WHEATSHEAF Pubs of Swalecliffe

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 25 September, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1837-

Wheatsheaf

Open 2024+

74 Herne Bay Road

Swalecliffe

01227 792310

https://whatpub.com/wheatsheaf

Above photo circa 1910. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. With the Wheatsheaf proudly proclaiming itself an outpost for Ash's Ales and Stout, brewed at the Dane John Brewery, Canterbury. In 1920 Ash's raised £255k via an IPO in order to merge with the East Kent Brewery, Sandwich. Ash's IPO prospectus was very optimistic about future market conditions and prospective dividend payments. However, the reality was, that returns on investment were poor and the new company, Ash's East Kent Brewery, soon found itself overstretched and facing financial difficulty. In 1923 AEKB accepted an offer from, and was acquired by, Jude, Hanbury's Kent Brewery, Wateringbury.

Above postcard, circa 1926, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. As the etched windows declare, the Wheatsheaf had been an Ash's Dane John Brewery tied house, until Jude, Hanbury of Wateringbury acquired their Canterbury brewery in 1923. This arrangement remained in place until 1929, when Whitbread's took over JH as part of their somewhat covert acquisition of Mackeson's Brewery in Hythe. The Dane John Brewery was closed by Whitbread's in 1933 and the site is now occupied by St. Andrew's United Reform Church.

Above postcard, circa 1926, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, circa 1919 by Douglas West, also showing the old Post Office and the "Fan Inn," in the background.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 26 October 1935.

Above photo, showing the wedding of Mr. F. Clements and Miss J. Ball.

Above photo circa 1924, kindly sent by Garth Wyver.

Above photo 1924, kindly sent by Garth Wyver.

Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent by Debi Birkin.

Above postcard, date 1960s

Above postcard, circa 1950. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo kindly sent by Peter Moynahan, date unknown.

Photos taken on December, 1998 from http://www.flickr.com by John Law.

Above photo, 17 February 2024, kindly taken and sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above sign circa 1950s, kindly sent by Robert Greenham who says:- This Sign was hanging high up at Whitbread's Beltring Hop Farm (and which, I was told, was subsequently bought by an American).

Above sign left, July 1991, sign right, November 1994.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Above sign, 2024, now under Green King.

Above card issued March 1953. Sign series 4 number 48.

I am informed that the old "Wheatsheaf" was demolished around about 1938 and a new building erected.

From the Kentish Gazette, 8 September 1840.

Free Public House, and Rich Arable Land.

To be sold by auction, by Messrs. Whites and Goulden, at the "Falstaff Inn," St. Dunstan, near Canterbury, on Monday 21st September, 1840, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

A most desirable freehold Estate; consisting of a good substantial brick built public house, called the "Wheatsheaf;" also two messuages, with large gardens; and a piece of very superior arable land containing 5 acres adjoining, situated at Swalecliffe, and now occupied by Mr. Stephen Halliday, jun., Mr. John Hudson, and Mr. Stephen Halliday, sen.

Possession maybe had at Michaelmas next; and two-thirds of the purchase money may remain on mortgage if required.

For further particulars, apply to the auctioneers; or to Messrs, Sankey and Sladden, solicitors, Canterbury.

From the Kentish Chronicle, 16 July, 1864.

SHORT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES AND FALSE SCALES.

A number of cases of short weights and measures and defective scales were reported to the Court by Mr. Mount, inspector of weights and measures for the Home Division. After hearing the circumstances the magistrates convicted and imposed fines as follows:—

Stephen Haliday, landlord of the “Wheat Sheaf,” Swalecliffe, for two measures purporting to be pints, fined 5s. and 11s. costs.

From the Whitstable Times, 15 September, 1900.

SWALECLIFFE. REFUSED TO QUIT.

Mark Sinclair was summoned for refusing to quit the "Wheatsheaf" public-house on the 20th ult.

Defendant pleaded guilty.

Mr. R. M. Mercer, who prosecuted, said the defendant was supplied with a pint of beer by the landlord, but subsequently owing to a number of others treating him he got so intoxicated that the landlord refused to serve him. He then wanted to fight the landlord and great disorder ensued.

Superintendent Jacobs said that the house was conducted remarkably well, but the landlord was subject to a great deal of annoyance from people such as defendant.

The bench imposed a fine of 10s. and costs £1 5s, 3d. or 14 days'.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 14 March 1936.

PLANS FOR ALTERATIONS APPROVED.

Plans were presented for alterations at the "Wheatsheaf." Swalecliffe.

It was explained that the proposal was to take out the wall dividing the present private bar and saloon bar, and to make a doorway from the present lounge to give access to the Club room.

Superintendent Wheatley said that the alterations would be an improvement.

The plans were approved.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 15 February 1936.

WINE LICENCE FOR "THE PLOUGH," SWALECLIFFE.

Mr. A. K. Mowll applied for a wine on-licence in respect of the "Plough," Swalecliffe.

Mr. Elliot B. Allard opposed on behalf of the licensee of the "Wheatsheaf," Swalecliffe.

Mr. Mowll said that Mr. E. G. Harvey had been licensee of the "Plough" for ten years and his father was licensee for ten years previously. A large number of houses for working class people had been erected in the district and there were camps in the summer. Many people came for their holidays and if people went to the "Plough" they could not obtain wine, but beer only. The "Wheatsheaf" was about half a mile away.

The licensee said the demand for wine had become greater each year. About a thousand people camped in the district in the summer. Many people asked for port wine, etc., but were unable to obtain it.

In reply to Mr. Allard, witness said there was an estate extending from the railway arch to his premises, and the houses were of good class. On the other side of the road there were summer bungalows and about half of these were now occupied. Witness did not agree that all the development was nearer to the "Wheatsheaf."

Mr. Harold Campbell Ashenden, architect, produced a plan showing the building development in the district especially during the past four years. There were an additional 115 buildings within half a mile as compared with 72 four years ago. Another 300 to 400 plots had already been laid out for future development. The area was growing as rapidly as any part of the country.

In reply to Mr. Allard, witness asserted that the greater development was nearer the "Plough" than the "Wheatsheaf."

Mr. Allard said the new "Wheatsheaf" was finished on May 8th last year, and the building cost £6,500 and the furnishing £1.500. The old "Wheatsheaf" had been there for many years and had a full licence and because of this and the fact that the neighbourhood was growing it was decided to cater for the people who were in the district then and also for the growing neighbourhood. It seemed most unfair that a house which had taken advantage of the position and catered at the very start for the few who were there should, when the district had developed, lose a proportion of its trade through a second house coming forward for a wine licence. The "Wheatsheaf" could cater for the whole of the trade of the area. The distance between the two houses was 850 yards and that was not a very great distance. New houses were being occupied by retired people who preferred to walk to the "Wheatsheaf" where they could get served in comfort and where everything had been done to make them comfortable, instead of going to a house which was quite a good house in its way but one which, he thought, should be kept for the farm labourer and the farming type who wanted a glass of beer on the spot. The "Plough" had been large enough to cater for that trade during the many years Mr. Harvey and his father had been there and what was desired to be done now was to sell wine to the persons who went into the house. He (Mr. Allard) submitted that one of the main objects of the licensing restrictions was to see that persons who had laid out money in preparation for the public should not lose by indiscriminate granting of further licences to houses which were not required to cater for the new trade. The "Wheatsheaf " had not had the chance to reap the benefit of its enterprise and he submitted it was quite wrong that a licence for wine should be granted to the "Plough." What was to prevent an application being made next year for a spirit licence, and then for the transfer of the licence to the Coastal Road which was near by? He submitted that for the present no further facilities were required.

The application was granted.

MUSIC AND DANCING LICENCES.

An application for a music and dancing licence was granted to Mr. Clements in respect of the "Wheatsheaf Hotel," Swalecliffe.

LICENSEE LIST

LANKEY Robert 1837+

HALIDAY/HOLLIDAY Stephen 1851-81+ (also farmer age 73 deaf in 1881)