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.

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 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

COST Jonathan 1707

LAMBROOK Thomas 1721

BIDGEON William 1733

VIGDEN William 1740+

PITTOCK William 1752

PITTOCK William Jnr 1771

PITTOCK Martha (Widow) 1805

FAGG Jonathan 1812

WILSON John 1822-1840 ( out of date info?)

WILSON Elizabeth (Widow) 1839

WILSON C 1847+

FAGG Edward 1848

SILVER Joseph 1852

CULVER Eliza 1856

FOORD George 1866-74+

FOORD Elizabeth Ann Mrs 1882+

THORNE William John 1885-1903+ ( out of date info?)

THORNE Horace Amos 1902-14

THORNE Wilfred Amos 1919

MAGNUM Robert G 1929

HAYMAN Mr R G 1934 to Jan/1937

CARRINGTON Mr Frederick W Jan/1937+

CURLING E Mr 1938-53+

TUGWOOD Patrick & Mary 1968-74+ Charrington & Co

BREACH Maurice 1976

PATERSON Ian James Edward 1982

MARTIN Harold 1987

PORTER James Stephen 1992

STOTTARD Ron (years unknown)

STOTTARD Tom (years unknown)

GILHAM Roy (years unknown)

JONES Debbie & ARMSTRONG Stuart (years unknown)

FRANKS Miss Mary 31 Mar 2008+

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

From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

From the Pigot's Directory 1839

From the Pigot's Directory 1840

From Bagshaw Directory 1847

From the Post Office Directory 1874

From the Post Office Directory 1882

From the Post Office Directory 1891

From the Kelly's Directory 1899

From the Post Office Directory 1903

From the Post Office Directory 1913

From the Post Office Directory 1914

From the Kelly's Directory 1934

Library archives 1974

From the Dover Express