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52 Abbey Street
Upper Brents
Faversham
01795 532282
https://www.facebook.com/BrentsTavern
https://whatpub.com/brents-tavern
Above photo, date unknown. |
Above photo, 1977. |
Above picture taken from Google maps, May 2009.
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Above photo 2023, kindly sent by Les Hearson. |
 
Above sign left, April 1991, sign right 2009.
With thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com.
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Awaiting reverse picture of Whitbread sign.
Above card issued March 1955. Sign series 4 number 5.
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Above photo, showing licenses 1956, Betty and Taffy Davies. |
Above photo, showing an annual outing for the Senior Citizens, 1960s,
licensees Ernie & Shelia Darby central on bottom step, front. |
Above photo, date and people unknown. Darts trophies. |
Above darts team, date and names unknown. |
Originally built for Thomas Waller, as a house for the manager of a hat
factory he started in 1832, the premises overlooks the Faversham Creek and
became a public house around 1855.
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Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, Saturday 15 December 1860.
Faversham.
At the petty sessions on Thursday, George Jemmett, of the "Brents," near
Faversham, was fined 10s. and costs for keeping his house open at
improper hours on 23rd October last.
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From the Dover Express, 22 October, 1869.
Theft of a Guernsey at Preston.
William Thurston, 45, Henry Swan, 28, James Swan, 24, Joseph Clark,
labourers, were indicted for stealing a guernsey, value 7s. the property
of Henry Summers, at Preston-next-Faversham, on Oct. 1st.
Prosecutor deposed that he was a fisherman, and lodged at the "Brents
Tavern." He had a guernsey in the kitchen, which is underground, and on
the following day the guernsey was gone. He identified the guernsey
produced an his property.
Amelia Dane, nine years of age, daughter of the landlord of the "Brents
Tavern," said that on Oct. 1st, Clark, James Swan, and Thurston, were at
the house. Thurston asked her to take a pint of beer into the tap-room,
and as she left the tap room she saw Clark coming up the cellar stairs.
She had been in the cellar shortly before, and saw a guernsey hanging by
the fire. Half an hour afterwards the guernsey was gone.
George Stevens said he had been lodging at the "Cherry Tree"
public-house, at Preston. On October last Thurston and the two Swans
came there. Thurston was wearing a guernsey, and he offered it for sale.
Thomas Cole, Preston, said on Oct. 1st he was at the "Windmill," and
Thurston came in and offered a guernsey to him for 6s. Subsequently the
two Swans came in. A man bought the gurrnsey for 5s. and a pint of beer.
Edward Packman said he bought the guernsey as stated. He asked Thurston
if he had come by the guernsey honestly, and he said he had, and that he
had worked hard for the money he had bought it with.
P.C. Bennett, on the 2nd Oct., took Thurston into custody. After he had
cautioned him he said, "We were at the "Brent's Tavern." Clark said he
had got a guernsey and gave it to James Swan, and he gave it to his
brother. At the "Cherry Tree" Henry Swan asked me what the guernsey was
worth. I thought it was worth 4s. Swan handed the guernsey to me, and I
sold it to a man named Boughton. Witness afterwards took James Swan who
said he was at the "Brents Tavern" on the 1st of October, but saw
nothing of any guernsey.
The jury found Thurston and Clark guilty, and acquitted the Swans. A
previous conviction was proved against Clarke.
Supt. White, of the Faversham borough police, said that Clark had
several times been in trouble.
Clark was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labour and seven years'
supervision of the police. Thurston to two months' hard labour.
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Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 6 May 1944.
Obtaining Clothing and Food with his Children's Ration Books.
Faversham publican sent to prison.
At the Faversham Borough Petty sessions on Wednesday, before the
Mayor, Mr. P Johnson (in the chair,) Mr. J. H. Johnson and Mrs. G.
M. Usher, Robert Harris, landlord of the "Brents Tavern," was
summoned for between 1st of July and 31st August obtaining clothing
with a clothing book which had been issued to another person.
Defendant pleaded guilty.
Mr. Cole Marshall, who prosecuted on behalf of the Board of Trade,
said that defendant used a clothing book which was issued to someone
else and that was a breach of Article 11 of the Clothing Order.
Defendant was seen by a Board of Trade inspector, Mr. Wills, and he
made the following statement:- "I am a married man. In November,
1940, my son, Reginald and my daughter, Kate, were sent away to a
home. While the boy was away I applied for a new identity card on
his behalf. I took the car to the Food Office but I did not disclose
that he was away from home. Consequently I obtained food for him
which was used by the family. The clothing coupons I used for the
benefit of myself and my son, Robert. I know I have done wrong and
that I've been a fool, but as I was short of coupons I took the
chance."
He asked for leniency and said he was an old soldier in receipt of
100%, disability pension, £2 a week. He joined up again in this war
and was stationed in the district until February 17th, 1941. Mr.
Marshall added that people seem to do these things without realising
how foolish they were and laid themselves open to large penalties.
Defending them pleaded guilty to two charges of obtaining ration
food, to wit, bacon, sugar and preservatives otherwise than by
producing to the person supplying the goods a valid coupon, and also
with using a fation document with intent to deceive Steven Epps,
between December 20th, 1943, and February 5th this year.
Mr. H. Gardener Wheeler, who prosecuted for the Ministry of Food,
said that during 1942 two of defendants younger children went to
Eastry Children's Home and while there a ration books was lodged
with the authorities. For some reason or other defendant got the
idea that he could get another ration book for Reginald. Application
was made to the Registration Office and he obtained a duplicate
identity card which he took to the Ford Office, and in due course he
was issued with a ration book for Reginald. That book was registered
with Mrs. Wood and rationed foods were obtained. So things went on
and in the course of 1942 and 1943 defendant drew rations on his own
book and Reginald's. Then came a day when the children were
discharged from Eastry and defendant realised that if he registered
the two book with Mrs. Wood she would guess something was wrong, so
he registered them with Mr Epps, and drew rations from both. If
defendant was convicted he asked the Bench to take into
consideration offences on 6 other dates so that the whole matter
could be cleared up. He would point out strongly that there were not
trivial offensive, but that this man had deliberately obtained
rations.
Defendant said he had had a lot of domestic trouble as his wife went
away and left him with two little children.
Inspector Jaynes said that defendant was aged 60. He was a married
man living apart from his wife and he had to bring up two children.
Since 1942 he has conducted the "Brents Tavern" in a satisfactory
manner. Prior to that he was a fishmonger at Ashford. There were no
previous convictions.
The mayor said it was a most difficult case. When he heard that he
was an old soldier with a full disability pension he tried his
utmost to see if there was any redeeming feature, but really this
matter had been going on for so long that it was only common sense
to realise that it was premeditated. If he had yielded to a sudden
temptation they would have helped him, but this was a serious
offence and he had let himself down. They had never had such a
serious case before them and and they had no alternative but the
send him to prison for one month on each count. The first sentence
would run concurrently and the last three consecutively, so he will
go to prison for 3-months altogether.
Defendant:- Can I appeal? I have no one to look after my children.
The Clerk advised him to consult a solicitor.
The Mayor said he did not think that if he appealed any Court will
be more lenient, in fact he thought the sentence wound be increased.
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From local paper 1981.
It's time to retire for Ernest and Sheila.
IT took Ernest and Sheila Darby a long while to make up their minds
to move full time into the licensed trade. Once they did they made a
success of it, and they stayed.
Just over 22 years ago they took over the licence of the "Brents
Tavern," in Upper Brents, Faversham, and now, at the age of 75,
"Ernie" feels it is time to retire.
He was a commercial manager with the old London, Midland and
Scottish Railway at their headquarters at Euston in his earlier
life. In fact, he spent 32 years with them and was within seven
years of retirement when he decided to leave.
"Although I was working full time, we had got mixed up in the
licensed trade" he said.
The couple decided to help out an elderly widow in a Paddington off
licence, and that help went on for 10 years.
Then they worked at a Drury Lane pub and while looking for their own
house managed a wine and spirit shop in Hammersmith.
When they took over the "Brents Tavern" in 1959 it was, in Ernest's
words, "On its last legs". Trade was so poor that they sold their
London house to keep it going in the early days.
"We built up the bar trade and got the club room ready," said
Ernest. "Then we started doing small functions with some catering
and from there we went into outside catering."
The club room has been used by numerous Faversham organisations,
including the John Pollock Shipyard reunion club and the Faversham
Angling Society, as well as for weddings and parties. Outside
catering has embraced not only Faversham but all the towns around.
During their years at the Tavern the North Preston Estate has grown
behind them and they have catered for it as it developed.
Their retirement comes a little later than they had expected. It
should have coincided with their son’s marriage in January and in
anticipation they booked a two-month holiday in Spain.
As it happened the wedding was delayed but they decided to take the
holiday and they returned at the beginning of April.
They leave the "Brents Tavern" next Wednesday (April 22) and attend
their son's wedding three days later. They will spend the summer in
England, then they are off again for 12 months, to Spain, Malta and
Gibraltar with Christmas in Yugoslavia.
"We don't know where we shall live afterwards, said Ernest. "We just
take things as they come."
Whitbread Fremlins have selected Mr. and Mrs. J. Taylor, of Tankerton,
to take over the licence of the house.
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From a local paper, pre 1981.
Brents are Champs.
Pictured on Home ground, the "Brents Tavern" ladies darts team
who, last Monday, won the match against the "Three Tuns" the last in
the inter-pub competition.
They have not lost a single match, and are the undisputed champs!
Proceeds from the competition went to the Kent Association for
the Blind.
The team members were:- Linda Ellis (captain) Jean Cole, Dawn
Lyons, Loretta Cole, Juile Frier, Hinna Richards, "Nigger" Rynsey,
Joy Smith, Diana Jordan, Vi Chapman, Daphne Todd, Val Chapman, and
Sheila Darby, landlady.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Bess Browning, 28 January 2016.
Faversham pubs' 'lockdown' on day of crash victim Michael Shepherd's
funeral leaves family upset.
The brother of a young father-of-four whose funeral was held this week
says pub landlords in Faversham should be "ashamed" after they closed
their doors to them.
There were extra police on the streets and the majority of pubs in the
town centre were on "lockdown" on Tuesday, closing to mourners following
the wake of Michael Shepherd, 27, who was tragically killed in a crash
on New Year’s Day.
Police and landlords said it was in a bid to avoid trouble - but
officers later admitted there were no reports of any disturbances.
Crash victim Michael Shepherd.
Wetherspoons, The Vaults, The Bear, the Railway Hotel and The Limes shut
their doors and turned off the lights at around 3pm and remained closed
for most of the evening.
Michael’s brother, Jake Shepherd, said: "It is completely out of order
and so unexpected. It upset a lot of people.
"The pubs closing after Michael’s funeral makes him look like a bad
person. But that couldn’t be more wrong.
"He has never caused trouble in those pubs. The people who used to own
The Limes when it was The Chimney Boy were even at the funeral itself,
and we had the owners of the Brents Tavern there too, which did stay
open for us.
"There wasn’t any trouble at all yesterday. Everyone was just having a
nice time, having a laugh and remembering Michael.
"A lot of us have said we no longer want to use those pubs that closed.
They should be ashamed."
Michael was killed in a crash in Teynham in the early hours of New
Year’s Day, alongside 23-year-old Karl Buchan.
The driver remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Hundreds attended Michael’s funeral at Charing Crematorium, with more
than 80 having to stand outside because it was so packed.
When the heartbroken congregation arrived back in town, they found their
favourite pubs closed.
Landlord of the Vaults David Thompson said: "Police didn’t ask us to
close - we took that decision due to a large funeral in town.
"Some of the people attending are barred from the pub, and we wanted to
avoid any unpleasantness on what must be a very sad day for the family."
The Leading Light Wetherspoons had a sign in the window which read
"closed due to maintenance issues. We apologise for any inconvenience
this may cause".
But spokesman for the pub Eddie Gershon said afterwards: "A decision was
taken to close the premises after receipt of information from police
regarding an event taking place in the town which they were expecting to
attract large numbers of people.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers on the day."
Landlord of the Dover Castle in Teynham, Phil Hope, which is opposite
where the accident happened, said he closed for a different reason.
He said: "I put up a notice to say we were shutting out of respect for
Michael Shepherd and his family, friends and loved ones.
"Because of where it happened, it’s personal to us, so that’s why we
closed."
Landlady of the Brents Tavern Angie Simmons stayed open.
She said: “Michael used to drink here and his friends and family do.
"A group of his friends came here after a memorial walk to Teynham after
the accident, so we expected to have people back here after the funeral.
“They were not any bother at all after that walk, and they were not any
bother on Tuesday.
“Of course they were a little loud but they’re young and we are a pub,
we expect that. They were as good as gold. There was no aggro at all.
“The police rang us to advise us and asked us what we would be doing.
“I told him we are a pub, we open every day, and we would be continuing
as usual.
“Everyone has to run their business as they see fit, but I think it is a
bit disrespectful to just shut down the town because of a funeral."
“Some were very upset. It just shows what the pubs and police think of
the youngsters in Faversham.
“But a lot of them are lovely, respectful people.
Angie Simmons landlady of the "Brent's Tavern."
“I was saddened to hear that they were treated in this way when they
were just trying to pay their respects to their friend and family
member.
“Our regulars were in here at the same time and so were the quiz team,
and everything worked fine.
“We brought out some sandwiches and crisps for them and we think they
had a nice time.”
Police spokesman Steve Knight said: "Division-wide officers were in
Faversham town centre on Tuesday to support local officers and help
provide a visible policing presence."
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Keith Hunt, 8 November 2017.
Tony Goodwin jailed for life for hammer murder of Harry Messenger in Faversham.
A thug who killed his elderly neighbour and friend in a frenzied hammer
attack has been jailed for a minimum of 13 years.
Passing a life sentence, a judge told Tony Goodwin he had attacked Harry
Messenger in his own home “with great brutality” while fuelled by
alcohol.
Judge Jeremy Carey added: “I can safely conclude, having heard your
evidence and about the character of Harry Messenger, that you lost your
temper about something relatively trivial.”
Tony Goodwin. Picture: Kent Police.
Goodwin inflicted 18 wounds to Harry Messenger’s head, face and neck, as
well as 13 puncture wounds to his chest with the claw hammer.
The 63-year-old former painter and decorator claimed he was acting in
self-defence and said it was “impossible” he caused so many injuries.
But a jury convicted him of murder yesterday after deliberating for more
than six-and-a-half hours.
Goodwin insisted, despite the overwhelming medical evidence: “Eighteen
times - no. I couldn’t believe it for a hundred million years. Three
blows I remember - that’s it. Nothing else.”
Harry Messenger was murdered in his home in Crispin Close in Faversham.
Shortly after the attack at 75-year-old Mr Messenger’s bungalow in
Faversham, he sent a text to his brother, admitting: “No, I just
murdered someone...”
It was not until more than 12 hours later that he phoned the emergency
services saying he had “a bit of a dispute” with his neighbour in
Crispin Close.
Maidstone Crown Court heard the two men were good friends and visited
each other regularly in the cul-de-sac.
At just after 3.30am on May 19 this year another neighbour heard three
bangs that sounded as though they were coming from Mr Messenger’s
bungalow.
It was at 4.11am that Goodwin sent a text attempting to get in touch
with his brother.
The trained first-aider said in evidence he checked Mr Messenger’s pulse
before leaving and could not find one.
Asked why he left it so long to call the emergency services, he replied:
“I didn’t think he was dead.”
He claimed his friend had charged at him like a bull and acted like a
“mad dog”.
The violence started, he said, after they talked about Mr Messenger’s
son being in a pub fight.
“It went on from there,” he continued. “I said: ‘Did you not go and see
how the other guy was?’ I haven’t seen him get like that before -
agitated, very jumpy. It was like I said the wrong thing.
“He started to get up. He was foul mouthing, which is not like him. I
remember him coming past me. I thought he was going to the toilet.”
Goodwin, who denied murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter,
claimed Mr Messenger then punched him and struck him on the side of the
head with the hammer. There was a struggle, he said, before he grabbed
the hammer and hit back.
The judge said he accepted the evidence of another neighbour, Shannon
Gibson, that she had seen Goodwin behaving aggressively to his friend
two weeks before the murder.
“Both of you drank heavily on occasions and when in drink you and he on
occasions behaved intemperately towards each other,” he continued.
On the night of the attack Goodwin went to Mr Messenger’s home at about
9pm, having spent three hours in the nearby Brents Tavern.
Mr Messenger had also been drinking. By the time of his death he had
downed the equivalent of two bottles of red wine and vodka chasers, and
would have been nearly three times the legal driving limit.
He had also overdosed on the strong painkiller tramadol.
Judge Carey said he concluded it was “at least possible” it was the
victim who first got the hammer, normally kept in a kitchen drawer.
“Your relatively minor facial bruising is evidence of something
amounting to a scuffle between you, which may have occurred when he got
the hammer, or when he produced it and threatened you with it,” he told
Goodwin.
“I am satisfied you could have left his home at any point, even when he
had the hammer in his hand, and you stayed because you were angry with
him."
Goodwin showed no reaction as he was led to the cells.
Speaking after the verdict, investigating officer Detective Inspector
Ivan Beasley, said: "This was a sustained and brutal attack.
"The multiple wounds found on the victim including the fatal wound to
his head, inflicted by such a weapon as a hammer, proved Goodwin
intended to kill Harry Messenger.
"The severity of this attack, the text message he sent from his phone
soon after and then the time he took to report this matter to the police
voided any claim he was acting in self-defence.
"I hope this verdict is of some comfort to the victim’s family and
friends."
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I have been informed that the pub closed in 2021 after the licensee for
35 years retired. After being empty for a short time, the premises is now
occupied by a day nursery.
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From the
https://www.favershameye.co.uk By John Wellard, 23 January 2022.
THE END OF AN ERA - BRENTS TAVERN CALLS TIME FOR THE LAST TIME.
Many locals of Upper Brents (myself included) and the nearby
Barnfield Estate have mourned the closing of the Brents Tavern earlier
this year. A fine example of a traditional local, the Brents was more
than just a pub. Well run by landlords Angie and Clive it also served as
a community centre where various groups including the local RAF
Association, The Upper Brents Residents Association and a pensioners'
lunch club could meet. Well managed, impeccably clean and tidy and with
beverages at prices (it being a free house) verging on the philanthropic
and a remarkable selection of liqueurs and spirits, the Brents was also
a popular venue for birthdays, wedding receptions and wakes where Angie
would lay on a spread to do the occasion proud. Thus the Brents Tavern
will be sorely missed by its regulars.
The Brents was also unique in having a "bottle and jug" service - a
counter to the rear where on ringing a bell off sales including
confectionary and various snacks and consumables could be purchased.
Landlady Angie was also renowned for helping some of the locals who were
having difficulties in filling in various documents demanded by
governmental departments or local authorities - especially those
concerning welfare and social services. Landlord Clive is probably most
famous for his collection of assorted classic and chronicly stationary
vehicles parked in front of the impressive Brents Georgian edifice. Many
hopefuls would call by to tempt Clive into selling them - especially the
two Lotus Elites which over the years had morphed into being small eco
systems. All without success. But finally, all but the elegant Jolly
Green Jowett have gone to make way for the future playground of the day
nursery into which the Brents Tavern will soon be converted.
While ex-regulars are now obliged to find second homes, it should be
remembered that Angie and Clive are at a stage in life where, like so
many of us, the prospect of a more leisurely lifestyle becomes
increasingly attractive. Running a pub - especially one like the Brents,
is an incredibly taxing and time-consuming responsibility and they both
deserve a long and fulfilling retirement for their services to the
community. Good luck Angie and Clive!
Well done and many thanks!
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LICENSEE LIST
SHERLOCK Mrs Maria 1847+
LARAMAN Robert William 1855+
JEMMETT James 1860+
DANE Godfrey 1861-71+ (also waterman age 32 in 1871 )
CROWLEY John 1881+ (age 40 in 1881)
HIGGINS Robert 1891 (age 57 in 1891)
FOSTER William Foster 1899-1903+
GOODWIN T E 1913+
MERRONY Charles Merrony 1922+
STRINGER Percival L 1930+
KNELL Edward Walter 1938+
HARRIS Robert 1944+
DAVIES Taffy & Betty 1956+
DARBY Ernest & Sheila 1959-81
TAYLOR J 1981+
SIMMONS Clive & Angie 1986-2021
https://pubwiki.co.uk/BrentsTavern.shtml
Census
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
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