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BARRY SMITH |
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From the Dover Express 1978.  |
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OVER 5,000. HOURS OF STUDY WENT INTO DOVER BOOK
PUBS are a passion with Barry Smith, so much so that he has spent many hours writing about Dover pubs for a book, still waiting to be published.
Barry, a railwayman from Glenfield Road, Dover, got the idea from his friends at work where the conversation often turns to local pubs and how they change hands.
Since then he has spent over 5,000 hours in writing and research, many of them in the attic at the Dover Express office, looking through old newspapers. The result is his book, "By The Way," dealing with local pubs as far back as the 17th century. The most startling fact to come out of the book is that in 1882 there were more than 224 pubs in Dover but in 1976 there were only 61.
Interesting stories about local pubs include one about the New Inn, once in York Street, believed to be a smugglers' den with underground tunnels and even a ghost.
Many pubs are named after royalty and throughout the centuries aristocrats galore have broken their journey for a night at a Dover inn.
Prince Albert once stayed at a Dover pub on his way to meet his bride, Queen Victoria.
Barry's main problem has been that many pubs changed their names if they got a bad name for rowdiness or being frequented by "low women." making it difficult for him to trace their history.
He and his Wife, Pat, have lived in Dover for 48 years and have two sons, Colin and Dennis, also living in Dover.
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From the South Kent Gazette 11 October 1978. Pubs are his line ... But Barry is no tippler-it's just for the history By Caroline Wood
BARRY SMITH has neither a red nose nor the "bulge" even though his consuming passion in life are the pubs in Dover. It is not the quality of the beer or the smiling barmaids that attracts him to the bars. It is the history of them. Barry, of Glenfield. Road, Dover, is the author of a book, "By The Way", which has not yet been printed. He became a familiar sight around the Dover Express office. Every Friday he could be found flicking through ageing Express files and tracing pubs, some of which are now long gone. His book dates back as far as the 17th century. He first got the Idea from his friends on the railway at the Western Docks where he works. "All my mates would chat about the pubs In Dover and how often they change hands," he said. "So I thought it would be a book which would interest most people. "Dover has become just like a transit camp. We need to relate back to our town." Barry reckons that he has worked over 5,000 hours on the book, collecting information from many different sources. He is at the moment trying to get the 'book printed. "It's been in the hands of the printers since last June but as yet I have had no joy." During his research, Barry has found out interesting stories about the different pubs. The New Inn - which used to stand in the old York street - was believed to have been a smuggling cabin connected to another pub by underground tunnels. It was also reported to have been haunted by a ghost. A very regimental ghost, who dressed as a Chelsea Pensioner and possibly frightened away revenue men. "At one time publicans would change the name of the pub if they had got a bad name for rowdiness or were frequented by 'low women'. "They could then go before a judge swearing that it was a completely different pub now and would not revert to its old ways. "It drives me round the bend, however, when I am trying to trace their history," says Barry. Many of the pubs are named after royalty. Prince Albert stayed one night at a pub on his way to meet his bride, Queen Victoria, and throughout history names such as William IV and the Duke of Clarence have stopped in pubs in Dover. "Many publicans changed the name of the pub before royalty visited just in case they were lucky enough to be chosen," says Barry. Barry and his wife, Pat, have lived in Dover for 48 years and have two children, Colin and Dennis, who also live in the town. During his research Barry found that 1882 was the year of the public house. Then over 224 pubs were in Dover but that number has dropped down to 61 since his last count in 1976.
And Barry himself? He likes a quiet drink with Mrs. Smith " now and then." |
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Unfortunately the full version of the above mentioned book never was published as hoped, but there are a few copies about of a smaller version published in 1978, and you may still be able to find a photocopied booklet around, still in some of the pubs when Barry had a small quantity of his original notes photocopied. At about the same time as Barry Smith's research, I too took an interest in the many pubs of Dover, also with a view to putting something together, perhaps in book form for the Dover people to refer to. However, with the World Wide Web allowing publication to be made on line, I have decided to resurrect Barry's initial idea, and as you can see, these pages now contain a lot more information than could ever be published in a book. I am still after photographs and information of the pubs, so please, if you have anything out there that you could lend or scan for me, I will add it to these pages, giving credit to the photographer or sender. Thanks in anticipation.
Paul Skelton (28 July 2007).
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If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-
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