Red Lion Pubs of Denton

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 25 September, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1654

Red Lion

Latest 1962

(Name to)

The Street

Denton

The above print shows the Red Lion at Denton in 1865. By kind permission of Dover Library.

Above postcard kindly sent by Kathleen Hollingsbee.

Above postcard, January 1910. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. (Hustings were for Rt. Hon. Aretas Akers-Douglas, who was the sitting MP for the St. Augustine's constituency)

Above postcard, circa 1910. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Showing the pub in the livery of Gardner's Ash Brewery. The background to the "Remains of the Budget" sign refers to the so-called People's Budget, which Herbert Asquith's Liberal government was trying to enact into law. This Act of Parliament proposed increasing taxes on the wealthy, in order to pay for social welfare reform. The People's Budget was vehemently opposed by Arthur Balfour's Conservative opposition, with support from the majority of peers in the House of Lords. However, after winning the January 1910 General Election, Asquith successfully steered his budget through Parliament and in December 1910 called another General Election, in order to secure a mandate for his proposed Parliament Act. This law was designed to prevent the Lords blocking legislation and underlined the supremacy of the elected House of Commons. Denton lay in the mostly rural constituency of St. Augustine's and was considered a pretty safe Conservative seat.

The Rt. Hon. Aretas Akers-Douglas (above 1851-1926) later Viscount Chilston, was returned as MP. He had previously served as Home Secretary (1902/05) in Balfour's administration.

And staying with Asquith...

AK Beers. Supposedly, AK stands for "Asquith's Knockout" and refers to a swingeing budget increase in beer duty, which was levied in order to help finance his Liberal administration's policies. As a result, disgruntled brewers took to reducing the strength of some of their beers, thus paying less duty and by way of a side swipe at Asquith, referred to these beers as AK.

N.B. Other explanations of how we came to have AK beers are available!

The above photo shows the Red Lion at Denton in the 1930's. Photo taken by Edward Smith from Elham, by kind permission Dover Library.

Above photo, 1924, showing Arthur & Molly Mott. Kindly sent by Julia Gavriel, great grand-daughter.

Above postcard, circa 1925, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Building shows is known as Lavender Cottage.

Above and below photos say Red Lion Hotel 1930. By kind permission Dover Library.

Above postcard, date unknown.

Above by kind permission of the "Black Horse" at Densole, stating "Coming to vote for Akers Douglas, Denton and District, January 1910.

From The Dover Mercury 27 February 2003.

THE photo above developed from a glass plate, of a delivery pony and trap proved interesting to many readers, of Joe Harman's column the other week including Peter Terry, of Cowper Road, River.

Mr Terry has this postcard of the coach and horses outside the Red Lion at Denton - now renamed The Jackdaw because of the Ingoldsby connection.

"I think the coach service ran between Canterbury and Folkestone," he said.

"My mother lived in Denton. Her father and my grandfather - Jack Hore - was employed as gamekeeper to Kitchener at Broome Park, and lived opposite the Red Lion."

Above photo, similar to the one above, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

From the Dover Mercury 16 June, 2000.

PETER Terry, of Cowper Road, River, was among the Mercury readers interested in the photo with Joe Harman's article (Mercury, June 1) about the Nonington bus. Mr Terry has shown us this Kent Messenger photo depicting travel between Folkestone and Canterbury at the turn of the century.

There was a daily service between Folkestone and Canterbury through the Elham Valley and it is reported that travellers on the coach used to throw pennies to the village children. The coach, which was driven by Sir Gerald Hanson, is pictured outside the Red Lion public house - now The Jackdaw - at Denton where the four horses were changed on both the outward and return journeys. Mr Terry's parents and grandparents lived in Denton.

Above photo 1958.

Above photograph circa 1960, kindly supplied by Terry Wheeler of the Ramsgate Historical Society.

Dates from 1645.

In the Wingham Division Ale Licence list 1740, the "Red Lion," Denton, was re-licensed for the sum of 8 shillings in 1740.

From the Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal 7 September 1819.

VALUABLE BREWERY,

Free Public Houses and other estates,

To be Sold By Auction, By Messrs. White, (Without Reserve).

Pursuant to certain orders of the Vice Chancellor of Great Britain, and before the Major part of the Commissioners named and authorised in and by a Commission of bankrupt awarded and issued against Matthew William Sankey, of the City of Canterbury, brewer, dealer and chapman, at the Guildhall, of the said city of Canterbury, on Wednesday next, the 22nd day of September next, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, (subject to such conditions of sale as shall be then and there produced.)
The following very Valuable Freehold Estates, in Lots.

Valuable Brewery free public houses and other Estates to be sold by auction by Mrs white without reserve.

Lot 11. A Messuage called the "Red Lion," with the stable, yard, garden, and appurtenances, situate at Denton, in the said county, and now in the occupation of William Seath.

From the Kentish Gazette, 4 March 1845.

DEATH.

SEATH:— Feb 26, at Denton, Mr. William Seath, aged 93, much respected, and many years landlord of the "Red Lion."

From the Kentish Chronicle, 14 March, 1863.

INQUEST AT DENTON. SINGULAR DEATH.

An inquest was held on Monday last, before the coroner (T. T. Delasaux, Esq.), at the “Red Lion” public-house, in this parish, on the body of Henry Keeler, who died on the previous Saturday, under the circumstances detailed in the following evidence:-

Samuel Cowley, of Denton, labourer:- On Monday, the 10th day of February last, I was in a barn belonging to Mr. Oxley, situate in Denton. The deceased was present in the barn. His father, and his brother, and James Oxley, were also present in the barn. The deceased was pulling sheaves of oats on the stand of a thrashing-machine. James Oxley was on the stand of the thrashing machine. I saw James Oxley throw some sheaves back to deceased. James Oxley got off the stand and came down to deceased on the barn floor. Deceased went to another floor of the barn. I saw deceased afterwards, and he did not complain of anything, and went to work with the horses.

Thomas Oxley, of Denton, yeoman:- On Monday, the 16th of last month, I had been indoors for some beer. It was then between three and four in the afternoon. I went from my father’s barn into the house to fetch the beer. On my return to the barn, and on my being about six feet from it, I saw James Oxley throw a hay fork into the barn as he was standing on the stage of the machine. I did not hear Oxley say anything, and I heard no one call out. I did not see at what, or at whom, he threw the fork. Deceased soon after came into the barn, and had some beer with the rest of the men. He made no complaint to me then. All the men had been very friendly all day. From the way in which the fork was thrown, I supposed it was not thrown intentionally to hurt any one. The same evening, about eight, I heard that deceased was injured in the leg from the prick of a fork. I was not told in what way the injury was received.

By a Juror.:- When I spoke to Oxley about throwing the fork, he said deceased had thrown it up on the stand with a sheaf, and hit him on the head. Oxley was in such a position us to see deceased if he was looking. The fork might have been thrown with the sheaf accidentally.

Edward Keeler, of Denton, labourer:- The deceased was my brother, and of the age of fifteen years. I was with him this day fortnight, in Mr. Oxley’s barn, working at thrashing oats. Samuel Cowley was feeding the machine on the stand. James Oxley was throwing the sheaves to him. On Friday morning he died, he made no statement to me before his death. Oxley first struck at my brother with the fork, and not reaching him threw it at him; but I did not then know it had struck him. I cannot say, from the manner in which it was thrown, whether it was done intentionally.

By a juror:- Oxley was looking at deceased when the folk was thrown. He worked up till six o’clock after the injury.

Danzey Somerville Cresswell, of Elham, surgeon:- I was sent for on Tuesday last to attend the deceased, whom I found suffering from symptoms of tetanus. Deceased had a wound about three inches above the knee of the right leg. The wound was healed up when I saw it. I prescribed for him, but he got worse. He would have had tetanus if a plug had not been placed in his mouth. I found the plug there when I first saw him, which I ordered him to continue it. He gradually got worse, the fits of paroxysm becoming stronger and oftener. In my belief he died of tetanus. It might have been caused by various causes. The wound was a very small one; but being healed up, I could not ascertain its extent in depth.

Verdict:- “That deceased died from tetanus, but from what cause produced there is no evidence to show.”

Dover Express 05 May 1893.

Messrs. Worsfold and Hayward had an important sale by Auction, at the "Shakespeare Hotel," Dover, yesterday, when the lots sold included the "Red Lion Inn," Denton, which sold for £1,300.

From the Canterbury Journaland Farmers' Gazette, Saturday 2 March, 1907.

DEATHS. MARCH.

On the 18th Feb., at the "Red Lion," Denton, Canterbury, David Marsh, formerly of the "King's Head Hotel," Charing, aged 60.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 2 March 1907.

DEATH.

MARSH. On the 18th Feb., at the "Red Lion," Denton, Canterbury, David Marsh, formerly of the "King's Head Hotel," Charing, aged 60.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 4 November, 1925. Price 1½d.

WAS IT BEER

Arthur George Mott, of the “Red Lion,” Denton was summoned for supplying intoxicating liquor other than during permitted hours.

Pte. Kenny, R.A.M.C. and L/Corpl. Bilton, R.A.S.C. were summoned for consuming same.

P.C. castle (Barham) said that at 11.57 a.m. on Sunday, November 22nd, he went to the “Red Lion,” Denton, and saw Bilton and Kenny standing in front of the bar counter in the public bar, behind which the defendant Mott (the licensee) was standing. He heard Mott say, “Drink that up,” whereupon the other defendants immediately picked up their glasses containing “brown coloured liquor,” which they consumed. He picked Kenny's glass up, and tasted it. It was beer. Before he could pick up Bilton's glass the licensee picked it up and put it in water. Bilton said he thought the opening hour was 12 o'clock, as at Shorncliffe. Kenny said “I am a teetotaller and was drinking dry ginger. I am not exactly a teetotaller, but I don't drink beer.” “Mott said, “I give no explanation; all I say is I did not serve intoxicating liquor.”

Cross-examined by witness, Mr. A. K. Mowll, for the defendants, said there was another soldier. He did not agree that dry ginger was like beer in colour.

Mott giving evidence, said he served the defendants with a dry ginger and lemonade. He had been convicted before and was therefore careful.

Both the other defendants gave evidence, and said that the Constable did not pick up their glasses.

The Bench retired to consider the case and convicted the defendants. Mott was fined £1, including costs, and the other defendants 5s. each, including costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 5 March, 1926. Price 1½d.

WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS

The adjourned consideration of the renewal of the licence of the "Red Lion," Denton, was before the Bench. The brewers expressed their desire to retain the services of the Landlord who had been twice convicted of a licensing offence.

The Bench said they would take the unusual step of renewing the licence.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 7 May, 1926. Price 1½d.

PLANS

Plans were approved for alterations to Messrs. Gardners' "Red Lion," Denton.

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald 21 December 1935.

FUNERAL OF MR. C. H. N. McKIM.

The funeral took place on Friday at St. Peters Church, Bridge, of Mr. Charles. Henry Nelson McKim, aged 61 years, who died on Monday last week at the "Red Lion Hotel," Denton.

Deceased had been well known to travellers and visitors to Denton as the host of the "Red Lion Hotel."

He had served with the Northumberland Fusiliers as Sergt. Cook; during the Great War he held a Warrant Rank and served with the East Kent Yeomanry. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. C.T. Mourilyan, were: and the chief mourners were: the widow; Mrs. Hedgecock (sister); Mr. H. Culver (father-in-law): Mr, A Culver and Mr. W. Culver (brothers-in-law); Miss E. James and Miss R. James (nieces): Mr. Harry Culver. Mr. H. Vaughan and Mr. F. Vaughan. There were also present at the graveside an Old Comrade of the Fusiliers, living at Canterbury, and three brother Masons from a Margate Lodge. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack. A bugler from The Buffs Depot, Canterbury. sounded the Last Post and Reveille. Many floral tributes were sent.

Dover Express 24 May 1946.

FINED.

For driving a milk van without due care and attention in Sandgate Rd., Folkestone, Ernest F. Fox, of the "Red Lion," Denton, was fined £1 by Folkestone Magistrates on Tuesday.

Dover Express 17 February 1950.

FIRE AT INN.

Fire broke out on Friday afternoon in a back bedroom at the "Red Lion Inn," Denton.

Shepherdswell Fire Brigade was called to assist the Folkestone Brigade but the outbreak was quickly under control. There was some damage to floorboards and joists and to the contents of the room.

It is said that although Arthur Mott was the name over the door in the 1920s, but he usually left the running of the pub in the capable hands of his wife Molly whilst he organised mystery tours in one of his busses, and always ended up paying a visit to the "Red Lion," somewhere along the journey.

Now called the "Jackdaw".

LICENSEE LIST

HOWELL Richard 1740+