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1 Kingsdown Road
St. Margaret's at Cliffe
https://whatpub.com/red-lion
Above photo 1952.
Creative Commons Licence. |
Above postcard, circa 1955, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Thompson & Son ledger 1950-1964.
Creative Commons Licence. |
Red Lion photo by Roger Hurst, circa 1990. |
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Above photographs by Paul Skelton, November 2006 |
Part of the building is reputed to have once been a mortuary, the pub is now a
Freehouse and has a log fire, real ales and home cooked food. It also has a beer
garden and caters for families.
Recently being bought in March 2011 by "Priory Land" a land management and
development company, and is their first pub.
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From the web site
http://www.prioryland.com/news.php accessed 29 April, 2012
PRIORY COOKS UP A TASTY TREAT
Following completion of a brand new kitchen, the "Red Lion" pub in St
Margaret's at Cliffe, which is Priory Land's first pub investment, has
quickly developed a reputation for serving outstandingly good home-made
food, prepared by chef Les Field.
Mark Goodall, Priory Land's Commercial Director, said “Les is an
amazing chef and the food that he prepares is simply out of this World.
Everyone is talking about it.” Goodall added “Les was sous chef to
Michel Roux Junior for 10 years at Le Gavroche in London and, as you
might expect, Les produces fantastic desserts. Only the best ingredients
will do for Les and the only thing that is ever frozen is the ice cream.
Everything else is freshly prepared that day”.
Most recently, Field was Head Chef at the British Embassy in Kabul
for three years.
Asked why pubs are a good investment when so many are failing,
Dougall said “It may seem obvious but if you buy in the right location,
at the right price, listen to what your customers want and deliver
exactly what they want, consistently, and at a fair price, then you will
not go far wrong. With the "Red Lion," we consulted with our customers
and, importantly, we listened. We continue to consult and to listen, and
our customers are involved in the making of key decisions”. Dougall
added “It helps if you enjoy and are passionate about running a great
pub, where people want to be. We certainly are”. |
The date of the current building is 1825.
Above pictures show front and back of business cards 2008. |
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From the Kentish Gazette, Wednesday, 22 June to Saturday, 25 June, 1768. Price 2d
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION
At the “Red Lyon” in St. Margaret's at Clift, near Dover, on Thursday
the 30th of June Instant, at Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.
A Freehold Messuage or Tenament, with the Out-houses, Buildings, Garden,
Yard, Ground, and Appurtenances thereunto belonging to. And also a Toft
of Ground, whereon Part of and old decayed Messuage now stands; together
with several Shotts of Arable and Pasture Land thereto belonging;
Containing in the whole, by Estimation, Thirteen Acres more or less. All
situate in the Parish of St. Margaret's at Clift aforesaid. Part of the
Land is now in the Tenure or Occupation or Mr. Lawrance, Baker.
For further Particulars, enquire of Mr. Farbrace at Dover.
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From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General
Advertiser, Saturday 10 June, 1854. Price 5d.
COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS
Wednesday - before Dr. Sillery.
William Pidduck, farm servant, was brought up for drunkenness, and
also for assaulting two constables at St. Margaret's-at-Cliff. From the
evidence it appeared that defendant was drunk at the "Lion Inn," in that
parish, on Tuesday, and conducted himself so insultingly towards the
constable Marsh, one of the complainants, that the latter was induced to
take him into custody. In attempting to do so, a struggle ensued, which
was observed by the other complainant, named Young, who went to the
assistance of Marsh, and while handcuffing Pidduck, Young was twice
kicked by defendant. During the removal to Dover, Pidduck made use of
very threatening and most obscene language. At the police station he
also behaved in a most violent manner.
For the drunkenness, a fine of 5s. was inflicted; and for the
assault. £2 2s. - In default of payment, Pidduck was committed to St.
Augustine's for a month.
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South Eastern Gazette, 12 March, 1860.
Obtaining Goods under False Pretences.
Yesterday week, Mary Garby was charged at the Police Court with
obtaining several articles of linen by fraudulent representations,
from the Rev. C. H. W. Sumner, rector of Ringwould. It appeared that
she had gone to Mr. Sumner’s house on the 3rd February, saying that
her name was Clarke, of St. Margaret’s, and that she had been sent
by the Rev. Mr. Boys, curate of St. Margaret’s at Cliffe, to request
relief. She added that she was a widow, and that her husband was
born and had always resided at Kingsdown, but that she was a native
of Deal. She stated that she had four children, two of whom were
then lying ill with abscesses in their backs. Mr. Sumner had some
doubts as to the truth of her story, as he thought he should have
known any person who had resided long in the neighbourhood; but he
gave her two shirts, three table napkins, and 2s. 4d. in money.
Ongoing, however, to West Cliffe, where she had said she resided, he
found that the whole of her pitiable story was a fabrication. She
afterwards sold the shirts and napkins, and the police being made
acquainted with her proceedings, she was taken into custody at the
"Red Lion" public-house. It was now proved that she had previously
been convicted of similar offences.
The Bench sentenced her to three months’ imprisonment with hard
labour.
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South Eastern Gazette, 7 August, 1860.
Brutal Assault by a Soldier.
On Wednesday last, at the police court, Peter Stevens, gunner in the
2nd Brigade of the Royal Artillery stationed at the Castle, was
charged with a brutal assault on John Fettal, at St. Margaret’s
fair, on the preceding night. It appeared that the prosecutor and
the prisoner had been together during the greater part of Tuesday
evening at the "Red Lion" public-house, St. Margaret’s, with "an
unfortunate" named Jane White, and some other females, drinking and
singing. Soon after midnight Fettal and the woman White rose to go
home and left the house. They were followed by the prisoner, who
wished White to go home with him, and on her refusing to do so, he
accused prosecutor of robbing him, knocked him down, and kicked him
in the most savage and unmanly way. The female White fetched the
police, who took Stevens into custody.
The prisoner asked to be
dealt with summarily, and the Bench fined him £3, with 8s. 6d.
costs, or two months’ imprisonment.
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Kentish Gazette, 28th November 1865.
St Margarets at Cliffe. Inquest.
On Friday, Mr. Coroner Delasaux and a respectable jury held an inquest,
at the "Red Lion" public house, on the body of Mr. Edmond Warner, pilot,
of Gravesend, who was in charge of the Spanish steamer "Murillo," on the
morning of the 3rd instant, when she was run into, off the South
Foreland by the French steamer "Dix Decembre" and founded. The
unfortunate pilot and two of the crew were drowned. The jury after a
careful investigation found that the deceased Edwin Warner was drowned
by the French Government steamer Dix Decembre coming into collision with
the Spanish steamer Murillo, and that the said collision occurred
through great negligence on the part of the commander of the Dix
Decembre.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 22 February, 1895. Price 1d.
W. GARDENER v. Mrs. THURLOW
This was a claim for £1 1s. 0d. for work done on a beer engine at the
“Lion,” St. Margaret's of which the defendant was at the time landlady.
On behalf of the defendant several witnesses were called to prove that
the work was done to the beer engine to make it workable.
His Honour gave judgement for the plaintiff in 14 days.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 July, 1890. Price 1d.
STREET ACCIDENT
During the thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon, Mrs. Thurlow of the
“Lion Inn,” St. Margaret's, and her daughter, were driving around the
corner from the Market Place into Castle Street, when the pony shied and
two ladies seated behind were thrown out and badly shaken. They were
taken to Mr. Valentine's, in Church Street, but afterwards proceeded on
their journey.
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Dover Express, Friday 20 December 1901.
St. Margaret's festivities.
Permission was granted Mr. Summers, landlord of the "Red Lion," to have
an extension on the occasion of a supper on Saturday, and Tradesmen’s
Dinner on January 1st.
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From the Whitstable Times, 11 October, 1902.
BODY WASHED ASHORE AT ST. MARGARET'S BAY.
An inquest was held at the “Red Lion Inn,” St. Margaret’s-at-Cliffe, on
Friday afternoon, by the East Kent Coroner (Mr. R. M. Mercer), on the
body of a man, which was washed ashore on the previous afternoon.
Thomas Morris, coastguard stationed at St. Margaret's, said he was
patrolling his garden at 8.30 a.m. Thursday when he saw the body of a
man lying on his back on the rocks immediately below the south Foreland
low light. It was low water, and witness calculated the water had been
off deceased about four hours. Witness informed the chief officer of his
discovery and the police were communicated with. If the man jumped or
fell off a vessel in mid-Channel the east wind would bring him in there.
Police-constable Saunders, of the K.C.C., stationed at St. Margaret’s,
gave evidence as to receiving the body, which he conveyed to the “Red
Lion” to await the inquest. The deceased was 6ft. in height and
apparently from 45 to 50 years of age. He had dark grey hair, a beard,
and a heavy iron-grey moustache, being a little bald on the front of the
head, which was much braised. Deceased was wearing a white shirt, grey
suit, brown boots, and black tie. He was wearing a silver watch and an
apparently gold chain. The watch had stopped at 11.45. On his person
were letters addressed to Alfred Lortzng and also part of a book of
Cook's, tourist tickets issued at Queenborough and made returnable to
the same place. It was issued on August 7th and expired on October 5th.
The letters were written partly in English and partly in German and were
not decipherable. It appeared as if deceased had sailed on one of the
Zealand Shipping Company’s vessels, and was on his way back to
Queenborough. From what he could make of the letters witness had
telegraphed to the Cheltenham police for enquiries to be made. He had
received a telegram in reply to the effect that an uncle of deceased,
named Roeckel, would arrive in Dover that night to identify the body.
Two purses were also found on the deceased containing eight German coins
and two English pennies. His handkerchief was marked “A.L.’’
The jury were satisfied that the deceased was A. Lortzing, and returned
a verdict of “Found drowned.”
The deceased has been identified as Herr Auguste Lortzing, a professor
of music, of Pitfield Lawn, Cheltenham. Deceased, it is stated, left
Cheltenham on August 8th to visit relatives in Germany, and letters from
him were received at his residence during his tour. He always appeared
in cheerful spirits. From the ticket found upon the deceased it appears
certain that he was returning from Flushing to Queenborough when he met
his death. It was known that Mr. Lortzing had a great amount of baggage,
and as this could not be traced it led to the supposition that it bad
been stolen. On Monday, however, the Kent police received a telegram
that it was at Victoria Station, London.
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From the Dover Express, Friday 16 October, 1903.
ST. MARGARETS.
Mr. F. W. Summers, of the "Red Lion Inn," St. Margarets, applied for an
occasional licence to sell at Wanston Farm, on the
occasion of a ploughing match on November 10th.
The Clerk said that notice had not been given to the Superintendent of
Police. It was necessary to give notice both to the Magistrates’ Clerk
and to the Superintendent of the Police.
The application was refused, Mr. Summers being told that he would have
to make a fresh one at Wingham after complying with the formalities.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 19 August, 1904. Price 1d.
PERMISSION
The landlord of the “Red Lion Inn,” St. Margaret's, was granted
temporary permission to sell at Reach Court Meadow on the occasion of
the annual sports on the 21st inst.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 21
April, 1911.
DOVER COUNTY SESSIONS
Plans showing as alterations of the entrance to the "Red Lion," St.
Margaret's from the side road to the main road, were approved.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 17
November, 1922. Price 1½d.
EXTENSIONS
Mr. William Thomas Norris, of the "Red Lion," St. Margaret's, applied
for an extension from 10 to 11 p.m. on November 16th, on the occasion of
the annual dinner of the Slate Club.
Granted.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 22 March, 1929. Price 1½d.
LICENSING
Plans were submitted for alterations for the “Red Lion,”
St. Margaret's.
The plans were approved.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18
September, 1936.
OCCASIONAL LICENSE
An occasional licence was granted for the "Red Lion," St.
Margaret's-at-Cliff, on October 2nd, from 2.30 to 5 p.m., for a sale at
Street Farm.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 19
November, 1937.
BRITISH LEGION DINNER
The licence of the "Red Lion," St. Margaret's, was granted an
extension until 10.30 p.m. on 4th December for a British Legion dinner.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 8 March, 2012. 65p.
Exclusive Kathy Bailes
PROPERTY FIRM SERVES UP TASTY NEW VENTURE
NEW VENTURE: Kevin Dougall, from Priory Land, with Red
Lion manager Chrisy Kelly.
A move into the pub market is paying off for developer
A DEVELOPER'S foray into the pub business in St Margaret's has ignited a
plan to buy up to eight east Kent premises over the next three years.
Kevin Dougall, chief executive of Priory Land development company, which
has interests in St Margaret's and the White Cliffs Business Park, is in
negotiations to acquire a second district pub and says, the time is ripe
to purchase several sites while prices are on the floor.
Priory Land bought the "Red Lion" freehold in St Margaret's last year for
£200,000. A further £90,000 has been spent on a complete overhaul to
create a traditional pub with wooden floors and panelling and a giant
fireplace.
Profit
In an added quirk the new dining area is packed with James Bond
memorabilia, in homage to former village resident and Bond writer Ian
Fleming, whilst the main bar will be decked out with Noel Coward items,
another former resident.
The venture is a new direction for the land development firm but one which
appears to be making a profit.
Former chartered surveyor Mr Dougall, 54, said: “I heard about the pub on
a Wednesday morning and had exchanged contracts by the Friday. There was
an existing tenancy to honour until the April but we decided to give it a
go.
“We bought it for £200,000 and spent £90,000 on the refurbishment and it
has now been valued at £400,000.
“It makes an operating profit so basically we write off the property
investment but the operating profit generates the income which then
supports the mortgage for
the next pub we buy.”
The first six months recorded drink sales of £90,000 with food due to be
introduced at a launch this month. The year's wet sale target is £200,000
with a maiden year profit of £80,000 predicted without factoring in meal
sales.
Following the initial success at St Margaret's, Priory Land created the
East Kent Pub Company (2011) Ltd, with a seed investment of £100,000 from
an outside investor.
Mr Dougall said: “Having cut our teeth on the "Red Lion" we have got to know
the East Kent pub
market particularly well and there are plenty of opportunities to acquire
other pubs at attractive prices.
Second pub
“With the "Red Lion," which is run by our brilliant pub manager Chrisy
Kelly, I realised I really enjoy the business and come here most Sundays.
We looked around and were offered another couple of pubs in the area so
set up the pub company.
“We are in the process of buying our second pub in the district and plan
over the next three years to
get a group of between six and eight pubs in this part of east Kent.
“The price to acquire the pubs at the moment is relatively low. We had
investor money in the company and after that acquisitions will be through
mortgages. The "Red Lion" being in profit helps towards those future
projects with cash flow and by showing you can run a pub profitably.
“We do our research and try to buy in the right location where people want
what we have to offer. There are parts of the country where our
traditional pub model won't work but in this part of Kent we think people
appreciate this kind of pub and so there are opportunities.”
The "Red Lion" purchase has also created a small boost to employment
with an extra two jobs, going from three to five including new chef Peter
Skillin.
Father-of-three Mr Dougall said: “We have a social responsibility. This
is not just a piece of property it is part of people's lives and
livelihoods.”
■ The launch of meals at the "Red Lion," in Kingsdown Road, will be on
Mother's Day, March 18.
THE NAME'S BOND
The "Red Lion" now embraces one of the village's most famous former
residents Ian Fleming (pictured left and right), author of the Bond books.
 
Pictures and memorabilia, including models of the Goldfinger car and
the original diecasts, adorn the dining room.
Mr Dougall said: “I think it's fascinating that Ian Fleming lived here
and bought his house from Noel Coward.
“In Goldfinger the opening scene is set in St Margaret's Bay and in the
1959 novel the pub gets a mention.
“After I bought the pub and found out about Fleming and Coward I
decided to get the memorabilia and really celebrate it.
“Ian Fleming also wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and got the name from
the sound of a Bentley which had a Spitfire engine in it and was driven
past him on the Dover-Deal Road.”
Local knowledge also says the Bond number - 007 - is from the Dover to
London bus.
Mr Dougall has also amassed some 30 Noel Coward items, mostly from the
American market, for the main bar.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 19 July, 2012. 65p.
PUB GARDEN
A residential property could be built in part of the garden of the
"Red Lion" public house in Kingsdown Road, St Margaret's, if planning
consent is gained.
Mike Chidzey of Priory Land Ltd, Bracknell, in his application, says
records show the site was last used for outbuildings related to the "Red
Lion."
One of the changes, he says, is that a wall will have to come down to
give access from Kingsdown Road to the proposed property.
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Earliest reference found so far is in the Wingham Division Ale Licence list,
which shows the "Red Lion," St. Margaret's at Cliffe, to be re-licensed for the sum of 8 shillings in
1740 indicating that the pub was present before 1740.
In the 1851 census Matilda (nee Goldsack) was married to John Knott the
lighthouse keeper of the Upper Light. John probably died and by the 1861 census
she was with her father at the Red Lion.
Early in 2016 the pub was closed and was for sale with a freehold of £295,000.
Above photo 2020. |
LICENSEE LIST
WELLARD Israel 1740+
GOLDSACK John 1841-58 (age 69 in 1851 )
KNOTT Matilda (widow) 1861+ (age 56 in 1861)
(daughter of Thomas Goldsack)
HILLS Edmund Baker 1864-82+
(age 56 in 1881)
 
THURLOW Robert 1889-91+ (age 61 in 1891)
  
SUMMERS F W Mr 1896-July/1905
    ( Also wine and spirit merchant)
HOTHERERSALL A Mrs July/1905+
HETHERSOLE Mr G H to Mar/1910
BENNETT Mr H J C Mar/1910-Nov/10
ANDERSON John 1911-Mar/21 (age 41 in 1911)
    
NORRIS William Thomas Mar/1921-54+
    
AUSTIN A A 1954-58+
GOODWIN G A 1958-May/60
GOODWIN L M (widow) May/60-62
BECELIN K 1962-64+
LOCK Frederick G 1972+
Charrington & Co
BURCHELL Nick July 2006-11
DOUGALL Kevin Apr/2011+
KELLY Chrisy Mar/2012+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/RedLion.shtml
The Dover Express reported that Mr. H. J. C. Bennett had previously held licence
at the "Good Intent," Aldington. J Anderson before taking over the pub
left the Royal Marines last autumn.
From Wingham Division Ale Licences 1740 Ref: KAO - QRLV 3/1
From Melville's Directory 1858
From the Post Office Directory 1874
From the Post Office Directory 1882
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1889
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1890
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1891
 From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1895
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1896-97
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1898
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1899
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1899-1900
From the Post Office Directory 1901
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
From the Post Office Directory 1913
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1913
From the Post Office Directory 1914
From the Post Office Directory 1918
From the Post Office Directory 1922
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1924
 From the Post Office Directory 1930
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33
 From the Post Office Directory 1938
From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1938-39
From the Kelly's Directory 1950
From the Kelly's Directory 1953
From the Kelly's Directory 1956
Library archives 1974
From the Dover Express
Census
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