another penny, Tom." At 11.20 p.m. witness with P.Cs, Witherden and Hobby, entered the house through the side door, and in the room saw five men and one woman - the wife of the licensee. She was sitting on Thorpe's knee, and a small monkey was sitting on her lap. The other men were also in the room. He told them he as going to report them for consuming intoxicating liquor on licensed premises after hours, and the licensee that he would be reported for selling and supplying after hours. Mrs. Turner said, "Come in and have one," Casbolt and Whittle said, "No money has passed." Wellard declined to make a statement, but tried to leave the room quietly, being stopped by P.C. Hobday. Defendant Turner said, "I have entered these gentlemen to be a convivial evening after I had closed. There was no money passed." Then for some unknown reason Turner wrote in witness' book, "Sgt. Wood, you know the door was not locked." Thorpe at first said he had no explanation, and then said, "I brought the meat up, and I was asked to have a drink and had one." There were two Guinnesses in front of Thorpe and Mrs. Turner, and each of the other defendants had a glass containing beer in from of him. The soldiers continued to drink whilst witness was there.

Defendant: You didn't see my wife sitting  on the butcher's lap, you saw her sitting on the arm of the chair, to start with? - My evidence is the same as I gave it at first. Thorpe was sitting on the chair, on his lap was Mrs. Turner, and on her lap was a little monkey.

Defendant said that he gave the "Corporal" a convivial evening because they had been there once or twice before.

In reply no further questions by Turner, witness said that he did not see Thorpe arrive. If the Police had arrived on top of Thorpe witness did not see him.

P.C. Hobby, East Langdon, and P.C. Witherden, Ringwould, gave similar evidence, and the latter said he heard Mrs. Turner say, " I am not going to pay for any _____ beer in Dover."

Turner giving evidence, said that he was entertaining two soldiers from the Connaught Barracks, Wellard was his potman who cleared away after they closed and scrubbed out, and Thorpe cam in afterwards to deliver some meat, and witness asked him if he would have one. Witness told Thorpe, "We are celebrating. One of these soldiers is going away, and so am I." No money was passed. None of the drinks was paid for, they all came out of witness' pocket. Turner added that he was due to leave the "Plough" on 23rd March, and his time expired on 10th April, but he had not yet left. If the brewers had acted as they should have done he would not have been in the house on 22nd April.

Mr. Weale: Does Wellard live on the presises? - No.

He was drinking beer, though? - What I was giving him.

What about the conversations the three officers overheard? - I don't see how they were in a position to hear such a trumped up yarn.

How much is Guinness? - Sevenpence.

What is the price of the other beer? - Beer is fourpence a pint.

You suggest the Police Officers made this conversation up?

Defendant did not answer.

Mr. Weale: Is any one of the defendants known as Tom? -  Yes, Mt. Wellard.

It is rather curious they should have known his name? - Well, he is well known to the police because he is a special constable.

You say the conversation about money is wrong? - Yes.

Although there were three officers present? - Yes, there was no money handled by anyone. I gave all the drinks after time.

So no money was taken out of anybody's pocket at all? - There was a halfpenny on the table, and that was given to the monkey to play with.

So that someone saying "Cherio" and "How much is it?" is a prevarication on the part of the Police? - Yes.

You were certainly entertaining these people at the time? - Yes.

How often do you entertain? - Not often.

It is amazing that one of the few nights on which you entertain people Constables should take it into their heads to watch your premises. It is strange, that? - Yes. My opinion is that they were following Mr. Thorpe, and as the Sergeant is dead keen on motor cars he thought he might catch someone driving while drunk.

Thomas Wellard said he was standing in the bar. He never paid for any drinks, and was there clearing up because he had the church fires to see to on Sunday morning.

By Mr. Weale: He served out the beer because he drew it off when the landlord told him. No one had paid for beer. The monkey had been playing with the coin. He had assisted Mr. Turner to clear up, and was not paid to do so.

James Casbolt, a soldier, said he was there at the invitation of the landlord. He paid no money for his drinks, but he gave the monkey a halfpenny.

Thomas Whittle said that he was going away from Dover, and the "guvnor" of the pub was also going away, so witness was asked if he would have a drink. Witness did not pay for any drinks.

Mr Weale: How long have you known the landlord? - Since the previous Wednesday.

Have you know such friendship amongst landlords before as to ask you to stay and have a drink when you had only known him such a short time? - No I have not.

With regard to any money passing you were busy in conversation with your friend, and would not be paying a lot of attention to whether anyone paid? - No.

Turner said that everything that was drunk that night after closing time was given to him, and no intoxicating liquor was sold.

After a short retirement, the Chairman (Viscount Hawarden) said that the defendant was found guilty.

Fined £5 and two guineas costs towards the prosecution: Defendant was allowed two months in which to pay.

Casbolt, Whittle, Wellard and Thorpe were then dealt with. The first three appeared and pleaded not guilty, and Mr. F. A. Tucker (Sandwich) appeared for Thorpe, and pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Weale said that the evidence was the same as for the previous summonses.

P. Sgt. Wood, replied to Mr. Tucker and that he could not debate the point whether Thorpe arrived in the room a few moments before him.

Mr. Tucker: What did Thorpe say? - He said, "I have brought the meat."

And there was a package on the table? - Yes.

Did someone invite you to open that? - I believe they did, but I did not do so.

You did not doubt his story at all? - No, I know he is the butcher supplying the house, and I know he is a frequent visitor.

Turner giving evidence on Thorpe's behalf, said that he had known Thorpe for three or four years, and he had been supplied with meat by him during that time. When Thorpe came in with the meat on the night in question witness asked him what he was going to have, and gave him a Guinness. The Police arrived practically on top of Thorpe.

Mrs. Turner gave similar evidence.

All the defendants stated that the landlord gave them all the drinks.

Wellard, Whittle and Casbolt were fined 10s. each, and Thorpe was fined £1, the Chairman (Mr. Burgess) remarked that he should have known better than to have been there at that time of night.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 16 June 1939.

The license of the "Plough" Inn, Guston, was transferred from Mr. Henry Digby Turner to Mr. James Henry Fisher.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 18 November, 1939.

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS

The landlord of the "Plough," Guston, was granted an extention of one hour on December 14th for the annual dinner of the Self Help Club.

 

Dover Express 01 September 1944.

TOWN & PORT GARRISON.

L-Cpl. Reggie Fisher, of the "Plough Inn," Guston, was one of a party of five men of the Pioneer Platoon of a Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, engaged in clearing mines and booby traps left by the Germans in a pretentious college, "The Collegio Dell Addelerate," in the mountainous country south of Florence.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 11 March, 1949.

A GUSTON LICENCE

At the adjourned annual Licensing Sessions for the Wingham Division at Canterbury yesterday (Thursday), Lord Hawarden presiding. Mr. Philip Bracher, on behalf of the licensee, James H. Fisher, applied for a full on-licence for the "Plough Inn," Guston, hitherto holding only a beer and wine licence. There was no opposition.

Mr. Fisher, who has held the licence since 1939, said there was a considerable demand for spirits by the local and travelling public, and he presented a petition with 143 signatures.

The licence was granted, the additional monopoly value being approved at £400.

 

 

Now unfortunately closed in 1974.

This pub used to have a skittle alley in the back garden.

 

From an email received 3 September 2010

I have details of my Great Grandfather being a landlord at The Plough Inn in 1895.

His name was George Marsh Hobday, this information appears on my Grandparents marriage certificate. It says Frederick Hickman (Residence at the time of marriage) "The Plough Inn," Guston, to Edith Amelia Hobday (Residence at the time of marriage "The Plough Inn," Guston.) Father George Marsh Hobday, Licensed Victualler.

The date of the Marriage was 5th May 1895. I would love to know how long he was there.

Any information would be appreciated.

Very many thanks.

Shirley Popple, Great granddaughter of George Hobday.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

FOX George 1851-71+ (widower age 73 in 1871Census) (Melville's 1858 Beer retailer)

CHAPMAN John 1877+ Dover Express

SOLLY Stephen to Nov/1881 (age 37 in 881Census) Dover Express

FAGG William Nov/1881+ Dover Express

HOBDAY George Marsh 1891-95+ (age 53 in 1891Census)

HARRIS George 1899 Kelly's 1899 (Beer retailer)

HARRIS Harry 1900-Feb/17 Dover ExpressPost Office Directory 1914

GROOMBRIDGE Mr Charles H Feb/1917-June/21 dec'd Dover Express beer retailer

GROOMBRIDGE Emily Margaret June/1921-24+ Dover ExpressPikes 1924

HEARD G R 1932+ Pikes 1932-33

BALLARD Mr Arthur Leonard to Mar/1935 Dover Express (Beer retailer)

HORNE Mr Allan C Sharman Mar-Nov/1935+ Dover Express

WHITE/WAITE Mr W Nov/1935-Jan/37 Dover Express

TURNER Mr Henry Digby Jan/1937-Apr/1939 Pikes 1938-39Dover Express

PITTS H F Mr 21 April 1939+ Dover Express

(I don't believe Pitts ever served behind the bar.)

FISHER James Henry 16 June 1939-49+ Dover Express

HORTON Ernest C 1950-Aug/52 Kelly's Directory 1950Kelly's Directory 1953

HAYES Leonard Aug/1952-Apr/65 Kelly's Directory 1956

COOMBER John F A 1974+ Library archives 1974 Fremlins

 

Melville's 1858From Melville's Directory 1858

Kelly's 1899From the Kelly's Directory 1899

Post Office Directory 1914From the Post Office Directory 1914

Pikes 1924From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1924

Pikes 1932-33From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33

Pikes 1938-39From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1938-39

Kelly's Directory 1950From the Kelly's Directory 1950

Kelly's Directory 1953From the Kelly's Directory 1953

Kelly's Directory 1956From the Kelly's Directory 1956

Library archives 1974Library archives 1974

Dover ExpressFrom the Dover Express

CensusCensus

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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