DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Ashford, March, 2024.

Page Updated Ashford:- Sunday, 17 March, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1858-

Old Prince of Wales

Closed 2022

10-12 New Street / St Georges Square

Ashford

01233 634921

https://whatpub.com/old-prince-of-wales

Old Prince of Wales 1912

Above photo circa 1912, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Possibly showing James Bridge.

Old Prince of Wales

Above photo, originally on my help required pages and received the following responses. Date of photo unknown.

Old Prince of Wales

Above photo, date unknown, by kind permission Roy Moore, http://www.kentphotoarchive.com.

Old Prince of Wales 1957

Above photo 1957.

Old Prince of Wales

Above photo, date unknown, from Colin Sellers.

Old Prince of Wales 1975

Above photo, 1975.

Old Prince of Wales 1976

Above postcard, circa 1976, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

With WW1 Mark IV "female" Tank 245 proudly on guard outside, as it has been since being donated to the people of Ashford in 1919 as a thank you for raising so much money during the Great War. WW1 tanks designated as "female" were armed with multiple machine guns, rather than a mix of heavy cannon and machine guns found on the "male" tanks.

From an email received 18 July, 2011

Hi there,

I've just been looking on your brilliant web site, and came across the "UNKNOWN PUB" section, as you say there are not to many OLD PRINCE OF WALES, pubs about but I think that this pub could well be the OLD PRINCE OF WALES in Ashford, which is happily still trading today. It sits beside the 1st world war tank presented to the town after the 1st war.

Regards,

Allan Ward.

Old Prince of Wales, Ashford

Above picture showing the "Old Prince of Wales," Ashford, as taken from Google Maps, 2009. If anyone has a better photo, I'd be pleased to add it instead of this one.

Old prince of Wales, Ashford

Above photo taken by Maggie Davis, September 2005.

Old Prince of Wales

Above photo kindly sent by Chris Excell, date unknown.

Old Prince of Wales

Later photo kindly sent by Chris Excell, circa 1991.

Old Prince of Wales sign 1991

Above sign July 1991 with thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Old Prince of Wales 2015

Above Google image, July 2015.

Old Prince of Wales 2015

Above Google image, July 2015.

Old Prince of Wales 2019

Above photo 2019.

Former Old Prince of Wales

Above photo, April 2022, kindly sent by Allan Ward. Now known as "Soul Food."

 

Southeastern Gazette, 13 September 1853. Ashford

Applications for Licenses.

Applications made by William Bridge, landlord of the "Prince of Wales," John Tappen, (sic) landlord of another "Prince of Wales," in the same street, and George Sackorey, landlord of a beer shop, were refused. (I don't know which house the latter was yet. Paul Skelton.)

 

From the Kentish Chronicle, 17 March, 1860.

DEATHS.

March 5, in New Street, Elizabeth Ann wife of Mr. John Tappenden, of the "Prince of Wales," aged 46 years.

 

South Eastern Gazette, 20 March, 1860.

DEATH.

On the 5th inst., in New-street, Ashford, Elizabeth Ann, wife of Mr. John Tappenden, of the "Prince of Wales," aged 40.

 

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 2 July 1870.

STEALING FROM THE PERSON.

George Clayton and John Pope, two youths, were indicted for stealing a handkerchief from the person of Edward Kennett, at Ashford, on the 13th Jane.

Mr. Biron prosecuted.

Prosecutor deposed that on the day named he was in the "Prince of Wales," Ashford. The prisoners were there also, and sat close to him. He felt a "tug" at his pocket, and presently missed his pocket-handkerchief. After this the prisoners went away. Subsequently he missed his purse containing money.

P.C. Relf said that on the 7th instant he went to the "Fountain Hotel" and accused the prisoners of robbing Kennett. Clayton said he had never seen the prosecutor. In a bag owned by Pope the handkerchief produced was found, which the prosecutor identified.

The prisoners, who strongly denied their guilt, were found guilty, and sentenced Clayton to six months, and Pope to three months’ imprisonment. Clayton had been previously convicted.

 

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 30 July 1870.

ROBBERY FROM THE PERSON.

Jane Hurgstone, 32, was indicted for stealing 10s. 6d., the property of Robert Coombs, from his person, at Ashford, on the 8th July.

Mr. Dering prosecuted.

Robert Coombs said be was a pensioner living at Willesborough. On the 8th July he went to the "Prince of Wales Inn." The prisoner was there and fumbled him about, sat on his knee, put her hand in his pocket, and ran away out of the house at once. She was not more than three minutes on his knee. He missed his purse containing 10s. 6d.

In answer to his Lordship, prosecutor stated that there was another young woman and a man in the room.

P.S. Marsh said that on the 8th July he apprehended the prisoner, and charged her with stealing the purse of the prosecutor, when she denied having been in the "Prince of Wales" that morning. He found nothing on her. He saw the prosecutor, who was perfectly sober.

Mrs. Parsons said she kept the "Prince of Wales," and about one o’clock the prisoner was there. Prosecutor was also there.

A verdict of guilty was returned, and a previous conviction eight years ago admitted. Prisoner was sentenced to eight calendar months.

Canterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette, Saturday 28 March 1868.

Theft.

At the Petty Sessions on Tuesday before Lieutenant-Colonel Groves, E. C. Dering, D. S. Sayer, and W. D. Walker Esqrs, Shadrach Gater and Edward Williams, two soldier boys, will committed for trial for stealing a pair of leggings and a pair of trousers, value £1, from the "Old Prince of Wales" in Ashford.

The prisoners had deserted from the 76th regiment, at Shorncliffe, on Sunday, and slept at the "Prince of Wales" that same night, in the same room with a general dealer. The next morning they started off and took some of the clothes with them, and when apprehended that Pluckley were found wearing them. They were old offenders.

 

Joseph Collinson 1922

Above photo showing Joseph Collinson with the pipe, circa 1922, kindly sent by Jo Willett.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Charlie Harman, 2 July 2019.

Old Prince of Wales pub in Ashford closed.

Mystery surrounds the closure of one of Ashford's town centre pubs.

The Old Prince of Wales has been operating in New Street since about the 1850s, but has now been boarded up.

Shoppers have expressed their sadness at the closure of the site, which sits next to the town’s First World War tank.

One former customer, Michael Buller, said: “I used to use it years ago but I haven’t been in ages.

“It’s slightly out of the way, and I think you have to be one of the top pubs in town to survive these days.

“You’ve got to make brilliant food and have cheap beer to compete with the likes of Wetherspoons."

The Old Prince of Wales became the centre for donations following the Nepal earthquake in 2015, with people from across the town taking in items like wind-up torches, sleeping bags and tents.

Old Prince of Wales boarded up

The Old Prince of Wales has been boarded up.

Another previous visitor, Wynne Daniells, was also sad to hear about the closure.

The Quantock Drive resident said: “They used to have a good rapport in there - it had a great atmosphere.

“But people just drink at home now whereas we used to go out on a Friday or Saturday in a big group and go from place to place.

“There’s so many pubs being turned into flats, and that would be awful, but we don’t need another barbers or anything like that.

“It could make a nice restaurant but it would be nice if it was something different and not a Chinese or Italian."

The Prince of Wales is not the only recent town centre casualty, with the nearby Kelly Andrews hair salon also shutting down.

The stylist had operated from its Castle Street site for four years before it shut last month.

The unit is now being offered to let by Stafford Perkins for £15,000 per year.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Georgia Woolf, 20 July 2019.

The Old Prince of Wales Pub in Ashford reopened after new management take over.

A prominent town centre pub which closed earlier this month has reopened under new management.

The Old Prince of Wales Pub in New Street, Ashford was boarded up at the start of July but threw open its doors again earlier this week.

Manager Jason Davison, who has 28 years experience in the industry, has taken up a temporary lease to get it back up and running while a new long-term tenant is found.

"I have been in this industry all my life - I was previously a multiple operator managing around 15 to 20 pubs," the 48-year-old said.

"I will be managing it for the time being. I could be here from three months to a year.

"We will be doing karaoke and disco nights and we are also looking to start happy hours next week."

The pub will be open from 10am to 9pm from Sunday to Thursday.

Jason Davison 2019

The new landlord, Jason Davison.

On Fridays and Saturdays, it will open from 12pm to 1am.

Mr. Davison added: "We've have cleaned the place up a bit and we are hoping to get the carpets changed within the next month.

"The outside needs waking up a little bit and the damp issue will be resolved."

It is thought that Enterprise Inns - which owns the pub - will be covering the cost of the refurbishments.

But while the Old Princes of Wales is now back up and running, a bar opposite has closed its doors.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Liane Castle, 19 April 2022.

Afro-Caribbean restaurant Jays Soul Food opens in former Old Prince of Wales pub in Ashford town centre.

An Afro-Caribbean restaurant has opened in a former pub in Ashford town centre, serving jerk chicken, curry goat and jollof rice.

Mum-of-three Janet Odeyale, known as Lady Jay, has turned the Old Prince of Wales pub into Jays Soul Food, offering a variety of Afro-Caribbean and West African cuisine.

Soul Food owner

Lady Jay has transformed the Old Prince of Wales pub.

The 19th century building had been boarded up since 2019 but today opened to the public with a grand opening and a ribbon cutting ceremony with Ashford mayor Cllr Callum Knowles (Con).

Ms Odeyale said: "It has been a lot of work getting this started but we are here now and it's fantastic.

"Most things have worked to plan but there are still more developments to come.

"In the future we will be getting the barbecue garden done and the outside dining area.

"We have a diverse range of Afro-Caribbean foods and delicacies from the islands and also Nigeria.

Soul Food inside

It can cater for 80 to 120 people.

Soul Food barbecue area

The outdoor area will be used for barbecues.

Sopul Food family

Councillors and Janet Odeyale’s family attended the grand opening of Jays Soul Food.

Soul Food

The former pub has been transformed.

"Ashford is a diverse community and we want to represent that in our food and flavours.

"I'm pleased to bring something different to Ashford, if you look 25 miles away there is nothing like this and there is more to come like entertainment and live bands."

While the grand opening was today, Jays Soul Food has been serving takeaway through Just Eat for the past five weeks.

Ms Odeyale, a Hamstreet resident, has been cooking since she was 14 and has worked in the catering industry for more than 30 years.

She moved to the borough from Greenwich in 2006, and has been working on the historic spot since March 2021.

Soul Food children

Lady Jay with children Michaiah, Micah and Malachi.

Soul Food

It serves a variety of Afro-Caribbean and West African cuisine including jerk chicken, curry goat and jollof rice.

Soul Food bands

It has space for music and live bands.

She was previously part of the Ashford Farmers’ Market and her catering business has a five-star food hygiene rating from Ashford Borough Council.

Ms Odeyale said she considered other sites in the town such as Elwick Place before snapping up the lease on the historic pub as it was ideal for her dream business.

The restaurant has room for around 80 guests but this can rise to 120 with the new outdoor barbecue area.

 

LICENSEE LIST

TAPPENDEN John 1858-60+

STICKELLS David 1861+ (age 32 in 1861Census) (Prince of Wales, New Street)

PARSONS Mrs 1870+ Whitstable Times

PARSONS George 1871+ (age 47 in 1871Census) (Prince of Wales)

HOLMES Henry 1874+

FRIAL George 1881-82+ (age 47 in 1881Census)

EPPS Francis 1891+

HARRISON Albert R 1901+ (age 51 in 1901Census)

BRIDGE James 1903-13+ Kelly's 1903

COLLINSON Joseph 1922+ Next pub licensee had

RUSTRICK William Henry 1930-38+

DAVISON Jason July/2019+

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

 

Whitstable TimesWhitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald

CensusCensus

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

 

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

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