DOVER KENT ARCHIVES
PUB LIST   PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1921+

 Blazing Donkey

Still open

Ham

(Eastry)

Blazing Donkey, Ham 2010 Blazing Donkey, Ham 2010

Above photos taken from Google 2010.
Blazing Donkey, Eastry

Above photograph taken from their web site 2010.

 

The original building can be traced back to 1763 and was built as a farmhouse. I am not sure when it started selling beer but was probably a sideline for one of the original occupants.

Today, it has recently been renovated by Richard and Sherry Martin, who also own the "Dog" in Wingham.

The hotel, as it now is has accommodation in the recently converted stable, boasting en-suit, digital flat-screen television and WiFi access in all rooms.

A brand new restaurant called "Samphire" was opened by TV chef Aldo Villi in February 2008 and the premises, like the "Dog" can cater for weddings and corporate functions.

 

From the Dover Express, 17 July, 1970.

Blazing Donkey penny push

A "Copper" pushes over some coppers. Strange? Not when the "Copper" is television actor Jack Warner, better known as B.B.C.'s Dixon of Dock Green pushing over a pile of pennies built up by customers at the "Blazing Donkey" pub in Eastry. Looking on while Jack pushes the pennies and pound notes worth over £50, in aid of spastics, is landlady Mrs. Babs Clow.

From the Dover Express, 10 September, 1971.

PUBLICANS COLLECT £300 FOR CHARITY

Mr and Mrs Clow

In the 20 years Mr. and Mrs. George Clow (pictured above) have been mine hosts at the "Blazing Donkey," Eastry, they have dedicated themselves to raising money for spastics.

They have collected well over £300 through raffles they run every week and letters of thanks from the charity organisations are dotted around the walls of their cosy pub.

Mrs. Clow, "Babs" to her customers, is especially proud of a clock she has on the wall which was presented to her after raising £275.

The pile of old pennies pushed over last week by Mrs Eve Parsons, Commandant of the Sandwich Red Cross, and area collector Mr. W. Danes, of Archers Court, Whitfield. It totalled over £40, bring the amount collected at the "Blazing Donkey" this year to £103.

Now a new pile of pennies has been started, I'll have collected £50 within the next six months," vows Mrs. Chow.

Mr. and Mrs. Chow have a personal friend who has come down to push over piles of pennies during the last six years - Jack Warner, televisions' "Dixon of Dock Green."

 
Blazing Donkey Advert

Advert from the Dover Express 11 January 2007.

 

Apparently this was the first pub that Princess Ann ever went in, but i have not had that story substantiated as yet.

Have been informed that the same premises was also the "Jolly Gardener". It changed name some time between 1960 and 1970, not sure when exactly.

When it was the "Jolly Gardner" there used to be a donkey depicted over the sign, which is probably how it gained its new name. I'd be interested to hear if any locals know the full story.

According to their advertisement in the Dover Express on 11 January 2007, the advert above says The Blazing Donkey Country Hotel is family owned and run and is circa 1750 and offers wedding/civil ceremonies. It boasts 22 en-suite guest rooms, located in a stable courtyard.

Web site at www.blazingdonkey.co.uk

 

LICENSEE LIST

CLOW Mrs Babs 1951-71+

CLOW Ernest C 1974+ Library archives 1974 Gardner & Co

MARTIN Richard & Sherry 2007+

 

Library archives 1974Library archives 1974

 

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