FIVE BELLS Pubs of Eastry

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1675

Five Bells

Still open

The Cross (Eastry)

Above photographs by Paul Skelton 6 Oct 2007

Photo by Nick Smith permission by Creative Commons License. Showing the Brewery House next door to the Five Bells in Eastry.

Above shows the Five Bells circa 1917.

Above photograph Circa 1970.

From the Dover Express, 13 March, 1970

Above shows an advert that appeared in the Dover Express.

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

The fact of there having been a Roman settlement here is proved by the Roman graves, containing human bones, weapons, and ornaments, which have been discovered, from time to time, in that triangle of ground, in the parish, which is formed by the Lynch, " the Five Bells," and Butsole Pond. The first recorded discovery of these remains took place A.D. 1792, and the account of it will be best given in Mr. Boteler's own words: "In March last (1792), in digging a cellar in the garden of a cottage belonging to me, eastward of the highway leading from Eastry Cross to Butsole, I discovered the ancient burying ground of this neighbourhood. I caused several graves to be opened, and found, with the skeletons, fibula, beads, knives, umbones of shields, &c., in one an elegant glass vessel. From other skeletons that have been dug up in the gardens nearer the Cross, I am of opinion that they extended on this side the road up to the Cross, now covered pretty much with houses. I mean at a future time to pursue the discovery.

The tumuli that formerly covered them have long since been levelled by the plough. The graves were very thick, in rows parallel to each other, in a direction from east to west " [Botel. MSS., vol. C.p, 164).

Since Mr. Boteler's day other familiar remains have been brought to light at different times; and, about the year 1860 or 1861, in the making of some alterations in and around Southbank, skeletons were discovered lying in clay in the bed of chalk.

Several of the objects discovered by Mr. Boteler, in A.D. 1792, as well as other familiar remains — Roman and Saxon — found on the same property, and near the same spot.

The following extracts from the oldest account book of the church-
wardens, which is now extant, furnish us with a complete list, as far as it goes, of the dates at which our parish has been perambulated: — 1719 Spent at the Five Bells when went the Bounds of the parish £1. 2s. 6d.

1762 May 20 Spent at the Five Bells going the Bounds of the Parish £1. 19s. 0d.

1782 May 15 Paid at the Bull going the Bounds of the Parish £2. 16s. 0d'

1801 Expenses at the Five Bells (28th May) going the Boundary of the Parish £3. 2s. 10 1/2d.

One time a tied house of Thompson and Sons, Walmer.

This public house at Eastry possessed 'a record of "Mine Hosts" from 1695, numbering only fifteen' ('The Walmer Brewery Handbook'), although the list I have seen at the pub, list 28 from 1675 to 1992.

One reference found is in the Wingham Division Ale Licence list, which shows the "Five Bells," Eastry, to be re-licensed for the sum of 8 shillings in 1740, the licensee being William Vigden, who incidentally wasn't mentioned on the list from the passage below.

The next passage is a direct copy from other information displayed in a picture frame at the pub.

The inn known as the Five Bells at Eastry was built during the reign of Charles II (1660-1685) in the year 1675. The ancient sign of the Five Bells dates back to the eleventh century, when inns and taverns stood within the precincts of parish churches. However many bells a church held, determined the number given to the title of the inn.

The earliest recorded keeper of the inn is one Nathaniel Woodhams who purchased the property in 1675, along with six acres of land a barn and commodious stables. In May of that year Woodhams stood before two justices at Dover and was granted a licence to administer ales and ciders on certain days and hours set out in an act of parliament in 1495. Woodhams is recorded as a "fruiterer and here retayler" of the parish of "Stayple".

In 1692 the property as in the hands of Michael Sampson, who, in February 1693 was granted a wine licence and in October of the same year a full spirit licence. At the same quarter sessions sitting Sampson registered the inn under the title of the Five Bells.

The Five Bells is mentioned in the will of one William Pittock drawn up in 1771 in which he decreed that "my tenamente or messuage situate and beinge within the parish of Eastry, knowne by name and sine of the Five Bells with its lande and staybles therein belonginge I hereby bequeathe to my foremost son William, and lete nothinge contrarie to the trewe meaning of mye laste will and testamente."

At the height of the coaching era, the Five Bells was a recognised pick up point. Here private and local coaches would await passengers alighting from through coaches at the Bull Inn. During this period and for many years after the inn was a posting house where mail was collected an sorted, and quite often the task of delivering fell upon the shoulders of the resident keeper.

On October 14 1831 one John Dixon and another man set fire to a barn in Eastry Street. In retracing their steps the authorities found that the two men had been seen in the Five Bells, only minutes before the blaze started. The two men were arrested and stood trial at Maidstone. Though local inhabitants believed him to be more innocent than the other, John Dixon was found guilty of incendiarism and hanged on Penenden Heath in April 1832, while his friend was acquitted and freed.

In 1866, the inn was kept by George Foord, grandson of Eastry builder Abraham Foord who used to dig chalk from the caves near the main street and carry it to lime kilns.

By 1885 the inn was in the hands of William John Thorne who in Kelly's directory of 1899 was also said to the assistant overseer & clerk to the parish council. At the time it was mentioned in Kelly's Directory as a hotel and posting house, with ample accommodation and parties catered for.

Kelly's Directory 1934 gives the proprietor as R G Hayman who offered accommodation for motorists and visitors, and provided teas for those who didn't partake in alcoholic beverages.

The Five Bells has seen and undergone many changes since first it was built but its historic charm and character remain unchanged. So stay, enjoy the fayre and reflect on those bygone days.

From the Kentish Gazette, March 31 to April 3, 1770. Kindly sent from Alec Hasenson.

Auction of Timber at the sign of the Five Bells, in Eastry, April 5, 1770.

Above photo shows the Five Bells, date unknown.

Sky shot of the Five Bells at Eastry.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 3 February, 1844. Price 5d.

CORONERS INQUEST

An inquest was held on Saturday last, by T. T. De Lasaux, Esq., at the "Five Bells," Eastry, on the body of John Cook, an inmate of the Eastry Union, who had died in a fit the previous Thursday.

Verdict - "Died by the visitation of God."

Deceased had been subject to fits of epilepsy for many years.

From the East Kent Mercury, 17 January, 2013

ON FILE 100 YEARS AGO:

According to the Mercury a century ago the members of the Eastry and District Cottage Gardeners' Society spent an evening at the "Five Bells Inn" for their annual dinner. There was an attendance of 40 members under the chairmanship of George Gardner (vice-president). A toast was given towards the 1913 season ahead.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 6 March, 1914. Price 1d.

EXTENSIONS

The licensee of the "Five Bells," Eastry, was granted an extension from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. on April 2nd, on the occasion of the annual dinner of the Eastry Rat and Sparrow Club.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 6 March, 1914. Price 1½d.

WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS

Mr. W. A. Thorn, of the "Five Bells," Eastry, applied for an extension for January 11th for the annual dinner of the Eastry Horticultural Society. Applicant said that the dinner was held annually until 1913, but was suspended owing to the rationing. The application was granted.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 5 October, 1923. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

An occasional licence was granted to the licensee of the "Five Bells," Eastry, for Lord Northbourn's farm sale at Betteshanger on October 18th.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 4 January, 1924. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

An extension was granted for the "Five Bells," Eastry, for the annual dinner of the Eastry Horticultural Society on January 17th.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 3 October, 1924. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

An occasional licence was granted to the "Five Bells," Eastry, to sell from a barn at Barville Farm, Tilmanstone, on October 7th at a farm sale.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 2 January, 1925. Price 1½d.

Mr. A. W. Amos, of the "Five Bells Inn," Eastry, was granted an hour's extension for the annual dinner of the Gardeners' Society on January 22nd.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 6 May, 1927. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

The "Five Bells," Eastry, was granted an extension for the annual dinner of the Rat and Sparrow Club, on May 12th, to 10.30.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 25 November, 1938. Price 1½d.

EXTENSIONS

The licensee of the “Five Bells,” Eastry, was granted an extension till 10.30 p.m. on 31st December for a wedding reception.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 28 August, 2008. Advertising feature

PROMISE BECOMES A REALITY AT PUB.

THE transformation of the Five Bells pub in Eastry is all down to a very special promise.

Any budding punters can easily see that since Mary Franks took over as landlady in March a lot of notable changes have been made.

The ivy, which coated the entrance, and the broken sign have disappeared and been replaced with hanging flower baskets and a new placard bearing the pub’s name.

Walk in and you immediately notice the two bars have been swapped around with the public bar now on the left and the lounge on the right.

Miss Franks has spent thousands of pounds on renovating her new business and said her motivation comes from a promise she made to her father on his deathbed.

“My father died three-and-a-half years ago and I had just recently been divorced.

“I said to him I would change my name back to my maiden name and put it above the door of my new pub so he would live on with me.”

There are other changes too.

An old shed in the back yard has been replaced with a new green space for children to play in.

The function room has been completely refurbished from being the old Eastry fire station and has had a new carpet laid and a new coat of paint.

It will be able to seat 40 people for a hot meal and hold 90 for a buffet.

However it is important for Miss Franks for the pub to maintain its atmosphere and function as a place for the community to come together. With two pool teams, five darts teams, two petanque teams and acting as a meeting place for the British Legion and the Women’s Institute, community activities are an essential part of the pub’s future.

“When I first walked into the "Five Bells" I knew it was the place for me,” she said.

“It has plenty of character and the changes I have made are designed to freshen the place up but keep its cosy atmosphere.”

Miss Franks wanted to say a special thank you to her project manager and brother Reg, her friend Tim and all her friends and family for making her dream a reality.

RE-LAUNCH FUN

To celebrate the renovation the pub will have its full re-launch on Saturday. Happy hour is from 7pm to 8pm. The Eastry Band will play in the function room.

A fun day will be held the following day with bouncy castle, garden games and live entertainment.

From the Dover Mercury 25 March 2010.

BONUS GIFT FROM PUB

Landlady of the Five Bells Mary Franks, left, presents a cheque to Joan and John GoIdup in aid of Asthma UK.

KIND-HEARTED regulars at the Five Bells at Eastry have been busy raising cash for good causes.

Landland Mary Franks, from the pub at The Cross, Lower Street, has handed a £100 cheque to Joan and John Goldup for Asthma UK after collecting the money from a bonus ball competition.

Regulars have also raised cash for Kent Air Ambulance and on Saturday staged a table top fair at the pub to collect money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

From the Dover Mercury, 28 October, 2010.

A TASTY CHRISTMAS LUNCH

ADVERTISING FEATURE

WITH only 59 days until December 25, the "Five Bells" in Eastry is already well prepared and bookings can now be made for its Christmas menu.

Landlady and licensee Mary Franks is taking orders and looking forward to visitors spending the special time of year at her traditional old English pub.

She said: "We offer a warm welcome and cater for all needs.

"Why not make the celebrations even more enjoyable and combine a meal with one of our entertainment evenings for the perfect start to get you in the Christmas mood?"

The pre-Christmas menu is from November 26 to December 24, and there is also a different Christmas Day menu served at 2pm.

Two courses until Christmas Eve cost £15.50, or £19.50 for three courses, with a delicious selection of four starters, four main courses and also a choice of four desserts.

Coffee and mints are included in the price and there is the added attraction of a selection of music nights for the Christmas meal, ranging from rock, pop and ballards to Irish fiddle players and an Elvis tribute singer. Or why not arrange your big evening to coincide with a fun bingo night?

The "Five Bells" has a comfortable function room for about 45 people, with its own bar, and about 30 people can dine in the lounge bar.

Mary said: "We have lots of options at the pub for our Christmas meal packages. All the food is home cooked and sourced locally, so ring 01304 611188 now or visit Facebook to see what is going on at the pub."

She has been at the "Five Bells" for almost three years and it is a real community pub.

Mary added: "We aim to be the heart of the village, so join us for a Christmas meal. Book now."

LICENSEE LIST

WOODHAMS Nathaniel 1675+

HOWARD Jonathan 1686

SAMPSON Michael 1692-93+ ☼

COCK Jonathan 1707+ ☼

LAMBROOK Thomas 1721

VIDGEON William 1733-1740+ ☼