DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Saturday, 22 June, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1881-

Prince of Wales

Latest 1989+

West Street

Hunton

Prince of Wales

Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent by Bill McCallum.

Prince of Wales 1984

Above postcard, 1984, kindly sent by Bill McCallum.

Prince of Wales matchbox 1985

Above matchbox, circa 1985, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Former Prince of Wales 2009

Above Google image, January 2009.

Former Prince of Wales 2021

Above Google image, July 2021.

 

The only reference I have found so far for this pub is from the Malling Petty Sessions license transfers of June 1882 as published in the Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser.

It has been suggested by Alan Dadd that perhaps this was previously known as the "Gudgeon," but at present there is no concrete proof to substantiate this theory, although it is date and location possible.

Further research as seen from the Maidstone Journal of 1895 shows Edward Wilkins back as licensee again in that year, but this time it is Edward junior.

It appears that the pub was still operating as late as 1985. Hopefully someone has further recent information regarding this one.

 

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser 19 September 1895.

MALLING PETTY SESSIONS.

Charles Dwyer was charged with stealing four knives and one fork, value 2s, the property of Edward Wilkins, at Hunton, on September 13th.

The prosecutor is landlord of the "Prince of Wales," Hunton, and from the evidence of his daughter Maud it appeared that the prisoner went into the kitchen and stole the knives and fork out of a drawer. Prisoner was sentenced to 16 days' hard labour.

Mr and Mrs Wilkins

Above photo showing Edward Wilkins senior and his wife Esther. Kindly sent by Bill McCallum.

 

From Barclay, Perkin's Anchor Magazine, Vol XVII, No.9, September 1937. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

OBITUARY.

Mr. A. H. Godden, on August 7th, tenant of the Dartford Brewery Co. Ltd., at the "Prince of Wales," Hunton, near Maidstone, since 3rd February 1932.

 

From an email received 12 February 2023.

I did the brickwork for the new toilets in the early 80s, and it was derelict at the time.

We slept rough in the pub so as not to drive back to Essex and therefore work longer days.

The pub was to be a retirement option for a father and son who were landlords in London pubs.

We did a few other minor alterations and fitted an up and over door to an external garage.

The pub was then known locally as the "Gudgeon" because of a record gudgeon caught in the local river.

There was a huge apple orchard to the left of the pub, as you look at the photo, and strawberry fields on the other side of the road. A lovely area.

For lunch we went to the "George" in Yalding. The pub seems to be a house now.

Kind regards, John Murrell.

 

LICENSEE LIST

WILKINS Elizabeth 1881+ (widow age 60 in 1881Census)

WILKINS Edward to June/1882 Sevenoaks Chronicle

MARCHANT John June/1882+ Sevenoaks Chronicle

STANLEY John 1891+ (widower also farmer age 50 in 1891Census)

WILKINS Edward 1895-1915+ (age 26 in 1901Census) Kelly's 1903

ANDRESS F E 1916+

HARRIS Charles Henry 1918+

GODDEN A H Mr 3/Feb/1932-7/Aug/37 dec'd

DAVID ???? 1985+

 

Sevenoaks ChronicleSevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser

CensusCensus

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

 

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

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