Goodnestone Street

(Goodnestone)

Sandwich

Above photo Fitzwalter Arms in Goodnestone in 1988, by kind permission of Dover Library.

Above photo taken in 1960 and kindly sent by Terry Wheeler of the Ramsgate Historical Society.

Above two photos of Fitzwalter Arms in Goodnestone in June 1996, now Shepherd Neame, by kind permission of Dover Library.

Above photos by Paul Skelton August 2008. Photo below shows the back of the pub, same date.

Signs shows June 2011 by Paul Skelton.

Originally built in 1589, this pub has seen many changes over the years, according to the documentation found hanging on the wall inside the pub, it has always been called the "Bridges Arms" from its first  license as a beer house in 1703. However, I have found documentation of another pub in Goodnestone, mentioned as early as 1770 called the "Three Crowns". From records held at the East Kent Archives Centre at Whitfield, they have 21 documents in a bundle that mentions the "Three Crowns" in Goodnestone Street (EK-U373/T6) 1770-1826. I am wondering whether this is the same.

The pub is now a Shepherd Neame tied house called the "Fitzwater Arms".

Click to start.                                Continued. A. J. Page gave up the house in 1928 and was succeeded by William Hogben, he in 1930 by Thomas J. N. Augustus Griffin, he in 1937 by Percy J. Hickson, he in 1939 by J. Shaldrake, he in 1945 by Frank Dill, he in 1947 by M. Carr, and he in 1948 by C. Molford. In 1951 Gardner & Co merged with Tomson and Wotton of Ramsgate. G. Hearn took over and served until 1953 when he handed over to S, Perkins. In 1955 whilst in his hands the holding company of Combined breweries was formed. In 1957 Harry Crawshaw took over the house and until 1958 when he handed over to John Henrry. In 1968 when in his hands Combined Breweries was taken over by Whitbred & Co. of London. John Henry served here until 1978: John Hendry served here until 1978 when he handed over to B. Wiseman, and he in 1985 to Peter Dillnott. In that year the lease of the Fitzwalter Arms was assigned to the Shepherd Neame Brewery of Faversham, they in turn leased to Anthony Taylor who was here until 1987 when he handed over to Francis Joseph Rowe, who at the time of writing this was the keeper of the Fitzwalter Arms.

From the East Kent Mercury, 4 October, 1990. AWARD FOR PUB Roger Penn, of the "Fitzwalter Arms," Goodnestone, on the right, receives his award from Shepherd Neame chairman Robert Neame.   A COUNTRY pub has won top honours in a brewery competition, beating opposition from pubs throughout the southeast. Roger Penn, of the "Fitzwalter Arms," Goodnestone, took first prize in a cellar management contest organised by Shepherd Neame to promote the serving of the perfect pint in all of their 290 pubs. With his wife Sharon, Roger has won a holiday in Switzerland, to include a visit to a brewery in Zurich. Pub cellars were inspected three times by the judges, with marks awarded for effort and enthusiasm, cleanliness, temperature and the condition of their beers.

From the Dover Express, 21 May, 2009 Great pub grub GOODNESTONE pub The "Fitzwalter Arms" has been awarded pub restaurant of the year in the Shepherd Neame Pub Awards 2009. Judge Elizabeth Carter, a restaurant critic from Square Meal Magazine, said she was impressed by the variety of its dishes using local ingredients and its customer service.

Heard on 6 December, 2011 that the pub is for sale with a leasehold of £15,500. Another Shepherd Neame pub that is superfluous to requirements. they do seem to be trying to sell off quite a few at present. Hope someone takes it on and succeeds.

The "FitzWalter Arms" is a quintessential English pub dating back to 1702, the centre of village life in Goodnestone, an unspoilt, picturesque village set in the beautiful Kentish countryside between Canterbury, Sandwich and Deal. To this day it remains the village hostelry to the FitzWalter estate. It is recommended by top food guides including the Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide. The kitchen prides itself on sourcing the finest local produce available. There is a heated and covered smoking terraced area and a large beer garden with an area set aside as a vegetable patch that provides the restaurant with vegetables for a large part of the year. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced caterer and Licensee to maintain the excellent reputation of this fantastic pub. Viewing is highly recommended.

LICENSEE LIST

PAGE Alfred J 1924-28

HOGBEN William 1928-30

GRIFFIN Thomas John N Augustus 1930-37

HICKSON Mr Percy J up to 1937-Jan/39

SHELDRAKE Mr J H V Jan/1939-Mar/44

DEAL Frank S Mar/1944-47

CARR M 1947-48

MOLFORD C 1948-51

HEARN G 1951-53

PERKINS S 1953-57

CRAWSHAW Harry 1957-58

HENDRY John 1958-78 Owned by Lord Fitxwalter

WISEMAN B 1978-85

DILLNOTT Peter 1985

TAYLOR Anthony 1985-87

ROWE Francis Joseph 1987+

PENN Roger 1990+

HART David & GUTTERIDGE Claire 2006+

PECHOBI Mr B Sept/2011+

From the Kelly's Directory 1934

Library archives 1974

From the Dover Express