DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Monday, 05 December, 2022.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1700s

Black Horse

Open 2022+

366 Canterbury Road

Densole

01303 311794

https://www.blackhorsedensole.com/

https://www.facebook.com

https://whatpub.com/black-horse

Black Horse 1899

Above photo, circa 1899, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Black Horse and Hunt

Hunt gathers at the Black Horse, date unknown.

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, Saturday 09 March 1929.

East Kent Hounds 1929

After a long period of inactivity due to the prolonged frosts the East Kent Hounds met at the "Black Horse," Swingfield, on Wednesday, and good sport was enjoyed, although the hard ground was very treacherous for riders. Our picture shows hounds moving off to the first cover.

Black Horse date unknown

Black Horse date unknown.

Black Horse

Black Horse in George Beer and Rigden days.

Black Horse garden

Black Horse showing their garden now occupied by a car-park. All old photos above by kind permission of the Black horse.

Black Horse, Densole

Above image taken from Wikipedia, 2009.

Black Horse 2012

Photo taken by Paul Skelton 4 September 2012. Looking so much different to how it looked last Christmas.

Black Horse sign 2012Black Horse sign 2021

Sign left by Paul Skelton 4 September 2012. Sign right 2021.

Black Horse 2012

Above photo January 2012 by Paul Skelton.

Black Horse 2012

Above photo January 2012 by Paul Skelton.

Black Horse 2012

Above photo January 2012 by Paul Skelton.

Black Horse 2021

Above photo 2021.

Black Horse function room 2012

Above photo by Paul Skelton Jan 2012, shows the function room.

Black Horse function room 2012

Above photo by Paul Skelton Jan 2012, shows the function room.

Black Horse bar 2021

Above photo 2021.

Black Horse restaurant 2021

Above photo 2021.

 

This is the same public house as is mentioned under "Black Horse," Swingfield, and was often given as the Swingfield address. Thank you to Rod for that information.

Early reference to this pub have pointed me to a licensee called William Tritton. He appears as both the licensee at this pub from 1846-78 and also at another pub called the "Horse and Groom" at Selsted (stated as being situated at Minnis) identified between 1845-71. I am going to assume that the two pubs are indeed the same one.

A pub on this site has been in existence for about 400 years, so the current landlady tells me, although the building today wouldn't have been the original one as that burnt down sometime in the 1800s.

I have heard that some gallows used to be houses opposite the "Black Horse" public house, but to date haven't been able to find confirmation of this.

Landlady 2012It is said that a woman hung herself inside the pub and that the house is haunted. The current (2012) landlady and bar-maid Devon tells me that the place is haunted and have witnessed a plastic bowl being flung across the kitchen. This isn't the only incident that has been witnesses in that area of the pub. The chef has entered the kitchen to find pepper-pots and other small items strewn across the floor and some batter that was prepared earlier splatter up the walls when no one else was present or had access to the kitchen area.

Their CCTV has also picked up orbs that appear to follow people about but which are not visible unless viewed through the monitors.

The pub also contains a large function room at the back of the house which may have been a stable block when the pub was a stop for stage coaches travelling between Folkestone and Canterbury and the landlady tells me that she never feels alone in this or the kitchen area.

 

From the Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal 7 September 1819.

VALUABLE BREWERY,

Free Public Houses and other estates,

To be Sold By Auction, By Messrs. White, (Without Reserve).

Pursuant to certain orders of the Vice Chancellor of Great Britain, and before the Major part of the Commissioners named and authorised in and by a Commission of bankrupt awarded and issued against Matthew William Sankey, of the City of Canterbury, brewer, dealer and chapman, at the Guildhall, of the said city of Canterbury, on Wednesday next, the 22nd day of September next, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, (subject to such conditions of sale as shall be then and there produced.)
The following very Valuable Freehold Estates, in Lots.

Valuable Brewery free public houses and other Estates to be sold by auction by Mrs white without reserve.

Lot 25. A Messuage, called the "Black Horse," stable, yard and land, containing half an acre, with the appurtenances, situate in Swingfield, in the said county, now in the occupation of John Sharpe.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 8 February, 1878

PUBLIC HOUSE OFFENCE

William Tritton, licensed victualler, was summoned for that he did, on the 20th ult., open certain licensed premises, to wit, the “Black Horse Inn,” in the parish of Swingfield, for the sale of intoxicating liquors during prohibited hours, and Charles and Henry Hogben, labourers, were summoned for being on the said premises, they not being bona fide travellers nor servants in the house.

Mr. Worsfold Mowll appeared for the defendants.

Instructing-constable Jessop, of the K.C.C., said: On Sunday, 20th last month, I was on duty in the parish of Swingfield, and watched the “Black Horse Inn,” kept by defendant Tritton. I saw three men come out at a quarter past eleven. The door was open, and I walked into the back kitchen where I saw the two defendants standing. I saw Mr. Tritton coming from the direction of the bar with a quart pot in his hand and about a pint of beer in it. He gave it to Charles Hogben who put down two pence, which Mr. Triton picked up and put into his pocket. I was in plain clothes but told Mr. Tritton who I was and that I should report the case. The defendant drank the beer.

By Mr. Mowll: I had some beer, but not the first pull. I was a bona fide traveller also. I afterwards paid Hogben for the beer I had because he complained that he did not have the beer he paid for. I do not know as a fact that he had had a license for thirty-two years. During the four years I have been in that parish he has never been summoned before the magistrates.

The Superintendent said it was in consequence of receiving complaints from people in the neighbourhood that he sent Jessop to watch the house. The house stood in a very open spot, with a view of half a mile all round, and he knew it was no use therefore setting a constable in police clothes to watch, so he told Jessop to go in plain clothes. From what he had learned the defendant had kept the house over 30 years, but had been cautioned once or twice latterly, only as he seemed to have been yielding to temptation.

Mr. Mowll, in defence, submitted that defendant had been in the house and held the license of it for over 32 years. During which time no complaint had been made. The other two defendants, one of whom was formerly in Mr. Tritton's employ, went to look at Mr. Tritton's stock, and were actually in the yard at the time the constable came in at the door. They went into the house and called for some beer, and Mr. Tritton committed the indiscretion of supplying them. The constable then made himself known, and very properly, in order to satisfy himself that the liquor was, tasted it, but his taste like the north countryman's, absorbed the whole of it – (laughter) – and the men went without any altogether. Hogben subsequently asked the constable for the money which he very fairly paid. Tritton possessed the oldest license held under the Bench, and he submitted that a small fine in each case would meet the ends of justice.

The Bench inflicted Tritton a fine of 10s., and 9s. 6d. costs, which were paid, and 1s. 9d. 6d. each in the other two defendants, a month being allowed for them to pay it in.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 6 January, 1893.

THEFT

At the County Police Court, Dover, on Saturday, before T. V. Brown Esq., George Norman, Maurice Roche, and George Brand, all of Folkestone, were charged with stealing, on the 30th December, one bottle of sherry, three wine glasses, three-quarters of a pound of tea, and a pair of shears, the property of Olive Tritton.

From the evidence of Robert Tritton, William Taylor, and Instructing-constable Ross, it appeared that on the afternoon of December 30th, the three prisoners went to the "Black Horse" public-house, Swingfield, kept by the prosecutrix, and after their departure the articles mentioned in the charge were missing, having been taken from the bar. Robert Tritton gave information to the police, and the prisoners were traced to the "White Horse" public house, Hawkinge, where the bottle of wine and glass were found upon Norman, two glasses and a quarter-pound packet of tea on Brand. Nothing was found on Roche. The pair of shears and the half-pound packet of tea were found in the house, near where Norman and brand were sitting.

The prisoners were committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions, to be held at Canterbury on Tuesday.

 

Dover Express 22nd September 1916

Dover County Petty Sessions 21st September 1916.

A temporary transfer of the licence of the “Black Horse”, Swingfield, was granted to Mr. Hart. The licence had been held by the brewers. Mr. Hart has held licences for 19 years and 15 years.

 

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald 31 March 1923.

BLACK HORSE INN, SWINGFIELD.

A. Burchett late of the “Two Bells,” Canterbury Road, Folkestone, Begs to announce that he has taken over the above well-known establishment, and will conduct it on the same popular lines as Mr. Albert Hart. He hopes to have a call from all his old friends at Folkestone, and assures them of every attention. Buses direct from Folkestone to the door.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 17 August, 1923. Price 1½d.

LICENSING BUSINESS

Mr. A Burchett, the licensee of the "Black Horse," Swingfield, was granted an extension for the annual lamb sale on August 17th (this Friday).

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 7 September, 1923. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

The licensee of the "Black Horse," Swingfield, was granted an extension for a sheep sale on September 19th.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 January, 1924. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

Plans were submitted for alterations to the "Black Horse," Swingfield, to bring the premises up to date, including enlargement of the bar parlour and alterations to the bars; and these were approved.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 July, 1924. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

Mr. Bushell of the "Black Horse," Swingfield, was granted an extension for a farm sale on August 20th.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 20 March, 1925. Price 1½d.

EXTENSION

Mr. Burchett, of the "Black Horse," Swingfield, was granted an extension for a teg and bullock sale on Friday.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 18 September, 1925. Price 1½d.

NO LIGHT

John Edward Batten, driver for the International Stores, was fined 5s. for not illuminating his number plate. A second charge was dismissed for leaving the vehicle at the “Black Horse,” Swingfield, with the engine running.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 September, 1931. Price 1½d.

EXTENSION

Extensions were granted to the "Black Horse," Swingfield, for September 23rd for a sheep and bullock sale, from 2.30 to 5.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 20 August, 1937.

SALES AT SWINGFIELD

The licence of the "Black Horse," Swingfield, was granted extensions from 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on August 20th, for a sheep and bullock sale.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 19 August, 1938.

Licensing Extensions.

The licensee of the "Black Horse," Swingfield, was granted extensions from 2.30 to 5 p.m. on August 19th and September 21st, for stock sales.

 

Dover Express 17 April 1942.

RECORD WINGHAM SESSIONS.

The only business at the Wingham Petty Sessions, at Wingham, on Thursday, was the granting of an extension from 2.30 - 5 p.m on 29th April to the "Black Horse," Swingfield, for a stock sale.

 

 

It is probable that this was also known as the "Horse and Groom" and the name changed to the "Black Horse" during the reign of William Tritton, between the years of 1861 and 1871.

 

Just heard today (Oct 2018) that the pub was closed and all boarded up. However, I believe it is open again (2019) and under new management. Their web states the following:- Closed 12 may 2019 till 10 June 2019 for a full inside and outside refurbishment.

 

LICENSEE LIST

HOWELL Henry 1802-03+

SHARP John 1819+

TRITTON William 1846-78+ (also farmer age 59 in 1871Census) Dover Express

TRITTON Olive 1881-91+ (widow age 59 in 1881Census)

TRITTON Robert 1893+ Dover Express

Last pub licensee had WARD William Henry 1900-Jan/1902 Kelly's 1899Dover Express

EARLE Charles 1903 Post Office Directory 1903Kelly's 1903

FAGG J to June/1909 Dover Express

SKINNER Henry Edward June/1909-11+ (age 26 in 1911Census) Dover Express

THORPE Percy to June/1912 Dover Express

JARMAN William Kingsford June/1912-Aug/13 Dover ExpressPost Office Directory 1913 (From Garlinge)

BROWNING James W Edward Aug/1913-Jan/14 Post Office Directory 1914Dover Express (Chartham Asylum attendant)

EDWARDS Mr A V Jan/1914-19/Jan/16 Dover Express

SALMON Mr 19/Jan/1916+ Dover ExpressF

HART Albert 1918-Feb/23 Post Office Directory 1918Post Office Directory 1922Dover Express

Last pub licensee had BURCHETT Arthur Mr Feb/1923-Oct/1937 Post Office Directory 1930Kelly's 1934Dover Express (Of Hawkinge)

TUNBRIDGE P F Mr Oct/1937+ Dover Express

???? GRANT & ANNA to Dec/2010+

PUGSY Roy Dec/2010-Apr/11

WALLER Paul Apr/2011+

PAYNE Michelle Dec/2018-20+

DARWIN Michelle 1/Jan/2022+

https://pubwiki.co.uk/BlackHorse.shtml

 

Kelly's 1899From the Kelly's Directory 1899

Post Office Directory 1903From the Post Office Directory 1903

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Post Office Directory 1913From the Post Office Directory 1913

Post Office Directory 1914From the Post Office Directory 1914

Post Office Directory 1918From the Post Office Directory 1918

Post Office Directory 1922From the Post Office Directory 1922

Post Office Directory 1930From the Post Office Directory 1930

Kelly's 1934From the Kelly's Directory 1934

Dover ExpressFrom the Dover Express

CensusCensus

 

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

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