RECREATION TAVERN Faversham

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Faversham, November, 2024.

Page Updated:- Saturday, 30 November, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1871-

Recreation Tavern

Latest 1961

16 East Street

Faversham

Above on the right showing the "Recreation Tavern" in 1880.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above image from Google maps, September 2009.

The pub can be traced back to 1871 but unfortunately closed around 1961 and is now operating as a restaurant called the "India Royal" (2009.)

Jackie Graveney, says her parents met their during the war and her mother worked there as cleaner some years after when it was operating as a wine bar. She goes on to say that there were stories of it being haunted and on one occasion a customer poured two glasses of red wine into two glasses but when the person pouring it turned round one glass was empty.

Your information, photos, old or new and licensee names and dates is much appreciated.

East Kent Gazette, Friday 8 July 1955.

"PUB" PIANIST STOLE LICENSEE'S HANDBAG.

Earned £1 a night playing at week-ends.

A former professorial musician, who was stated to have earned £1 a night playing a piano in a Faversham public house at week-ends, was fined £10 at Faversam Magistrates Court on Wednesday for stealing a handbag containing £44 from the licensee.

He was Charles Earnest Back (41), of Ospringe Street, Ospringe, who pleaded guilty to stealing a handbag containing £44 in notes, a fountain pen, key-ring, letters and photographs worth a total of £46, belonging to Mabel Beane, of the "Recreation Tavern," on 26th June.

Detective-constable W. Gibbons said that ay 8 p.m. on 27th June he saw Back at Ospringe, and said he understood that for the past three weeks he had been allowed to play the piano at the public house and had been playing there on the previous day.

"I told him that about 1 p.m. Mrs. Beane placed a handbag on a shelf in the public bar and that at 11p.m. she discovered it had been stolen. I believed that at about 10.40p.m. he was left alone in the public bar." To this Back replied, "I wasn't left alone. I know nothing about the handbag."

"Told he had been seen carrying something under his cardigan. Back at first denied it and later said, "Well, if I had anything under my cardigan it must have been some sheet music."

Left alone.

The officer then accompanied Back to see Mrs. Beane, but he denied knowing anything about the handbag. In a statement Back said he was left alone for 10 or 15 seconds when the barmaid went to fetch him a jar of whelks If he had anything under his cardigan it must have been sheet music.

Continuing, Detective-constable Gibbons said he continued his enquiries and on 28th June he again saw Back at the "Recreational Tavern." He told him he understood that at about midnight he had returned to the tavern and admitted to Mrs. Beane that he had stolen her handbag and handed her back £44 in notes. Back replied "Yes."
In a statement made at the police station Back said he was left alone for a short time, and he leaned over the counter and look the handbag which he hid under his cardigan. Later he took out the money and threw the bag and the other articles into the creek. After being questioned he went back to Mrs. Beane and handed her the roll of notes.

Inspector R. E. Jayes said that Back had five previous convictions, including fines at Southampton of £5 in December, 1946, and April, 1947, for stealing a handbag and receiving a stolen cycle. In August, 1947, at Southampton he was sentenced to three months imprisonment for driving whilst disqualified, two months for driving without insurance, one month for using a licence with intent to deceive and one month for having a false identity card, the sentences to run concurrently. His last conviction was at Faversham in July, 1953, when he was fined £5 for being concerned with others in attempting to steal petrol.

The inspector added that Back had been a professional musician and had worked at a variety of jobs, his last being as a lorry driver for a local firm.

Addressing the bench on behalf of Back. Mr. C. B. Croft said that his piano playing in public houses seemed to be indirectly the cause of the trouble. Patrons generously plied him with drinks all the evening, and under the influence of drink he was somewhat subject to temptation. "He tells me that these other troubles have always taken place on similar occasions when he has been playing the piano in public houses and has had too much to drink."

Imposing the fine, the chairman (Alderman Phil Johnson) said that Back had been generously plied with drink by people who probably appreciated his piano playing. But he had rather bitten the hand that was feeding him. He had been paid £1 a night, and yet when temptation came his way he stole from the person who was helping him.

"It was despicable to say the least," added the chairman. "This is obviously your very last chance. The magistrates have decided to fine you $10, and I can only say that it is exceedingly merciful of them."

From an unknown article, 1971.

After 28 years the last drink in her own bar.

MABEL BEANE GIVES UP LICENCE AND THE REC. TAVERN CLOSES.

Brewers not to seek new tenants.

AS BREWERY men uncoupled the beer pumps and carried out the stock. Mabel Beane sat on a stool on the wrong side of the bar of the "Recreation Tavern," East Street, Faversham, on Wednesday, and had her last drink in the house where she has held the licence for 28 years.

Two hours earlier Faversham Licensing Justices had agreed to transfer the licence to Fremling. Mabel's decision to give up the licence at the age of 67 also means that the house, one of the oldest in Faversham, will be closed, for Fremlin's have decided not to offer the "Recreation Tavern" to another tenant.

So ends an unusual association with the licensed trade for when Mabel came from the "Wool Pack," at Tenterden in 1933, following the death of her husband, she was permitted to take over the licence of the "Recreation Tavern" by the Justices.

She was one of a very small number of women to be granted a licence in this way for it is customary for licensees to be transferred to women only when their husbands have died.

Her piano lessons.

But Mabel was not unknown in Faversham at the time. She had lived here earlier for a good many years and her father was at one time Faversham's police superintendent.

As a child she used to go to the "Recreation Tavern" for piano lessons from Miss Millie Jeffrey, daughter of the licensee of that day.

Said Mabel:- "I think I have been a good and faithful servant during all the years here. I have never blotted my copy book in any way and I have never called the police in because I have always managed to handle the "rowdies" myself.

"I'm sorry to be going because this has been my life for so long and it has been a happy life. The best time was during the war, when we had all sorts in here and made a lot of money... and spent a lot.

Doctor's advice.

"But the doctor told me I had to retire and I took his advice. If I had known it was going mean the house closing I might not have done it... but it's done now. The old "Recreation" has closed and the brewers have been very generous about everything."

Mabel will not be moving far. Some years ago she brought the house next door, number 15 East Street. She was moving into it on Wednesday afternoon.

Faversham News, Friday, 15 November, 1974.

The transformation of a broken down old pub.

THE future looks bright once again for "The Old Recreation Tavern" which this week takes on a new lease off life as a restaurant with a refreshing deference.

The tavern's doors opened yesterday evening (Thursday) for the first time in more than 13 years to begin its new job as a restaurant.

The woman behind its amazing rebirth is 31-year-old Mrs. Maya Hill, who hopes the "Old Recreation Tavern" will once again become the most popular place in town.

Mrs. Hill, a former advertising agent who was born in Ceylon, saw the reality of a cherished ambition when the restaurant opened for business on Thursday.

Her search to find the ideal premises for a restaurant ended nearly four years ago when she visited Faversham - and found the tavern.

Mrs. Hill and her graphic designer husband John bought the premises for only £3,000.

But the tavern had been empty for many years — and time had taken its toll.

"It was in an awful mess, and we just didn't know where to make a start," she explained this week.

The London couple have virtually spent their every penny to restore the tavern to its former glory.

They sold their home in Crystal Palace and "camped out" for a year, staying with relatives, spending time abroad, to muster the cash to begin work. "It must have cost us well over £20,000" Mrs. Hill estimates.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill, their family and friends, paved the way for the Faversham building firm M. J. WEAVER LTD. to start work just over a year ago.

They spent long hours gutting the place out - and making some surprising discoveries.

Now the tavern - which dates back to the 16th century - is probably more authentic than it ever was during its days as a pub managed by the late Mabel Bean.

The ceilings have been heightened to expose timber beams, frail walls and ugly fireplaces have been removed to reveal architectural splendour.

The couple also found a delightful inglenook fireplace hidden behind an old boiler in what was probably the public bar.

Mrs. Hill says the deeds tor the tavern go back to the 1560s when it was known as the "Old Oast".

WORKING WONDERS.

"Old Recreation Tavern" was apparently a very popular place during the last war, and its success continued until Mabel bean retired, and its doors closed.

Maurice Weaver and his team of professional builders deserve the credit for "working wonders" to restore the premises, Mrs. Hill says.

They have been marvellous, and you wouldn't think it is the same place to see it now," she added.

Mrs. Hill hopes the restaurant will be what she intends — a place where people can enjoy good food in a relaxing atmosphere.

"It's not going to be a toffee nosed place. My guests don't have to dress for the occasion, or worry about what cutlery they should be using to eat," she remarked.

FREE HAND.

Mrs. Hill has employed a first rate chef to take charge of the kitchen, Italian Silvio Degidio, who has worked in some of London's top hotels.

Above photo showing the new kitchen.

He welcomed the chance to move to Faversham and work in the "Old Recreation Tavern" where he will have a free hand in the kitchen.

Mrs. Hill said: "Silvio was fed up preparing large menus, so for him this is a chance to branch out. And I personally think he is a very good cook."

Diners can expect a menu with an interesting difference, and Mrs. Hill stresses that all the food will be fresh.

Above photo showing the old kitchen.

"There will be nothing frozen or tinned served in this restaurant," she assured.

She also means to see prices are kept down. Her aim is to combine the skill of the chef with economy.

"I want the restaurant to be the kind of place where people can celebrate almost anything they care to. They can even choose the food," Mrs. Hill explained.

After diners have eaten, there is a comfortable lounge where they can relax. Mrs. Hill is stocking the bar with drinks and liqueurs and a full range of delicious beverages will also be available.

Above photo showing the lounge.

The tavern opens at 6.30 p.m. from Tuesday until Saturday. Last orders win be taken at 11.30 p.m.

"My customers' tables will be theirs all night. There is no question of them having to eat up and leave," Mrs. Hill said.
Her job in the restaurant will be to play hostess, serving the meals and drinks. I'll also be the cleaner," she remarked.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill have converted the top half of the tavern into a spacious home for the family, who have settled down "wonderfully" in Faversham.

Their sons Liam (5) — who now attends the District Infants' School — and four-year-old Digby have already found new friends.

"They love it here, Faversham is so much better for them than London," Mrs. Hill said.

She hopes her efforts to give Faversham a new and first-class restaurant will not be wasted.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the restaurant a full house," she concluded.