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434 Red Hill (Malling Heath)
Wateringbury
01622 812721
https://whatpub.com/north-pole
Above photo, 1880, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo date unknown. Permission given from John Gilham.
http://wateringbury.blogspot.co.uk/ |
Above photo circa 1950s, showing Bob Fleming his mother and grand
parents, on a day out. |
Above photo circa 1956, kindly sent by Brad Waters. |
Above photo circa 1956, showing licensee Ian Waters, kindly sent by his
grand son Brad Waters. |
Above photo circa 1956, showing fancy dress ball in the bar, kindly sent by Brad Waters. |
Above photo circa 1956, showing landlady Vee Waters, kindly sent by Brad Waters. |
Above photo circa 1956, showing locals, names unknown, kindly sent by Brad Waters. |
Above photo circa 1956, name unknown, kindly sent by Brad Waters. |
Above business card circa 1956, kindly sent by Brad Waters. |
Above photo 1957. Kindly sent by Jeffrey East. |
Above photo date unknown. Permission given from John Gilham.
http://wateringbury.blogspot.co.uk/ |
Above postcard circa 1980, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
 
Above sign left, May 1986, sign right and photo 14 April 2014, by Roy
Moore.
With thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com. |
 
Above aluminium card issued May 1949. Sign series 1 number 28. |
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Following passage taken from their web site. (2014)
Past - At the top of Red Hill in an area originally known as The Heath
the pub was built in 1826 by Richard Gibbon on land belonging to
Matthias Prime Lucas of Wateringbury Place (The village still benefits
from many of Prime Lucas innovations; he built many of the ragstone
walls in the village and the church vestry, beneath which is his family
vault).
Gibbon built a modern pub complex complete with the necessary stabling
and coach houses to attract the traveller. He purchased the Freehold in
November 1828 but sadly was unable to keep up the mortgage payments. In
January 1836 the pub was sold to local brewer John Beale Jude and eventually
through take-overs was owned by Whitbread's.
From 1914 until the early 1920's the licensee was Fred Cronk who then
purchased Cromar which is now run as a very successful plant nursery by his
grandson Martin Cronk.
(extract taken from the Rostrum, May 2011)
Present (2014) - Zoe and Lee moved into the North Pole in 2009, since
moving in they have doubled the pub in size and renovated the original
building to a high standard. Zoe and Lee opened the pub in October 2010 and
it now sits 50 in the new restaurant and up to 74 including the pub area.
Future - Zoe and Lee have settled into their new home now and love what
they have managed to achieve as a team, with such a dedicated workforce and
return customers they can see a bright future for The North Pole and it has
become the heart of the hill once again. With special events happening
throughout the year this pub and restaurant is already getting a good
reputation and the events bring the pub back to the heart of the people.
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Standing at the top of Red Hill overlooking the village it was built in
1826. For many years the inn sign was replaced with one showing a 'North
Pole' in a hop field. The North Pole was built by Richard Gibbon on land
belonging to Mathias Prime Lucas of Wateringbury Place. Richard went on to
buy the freehold of the land on the 4th November 1828 but the business
failed to meet his expectations and it was sold to John Beal Jude in January
1836 and later came into possession of Jude Hanbury & Co.
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Southeastern Gazette, 18 January 1853.
PIGEON SHOOT,
NORTH POLE INN, WATERINGBURY.
THOS. LESTER, of the above Inn, begs to inform his Sporting Friends,
that he feels much pleasure in again presenting his ANNUAL SILVER
TANKARD to be contended for on Wednesday, the 26th instant.
A good supply of Blue Rocks on the ground for other matches.
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From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 1 June 1861.
Wateringbury.
On Monday the members of the North Pole burial Society celebrated the
Anniversary at the "North Pole Inn." The funds
during the past year have increased, and the balance over that of last
year amounts to £26 1s. 6d. The society is in a very flourishing
condition, the treasurer's accounts showing a clear balance up to that
day of £251 8s. 4d. Society numbers 118 members, and so far as
the proceedings are the two have gone it has been well managed. In the
evening and excellent supper was provided by Mr. Jackson, the
host of the inn, to which ample Justice was done. The evening was spent
in Great hilarity and much to the satisfaction of all present.
We are very glad to learn that several influential Gentlemen of the
parish attended, and make themselves extremely agreeable, and
example which we hope may be followed in other parishes on the meeting
of similar societies, such a symbol is tending to create a
good feeling between the employer and employees.
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Kent & Sussex Courier 20 March 1914.
MALLING PETTY SESSIONS. ALTERATIONS APPROVED.
The Bench granted the temporary transfer of the license of the
"North Pole Inn," Wateringbury, from George Langridge to Frederick
George Cronk.
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I am informed that of August 2018 the pub was under sale for an asking
price of £895,000.
LICENSEE LIST
LEE Thomas 1832+
LESTER Thomas 1851-53+ (also plumber age 49 in 1851 )
JACKSON Thomas 1858-61+
BLUNT Charles 1881+ (age 47 in 1881)
WARNE George 1891+ (age 55 in 1891)
SMITH Edward 1901+ (age 24 in 1901)
SMITH John 1903+
LAMBERT Florence Elizabeth to Mar/1909
LAMBERT Charles Mar/1909+
LANGRIDGE George Thomas 1913-Mar/14
CRONK Frederick George Mar/1914-22+
DODGE Thomas 1930+
TAYLOR Walter G 1938+
WATERS Ian & Vee 1940s-50s+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/NorthPole.shtml
From
the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
Census
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
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