White Swan

Above photo circa 1890, showing the Pring family. The pub's signage indicates that the pub was a tied house, within the estate of Phillips, More & Co's Mortlake Brewery, London SW14. In 1889, Phillips, More's Brewery merged with Watney's Stag Brewery, Pimlico, London SW1, with Charles Phillips remaining as a director of the enlarged company. He retired in 1899, when Watney's merged with two other London breweries, Combe's and Reid's, to form Watney, Combe, Reid."

Above postcard 17 July 1906, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Showing the pub as a Watney, Combe, Reid tied house. The impressive funeral cortege and public turn-out was in honour of local undertaker, Mr Henry Sydney Hutchings, who was one of 10 passengers killed when the brakes on Vanguard omnibus 6064 failed, whilst descending Handcross Hill, near Brighton, on Thursday 12th July. Mr Hutchings had served as a volunteer at St. Mary Cray Fire Station and the omnibus outing to Brighton had been arranged, in order for local firemen and their families to enjoy a nice day out.

Above postcard 17 July 1906, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard 17 July 1906, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

The post-accident photo of the lightly-built omnibus shows the devastating effect of the crash. The design of road vehicles in those days meant that the poor souls on board didn't have much of a chance in the event of a serious crash.

For more details on this tragedy and the effect it had on the communities in Orpington and St. Mary Cray, click the link to the "Red Lion, Handcross."

Above postcard, 1911.

Above photo, 2013.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo, 2024.

Above photo, King's Coronation party May 2023.

Above photo, King's Coronation party May 2023.

From the Kentish Independent, Saturday 1 September, 1849.

GREENWICH COUNTY COURT.

Tester v. Field.

The plaintiff who is a publican sought in this case to recover of defendant, a "navvy" the sum of £4 10s. 6d., for beer and lodgings.

Mr. Tester said that Field had gone and told him, that he was to let certain workmen have what drink they required, and he would pay for it. Defendant admitted that he had said so, as far as that applied to the time they were at work, but he alleged that the plaintiff had gone beyond his orders, and had supplied the men with drink when they were not at work. He had no witnesses to call, and the Judge ordered him to pay 4s. a month. The defendant, who did not seem to comprehend the justice of paying for drink consumed by his friends, exclaimed, "what pay 4s. a month for other people's debts?"

From the https://www.newsshopper.co.uk 15th September 2023, By Berk Uyal

The White Swan Orpington closed after sexual assault allegation.

A pub in Orpington has permanently closed after an allegation of sexual assault was made at the venue.

The White Swan pub confirmed on social media it has shut its doors following an incident on September 6.

A licensing visit was made to the Kent Road venue and feedback was provided to the company.

Officers say there has not been a licensing hearing or any direction to close the venue from them.

The management company took the decision to close the venue, it confirmed.

The White Swan referred to the date of the incident as Friday (September 8) on its Facebook page.

However, a spokesperson for Metropolitan Police confirmed it took place on September 6.

The News Shopper understands the White Swan’s Facebook page has now been deleted since they released a statement.

We have contacted Stonegate Group for a comment regarding the incident.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “We can confirm that on Wednesday, 6 September police received an allegation of sexual assault that took place at the White Swan public house, Kent Road, Orpington.

“A licensing visit was made, as is standard procedure following an incident of note and as a result feedback was provided to the company who manage the venue.

“The management company took the decision to close the venue.

“There has not been a licensing hearing or any direction to close from the MPS.”

The full statement on the White Swan Facebook page says: “Sorry guys. I’ve been informed by @metpolice & @stonegateinns that we have to close the pub with immediate effect.

“The pub won’t be allowed to reopen again. Due to an incident on Friday night.”