DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Faversham, November, 2023.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 08 November, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1850-

Crown and Anchor

Closed 2017

41 (1) The Mall / Preston Street

Faversham

https://whatpub.com/crown-anchor

Crown and Anchor 1900

Above photo, 1900, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Crown and Anchor 1969

Above photo, 1969, kindly sent by Bob Le-Roi.

Bear Inn 2012 Crown and Anchor sign 1991Crown and Anchor sign 1992

Above sign left, October 1991, sign right, June 1992.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Above photos by Paul Skelton, 1 September 2012.

Crown and Anchor inside 2015

Above photo 2015.

Former Crown and Anchor 2019

Above photo, November 2019, kindly taken and sent by Rory Kehoe.

 

Address was originally set in Preston Street. Built in the mid 1800s.

 

Kentish Gazette, 17 September 1850.

FAVERSHAM.

John Exton, landlord of the "Crown and Anchor" public house, Preston next Faversham, has been recently fined £2, and 14s. costs, for retailing been on a Sunday morning during the hours of Divine service.

 

Faversham Gazette, 24 May, 1856.

PEACE REJOICINGS!!

CROWN AND ANCHOR INN, PRESTON. (Street)

JOHN J. ROGERS RESPECTFULLY informs his Friends and the Public, that on the occasion of CELEBRATING the PEACE on the 29th inst., he is determined to do all that lies in his power to render to those who may favour him with a visit, all the welcome and accommodation which his Establishment affords. For this purpose A SPACIOUS BOOTH will be erected on the Premises, where a GOOD BAND WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE for those who may be desirous of treading ON THE LIGHT FANTASTIC TOE!

His LARGE ROOM fronting the FIELD, where the Fireworks are to be exhibited, will be opened to the Public, where A FREE AND EASY will be held. The Chair to be taken immediately on the conclusion of the Fireworks.

J. R. begs to assure his Friends and those who may honour him with their company, that nothing shall be wanting on his part to secure for them the utmost comfort and accommodation.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, Tuesday 16 September, 1856.

FAVERSHAM.

On Monday the Faversham Cricket Club terminated its season by a match between eleven of the members and twenty-two players of the town and neighbourhood; the game, which was played out with considerable spirit, finished decidedly in favour of the club.

An excellent dinner was provided by Mr. Rogers of the "Crown and Anchor Inn," of which a considerable number of gentlemen partook. We are happy to learn the financial condition of the club is much better than when it wound up its affairs last year.

 

From http://www.kentlive.news 4 November,  2016. By Ian Read.

Sudden death of 'perfect gent' and pub boss Les Koncsik.

Les Koncsik

Les was a Shepherd Neame institution.

A veteran pub landlord who died on Tuesday will be remembered as a perfect gent who presided over Faversham pubs for 42 years.

Hungarian born Les Koncsik, 76, ran the "Crown and Anchor" in the Mall for 33 years and was given a lifetime achievement award by his employers Shepherd Neame last year.

Les Koncsik

Previously he ran the "Kings Head" in Abbey Street.

It is understood he was taking in a beer delivery when he collapsed and sadly died.

He created a community atmosphere with his friendly approach.

In an interview last year he said: "Many of my customers have become good friends. They are absolutely wonderful and come to see me every day. I love my pub and my friends and can't imagine doing anything else."

Les initially moved to the UK from Hungary in 1956 to pursue a career in engineering, and fell into the pub business.

He had also trained as a chef, working in that trade in London for five years.

Les was proud of his hanging baskets, kept bees, grew orchids and enjoyed his racing pigeons.

Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said: "Les was a Shepherd Neame institution and will be greatly missed by all at the brewery.

"A true gentleman he was a much loved and well respected landlord. He was a unique character with a very positive outlook on life-his beer glass was always half full. Our thoughts are with his family."

 

Les Koncsik

Above photo, kindly sent by Colin.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Bess Browning, 7 November 2016.

Faversham farewell to Les Koncsik of the Crown and Anchor.

The longest-standing Shepherd Neame and Faversham landlord has died.

After more than 45 years behind the bar, Les Koncsik, of the Crown and Anchor, passed away on Tuesday afternoon.

The 75-year-old has been described as a Faversham and Shepherd Neame institution, whose glass was always half full.

Originally from Hungary, he became licensee at the "Kings Head" in Abbey Street in 1970 and was there for 12 years until he took over the "Crown and Anchor" in the Mall in 1982 with his late wife Marion.

When he wasn’t pulling pints and serving up some of the best sandwiches in town, Les was renowned for his unique hobbies and interests, including bee-keeping, orchid growing and racing pigeons.

Les’s efforts were recognised last year when he was handed the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Shepherd Neame ceremony.

Les Koncsik award 2015

Les Koncsik of the Crown and Anchor won a lifetime achievement award.

Chief executive of the brewery Jonathan Neame said: “Les was a Shepherd Neame institution, and will be greatly missed by all at the brewery.

“A true gentleman, he was a much-loved and well-respected landlord.

“He was a unique character, with a very positive outlook on life – his beer glass was always half full. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Les initially moved to the UK from Hungary in 1956, when he was just 16, to pursue a career in engineering.

When he first arrived on English soil, he didn’t speak a word of the language.

He worked in London as a chef, before his life took a different turn once again and he ended up in Faversham in the pubs industry.

On Tuesday evening, staff and regulars gathered at the Crown and Anchor to remember their very special landlord and enjoy a few Master Brews in his memory, Les’s favourite tipple.

Les Koncsik

Les Koncsik.

One of his long-standing members of staff Ken Walker said: “He was one of the loveliest people I have ever met and he will be missed so much by everyone.

“He would not see anyone in trouble or at a loss and he was always there to help. He would even buy you a drink if you didn’t have any money.

“He was a real gentleman and was known by everyone and helped everyone out. We are all devastated here.”

The grandfather also raised a huge amount of money for various charities over the years.

Les, who was once a Faversham Favourite in the Faversham News, once said that being a pub landlord was not a job, it was a “way of life”.

Les Koncsik

Les Koncsik behind the bar at the Crown and Anchor.

At the time, he told the Faversham News during his interview: “I am enjoying life as a landlord.

“I have accomplished everything that I am going to accomplish now. I have achieved what I’ve wanted to.

“I have lovely family and grandchildren and great-grandchildren who I am absolutely besotted with.

“When you get to my age, you don’t have any future, you’ve just got history. You’ve only got the now and the past.”

It is unknown as yet how Les died, but he had suffered problems with his heart in recent months and had spent time in hospital.

The Crown and Anchor is currently closed to the public, but the brewery confirmed that the pub will be reopening.

Tributes from Les' fellow landlord/ladies:

Sara Apps from The "Bull Inn" in Tanners Street: “Everyone knew Les as a true gentleman and we were incredibly upset to hear the news.

“He was your typical, old school landlord, always wearing a shirt and tie and he never look anything less than smart. He was extremely kind and like a father figure to everyone.

"We used to call him Uncle Les. His regulars and staff opened up the pub on Tuesday evening as they knew that is what Les would have wanted.

“He will be remembered for his generosity, kindness and amazing sandwiches.”

Les Koncsik

Les outside the Crown and Anchor.

David Selves from The "Phoenix Tavern" in Abbey Street: “Les will be sadly missed.

“There have been many changes in the pubs industry during his long life as a landlord but the basics remain unchanged and he was great at the basics.

“Sadly, the basics are not always applied today – clean lines, well-kept beer, no nonsense and knowing your customers.

"Every town should have a Les and a Crown and Anchor.”

Nuala Brenchley-Sayers from The "Vaults" in Preston Street: “He was a real gentleman who everyone knew and respected.

“I remember back in the 80s when he owned the Kings Head in Abbey Street. I remember asking him for a beer mat, and he gave me a box of them - that was just his nature.

"He was incredibly kind and polite and was renowned for his manners and generosity. He was a gentle person who was always concerned about other people, and he will be sorely missed.”

 

From the https://www.shepherdneame.co.uk 21st December 2016.

Popular community local the Crown and Anchor in Faversham is to reopen before Christmas with a new face behind the bar.

The pub closed last month following the death of licensee Les Koncsik, Shepherd Neame’s longest-serving pub landlord. Les worked as a Shepherd Neame licensee in Faversham for the past 46 years, taking over the Crown and Anchor in 1982.

Rosemary Soulsby 2016

Rosemary Soulsby, 63, is the new licensee, and is hoping to reopen the pub as soon as possible. She lives in Oare, and has been a regular at the Crown and Anchor with partner Jim Briggs for more than 10 years.

She said: “The pub is very special to Jim and I, as we have made many friends there over the years. It has always remained a very simple and traditional community pub, a friendly place to sit with a drink and talk to people. When Les passed away, we wanted to keep it going, and decided to take it on ourselves.”

It is Rosemary’s first time as a licensee, as she previously worked as a carer, but her partner Jim, a retired civil servant, has worked in pubs.

She said: “There is a lot to learn, but we have received great support from the brewery and lots of the regulars have already popped in to wish us well and let us know how glad they are that the pub will reopen. Les was so well-known and loved in Faversham, our aim is simply to carry on his legacy and ensure that the Crown and Anchor remains a friendly community pub.

 

November 2018 I was told that the pub looked to be closed. Yes indeed, think this Youtube clip confirms that.

https://youtu.be/0z5AI4PbB1Q

Evidentally the licensee handed back the keys to Shepherd Neame who sold the premises in September 2017 at auction and it has been bought and converted into residential use.

 

LICENSEE LIST

EXTON John 1850-55+ (age 33 in 1851Census) Post Office Directory 1855

ROGERS John Jacob 1856-Mar/67 Melville's 1858

CARY John Mar/1867+

FLEURY Thomas 1871+ (age 47 in 1871Census)

HALES Edwin 1874+ Post Office Directory 1874

CROXFORD Henry 1881-82+ (age 32 in 1881Census) Post Office Directory 1882

ALLEN James 1891+ Post Office Directory 1891

KENNETT Charles 1891+ (age 46 in 1891Census)

EXON/EXTON Walter 1903+ Post Office Directory 1903Kelly's 1903

SUTTON Robert William 1911-13+ Post Office Directory 1913

CHAPMAN William 1922-30+ Post Office Directory 1922Post Office Directory 1930

BAILEY P R 1938+ Post Office Directory 1938

Last pub licensee had KONCSIK Les 1983-Nov/2016 dec'd

SOULSBY Rosemary Dec/2016-Sept/17

https://pubwiki.co.uk/CrownAnchor.shtml

 

Post Office Directory 1855From the Post Office Directory 1855

Melville's 1858From Melville's Directory 1858

Post Office Directory 1874From the Post Office Directory 1874

CensusCensus

Post Office Directory 1882From the Post Office Directory 1882

Post Office Directory 1891From the Post Office Directory 1891

Post Office Directory 1903From the Post Office Directory 1903

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Post Office Directory 1913From the Post Office Directory 1913

Post Office Directory 1922From the Post Office Directory 1922

Post Office Directory 1930From the Post Office Directory 1930

Post Office Directory 1938From the Post Office Directory 1938

 

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

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