From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 10 March, 1871. Price 1d.

AIDING A SOLDIER TO DESERT

William Beercroft, a miserable-looking man of the vagrant type, was charged with aiding a soldier to desert from the 67th Regiment, stationed in this garrison, and with having in his possession a tunic, a pair of braces, a belt, and a cap, the property of the crown.

Jacob Robbins, landlord of the "Prince of Orange" public-house, York Street, said: About eight o'clock last evening the prisoner came into my house. He left a small parcel there, and went out, as he said, to see about a dog. He came back in about five minutes with two soldiers. He asked for a pint of beer. I brought him in the beer and he said I might as well make a pot of it. Prisoner then asked me if I had a private room. I told him I had not. He said he wanted to write a letter, and I told him that he could go into the smoking-room. He said that that would not do, and I told him that I could not accommodate him further. He then asked me if I had a aback yard. I told him I had, and one of the soldiers and the prisoner then went out together into the yard. Shortly afterwards the other soldiers followed him. The prisoner took his bundle with him; and as the yard was full of linen, which was drying, I followed them, in order to look after my property. When I got out on the step leading into the yard, which was about twelve yards from them (I could not see them very well, because the clothes were in the way), I heard them chattering to themselves. When they observed me, one of them said, "All right, governor, you can go back." I stood waiting in the yard for a few minutes, and as I thought they had been there long enough, I went towards them. When I got within two or three strides of them I heard a noise at the back gate, and on reaching them found that one of the soldiers had got over the wall. The prisoner had the tunic, and belt, and the braces produced on his arm and the cap was on the ground. I could not see whether the soldier who was getting over the wall was dressed, or not. The soldiers were in uniform when they came into my house. Prisoner wanted me to take the things and let him go; but I told him he was in the wrong hands for that.

Sergeant George Smirl, of the 67th Regiment, deposed: I am a colour-sergeant in the D company of the 67th Regiment. The braces, the belt, the tunic, and the cap are all the property of private William Choice, who belongs to my company. He has been absent since yesterday afternoon. He had no right to part with his regimentals.

In reply to the Magistrates, Mr. Robbins said that the bundle the prisoner had with him when he came into the house disappeared at the same time as the soldier.

The prisoner had no real defence to offer; but he told a rambling story, apparently with the object to leading the Bench to think that his unsuspecting innocence had been imposed upon.

The Magistrates told him that he had been guilty of a grave offence, and sent him to prison for three months, with hard labour.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 10 May, 1878

TRANSFERS

John Hills applied to have the license of the “Prince of Orange” transferred to him.

The Superintendent said when permission to draw was granted, the applicant stated that he had been keeping the “Blue Anchor,” at Chatham. He wrote to Chatham, but the authorities there knew no such place. Applicant's wife had taken out a summons against her husband for knocking her about, so that if the landlord and landlady were going to quarrel it was better the license should not be granted.

The Bench refused the application, and ordered the house to be closed immediately.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 17 May, 1878

SELLING WITHOUT A LICENCE

John Hills, proprietor of the “Prince of Orange” public-house, New Street, was summoned for selling intoxicating liquors without a licence.

Police-sergeant Hemmings deposed that he visited the house on the night of the 7th inst., where he found two men with a pot containing malt liquor. The landlord told him that he had permission from Mr. Kingsford to draw beer.

Mr. Stillwell, Justices' Clerk, proved by the registry licenses that the defendant was not licensed to sell beer in the house in question.

In defence, the defendant said he gave the man beer for cutting up some wood, and he called a man named James Jonah, who said that he lived at the “Prince of Orange,” and was asked by the defendant to cut up some wood, when he afterwards offered him some beer, which he accepted, and gave some to the other man.

The defendant was fined 40s. and costs.

The Bench reminded him that he had made himself liable to a penalty of £50.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 31 May, 1878

STEALING WEARING APPAREL

Barton Conley was brought up charged with stealing off a line in a garden of 43, High Street, a quantity of wearing apparel, the property of Mr. W. R. Hood.

William Robert Hood said: I am a Trinity pilot, residing at 43, High Street, Charlton. On the 14th inst., I had occasion to go into the garden to fetch some clothed which were hanging on a line. I took in the heavy things and left out the flannel petticoat, one shirt, one cravat, three babies frocks, a white chemise, two towels, two tea cloths, and one pair of drawers. I missed them on the morning of the 15th. I did not say anything then, but on the night of the 24th I received information which induced me to communicate with the Police. My garden is the fourth one from Barwick's Alley, and there is a hole through the wall. The value of the articles stolen amount to 30s.

Mary Ann Hood, daughter of the last witness, identified the flannel petticoat produced as belonging to her.

Emma Gatehouse said: I am a single woman, living at Barwick's Alley. I know the prisoner. He has been living with me up till the last fortnight. Since then he has been living at the “Prince of Orange” public-house, New Street. About a fortnight ago, in the evening, I saw the prisoner coming up the alley with a bundle under each arm. On the morning of the same day he came to my house with a chemise, a pair of drawers, and a white scarf, and asked my sister to buy them. She told him she had no money, and he took them away. He said he had got them from three or four walls from where we lived. About five days afterwards he came to me and asked me to buy the flannel petticoat produced for two shillings. I told him I had no money and he then offered it to me for a shilling, but I refused to buy it.

Caroline Dane said: I am the wife of Edward Dane, who is a general dealer in St. James' Street. On Thursday last the prisoner came to my shop and asked me to buy the petticoat produced for a shilling. He said his landlady wanted a little money and he was trying to sell it for her. I gave him nine-pence for it. A Policeman came and asked about it and I gave it up to him. I have never seen the prisoner before he came into my shop.

Police-sergeant Stevens said: On Saturday, the 25th, from information I received I went to the last witness's shop. I described a number of articles that had been stolen, and asked her if she had bought any of them. The last witness gave me the petticoat produced, and I took possession of it. I saw the prisoner at the Canterbury County Police Court, and charged him with stealing a quantity of wearing apparel from a garden at 43, High Street. Prisoner in reply said he was innocent. I thereupon brought him to Dover.

Prisoner had nothing to say in defence, and was committed for trial at the next Quarter Sessions.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 5 July, 1878

LICENSING BUSINESS

Permission to draw was granted to a man from Sheerness at the “Prince of Orange,” New Street.

WHITING Henry John

Personal Estate £50

Who died 14th January 1889 at the said Tavern was proved at the Principal Registry by Jane Elizabeth Whiting of the said Tavern Spinster and sole Executrix.

19 June. The Will of Henry John Whiting late of the "Prince of Orange," Beerhouse, New Street, Dover in the County of Kent. Beerhouse keeper who died 20 April 1889 at the "Prince of Orange" was proved at Canterbury by Jane Whiting of the "Prince of Orange" Widow the Relict the sole Executrix.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 23 August, 1901. Price 1d.

NEW STREET IMPROVEMENT

Mr. Wightwick, solicitor, applied on behalf of Messrs. Rigden & Co., Brewers, Faversham, for approval of the plans of the new public house to be erected in New Street, to replace the “Prince of Orange.” The Dover Corporation had arranged with the owners to take a portion of the land upon which the present house stood, and were giving them land in exchange. The owners proposed to take down the existing house and erect a new one, and the object of this application was that when they came for a renewal of the licence, the Bench could see that it was erected according to the plans.

The Bench examined the plans, and asked that the following alterations be made: That the door at the rear of the house should be closed, that the side door should only be used by the household, and that only two entrances in front should be used by the public. With the exception of this, the Bench were satisfied with the plans.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 11 December, 1903. Price 1d.

APPLICATION

Alterations to the "Prince of Orange," New Street, were approved, on condition that a back entrance be bricked up.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 12 May, 1905. Price 1d.

LICENSING BUSINESS

The Magistrates' Clerk said that all the licenses would be renewed, except that of the “Prince of Orange,” New Street, the landlord of which had just died, and Messrs. Rigden would make the necessary steps in that case.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 10 February, 1922. Price 1½d.

DEATH OF THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS' SECRETARY

The death occurred on February 3rd of Mr. George Alfred Husks, landlord of the “Prince of Orange,” Queen's Gardens, after a few days illness, at the age of 66 years. The funeral took place on Monday at Faversham, the deceased's home. The deceased was for many years the Secretary of the Dover and District Licensed Victualler's and their Seller's Protection League. The mourners present were his brothers and sisters, and Mr. Pay; whilst the following representatives the Licensed Victuallers' Society:- Messrs. E. G. Ovenden, P. King, H. Maslin, and H. Chapman. Floral tributes were sent from his brothers Sam and all at Beckenham. Edie, his brothers and sisters; Emma, May and Tom, Mr. and Mrs. Booker; Nurse Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Lamoon; the officers and brothers of the “Duke of Connaught Lodge.” R.A.O.B., G.S.R., the officers and brethren of the “Dover Priory Lodge,” A.O.D. (No. 401), the Dover and District Licensed Victualler's and Beer Sellers' Protection Society; the officers and brethren of “The pride of Dover Lodge.” R.A.O.B., G.S.R.; and the officers and brethren of the South East Kent District, R.A.O.B., G.L.K. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. B. J. Andrews, of 22, New Street, and 1, Westbury Road, Dover.

Dover Express 25th August 1944.

At the Dover Licensing Sessions on Friday last, a music and singing licence was granted to the “Prince of Orange”, New Street.

From the Dover Express, 9 August 2007. Report by Rhys Griffiths.

SMOKING BAN - PUBS FEEL THE EFFECTS A MONTH ON.

The Prince of Orange in New Street, barman Ricky Stepney said business had slowed and predicted the worse was yet to come.

He said: "Trade has dropped quite a lot, nobody likes having to go outside to smoke. The people who supported the ban don't come in and when the weather changes it will get worse."

From the Dover Express, 6 March 2008. Report by Yamurai Zendera.

Pub sale has ‘left void’ says landlord Dave.

FORMER pub baron Dave Bliss, who was at the helm of the Prince of Orange when it closed, has told the Express in the week it was put up for sale, that losing it has “left a void” in his life.

In his 41 years in Dover, Mr Bliss, 61, has managed a string pubs, his last being the Prince of Orange, with wife Ann, 58, as the tenancy holder.

Last November their New Street boozer closed because, as Mr Bliss puts it, their losses became “colossal”.

The pub’s dire financial woes at the time, which he partly attributes to losing a lot of customers last June because of a leaky roof, has resulted in a dispute with the owners Admiral Taverns.

Last week, the Prince of Orange was put on the market for £250,000 with Admiral Taverns only prepared to say: “It no longer fits in with our pub portfolio.”

Mark Grieg, managing director of property agency Paramount Investments, which is overseeing the sale, said: “The pub could be redeveloped as housing if no-one is willing to take it on as a going concern. Obviously the hope is that it should continue as a pub.”

Speaking from his two bedroom bungalow in Whitfield, Mr Bliss, who has become reclusive since the closure, said: “For all the stress, it’s still very sad it had to go the way it did. I put five years of my life into it. It’s left a bit of a void in my life to say the least. Basically, I’ve got nothing to do. I just spend my time watching the TV or going on the computer. My wife works part-time in the NHS.”

Since moving to Dover from Folkestone, the former legal clerk has gained a reputation for investing in a number of businesses in the town.

He and second wife Ann have run The Orange Tree, The Flagship, The Royal Oak and the Prince of Orange and for 10 years he owned the now defunct Coastal Taxis, before selling it in 1980.

From the Dover Express, Thursday 12 June, 2008.

Prince ready for rebirth

UNCERTAINTY surrounding the future of the Prince of Orange pub in Dover has finally been resolved after it emerged the property has been sold to a local pub landlord.

The New Street boozer had been on the market for £250,000 through property agency Paramount Investments since February.

It was put up for sale by owners Admiral Taverns, who at the time said: "it no longer fits in with our pub portfolio".

The last tenancy holders of the Prince of Orange were husband and wife Dave and Ann Bliss of Whitfield, (shown below) who ran into financial difficulties.

Paramount Investments previously stated their desire for the freehold to be taken on by someone wishing to keep it going as a pub.

Company spokesman Andy Bernyeat confirmed an offer matching the asking price had been made. He said: "It's been sold, subject to the contracts being exchanged.

"The idea is that it will stay as a pub. We are talking about someone local in the trade, who wants to keep it open."

Mr Bernyeat said the sale was good news for the pub trade, which has had to change the way it works since the introduction of the smoking ban last year.

He said: "We are pleased that it will stay as a pub.

"We're always glad to see pubs open. They are under a lot of pressure at the moment, and some have had to close for various reasons."

Final paperwork is expected to be tied up this week.

From the Dover Express, Thursday 20 November, 2008.

Application to turn Prince of Orange pub into flats.

HOPES of keeping open the Prince of Orange pub in New Street, Dover, a drinking establishment since 1846, appear to be dashed. A planning application- has been made by Victor Evans to change the use of the pub by the provision of four one-bedroom flats, with a first-floor extension above a flat roof area. The ancient property, in what was once Turn-again Lane, was rebuilt in 1901.

Above photo by Chris Whippet, Creative Commons Licence.