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DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Saturday, 19 October, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1828-

Golden Ball

Latest Apr 2012

(Name to)

Canterbury Road

Kennington

Ashford

Golden Ball 1907

Above postcard, 1907, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Golden Ball 1909

Above photo taken on 29 October 1909 showing a flood outside the pub. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Golden Ball 1911

Above postcard, postmarked 13 Nov 1911.

Kennington Goal Running Club 1912

Above photo, 1912, showing what was described as the Kennington Goal Running Club. Kindly sent by Alan Knight whose grand-father William Knight is the tall man at the back third from the right.

Golden Ball 1955

Above postcard, 1955. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Golden Ball

Above postcard, date unknown.

Golden Ball

Above photo by Darkstar, date unknown.

Golden Ball Tug-o-War team 1911

Above photo showing the Tug-of-War team in 1911.

Golden Ball hop pickers 1911

Above photo showing Hop Pickers in 1911.

Golden Ball hop pickers 1913

Above postcard is dated 28 June 1913 and shows the men and boy hop pickers posing outside the "Golden Ball" on the Canterbury Road.

Golden Ball

Above photo, date unknown, by Judy Vowles.

Golden Ball sign 1994

Above sign, January 1994.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Golden Ball light

Above photo by Darkstar, date unknown.

Golden Ball 2019

Above photo, 2019.

 

One time a Mason's tied house, but the brewery was bought out by Shepherd Neame in 1956 and the brewery was subsequently closed and demolished.

 

From the Kentish Express, 6 December, 1856.

KENNINGTON. Sudden Death.

On Tuesday last, an inquest was held at the "Golden Ball," before T. T. Delasaux, Esq., on the body of Lydia Linkings. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased was, on the previous evening, returning from Ashford to Boughton Aluph, and when opposite the residence of Mr. James Clements, who fell down, and instantly expired, without uttering a word. Mr. Maund (of the firm of Whitfeld and Maund, surgeons, Ashford) was quickly on the spot, but life was extinct long before the arrival of that gentleman. Witnesses were called who proved that deceased had been subject to pain in the chest and heart. The jury immediately returned a verdict of "Natural Death." Deceased was about fifty years of age.

 

Kentish Gazette, 4 January, 1870.

KENNINGTON.

On Boxing-day a sparrow shoot took place at the "Golden Ball Inn," Kennington, for a fat goose and other prizes. The weather was most unpropitious, heavy snow storms coming on at frequent intervals, which considerably marred the sport.

 

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 31 October, 1873.

Caution to Cattle Salesmen. The "Yew Tree."

On Monday evening last, Mr. Price Jones left for the night 51 Welsh bullocks, which he had brought for sale at Ashford on Tuesday, in the meadow at the "Golden Ball," Kennington, and in the morning four were dead, it is supposed, from eating the branches of a yew hedge which encloses the field. One of the animals was opened, and a piece of yew six inches long found in its stomach. The Inspector, Mr. G. Fordham, refused to admit the other beasts into the Market, as the cause of death had not then been ascertained, so Mr. Jones not only lost the four beasts which died, but lost the market for the others as well.

 

Kentish Gazette, 22 February 1876.

CARRIAGE ACCIDENT.

On Thursday afternoon a driver in the employ of Mr. Edwards, of the "Saracen's Head Hotel," Ashford, was returning home with a carriage and pair, and, stopping at the "Golden Ball" Kennington, left his horses while he went into the house. Some carts which came along rapidly appear to have started the horses and they ran towards Ashford, overturning the carriage and breaking away from it. The body of the carriage was not damaged, and the only injury besides a slight one to the under part of the vehicle was the grazing of one of the horses fetlocks. The animal ran through the town to the railway station before they were stopped.

 

East Kent Gazette, Saturday 23 February 1884.

Canterbury.

Police objection to an application for a public house licence.

At the St. Augustine's Petty Sessions, Canterbury, on Saturday, T. G. Peckham, Esq. in the chair, Mr. H. T. Johnson renewed his application for permission to be given to Joseph Hayes, late of the "Golden Ball," Kennington, Ashford, to carry on the business of the "Bridge House Inn," Tyler Hill until the next transfer day.

Hayes now produced a certificate of good character signed by large number of persons.

The Chairman pointed out that there was no date from the document.

Mr. Johnson:- I did it this week.

The Chairman:- I cannot tell that it is not 10 years old.

Mr. Johnson:- Here is a hat full of other letters from the church warden and overseers.

Superintendent Wood opposed the application on the ground that the man had not conducted his house properly. He had given the police a great deal of trouble, and had been cautioned as to permitting gambling and also as to his drinking habits. He had received a letter from Superintendent Nokes, stating that during the latter part of the three years hayes held the house at Kennington he was frequently complained of, and in March, 1882, cautioned as to permitting gambling.

Mr Johnson:- It will ruin this man if he does not get a licence, as he would not be able to do so at other places.

The Bench decided to grant the application, but cautioned Hayes that the slightest infringement of the law would result in the endorsement of his licence.

 

 

Pigot's Directory of 1832, stated that the premises was also a brewery run by John Gearing.

The sign of the "Golden Ball," in the 1980s, shows a fortune-teller's crystal ball.

The pub was sold to Shepherd Neame in 2011 and after being renovated opened again as the "Old Mill" in April 2012.

 

LICENSEE LIST

CULBUSH James 1828+ Pigot's Directory 1828-29

GEERING John 1832-61+ (age 70 in 1861Census) Pigot's Directory 1832-34

HAYES Joseph 1881+ (age 35 in 1881Census) Next pub licensee had

AKHURST Joseph 1891+ (age 63 in 1891Census)

CHANTLER James Charles 1901+ (age 45 in 1901Census) Kelly's 1903

GRANT Charles 1911+ (age 72 in 1911Census)

???? Ray & Janet 1981+

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

http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/goldenball.html

 

Pigot's Directory 1828-29From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29

Pigot's Directory 1832-34From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

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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