KINGS ARMS Pubs of Elham

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1830

Kings Arms

Still open

The Square

(Elham)

Above photographs by Paul Skelton, 22 Aug 2008.

Further details about Elham at http://www.elham.co.uk/ 2006.

This pub was previously called the "Cock" due to cock-fights that took place at what is now the rear of the pub and remained as the "Cock" until 1830 when it changed to the name we know today.

Reference should be made to the Swing riots of 1830 when farm workers were smashing up mechanical machinery as it was taking their work, it was said the first threshing machine was destroyed at Lower Hardres, near Canterbury in East Kent, on the night of 28 August 1830, but this has not been verified.

From an article written by Derek Boughton:- On 6 October, Ingram Swain, who lived at Mill Down, but was in custody in Canterbury, really spilled the beans. The magistrates had targeted him, because they believed, quite wrongly, that he was a ringleader, having got ideas from West Kent men when working with them on the harvest in the Isle of Thanet. Swain says “On Wednesday about 6 weeks ago I met Selden Bayley in Mr Fagg's barley field at Ottinge.”

He said “We broke a machine at Wingmore Court last night”

“How many of you?” “Three or four and twenty”

“We are going to break another tonight at Grimsacre – there will be 30 of us tonight.” For those of you who don’t know, Grimsacre is up the track from Worlds Wonder, and Park Gate.

I asked him what time they were going to meet. “Eight o'clock at Silverdown Gate”. There was nobody there – I went home to bed. Apart from Sir Edward Knatchbull putting the date 25th Aug. against the name of William Webb, nothing more is mentioned about the Grimsacre machine, but I can confirm, through the late Wally Palmer, that it was destroyed. As to the Wingmore Court machine, other evidence confirms that it was destroyed on the night of Tuesday 24th August, so it was the very first.

Swain continues “The following Saturday I was at Ashbees the grocers in Elham. I went from there with my father to the "Kings Arms" and had a Quart of Beer in the Tap Room. Charles Carswell was there. (It sounds in fact as if Charles Carswell was usually there. He was a 28 year old butcher, known, according to Richard Marsh of Ottinge as “Fat One”, and John Cramp, who worked for Mr Dodd at Hardres Court, gives a graphic description of him: “a man dressed in a dark flap coat made use of a gross expression, and I thought the voice was like Carswell's and I the more thought so on account of his dress and the grossness of his language”).

From the Dover Express, 20 February 2003.

Relax and enjoy the King's Arms.

DATING back to the early 15th century, the King's Arms in the pretty village of Elham is a traditional English pub.

Originally a grain-store, the building became a brewery supplying ale to local hostelries before being licensed as a pub.

Debbi and Barry Preston took over the Kings Arms nearly a year ago. (2002) Debbi said: "The King's Arms is a lovely pub and one of the oldest buildings in the village. There have been just two landlords here in the past 40 years and I think that demonstrates the happy and warm atmosphere."

On cold winter days, open fires blaze in the beamed bar and the separate restaurant. Customers can relax and choose from an extensive menu.

Delightfully varied, the dishes on offer at the Kings Arms are all prepared and cooked to order. Snacks and light meals such as sandwiches, baguettes, baked potatoes with your choice of filling and ploughman's lunches are featured along with meals for those with a bigger appetite. Prime quality steaks and delicious pies are included on the menu as well as a choice of fish dishes. There is a frequently changing specials board and a list of truly scrumptious desserts.

Traditional Sunday lunches are served with a choice of four roast meats and a vegetarian option at a surprisingly affordable £5.95.

The King's Arms is very much the centre of village life, with locals and visitors alike appreciating the friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

Debbi and Harry have hit upon a winning formula incorporating traditional values of hospitality and excellent fare. For further information call 01303 840242.

Below is shown an advert that appeared in the Dover Express, 20 April 2003.