From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Secret Drinker, 27 January 2020.

Secret Drinker at The Cricketers pub, Meopham.

It must be getting on for 10 years ago that I sold my old dining chairs on eBay and a very nice chap, who was doing up The Cricketers at the time, left me a lovely message.

When the pub reopened, just for fun, I popped into Meopham and visited the latest addition to the Whiting and Hammond business empire so I could sit on my old chairs.

So, all these years on, I decided it was high time I returned to this family-friendly Wrotham Road boozer which sits right on the village green – hence the name.

But, even before I pulled into the car park I noticed the "Kings Arms," sitting just across the road, looked dark and uninviting.

A quick check on its website revealed a single line: ‘Unfortunately the "Kings Arms" restaurant is closed, this is something that was out of our control. Sorry for any inconvenience.’

Whether it’s due to this ‘uncontrolled closure’ isn’t clear, but I can tell you that, for a weekday lunchtime, The Cricketers was heaving by 1.30pm.

There was hardly an empty table and the place was bustling with a whole mix of different folk. There were tables full of chattering kids with mums and dads happy that their offspring were amusing themselves, the grey brigade was also well represented and there were several drinkers enjoying an extended lunch away from the office.

This, combined with the open fires, a cheery welcome from the chappy behind the bar and getting in out of the rain left me with a lovely warm feeling this would be a great pub visit.

Mrs SD and I slotted ourselves into a nice little two-seater table and chatted about the last decade – there was certainly no chance to check if our dining chairs has survived, the place was far too busy for that.

To keep my fans of ‘real beer’ happy, I made a start with a pint of Bexley’s Own Beer, a pale ale clocking in at 4.2%, which could hardly be more local. An easy drinking, smooth ale, it has a balanced flavour without being overpowering. Probably not one to stop you in your tracks, but certainly not one to avoid.

The walls are packed with pictures, posters and other items of interest.

There were a number of young waitresses on duty and we got our food order for a ham and cheese toastie and starter-sized chicken caesar salad in early as well as ordering more drinks.

This done, I took stock of our surroundings. There are roaring open fires in each room and they are set up a bit higher in the walls, which I particularly like. There also seemed to be a cute dog competition taking place as there was an attractive furry friend lying obediently under most tables – another big plus in my book.

Unsurprisingly, the majority of the pub is set out for dining, but a decent bar-style area has been retained on the right hand side. It was far too wet for anything but the most ardent of smokers to venture outside, but there was a decent-sized, lovely looking patio area at the back.

The toilets are found at the top of an attractively tapering staircase which is lit by an unusual wine glass chandelier. I also liked the fact they had taken the trouble to light the wine store.

The toilets had recently been cleaned and were well presented and fresh – you’ll find a great view of the green on your way out.

By now the food had arrived and the pressure of a busy service was beginning to tell on the waiting staff, as demonstrated when Mrs SD politely requested a little parmesan cheese for her caesar salad.

The first waitress ignored her, the second said she had never heard of parmesan, but did return to say the kitchen didn’t have any.

Five minutes later she was back again and plonked a pot of parmesan on the table without saying a word and scurrying away.

Mrs SD pronounced this the second best use she’d seen for wine glasses.

The cheese debacle was unfortunate as, other than this, the food, whilst expensive, was tasty and well-presented and the service was friendly and efficient.

There is much to commend The Cricketers and it’s a shame a little gloss was taken off this visit as the pressure showed on the waitresses.

So, after warming ourselves by the fire and bidding our friendly barman farewell, we headed back into the horizontal rain.

The pub is part of the growing Whiting and Hammond chain that includes several Kent pubs such as the Little Brown Jug at Chiddingstone Causeway, The Chaser at Shipbourne plus the Rose and Crown at Green Street Green.

There’s live music on a Friday and breakfast is served from 9 to 11am.

The wine store is not only packed, it’s also well illuminated.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Alex Langridge, 6 November 2022.

Two men stabbed at Cricketers Inn, Meopham, and two arrested with murder.

A man has died following a double stabbing with two men arrested for murder.

Officers were called to the Cricketers Inn pub in Meopham just before 9.15pm last night following reports a man had been assaulted.

They attended with paramedics where they found two men had been stabbed.

A man in his 30s was pronounced dead at the scene while another was taken to a London hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.

A 29-year-old and a 50-year-old were later arrested on suspicion of murder.

The men involved are all believed to be known to each another and, at this stage, police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are continuing to make inquiries.

The A227 Wrotham Road is currently closed in both directions at Meopham Green.

The Cricketers pub in Meopham where a fatal stabbing took place last night. Pic: UKNIP.

Neighbours told KentOnline that the road has been closed since around 9.30pm with forensics officers on the scene this afternoon.

A Wrotham Road resident who did not want to be named said: “I only saw flashing blue lights going up and down the road.

“There was lots of marked and unmarked cars going up there.

“The first thing I knew was at 4am this morning when I woke up. I saw some flashing lights.

“It’s not one of the things you want to happen on your door step. It is a shame.”

Neighbour Michael Clark said: “We came back from our friends' house and got stuck in the queue of traffic for an hour.

Forensics officers outside the Cricketers pub in Meopham following the fatal stabbing. Pic: UKNIP.

“They were not letting anyone through. [It seemed like] there were hundreds of police and police cars.

“We gathered there was a major incident.”

Nearby public house the "Kings Arms" is also shut following the incident. The team put out a statement this morning to tell customers.

It read: "Due to unforeseen circumstances and completely out of our control we have been instructed to close our pub today whilst police investigate a crime in our village.

"This unfortunately means we cannot go ahead with today's reservations but we do look forward to welcoming you all back very soon."

Anyone who witnessed what happened or has any information is urged to call police on 101, quoting reference 05-1226.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or by using the online form on their website.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Paul Hooper, 16 May 2023,

Alex Batista sentenced for attempted murder of Cricketers Inn pub landlord in Meopham after Craig Allen died in pair’s ‘revenge attack’

A cocaine-fuelled barman who plotted to kill a pub landlord in jealousy and rage has been jailed for 27 years.

Alex Batista, 30, was convicted of attempting to murder David Brown in revenge for losing his job at the Cricketers Inn in Meopham on Bonfire Night last year.

Miguel Batista, 29, has been convicted of attempted murder after an incident at the Cricketers pub in Meopham.

Today he refused to leave his prison cell and was sentenced in his absence at Maidstone Crown Court.

Mr Justice Jay said Batista's defence that he struck the South African pub boss with a spade in self defence was ridiculous.

"This was an offence born out of jealousy and rage,” he said.

The judge said the Portuguese barman had been married for a year and worked at the pub with his wife but there was a dark side to their volatile relationship.

The jury heard how during one episode he pushed his wife Cara downstairs but she was caught by the general manager who prevented injury.

Forensics at the Cricketers Inn pub in Meopham where Miguel Batista, known as Alex Batista, tried to murder pub landlord David Brown. Picture: UKNIP

Another incident led to the break-up of their marriage and Mr Brown then sacked Batista on October 30 last year.

The judge said: "In a relatively short space of time you lost your wife, your job and your home. You became desperate and angry and bent on revenge."

By November 5 Batista recruited his brother in law Craig Allen and the two acquired weapons including a spade and two knives.

"Craig Allen had nothing to gain for his part in this and you could have called this off at any stage, " he added.

But Batista believed his estranged wife and Mr Brown were getting too close - and plotted revenge.

After arriving at the pub, Allen saw Cara talking to Mr Brown, told Batista and his "jealousy was ignited”.

Police at the Cricketers Inn pub in Meopham where Craig Allen was killed. Picture: UKNIP.

They made their way to the pub and to Mr Brown's room, and armed with two knives knocked on the door.

"What happened after the door was opened was as rapid as it was horrific, you stabbed him in the left thigh and Allen stabbed him in the throat, just missing the jugular vein,” said the judge.

“You then whacked Mr Brown on the crown of his head with the spade.”

At some point, Mr Brown made a dash for freedom after grabbing Batista's Rambo knife and in the melee, Allen was struck with a knife and died from his injury. Batista escaped in his wife's car.

Mr Brown had earlier told the court how he feared he would never see his children again.

The judge praised Durban-born Mr Brown for acting in "reasonable self defence” adding "but for his quick thinking and his physical and mental strength he would surely be dead”.

Alex Batista.

Detective Inspector Adam Marshall of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: “The assault was premeditated and stemmed from a grievance Alex Batista had with the victim, with whom he used to work for.

“Batista had every intention of murdering his victim and arrived at the premises armed with multiple weapons. He then launched a ferocious and brutal attack as soon as entry was gained into the upstairs area of the pub.

“The victim was repeatedly stabbed and beaten, in a struggle which ultimately had tragic consequences and led to the death of another man.”

Brian Keeley-Whiting from WH Pubs said: “We would like to express thanks to the court and to Kent Police for all their support during the last 6 months.

“For this to happen at such a well-loved and welcoming venue was a shock for the whole team.

“Sadly this happened because one of our pub managers was trying to protect a female member of the crew from domestic violence.

“He endured an unimaginable and undeserved ordeal as a consequence of Mr Batista’s actions that night.

“We are grateful that our crew at the Cricketers Inn at Meopham have been supportive to the manager and have gone about their work in a professional manner.

“We also want to express special gratitude to our fantastic customers for their loyalty and support while this case was being investigated.

“I know personally that David has found this to be of great support to him. The Cricketer’s Inn is a beautiful family pub and clearly this was an isolated incident which has now been brought to a close”

An inquest into the death of Craig Allen is scheduled for June 1.