BULL Pubs of Eastry

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1573-

Bull

Sept 2011

High Street (Eastry)

Above photographs by Paul Skelton 6 Oct 2007

16th Century pub.

Reference found in the Wingham Division Ale Licence list, which shows the "Bull," Eastry, to be re-licensed for the sum of 8 shillings in 1740 indicating that the pub was present before 1740.

From Liber Estriae; or, Memorials of the Royal Ville and Parish of Eastry, By William Francis Shaw. 1870

Next to the old Schoolhouse is the "Bull Inn." This has probably been the name and site of the village inn for some centuries. As early as A.D. 1573 it is mentioned; and, in 1633, it is spoken of as "adjoining Goddard's House for the Clerk, in Eastry Street:" whilst the church-wardens' accounts often make mention of money "spent at the Bull."

Above picture showing the Clerk's House next to the Bull, 1633 and pre 1870. At the time it was said that the Clerk's house was very dilapidated and uncared for. I assume it was removed shortly after 1870. (Paul Skelton)

In A.D. 1573 Richard Huffam paid quit rent to the manor of Eastry for the Bull. John Whitfeild, and after him Edmonde Baker, had been the previous owners. And again, in A.D. 1633, Thomas Huffam paid for the Bull. It is now the property of Messrs. Liney and Evenden brewers.

Almery Manerm in Eastry:- A Rentell made on the 20th day of August 1633 of all the Quittrents of money due to the said Mannor yeerly:- Richard Stacy:- Thomas Hussam for the Bull Eastry 1s. 2d.

Goddard's Charity.

1574. This year the will (for which fee post) of " Chrystian Goddarde, late of Eastrye, widow," was proved in the Consistory Court of Canterbury, before Thomas Dickes, registrar. By this will she left to the churchwardens of Eastry, and their successors churchwardens of Eastry for the time being, one tenement and a garden, with the appurtenances in Eastry, over against the vicarage, to hold for the use of Joan Frauncs, her servant, during her natural life, and after her death to the use of the poor people of Eastry for ever.

This tenement opposite the vicarage is now in five dwellings, which
stand endways to the street, and are occupied respectively by widows Bullock, Burton, Grayham, Wm. Fagg, and Spain. The appointment to these cottages rests entirely with the churchwardens, who usually charge the occupants a small yearly rent — 1ft, as an acknowledgment of their tenancy; and 2nd, to help somewhat towards the necessary repairs of the buildings. Mrs. Goddard also left another tenement with a garden in Eastry Street, for the use of "the Clarke of Eastrye " on certain conditions, which have been already more particularly mentioned under " The Parish Clerks" This house adjoins the Bull Inn and is now in the occupation of Thomas Young. Like the last, this appointment rests with the church-wardens, but they are tied down to appoint a certain person — viz., the Parish clerk, the right of appointing whom rests with the vicar.

This pub was sold along with another 11 public houses in neighbouring villages in 1826. The sum was £1,190 for this house but it is not known from who or to whom.

Kelly's Directory 1899 describes it as a family and commercial hotel, with good accommodation provided; luncheons & teas provided. The proprietor at the time also being described as a jobmaster.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 4 May, 1906. Price 1d.

LICENCING

The plans of proposed alterations to the “Bull Inn,” Eastry, were approved, the applicant, Mr. Wills being represented by Mr. H. Hayward, of Dover.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 7 August, 1925. Price 1½d.

AN ABSORBING TOPIC

William Henry Allen, of the "Bull Inn," Eastry, was charged with unlawfully selling intoxicating liquors after closing hours; and Arthur Hay, Henry Durby and Albert Wright were charged with consuming intoxicating liquors after hours.

Mr. Gardener appeared for the licensee and pleaded not guilty. the remaining defendants, with the exception of Wright, who was not present, pleaded guilty.

Police Sergeant Cowland, of Eythorne, said that at 10.35 p.m. on Saturday, June 27th, he visited the "Bull Inn" in company with a Constable. On going to the rear of the premises he found the back door open. He entered the house and saw the three defendants sitting in the bar parlour, each with a half-pint glass in front of him, containing beer, partly consumed. Mr. Allen was in the front bar, writing. Witness called the licensee's attention to the men and asked him to explain their presence after closing hours. He replied, "I am glad you have come. I can't get rid of them. I don't want them here, but they will not stop talking and arguing. I have served no beer since 10 o'clock. That which they have was served before then."

Cross-examined by Mr. Hardman. Mr. Allen could not see the men when witness entered.

P.C. Price, of Eastry, corroborated.

Mr. Hardman submitted he had nothing to answer, the drink having been served before 10 o'clock.

William Henry Allan said on Saturday, June 27th, the three defendants came in about ten minutes to 10, and he served no drink after that, neither did any of the others serving in the bar - his wife and a barmaid. he had held the licence of the "Bull" for 3½ years, and had a clean licence.

Cross-examined by Inspector Fittall. He knew the men were on the premises, but he thought the liquor was consumed before 10 o'clock. It was unknowingly that he allowed it to be consumed at 10.30.

Mr. Hardman pointed out that they were not charged with allowing consumption, but with supplying.

One of the defendants said he and his mates were talking of the coming strike and the position of Tilmanstone pit, and forgot their drinks.

Lord Northbourne said the summons against Allan would be dismissed; and the other defendants would be fined 10s.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 17 January, 1930.

Plans for alterations to the "Bull Inn," Eastry, were approved.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 26 Feb, 1937.

Licensing.

The licence of "The Bull" Inn, Eastry, was granted an occasional licence to sell in a marquee at Knowlton, on March 13th for a race meeting of the West Street Hounds.

From the East Kent Mercury, 25 October, 1980.

Crowds gathered to see a team of Whitbread Fremlin heavy horses who paid a visit to the "Bull Inn" at Eastry on Saturday afternoon. The Shire horses were at the pub to help landlord and lady Steve and Rose Smith celebrate their first anniversary at the newly decorated Eastry pub.

From the East Kent Mercury, 30 November, 1989.

The "Bull Inn" at Eastry is one of East Kent's most historic hostelries. It was certainly an Inn in the 1500s and has been one ever since.

New licensee Steve Smith and his wife Rose plans numerous improvements. Steve is already well known in Eastry. he was for 14 years the owner of the local taxi business PJS Cars. Now he has taken over the Whitbread house and plans to give it a new look, while retaining its historic background.

COMFORT

Refurbishing is already under way and Steve and Rose have a programme which includes new furniture, carpets and curtains. They are introducing a new degree of comfort in keeping with the 1990s.

The "Bull" has a good sporting reputation and has enthusiastic pool and darts teams. There is a spacious children's room. Steve is to introduce bat and trap next year and there is bound to be a lot of interest in this game, which is reputed to be a forerunner of cricket and is very popular in the Canterbury area. The "Bull" has a large garden and this will be brought into full use by Steve and Rose next year. There will be barbeques and other functions when the long warm summer evenings return.

Rose will be introducing a wide range of bar food in the near future. her menu will include lasagne and scampi, together with a variety of filling for baked potatoes. The food will be available at lunchtime and in the evening.

The "Bull" is a big pub and its bars, even when busy, have plenty of room. This goes back to the Victorian days when it was a popular coaching in and travellers came to refresh themselves in Dickension manner.

FRIENDLIEST

Today it means there is room to stretch one legs in a chair, or to stand at the bar without being jostled. There is room to drink and chat in the friendliest way. The "Bull" stands in the centre of Eastry, on the main road through the village. There is a free car park adjacent, which means there is no problem with the car.

Steve and Rose offer customers a warm welcome at all times and are looking forward to making many new friends.

On new Year's Eve they will host a fancy dress party which promises to be plenty of fun and a marvellous way in which to greet 1990.

From the East Kent Mercury, 30 October, 2008.

DINNER'S ON ME, SAYS PUB MANAGER

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

But at the Bull Inn at Eastry, lessee Charlie Gibbons has started giving away free dinners.

The concept, aimed to help his customers beat the credit crunch, was dreamed up by Mr Gibbons when he noticed that afternoon and evening trade was dying at the village pub because of the economic downturn.

He admits it was quite a drastic step to take, but the marketing ploy where only 12 free meals are given away each day, has actually helped trade at the same time as feeding people on a budget.

"2007 was our best year ever, but this year trade has been quiet since Easter, but I realised I needed a new way to get customers in.

"Of course, the hope is that they will buy a drink, but if they don't want to, they still get the food," he said.

The promotion has generated a lot of interest, and Mr Gibbons found himself catering for a Meridian news crew who had heard of the offer on Thursday.

From the Dover Express, Thursday 13 January 2011.

I'LL BRING PUB BACK TO TRADITIONAL WAYS

VOW OF NEW LANDLORD AS HE TAKES ON VILLAGE INN

Traditional: New landlord of the "Bull" Paul McMullan, right, with bar manager Karl Wooding.

THE "BULL" in Eastry has been taken over by a new owner, who plans to return the historic boozer into a traditional village pub.

The 500 year old tavern on the High Street initially provided a resting point for coaches, horses and travellers on their way from Canterbury to the coast.

But from being one of the busiest and most profitable pubs in east Kent, The "Bull" has declined like so many others.

New landlord Paul McMllllan, who also owns The "Castle Inn" in Dover and was featured in the Deal and Sandwlch Express last week when he picked up actor Hugh Grant on the way to stock "The Bull," has been set the task of organically growing the business back to the way it was.]

He said: "Everybody says the way forward for pubs is turning them into flash restaurants, but "The Bull" is a prime example of just how wrong that was.

HUB OF VILLAGE

"For years the people were happy to pop in for a pint and a chat and the place was the hub of social life In the village. There was a pool team, a soccer team and even a ladies darts team and business was really thriving even in difficult economic times.

"However, a few years ago the pool table was replaced by a dining area and a fancy menu which completely destroyed the place, not only the ambiance but the turnover too.

"Without giving away the exact figures, beer consumption, which is the only thing the brewery really cares about, fell by a massive 50 per cent and the future of the pub was really in jeopardy."

Punch Taverns, Britain's biggest pub chain which still owns the freehold, confirmed they hired Mr McMullan because of his success at turning round "The Castle Inn" by going back to basics.

South East Manager of Punch Stuart Brown said: "It is true there are many pubs in Britain which are no longer viable as people's habits change but "The Bull" was not one of them and we hope by going back to basics we can organically grow the business

"Serving food in pubs can work but in this case where so many of the local drinkers felt excluded it didn't and the pub went into decline.

BAR MANAGER

Mr McMullan has shifted his bar manager Kart Wooding at "The Castle lnn" over to "The BulI" as he is originally from the village and is affectionately known locally as "Pud."

Mr Wooding said: "I was born in Eastry and spent my teenage years in "The Bull" and it is fantastic to have the chance to bring it back to life. The old landlord banned most of the regulars to turn it into a posh restaurant and what a mistake that was. The first thing I am going to do is throw all his tables and chairs away, bring back the pool table, Live Sports TV and invite them all back again.

"In six months we get the Open Golf just down the road at Royal St Georges, sandwich, and I have two five-star letting rooms where Sam Torrance stayed the last time, so the future for "The Bull" for me is looking really bright."

From the Dover Express, Thursday, 3 March, 2011. 60p

LANDLORD ROW

A Dover businessman has come under fire for rowdy drum and bass nights at his Eastry pub and could now face the prospect of losing his licence review.

Villagers are accusing landlord Paul McMullan, who also runs the "Castle Inn," of creating antisocial behaviour.

Residents demand a review of inn's licence

Sound and fury over 'noisy' pub

Report by Yamurai Zendera

A DOVER businessman has come under fire for rowdy drum and bass nights at his Eastry pub.

Landlord Paul McMullan could face the prospect of licence review after a group or villagers accused him of playing loud music throughout the night.

They say their lives have been made a misery for the past couple of months by the antisocial behaviour of The "Bull's" punters.

Blaring

Loud music blaring through the night seven days a week, shouting and swearing and vehicles revving their engines are just some of the reasons the residents have cited as to why they are now demanding a licence review.

Mr McMullan, who applied for a topless lap-dancing licence at his other pub in Dover, the "Castle Inn," says he has done nothing wrong.

He said: "If it was a rock night there wouldn't have been such a furore. No underage people were let in and there were was no drug taking."

The latest furore is a far cry from the promise the former tabloid newspaper executive made when he first took over this year. Mr McMullan said he wanted to turn the "Bull" into a traditional pub.

Residents say they have been unimpressed with the response to the police and district council to their concerns and that talks with Mr McMullan have proved fruitless.

A letter of complaint signed by the 13 residents has been sent to among others - the police, the district council, MP Charlie Elphicke and Mr McMullan himself.

It reads: "We feel that the activities of the "Bull" are completely unacceptable in a residential, family environment.

"As you will be aware this is not the first time that residents have had problems caused by the "Bull" and we do not want to see a replication of the previous situation where fights, assaults and criminal damage, caused by those drinking in the "Bull" were a regular occurrence in the High Street.

"We feel that the authorities focus on the symptoms of the problem and not the cause - the "Bull.""

LICENCE REVIEW

A Dover district Council (DDC) spokesman said it was considering carrying out a licence review of the "Bull".

He said: "We are aware of this matter, and can confirm that an event took place in Eastry that gave rise to complaints of noise nuisance and alleged antisocial behaviour, which led to DDCOut of Hours Noise officers attending the scene.

"This matter is currently being investigated jointly by Dover district Council and Kent Police. The Licensing Section is liaising with local residents with regards to a possible review of the premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003."

Dover District Council says operators of licenses premises are required to actively promote the four licensing objectives:

● Prevention of crime and disorder

● Prevention of public nuisance

● Public safety

● Protection of children from harm

Any interested party or responsible authority may call for the review of a premises licence if they believe that the licensing objectives are not being promoted.

This process is evidence-based and so it is important that the person who is calling for a review has evidence to substantiate the application.

The best way to do this is to keep diaries of the events that have led the application including videos or photographs if they are available.

From the Dover Express, Thursday, 10 March, 2011. 60p

MANAGER SET TO LEAVE TO 'SAFEGUARD FUTURE OF VILLAGE PUB'

Row at music leads to landlord's resignation

Report by Yamurai Zendera

A businessman has handed in his resignation as leaseholder of an Eastry pub after coming under fire for holding rowdy drum and bass nights.

Landlord Paul McMullan says the "Bull" has no commercial value if it is unable to hold regular music nights.

The pub is currently under investigation by Dover District Council (DDC) and Kent Police and could be made the subject of a licence review after a group of villagers accused Mr McMullan of blaring out drum and bass throughout the night.

The father-of-four; who applied for a temporary topless lap dancing licence al his other pub In Dover, the "Castle Inn," has now taken the decision to walk away.

He said: "To safeguard the future of the pub in the village, I have offered Punch Taverns my resignation as the tenant."

The former tabloid newspaper executive said his resignation was not an admission of guilt, adding: "While there was no breach of the licence and noise restrictions were adhered to.

"There were no underage people allowed in and we follow a vehement anti-drugs policy.

"I accept I was in full charge of that evening, so accept the responsibility for the bad feeling in the village and on that basis I'm happy to be the sacrificial lamb for the future of the pub."

It is still unknown if Punch Taverns has accepted his resignation but Ash resident Mr McMullan, who bought the lease in December, said the pub was costing him £1,000 a week.

He said: "The pub only makes money as a music venue. If I can't put on music events then I don't want it. It's costing me £1,000 a week and I must have entertainment to cover it."

The 13 villagers who made the initial complaint have refuted they were only upset because of the genre of music being played.

A statement from a representative read: "l can assure Mr McMuIlan that the furore would be exactly the same if a folk night resulted in the same kind of trouble, disturbance and noise nuisance.

"As I said in the letter this has not been an isolated incident and residents are regularly disturbed by the noise levels, most recently this weekend when two further complaints about noise nuisance were made by residents on Saturday night.

A DDC spokesman said it is investigating a complaint in relation to a music event that look place at the "Bull" on February 18.

He said: "We are aware of this matter, and can confirm that an event look place in Eastry that gave rise to complaints of noise nuisance and alleged antisocial behaviour, which led to DDC out-of-hours noise officers attending the scene.

"This matter is currently being investigated jointly by Dover District Council and Kent Police.

"The Licensing Section is liaising with local residents with regards to a possible review of the premises' licence under the Licensing Act 2003."

Unfortunately closed after local residents became fed up with the licensees like of Drum and Base which he held evenings for... And I can't blame them either. That didn't sound like a traditional village pub to me

The licensee at the time being nude pole dancing organiser Paul McMullen, also licensee of the "Castle" in Dover.