DOVER KENT ARCHIVES
PUB LIST   PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1740-

 Eight Bells

Latest 1995+

Wingham Well

Eight Bells 1993

Above shows the Eight Bells as seen in 1983.
Eight Bells 2009

Former Eight Bells as seen from Google Maps 2009.
Eight Bells 2011 Eight Bells 2011

Above 2 photographs by Paul Skelton, 31 May 2011.

 

Earliest reference found so far is in the Wingham Division Ale Licence list, which shows the "Eight Bells," Wingham, (assumed to mean Wingham Well), to be re-licensed for the sum of 8 shillings in 1740 indicating that the pub was present before 1740.

The "Inns of Sport; Whitbread & Co. Ltd.; 1949 says the following about the pub:-

"But to go back to Canterbury and our fishing. There is an inn at Wingham Well, six miles east of the city, which they call The "Eight Bells" and from it you can fish that charming river, the Little Stour or, indeed, its parent river, the Stour itself. [...] The "Eight Bells" was built about 1719 and it has gone through almost every stage of the noble hierarchy of beer, for it began as a malthouse, became a brewery and is now an inn."

The pub gained an extension to the licensing hours in 1950, making Summer Time hours all year round, after being put to the Magistrates at the Wingham Licensing Sessions, with a petition of 66 people and the payment of an extra £575 monopoly value. The pub was now allowed to open for a maximum 8½ hours a day.

I am not certain when the house finally closed, but it is now registered as a listed building with the following description:-

Public house. Dated 1779. Painted brick and plain tiled roof. Two storeys and attic on plinth with half-hipped roof and central stack. Regular fenestration of 3 glazing bar sashes on first floor and 2 on ground floor with central boarded door in double rebated surround dated 1779 in tympanum. Single storey wing to right with 2 wooden casements and boarded door.

Listing NGR: TR2309156654

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 7 March, 1919.

WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS

Mr. K. A. Mowll appealed for the renewal of the licence of the "Eight Bells," Wingham, with which the Magistrates had objected to on the grounds of redundancy.

Superintendent Stone said that the tenant was Mr. H. Gann and the owners were Messrs. Bushell, Watkins nd Co. The tenant was in the employ of the Wingham Agricultural Employment Co. It was used by field workers. There were 80 cottages that might use the house. The nearest public house was the "Volunteer," at Bramling.

Lord Northbourne to the tenant - Do you think your customers take too much? - No, my lord, they do not have enough (laughter).

Mr. A. K. Mowll said that in other words it might be said that there were licensed houses in the immediate vicinity, but in this case there were no licensed houses anywhere near.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 14 July, 1939.

WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS

An application was made for approval for plans for the conversion of the public bar of the "Eight Bells," Wingham Well, into a saloon bar, and improvements to the living accommodation.

The Chairman said that as the licence had changed hands so often the bench had thought of referring the licence, so they hardly thought they could ask the brewers to spend money on it. Therefore the application would be deferred.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

HOLNESS John 1740+ Wingham Ale Licences 1740

TUCKER Edmund 1847+ Bagshaw's Directory 1847 (beerhouse)

GANN Mr H 1919 Dover Express

GURR H 1922+

FRIEND Mr G E Feb/1939 Dover Express (beerhouse)

RILSTONE William A V Feb/1939-50+ Dover Express

PITTS Mr Sidney J 1952-74+ Dover ExpressLibrary archives 1974 Fremlins

 

Wingham Ale Licences 1740From Wingham Division Ale Licences 1740 Ref: KAO - QRLV 3/1

Bagshaw's Directory 1847From Bagshaw Directory 1847

Library archives 1974Library archives 1974

Dover ExpressFrom the Dover Express

 

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