DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Canterbury, February, 2022.

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 08 February, 2022.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1865-

(Name from)

Leopard's Head

Closed Nov 2005

63/34A Military Road

Canterbury

https://whatpub.com/leopards-head

Leopard's Head 1960

Above photo, circa 1960, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Leopard's Head July 1963

Above photo, July 1963, waiting to see the Carnival Procession.

Leopard's Head 1965

Above photo by Edward Wilmot 1965.

Licensees 1978

Above photo, circa 1978, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Leopard's Head 1980

Above photograph, circa 1980, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Leopard's Head 1989

Above photo circa 1989, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Leopard's Head 2000

Above photo taken in August 2000 taken from http://canterburypubs.co.uk

Leopard's Head 2001

Above photo June 2001 taken from http://canterburypubs.co.uk

Former Leopard's Head

Picture taken from Google maps July 2009.

Leopard's Head sign 1991

Leopard's Head sign July 1991.

Above with thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com

 

A relatively modern building today but the pub name can be traced back to 1867. The original building being a casualty of the air raids of WW2. The new building we see today  being rebuilt and reopened again in 1959 by Tomson and Wotton.

The pub was originally called the "Donkey's Chump" in 1850, and by 1865 it was listed as the "Leopard Inn." In a directory of 1889 it has the name we know of "Leopard's Head."

But, I have now found reference to a "Leopard's Head" with the address of North Lane, from the Pigot's Directory 1824, but believe this to be the same.

The other "Leopard's Head" being in nearby Sturry.

 

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 20 July 1867. Price 1d.

Read fire at "Ordnance Arms."

THE LATE FIRE IN THE MILITARY ROAD

The landlady of the “Leopard's Head,” in the Military-road, near where the fire took place, presented herself before the Magistrates on Monday, and complained of the conduct of the military who had been called out to assist in extinguishing the fire. She said a number of soldiers forcibly entered her house, went down the cellar, and drew the beer in large quantities. They ransacked every portion of her house, and made considerable havoc. She had six bedsteads taken down and smashed, and a number of other articles destroyed. A watch was missing, besides several other articles.

Alderman Aris said he understood that very reckless conduct was pursued. A poor man living near had a violin stolen, and a soldier was seen running about with it during the fire. It was usual when the military assisted at a fire to send them the thanks of the Magistrates. If the conduct represented had been pursued, the matter should be represented to the Colonel Commandant at the garrison.

Superintendent Danes stated that about 200 men were out of barracks, under eight or nine officers. He directed the men should be put to the engine, and the remainder paraded. Instead of that they were allowed to enter the houses.

The landlady said she could not identify any of the men. Thirty or forty entered her house. She estimated the damage at least at £10.

A neighbour of this complainant made a similar statement.

The women were told that they could not be assisted by the Bench.

Superintendent Davies said that the conduct of the military at the fire on Friday last was most creditable.

The Clerk was directed to write to the Colonel Commandant on the subject.

 

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 9 April 1870.

A CHILD BURNT TO DEATH AT THE BARRACKS.

An inquest was held at the "Leopard's Head Inn," last night, on the body of a child named Mary Ann Masson, aged two years and ten months, the child of a private in the 14th Hussars. The accident occurred at the married quarters on Tuesday. The mother of the child left it in the room with a younger child for ten minutes, the fire being enclosed in a large guard. During the mother's absence a neighbour heard screams and went into the room and saw the child in flames. It died an hour-and-a-half afterwards at the hospital.

The jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally burnt to death."

 

From the Whitstable Times, 6 December, 1902.

THEFT OF AN OVERCOAT.

Henry Stewart was charged with stealing a gent's overcoat, the property of Messr. Warren and Summers, on the previous day.

William Henry Summers stated that he was one of the firm of Messrs. Warren and Summers, carrying on business as clothiers, in the Butter Market. The coat (produced) was his property, and the value of it was 16s. 6d. The coat was hanging on a nail nine feet above the pavement. He saw it there at about nine o'clock. He did not miss it until it was brought to him by P.C. Lockey. Witness had subsequently identified it at the police station.

William Dodd, cab proprietor, living at 85, Union Street, stated that at 10 o’clock on Saturday night he was in the “Leopard's Head.” Prisoner came in whilst he was there and asked some of the customers if they would buy the coat produced for 5s. He eventually asked witness to buy it. Witness refused, and said it would be useless to him. He eventually gave prisoner 3s. 6d. for the coat and asked him if it was his property, and prisoner said it was. He took it for granted that it was prisoner’s property. Witness subsequently handed the coat to P.C. Lockey.

P.C. Lockey stated that at about 10.15 on Saturday night he was on duty on the Parade. Prisoner passed him with a light overcoat. From something witness was told he went round to the back of the “Black Boy” and found the ticket produced. He subsequently went to the “Leopard’s Head” and received the coat. At about 12.30 on Sunday morning he arrested prisoner in High Street. Witness asked him how he accounted for having the in his possession which he had previously seen with him. Prisoner said he knew nothing about a coat. He took him to the police station and charged him with stealing the coat, the property of Messrs. Warren and Summers’ shop in the Butter Market. He made no reply to the charge.

Prisoner pleaded guilty.

Superintendent Farmery proved three previous convictions against the prisoner.

The Magistrates sentenced prisoner to six weeks hard labour.

Addressing Dodd the Mayor said to have bought the coat was a very indiscreet thing to do to say the least of it. Dodd’s costs would, therefore, be disallowed.

 

 

Closed in November 2005 to become a Domino's Pizza fast food chain in January 2006.

 

From the thisiskent.co.uk 7 January 2011.

A COCAINE user who fled to Spain to escape his debts died of natural causes, an inquest heard.

David Gorman, 43, formerly of Hersden, died of heart failure after leaving a Spanish nightclub on Christmas Eve, 2006.

Witnesses had claimed Mr Gorman, formerly of The Poplars, had arrived alone at La Mansion club and was seen leaving the club with a man in the early hours of the morning.

Mr Gorman's body was found in the back of a car outside La Mansion Club in San Roque, Cadiz.

Mr Gorman's brother claimed he had been told the stranger seen with his brother on the night he died had returned to the club with cash, despite having none earlier.

At a resumed inquest on August 12 last year, coroner Rebecca Cobb heard that Mr Gorman had money missing when his body was found. But his mobile phone gave no clues to any threats.

On Thursday the inquest, which had been delayed for four years, finally went ahead after blood tests were sent over by Spanish authorities.

The post mortem examination showed Mr Gorman had a thickened heart and evidence of cocaine and amphetamines in his system.

It confirmed he had more than four times the legal limit of alcohol in his blood which could have contributed to his death.

The inquest heard that Mr Gorman fled to Spain in July 2005 after he was viciously attacked with a knife in a row over his debts in July 2004 in the former "Leopard's Head" pub in Military Road, Canterbury.

A pathologist said there was no evidence of violence on the body.

Verdict: natural causes.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

PORTER W 1868+ Greens Canterbury Directory 1868

BLACK William 1874-82+ Post Office Directory 1874CensusPost Office Directory 1882

WALL John 1891+ (age 57 in 1891Census) Post Office Directory 1891

WARWOOD William J 1901+ (age 51 in 1901Census)

BURNISTON William 1903+ Post Office Directory 1903Kelly's 1903

WHITE Frank 1913-22+ Post Office Directory 1913Historic Canterbury web sitePost Office Directory 1922

ALLEN George Alfred 1930-38+ Post Office Directory 1930Post Office Directory 1938

???? Tom & Deirdre 1978+

https://pubwiki.co.uk/LeopardsHead.shtml

http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/leopardshead.html

 

Post Office Directory 1874From the Post Office Directory 1874

CensusCensus

Post Office Directory 1882From the Post Office Directory 1882

Post Office Directory 1891From the Post Office Directory 1891

Post Office Directory 1903From the Post Office Directory 1903

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Post Office Directory 1913From the Post Office Directory 1913

Post Office Directory 1922From the Post Office Directory 1922

Post Office Directory 1930From the Post Office Directory 1930

Post Office Directory 1938From the Post Office Directory 1938

Historic Canterbury web siteHistoric Canterbury web site www.machadoink.com

 

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

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