Advert below from the Dover Express, 27 February 2003.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 17 February, 1882. Price 1d.

PLAYING FOR MONEY

John Brooks, landlord of the "Plough Inn," beer-house, Hougham, was charged with allowing skittles to be played at his premises.

The defendant pleaded "guilty" but said that at that time he was ignorant that he was doing wrong.

Superintendent Maxted said that the defendant had been cautioned twice, but from the information he received he sent a constable in private clothes to the premises, who saw eleven games played, the losers having to pay for beer.

The Bench fined the defendant £1 and costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 16 November, 1883. 1d.

Mr. Brooks, of the “Plough Inn,” Folkestone Road, has a pear tree in his garden now in full bloom.

From the Dover Express, 1 January, 1915.

War death. William Albert Golds, (Sapper), son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Golds of the "Plough," Church Hougham.

From the Dover Express, 1 January, 1915.

Justices approved for plans for alterations to the "Plough" Inn, Hougham, the alterations including the provision of new conveniences and an entrance at the front to the tea rooms.

Dover Express, Friday 9 November 1923.

SOLDIERS RAID PUBLIC HOUSE.

At the Dover Police Copurt on Tuesday, before Messrs. W. B. Brett and T. Francis.

Private Lewis Lawson and Private Robert Moody, of the Green Howards, were charged with breaking and entering the "Hare and Hounds Inn," Folkestone Road, and stealing a bottle of whiskey, a pair of field glasses, a bottle of ginger wine, a large number of packets of cigarettes, 14 cigars and a tin containing biscuits, valued £3 12s. 2d.

Alexander William Crawford, the licensee, said that on Saturday he closed his house, a beer house, at 10:30 p.m. and went to bed just after 11:30, when he left everything secure. He heard nothing during the night, but when he got up at 7:45 the next morning he found the front door open. On pulling up the blinds he found the bar window open about 3 inches. This window was level with the road, and he had fastened the catch the night before. He found the bar had been disturbed, and on going into the bar parlour found the door and the window open and the blind up. This was also level with the road. He found two soldiers' belts on the table. He missed the cigarettes, cigars and biscuits from the bar, also the ginger wine. The bottle of whiskey he missed from the living room, but the field glasses, in the back sitting room, he did not miss until Sunday afternoon. He identified the articles produced as his property and valued them at £3 12s. 2d. He charged the prisoners at the Dover Police Station on Monday night.

Detective Sergeant Greenland said that at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday he went to the "Hare and Hounds Inn" and saw the last witness, who told him that the premises had been entered during the night and told him the articles missing. Witness examined the premises and found an entrance had been made by forcing the catch of the bow window back with some instruments, as there were marks on the window and paint scrapings on the window ledge. The two belts were handed to him, and in consequence of the markings on then he went to the Citadel Barracks and made enquiries. He found the two prisoners, of the Green Howards, had been absentees since Friday night. He went in search of them until 19 on Monday night.

P. C. Moore said that at 11:20 p.m. on Monday night he was in Biggin Street when he saw the two prisoners standing at the top of Pencester Road. Lawson approached him and said "We are the chaps who broke into those two pubs." Witness knew that the "Hare and Hounds Inn" and the "Plough Inn," Hougham, had been broken into, and he told the prisoners he would take them to the Police Station. On arrival there Moody handed him the fill classes from underneath his great coat, saying "I got these at the "Hare and Hounds."" Witness searched him and found a quantity of cigarettes on Lawson and cigarettes and matches on Moody. A knife found on Moody bore marks of having been used to force a window. "The cigarettes," they said, "had come from the pubs."

Chief Constable Green at this point asked for a remand until Thursday, when, no doubt, he said, a further charge would be preferred against them.

Prisoners were then remanded until Thursday.

On Thursday, before the same Magistrates, Mr. Crawford identified a biscuit tin (containing four packets of biscuits) and the empty whiskey bottle as his property. These have been recovered since Tuesday.

Prisoners had nothing to say to the first charge, and the second charge was then taken.

Prisoners were charged with breaking into the "Plough Inn," Hougham between 11:20 on November 4th and 5.30 on November 5th and stealing two boxes of Players and Woodbine cigarettes, 1lb Shag, 1/2lb Navy Cut, 2lb Irish Roll, a bottle of cherry brandy, a two gallon jar of ginger beer, a tin of biscuits, an oil lamp, a bottle of ale and a bottle of cider, and 1lb box of chocolates and ten boxes of matches, valued in all £4 10s.

Henry John Pilcher, licensee of the "Plough Inn," said that on Sunday he securely locked the front door at 10 p.m. and about 11:20, before going to bed, went round and found everything safe. He heard a little noise during the night but thought nothing of it, as it was not very loud, and he was not really disturbed during the night. At 5:30 a.a. when he got up, he found the front door open and the front window nearest the road open at the top. He looked around and saw that the tobacco was missing. It was in a package that had not been opened. He also missed the other articles mentioned in the charge. The lamp was kept in the cellar, and his daughter missed that. All the stuff had been found, or what was left of it. He believed Moody had been into the "Plough" several times, as he seemed to recognise him.
Moody:- I have never been there before.

Detective Constable Belsey, K.C.C., Seabrook, said that on Monday, in consequence of the report, he went to the "Plough." He examined the premises and found on the window of the taproom three new marks at the bottom of the sash and a mark on the brass catch. On Tuesday he searched a field near the Old Dover Road, Hougham (towards Lydden Spout,) and in a hollow he found the articles mentioned in the charge. The biscuit tin was covered over with hay, but the other articles were in the open. It was about a mile and a half from the "Plough." Witness was present at the Dover Police Station when the prisoners were charged by Mr. Pilcher, and they made no reply. Witness also found the biscuit tin and the whiskey bottle from the "Hare and Hounds" with the other articles at Ayecliffe.

Prisoners had nothing to say to the second charge, and were committed for trial at the Assizes, Maidstone, on both offences.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 18 September, 1925. Price 1½d.

HOUGHAM PUBLICAN PROSECUTED

A sitting of the Dover petty Sessions was held at the Dover Police Court on Thursday, before Lord Fitzwalter, Sir Robert McCall, Messrs. A. M. Evanson, H. J. May and P. Hinds.

John Frederick Sayer, of the “Plough Inn,” Hougham, was summoned for selling intoxicating liquor during prohibited hours; and John Green, James Reader, Thomas Hopkins, Sidney Hopkins and Frederick Perry were summoned for consuming intoxicating liquor during prohibited hours.

P.S. Fry said: I saw a light in the public bar of the “Plough” at 10.45 p.m. on September 5th and heard voices. I looked through the window and saw Perry, Hopkins, and Reader. Hawkings and Green had glasses of ale and stout, from which they were drinking. Green took the glasses and refilled them. I entered the bar and some of the beer was tasted by P.C. Clark. Sayer said, “The bar would have been cleared but for the circus man coming in.” As I left the premises, continued witness, I heard Mrs. Sayer say, “This is all your fault. I've always told you about drawing that b_____ blind.”

In reply to Mr. Mowll, witness said that the defendant Sayer did not say anything to him about Green staying the night.

Mr. Mowll: As a matter of fact, Green did stay at the house, and they did not know whether Green was entitled to treat the men as his friends. In fact, he was not.

Defendant was fined 10s.

The other four defendants were bound over for 12 months, Green being fined 5s.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 22 April, 1927. Price 1½d.

ANOTHER BURGLARY AT THE “PLOUGH INN”

Last Thursday morning, the 14th inst, a robbery took place at the “Plough Inn,” on the Folkestone Road, Hougham, which in many ways resembled two previous burglaries that have taken place at the house. During the night of Wednesday-Thursday, an entry was effected by means of the private Bar window, the catch being reached by removing a mica covered window. A quantity of ale and stout were taken, as well as biscuits and cigarettes and tobacco. A quantity of liquor was drunk in the bar, and the empty bottles put back on the shelves. The landlord is Mr. Bowll, who was formerly Cadet Corps Instructor at Dover College. The house was entered twice before during the tenancy of two previous landlords, and almost the same sort of robbery took place, although on one occasion some coins were taken.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 4 January, 1935. Price 1½d.

ANNUAL LICENSING MEETING

Albert Edward Chapman, licensee of the "Plough Inn," Hougham, was granted a licence to sell wines off the premises. Mr. Chapman said that he turned hundreds of people away last season because he was unable to supply wines with meals.

Mr. Rutley Mowll appeared for Mr. Fermor and Mr. Chapman.

Dover Express, Friday 12 April 1935.

Amongst the licenses confirmed by the East Kent Licensing Committee last week, were:- The Pharmacy, Eythorne (wine off, limited to medicated wines,) and the "Plough Inn," Hougham (wine on.)

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 20 September, 1935. Price 1½d.

ALTERATIONS TO THE PLOUGH

The Magistrates approved plans for slight alterations to the exterior of the "Plough Inn," Hougham.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 28 April 1939.

The license of the "Plough" Inn, Hougham, was granted an extension till 11 p.m., on Wednesday, May 3rd for a supper and smoking concert, arranged by the Folkestone Rowing Club.

Dover Express 10th May 1946.

Town, Port & Garrison.

The engagement is announced between Alice Elizabeth Verona, only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Chapman “The Plough”, Folkestone Road, near Dover and Capt. R. Haydn Wright RASC, elder son of Mr. & Mrs. R. Wright of Moorside House, Honbley, Huddersfield, Yorkshire.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 11 January 1952.

A Licensee for 18 years.

Death of Mr. A. E. Chapman.

His many friends in Dover will regret to learn of the death, which occurred at his residence, London House, Capel, on Thursday last week, of Mr. Albert Edward Chapman, licensee of the Plough Inn, Hougham, for nearly eighteen years, until retiring three years ago.

Mr. Chapman, who was 62, was born in the Clarendon district of Dover and served in the 2nd Life Guards during the first world war.

The funeral took place at Capel on Monday, the Rev. G. R. S. Clack, an old friend, officiating. The mourners present were:- Mrs. A. E. Chapman (widow), Captain and Mrs. Peter Anthony Hughes (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. D. V. Barnes (sister-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. E. Attack, (brother-in-law and sister-in-law). Mrs. A. Mitchell (sister-in-law), and Mrs. Philip Woods and Kitty Woods (nieces).

From the Dover Express, 1 January, 2003.

BEEFEATER IS NUMBER ONE

CHRIS Accolla of The Plough Beefeater at Hougham is celebrating the fact that the company has been voted number one in a reader survey carried out by national women's magazine Best.

Readers were invited to complete a consumer survey nominating Britain's best value shops, restaurants and services. Beefeater came joint top in the Best Chain for Eating Out category.

From the Dover Express, 22 March 2007. Report by Yamurai Zendera.

More jobs on the menu.

A DOVER restaurant which has undergone a £600,000 makeover has guaranteed more jobs will follow soon. The Plough Beefeater in Folkestone Road near Church Hougham was transformed when it reopened three weeks after it closed for refurbishment in January.

As part of the update, 15 new jobs, including chefs, hosts, bar staff, cleaners, reception and restaurant staff, were added to an existing workforce of 35. And as the restaurant gears up for the summer season, general manager Simon Mukhtar says the time had come to employ more staff.

He said: "We expect increased trade during the summer as Dover is a very seasonal town. As we are a country pub we expect to grow by 20 to 30 per cent from the end of May through to September. We will certainly be looking for more seasonal staff in the bar, restaurant and kitchen."

Mr Mukhtar, general manager for the last 15 years, said a key focus of the firm was to invest heavily in new and existing employees to drive up standards and customer satisfaction.

The Plough now boasts a modem interior with "comfort seating" areas and a new £160,000 kitchen featuring a char grill.

The menu has also been given an overhaul. As well as the traditional range of steaks and burgers, there are a number of tasty lamb, chicken and fish dishes available, as well as a variety of pastas and salads.

The Premier Travel Inn Dover West hotel, part of the Beefeater group, has also reopened after a £400,000 refurbishment.