Canterbury Road

(Selsted)

Chequers Inn at Selsted near Swingfield circa 1980.

The above photo is by Nick Smith, date unknown and reproduced under the "Creative Commons License".

I believe this pub has recently closed. (2007). Details hopefully to follow.

The passage below was found on the internet and was written by J.C. Mitchell, an American Gentleman who visited this country around March 1999. He visited the Chequers at Selsted and this is what he had to say about the pub:-

If you drive north of Folkestone a few miles up to the village of Selsted, you'll come across the Chequers Inn. This is a small, simple pub which caters mostly to passing traffic and closes for the late afternoon hours. As we walked in around lunchtime we were greeted by a friendly German Shepherd behind the bar just as somebody was shouting "One Spotted Dick, please!" in the back. (For those Americans unfamiliar with this term, this was an order for dessert and not what you might suspect.) The landlord -- the human one, that is -- was a friendly gentleman who chatted with us about sport, travel, and his younger days in London. We were soon joined by one of the regulars, a local eccentric who reportedly shares living quarters with forty-four dogs. All this time we were drinking pints of 12-Bore Bitter (3.7% ABV), a fine lunchtime brew from King & Barnes in West Sussex. This beer is the perfect accompaniment for listening to leisurely stories about dogs, airplanes, Nevada, soccer, and old men showing up at their local pub wearing nothing but pants (Americans: read underpants).

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 8 February, 1918. WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS The Chequers, Swingfield was fined at Dover in September for selling gin below proof.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 13 January 1939. A whist drive was held at the "Chequers," Annexe, on Friday last, in aid of the Queens District Nurses. There were nine tables occupied, and the highest score  was won by  Mr. W. Edney. Ladies: 1. Mrs. J Keeler; 2. Mr. F May, 3. Mrs. G Brisley. Gentleman: 1. Mr. J White, 2. Mr. G Brisley, 3. Mr. B Greenstreet; consolation, Mrs. T Keeler and Mr. F. G. Dixon. All prizes were given. The proceeds amounted to £2 12s. 9d.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 26 February, 1971. HUNT MET AT SELSTED Master of Hunt, Mr. David Bartlett and followers ready to set out for the day after the East Kent Hunt met at the "Chequers Inn," Selsted, on Wednesday.

LICENSEE LIST

HILLS John 1847+

MAXTED Eward 1858

FINNIS James 1874+

SEATH William Marsh 1881+ (Census Inn-keeper & grazier)

BANKS William 1899-1903+

HOBBS Richard 1913+

BODINGTON Gerald 1918-22+

BODINGTON Alice Nov/1921

FIDGE Archibald Edward Nov/1921

SOUTH Clifton 1930-38+

O'GRADY Harry to 2007

From Bagshaw Directory 1847

From Melville's Directory 1858

From the Post Office Directory 1874

From the Kelly's Directory 1899

From the Post Office Directory 1903

From the Post Office Directory 1913

From the Post Office Directory 1918

From the Post Office Directory 1922

From the Post Office Directory 1930

From the Kelly's Directory 1934

From the Post Office Directory 1938

From the Dover Express