DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 25 August, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1679-

Three Bells

Latest 2000

The Street

Swingfield

Three Bells 1993

Above photo taken in 1993, license bought from Annes Country Gallery http://www.annescountrygallery.co.uk

Three Bells 2000

Above photo, 2000, kindly taken and send by Bob and Kathleen Hollingsbee.

Three Bells 2011

Above photo taken on 23 May 2011 by Tony Wells.

Three Bells card 1951

Above aluminium card issued June 1951. Sign series 3 number 37.

 

Probably named due to the Church of St. Peter in Swingfield, situated directly opposite, that was recorded to have three bells in 1552 although by 1901 it was down to just the one. Made redundant in 2000.

There is evidence that the pub may have been known as the "Bear and Hole" previous to 1847 as in 1841 Richard Maxted's father, William was named as licensee of a pub with that name in Swingfield.

 

From the Kentish Gazette or Canterbury Chronicle, Wednesday 10 May to Saturday 13 May, 1769. Price 2½d.

TO BE SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER

On Tuesday, the 23rd of this Instant May, at Three o'clock in the afternoon, at the sign of the “Three Bells,” situate in Swingfield Street, in this County.

A Freehold Messuage, or Tenament Barn, Stable, Orchard, and Garden-yard; and several Pieces of Parcels of Land, Arable and Pasture, and Wood thereunto belonging, Containing in the whole, by Estimation, Seven Acres more or less, with the Appurtenances, (thereof Four Acres are Arable, Two Acres Pasture, and One Acre Wood) situate, lying, and being, at or near a Place called Everinge, in the Parish of Swingfield aforesaid, and in Alkham next or near thereunto, and now in the Tenant or Occupation of Robert Chelkin, or his Assigns.

Inquire of Mr. Westfield, Attorney, in Dover, for Particulars in the Interim.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 16 December, 1881. Price 1d.

APPLICATION

Mr. M. Mowll made an application for the renewal of the license of the "Three Bells," public house, Swingfield, on behalf of John Cullen.

The application was refused on the grounds that the applicant, John Cullen, had been fined when keeping a public house in the borough, for selling intoxicating liquors during prohibited hours on Sunday

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 22 October, 1886. Price 1d.

A SWINGFIELD PUBLICAN ROBBED

On Tuesday, at the City Police Court, Canterbury, before the Mayor (W. R. Young. E.d,) R. Y. Fill, and G. R. Friend, Esqrs, Charles Fairbrass and Emily Fairbrass, a man and wife, aged about 40, were charged with stealing a basket containing goods to the amount of 10s. (the property of John Gillis, the landlord of the “Three Bells Inn,” Swingfield,) from the “Bat and Ball,” Canterbury.

Superintendent McBean said: About 11 o'clock last night the prisoners were brought from near Bridge, and were charged with stealing on Saturday from Mr. Gillis, landlord of the “Three Bells Inn,” Swingfield, the other side of Barham, a wicker basket containing ½lb. of tobacco, a bottle of castor oil, two boxes of pills, a pair of earrings, and a Post Office Savings Bank book.

Upon this evidence the Superintendent applied for a remand, as the witness had not come. But while the Bench were considering the matter, prosecutor and the other witnesses arrived, and so the case was proceeded with.

John Gillis (prosecutor) said: I am the landlord of the “Three Bells Inn,” at Swingfield. I was at the “Bat and Ball Inn,” Canterbury, at about six o'clock on Saturday evening. I was in a cart with my housekeeper, and she got out of the cart for a short time and took the basket with her which contained ½lb. tobacco, two boxes of pills, a bottle of castor oil, a pair of earrings, and a Post Office Savings Bank book. I gave the basket to my housekeeper when she went to pay for a drink, and I saw he take it into the house. The value of the articles was 10s.

The Bench dismissed both prisoners on the ground that there was great doubt about the case.

On Wednesday prisoners were re-apprehended and on the following day they were charged on remand with stealing a basket and other articles mentioned.

Fairbrass is about 30 years of age, and his wife (who appeared with an infant in her arms) is a few years younger.

Mrs. Cheeseman (prosecutor's housekeeper) gave evidence.

Police-constable Crow, K.C.C., deposed that on the previous day he went to Fairbrass' garden, in the parish of Kingstone, and found a handkerchief and two boxes of pills in the earth. The pill boxes were enclosed in a tin box.

The Bench sentenced Fairbrass to six weeks' hard labour, but discharged his wife, remarking that she would suffer by her husband's imprisonment.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 6 January, 1922. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

The "Three Bells," Swingfield, applied for an extension on Saturday until 11 p.m. for a slate club supper, but the application was refused, the Chairman saying that the Bench considered ten o'clock late enough.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 19 May, 1922. Price 1½d.

LICENSING BUSINESS

The licensee of the "Three Bells," Swingfield, applied for an extension for the Swingfield and District  Benefit Society's dinner and fete on the 13th, which was granted.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 22 December, 1922. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

Mr. Ford, of the "Three Bells," Swingfield, applied for an extension for the annual slate club dinner on December 30th, until twelve mid-night. The occasion was granted until 11.30.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 8 June, 1923. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

The "Three Bells," Swingfield, was granted an extension for the Swingfield and District benefit Club Day on June 12th, from 2 to 6 p.m.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 21 December, 1923. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

Mr. Ford of the "Three Bells," Swingfield, was granted an extension for the slate club supper on December 22nd.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 16 May, 1924. Price 1½d.

LICENSING BUSINESS

An extension was granted to the "Three bells," Swingfield, on June 10th for the annual dinner of the Swingfield and District benefit Society.

 

Dover Express, Friday 18 February 1927.

Extension Refused.

The licensee of the "Three Bells," Swingfield, was refused an extension from 10 to 11 p.m. on February 19th, for a cricket club dance at the Recreation Hut.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 3 June, 1932. Price 1½d.

LICENSING TRANSFER SESSIONS

An extension was granted to the licensee of the "Three Bells," Swingfield, from 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the occasion of the annual dinner of the benefit Society on June 15th.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 7 June, 1935.

WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS

SWINGFIELD CLUB DAY

An extension was granted to the "Three Bells," Swingfield, from 2.30 to 5 p.m., on 19th June, the occasion being the Club Day of the Swingfield and District Benefit Society.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

MAXTED Richard 1847-61+ (also blacksmith age 35 in 1851Census) Bagshaw's Directory 1847Melville's 1858

SEATH William Marsh 1871+ Next pub licensee had (census)

MARSH William to Oct/1881 Whitstable Times

CULLEN John Oct/1881+ Whitstable Times

GILLIS John 1882-86+ Post Office Directory 1882Dover Express

GOWER Thomas John 1899-Jan/1912 (age 39 in 1901Census) Kelly's 1899Post Office Directory 1903Kelly's 1903Dover Express

HAWKINS Edward Jan/1912-14+ Dover ExpressPost Office Directory 1913Post Office Directory 1914 (From Sittingbourne)

BAKER Frank Albert Mar/1919 Dover Express

FOORD Henry Mar/1919-34+ Dover ExpressKelly's 1934

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

 

Bagshaw's Directory 1847From Bagshaw Directory 1847

Melville's 1858From Melville's Directory 1858

Post Office Directory 1882From the Post Office Directory 1882

Kelly's 1899From the Kelly's Directory 1899

Post Office Directory 1903From the Post Office Directory 1903

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Post Office Directory 1913From the Post Office Directory 1913

Post Office Directory 1914From the Post Office Directory 1914

Dover ExpressFrom the Dover Express

Whitstable TimesWhitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald

CensusCensus

 

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

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