DOG Pubs of Kingston

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1740-

Dog

Latest ????

Kingston

Clambercrown

Both photos above showing the former "Dog" at Clambercrown near Kingston. Photos by Peter Burness.

Reference found in the Wingham Division Ale Licence list, which shows the "Dog," Kingstone (spelt with an extra "e"), to be re-licensed for the sum of 8 shillings in 1740 indicating that the pub was present before 1740.

The Swing riots of 1830, set off from an impoverished state of farm workers and the introduction of machinery that were killing their livelihood by putting them out of work; one machine doing the work of many labourers. Starting in the South East, the Swing Rioters smashed the threshing machines and threatened farmers who had them. The name Swing being associated with the signature of a Captain Swing whose signature appeared on such threatening letters. Local Elham historian Derek Boughton writes the following:-

One of Francis Castle's sons, who lived at Bossingham, reported after ten o’clock that there were 7 or 8 men coming from Stelling Minnis. Dodd mounted his horse and rode to his nearest magistrate, John Bell at Bourne Park, who authorised him to go to the barracks in Canterbury and get military assistance.

John Fairman, who worked for Dodd, also lived at Bossingham. He says “about 11 at night about 20 or 30 passed with great noise of whistling singing and hallooing.

In the meantime, as predicted the Elham and Bladbean men had met up at the "Dog" at Clambercrown, which is in a very remote spot just beyond Palmstead, and some time after 11 the whole party got to Hardres Court, where they pulled the two machines, which were hired from John Holman of Canterbury and Thomas Harnett of Newington next Sittingbourne, out of the barn and smashed them.

John Fairman continues: “At Hardres Court, there was knocking as of breaking iron for half an hour, three loud cheers, then they dispersed, the greater part towards Elham, some to Stelling Minnis passed my house.

John Whitnall, waggoner to Mr Dodd, confirms that the parties separated at Hardres Rectory, and he recalls three things he heard them say: “The great wheel has broke our hammers”, “Remember Monday night”, and “You Stellingers go that way, and the Elhamers this”.

The Elhamers in fact went back via the "Dog", where they got the landlord up and had three or four gallons of beer. It was paid for, but there appears to be some mystery as to who actually did so.

Jacelyn Brook Further research suggests this may be the same public house as described by Jocelyn Brooke (picture left) in the book "Dog at Clambercrown." The book is a semi-autobiographical novel following the pattern of Brooke's previous work "The Orchard Trilogy" but reveals a more homoerotic nature. The book uses the pub at Clambercrown as a metaphor for the unattainability of adulthood from a child's perspective.

From RAMBLES AROUND FOLKESTONE BY "FELIX."

"CLAMBERCROWN" AND "THE DOG."

Take a large scale map of Kent, and you will find what great patches of woodland are marked to the north of Elham. In addition to North Elham Park, Clever Tie, there are West Wood, Elham Park, and the Great Covet Wood, which alone spreads itself over 1,000 acres.

These great woodlands are practically joined together, and one can walk for hours through scenes which suggest "a thousand miles from any where." On Sunday my route was entirely off the main roads. Solitude! Here it is. But yet no solitude. There is an endless feast of delight for the observer. It is indeed good to have the companionship of Nature for a few hours away from the stress and battle of life. On the "Clambercrown" I saunter easily along. The farm houses are few and far between. A human being is a rarity. Look! There are two or three fluttering objects! What are they? Specimens of the lovely clouded yellow butterfly. In the sunshine their colours show grandly against the deep green foliage.

Only a momentary glance, yet one to be remembered. But I make no secret about it I want "The Dog." After a considerable spell of more quiet walking, I arrived in front of another farm building. Some of the hands were resting over the gate. I enquired "Where's 'The Dog'?" In chorus they directed me up a narrow lane, and added: "When you come to a signpost take to the road leading to Lower Hardres; then you will find 'The Dog' on the left-hand side." And sure enough, on the confines of "The Covet" was a small inn. Where is the custom, you will ask, to maintain it I entered, and felt entitled to ask for refreshment. As the saying goes, "I could do with it." Through its very solitude, "The Dog" is famous. It is owned by a pair of "originals" a middle-aged brother and sister of the name of Philpott. Both unmarried, they have lived their lives here, amidst these surroundings, as their parents did before them.

LICENSEE LIST

QUESTED Henry 1740+