OLD COACH AND HORSES Pubs of Harbeldown

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 24 September, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton & Rory Kehoe

Earliest ????

(Name from)

Old Coach and Horses

Closed 1 July 2024

Church Hill

Harbledown

01227 766609

www.theoldcoachandhorses.co.uk

https://whatpub.com/old-coach-horses

Above postcard, 1916, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, circa 1920, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo 1930, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo showing the "Old Coach and Horses"

Above sign July 1991.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

According to Historic Harbledown, the "Coach and Horses" was originally on the other side of the road, a bit further up Church Hill, opposite St. Michael's Church. So, there was obviously two of them with the same name. This property is now called The Grange. Exactly when the "Coach and Horses" ceased trading and crossed over the road isn't currently known. However, it is known that what had been the original pub was purchased in 1864 by George Neame Esq and the deeds state that "All that messuage and tenement then lately used as a public house and called or known by the sign of the "Coach and Horses." So the original "Coach and Horses" had certainly closed by 1864.

At present I am not sure whether the "Old Coach and Horses" is actually older than the original "Coach and Horses" and why the name "Old" was attached to this building.

Further information suggests that the pub was originally called the "Wagon & Horses." Not sure when the Wagon became Coach but if the story is correct, probably c.1800.

New, more recent history.

The "Old Coach and Horses" was a Fremlin's house, so became a Whitbread pub after the 1967 takeover. Like so many newly acquired ex-Fremlin's pubs, the pub fell victim to the post-acquisition right-sizing/asset stripping and was closed/sold without a licence in 1973.

In 1981, the owners re-opened the pub, although it was quite a basic, shabby pub and unsurprisingly, it failed, closing again in 1984. After a two year gap, the pub re-opened in 1986 under new owners Nick and Caroline, both of whom had previously worked for British Airways. Once again, the business failed and the pub closed in late 1987. The next owners, Mark and Val Robinson, opened up the pub again in 1988 adding food to the pub's offering and built up a good local following. Mark (who bore a close resemblance to Postman Pat) offered well kept Real Ales and Val tempted customers with home made curries.

The Robinsons retired in 2001 and sold the pub to the Legge family (close relatives of Dave Lee, the comedian) with Charlotte Whigham running the bar. The pub was sold some years later to local builders, ST Abbott Ltd., with Charlotte staying on as tenant/manager until c.2012. Since 2014 the pub has been managed by Anita Turner, who also runs the "Kentish Cricketers," Canterbury and the "Queen's Head," Boughton.

Above with thanks to John Hipplisley and Rory Kehoe.

I estimated that Flint & Kingsford, who leased the "Old Coach and Horses" in 1838, probably replaced the "Earl Grey" with a new build in the 1840s/50s. As guesses go, not that far off, Bagshaw's 1847 lists the "Coach and Horses" (original pub, over the road from current "Old Coach and Horses") with Thomas Pilcher as licensee. The "Earl Grey" has James Shaxby as Baker, Shopkeeper and Beer House licensee. So, the "Earl Grey"/"Coach and Horses" building replacement must have been between 1847 and 1864. New guess... Shaxby died c.1850 and Flint and Kingsford bought the pub from his widow/family, then transferred the "Coach and Horses licence over to the new build.

By Rory Kehoe.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 10 March 1900. Price 1d.

HARBLEDOWN INQUEST ON AN OLD WOMAN.

The East Kent Coroner (R. M. Mercer, Esq.), held an inquest at the “Coach and Horses,” Harbledown, on Tuesday, on the body of Sarah Ann Wraight, aged 87. It appeared that deceased, who lived in an almshouse at Harbledown, was standing on a chair, endeavouring to poll down a blind on February 5th, when she over-balanced and fell, fracturing her thigh. Mr. Greasley was sent for and attended deceased until her death on March 5th. Her death was the result of fracture of the thigh, senile debility, and shock.

The jury returned a verdict accordingly.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 14 April 1900. Price 1d.

A FATAL INJURY.

The East Kent Coroner (R. M. Mercer.Esq.) held an inquest on Saturdays at the "Coach and Horses," Harbledown, on the body of Benjamin Gomme, aged 86.

Charles John Gomme, school-master, Harbledown, stated that deceased was his father. He had been a carpenter but had done no work for 30 years. About a fortnight ago he was knocking up some old boxes for firewood, and witness learned that he hurt his forefinger of the left hand. He made no remark about it, and witness' attention was only drawn to it on the next day. Early on Tuesday, about 3.50, witness heard a noise and got out of bed and went to deceased's room, but on trying to get in he found there was something blocking the door. Witness called to his little boys who were sleeping in the same room and they lifted deceased's head. Witness then went in and found deceased supported by the boys on the floor. Witness thought he must have fallen off his bed.

Mr. H. O. Preston, surgeon, Canterbury, deposed that on the 3rd last, he found deceased in a high fever suffering from erysipelas of left arm and shoulder. He died on the 6th inst. from wound on forefinger of left hand and erysipelas.

The jury returned a verdict accordingly.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 16 February 1901. Price 1d.

UNSTAMPED MEASURES.

John Coackworth, landlord of the “Coach and Horses,” Harbledown, was summoned for having eight unstamped measures in his possession.

Defendant pleaded guilty and said he bought the measures under the impression that they ware stamped.
John Wellfare, inspector of Weights and Measures, deposed that he found the jugs on defendant's bar on the day named. He asked defendant where he got them from, and he said he bought them in Canterbury from a dealer in earthenware, and he was told they ware stamped. There was however, no stamp upon them. Defendant had some jugs of a similar kind in his bar which were stamped. He (the Inspector) believed that defendant was misled by the dealer he bought them from, as he had heard of similar eases.

The bench imposed a fine of 20s. and costs 10s. and ordered the jugs to be forfeited.

From the Whitstable Times, 27 September, 1902.

HARBLEDOWN. ALLEGED DAMAGE.

George Royal was charged, on remand, with damaging a gas bracket, the property of John Coachworth, at the “Coach and Horses,” Harbledown, to the extent of 15s.

Mr. Scripps prosecuted.

Defendant, who was represented by Mr. Briggs, pleaded not guilty.

Complainant repeated the evidence he gave at a previous bearing that after refusing to serve defendant and another man with drink he heard a noise and the two men ran out of the house. Complainant found the gas bracket broken down.

Sir. Briggs submitted that as there were several men in the room at the time the complainant could not see who committed the damage, and he asked the Magistrates to dismiss the case.

The Bench gave defendant the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the case.

I am informed that the licensee in 1987, Mark Robinson was a dead ringer for Postman Pat, and that's what the locals referred to him as.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Brad Harper, 12 January 2020.

Old Coach and Horses pub in Harbledown, near Canterbury, to become top gastropub under new owner's plans.

The man behind a popular city cocktail bar plans to “inject new life” into a village pub after taking the reins of the Old Coach and Horses.

Eddie Sargeant is the new landlord of the Harbledown boozer and has visions of making it “one of the best” in Kent.

The Old Coach and Horses' new owner Eddie Sargeant is eyeing a place among the best gastropubs in Kent.

The 52-year-old, who also runs "Teatros Bar" in Orange Street, Canterbury, has started by recruiting a new head chef, who he says will add a “French twist” to traditional dishes.

A refurbishment of the outside dining area will also be complete by the summer.

But first the pub will shut for three days from Monday, January 13, before relaunching on Thursday, January 16.

“I am a Canterbury man, born and bred, and I am very proud of my city and trying to put something into it,” said Eddie, who took on a new lease just before Christmas after the departure of former landlady Anita Turner.

“I would like to make The Old Coach and Horses one of the best in the entire area. I want it as a first choice for people who want great food.

New landlord Eddie Sargeant (left) and head chef Jack Webster.

“I think its about injecting great personality into the place, but also great food.

“We are very keen to get the locals back, whether that’s people coming in to have snacks or just coming to have a pint.

“There will still be great gastro food and it will still be a local and a fun gastro pub, but I want to inject more life and enthusiasm into it.”

Eddie has a background in the hospitality industry and used to run a mobile bar company, running hundreds of events.

In 2016 he took on "Teatros" after recognising there was no “grown-up bar” in the town for punters to enjoy a drink.

“I took it on with a clear vision of something which was different,” he said.

“Everyone said when I opened it it won’t last. But it is somewhere people love to go.”

Eddie is hoping to have the same effect on the Coach and Horses, and has brought in head chef Jack Webster to introduce a new food and drinks menu.

Eddie said: “Jack has worked at a number of well-known pubs in the area - including the "Granville" and the "Jackdaw Inn."

“The menu is going to have traditional, local produce, with a French twist.”

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Joe Wright, 21 June 2020.

Old Coach and Horses in Harbledown, Canterbury, to boast Ibiza-style lounge bar when pubs reopen in July.

A new Ibiza-style lounge bar is ready to open at a village pub next month following a landlord's £15,000 lockdown project.

The Old Coach and Horses, in Harbledown, Canterbury, is set to reopen on July 4 and will boast a fresh outdoor seating area catering for up to 40 people.

The Olive Grove is ready to welcome customers.

Named the Olive Grove, the mini complex of u-shaped sofas has been designed to adhere to social distancing rules.

Eddie Sargeant, landlord at the Church Hill-based pub for six months, kitted out the area himself - making the most of the lockdown period by working 10 hours each day on the project.

Now, he's all set to welcome his first customers and is itching to open next month.

"This is going to be something where customers literally say 'wow' when they see it," he said.

"There's nothing else like it in Canterbury - it's going to be a very cool and chilled place.

Groups of six people will be allowed in each lounge area.

"It's really got that Mediterranean feel to it, it definitely looks the part.

"At the Olive Grove we can socially distance groups of up to six people.

"It'll be a full waiter service for food and drink, so customers will text the bar their order. They'll be hosted to tables as they arrive and there will be Covid rules on tables.

"I'm really looking forward to it opening as a lot of effort has gone into it and I'm sure it'll be well-liked. I've been here working on it everyday, a couple of people have helped along the way but I've been at it 10 hours each day."

Mr Sargeant, who also runs Teatros bar in the city centre's Orange Street, says the Ibiza-style Olive Grove will only be open to adults.

Up to 40 people can be catered for a new outdoor bar area.

Graduated Canterbury art student Poppy Barrett was commissioned to paint the outdoor artwork on display, and a mini stage area has been created to potentially cater for small acoustic performances in the future.

Meanwhile, the existing pub garden will also be back up-and-running come July 4.

"We're properly set up to offer a full menu when we reopen," Mr Sargeant added.

"Up in the main garden, it'll be a family area. And the terrace is also going to reopen.

"The inside will obviously open but it might be that the outside areas come first and we later integrate the social distancing measures indoors, where we've got screens going up at the bar."

During lockdown, The Old Coach and Horses has supplied about 700 meals, free of charge, to over 70s in Harbledown.

Been informed by Rory Kehoe that the pub, operating as Bistro Valera closed on 1st July. Reasons as yet unknown.

LICENSEE LIST

HARDY Edwin 1881-82+ (Also grocer & druggist age 40 in 1881)