OLD ENDEAVOUR Pubs of Dover

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest July 1746

Old Endeavour

Latest Nov 2010

124 London Road

Above picture 1980 by Barry Smith.

Old Endeavour circa 1987 (Photo by Paul Skelton)

Old Endeavour 1993

Old Endeavour 1995

Above two photos by Paul Skelton 6 Oct 2007.

A house of Shepherd Neame and reputedly named after a privateer called "Endeavour" which was fitted out at Dover in July 1746.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 13 June, 1846. Price 5d.

Robert Millen, wheelwright, was charged by the wife of David Wills, butcher, with an assault. From the evidence it appeared that Millen was intoxicated when the assault was committed; that he went to complainant's door, and upset a sack of barley meal. She went out to him, and tried to prevent the meal being spoiled, when he knocked her down two or three times. He was fined 40s., and 18s. costs; and in default of payment was committed for 40 days.

Millen was also summoned for the damage done to the barley meal, and for breaking a pane of glass at the "Endeavour," in Buckland; but these cases were settled without the interference of the Bench.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 18 May, 1861.

PETTY ROBBERY

George Rye, a general dealer living at Eythorne, was charged with stealing from the "Endeavour" public house, Buckland, a whip value 3s. the property of James Birch, cow keeper, of Ewell, near Dover.

It appeared that the prosecutor, in company with a neighbour he had met, went into to "Endeavour" public house about noon on the previous Wednesday. Each of them were in charge of horses and they left their whips outside the public house, in the skittle ground at the rear. On their entering, the prisoner was in the house, but he left about a quarter of an hour before the prosecutor and his companion; and when they came out of the house they both missed their whips. They suspected the prisoner had taken the whips and they followed him in the direction of Old Park, but did not overtake him. Birch, however, met the prisoner the next day on the Eythorne road, and asked him if he had his whip. The prisoner at first denied all knowledge of the whip, but subsequently said he had found a whip in his cart, but did not know how it had got there, and ultimately admitted taking it, promising that he would carry it back to the place he had taken it from. On the previous day (Friday) the prosecutor was passing the "Bull," when prisoner called to him and showed him his whip, saying he was very sorry he had taken it, but he had done so in consequence of being the worse for liquor. They walked to Ewell together and defendant then gave him the whip. Witness had given information to the police on the preceding evening.

By the Bench:- When I took the whip I did not "make it up" with the prisoner. I told him that matters had gone too far for that.

John Pope, sergeant in the Kent County Constabulary, said that from information he had received he apprehended the prisoner that morning on a charge of stealing a whip belonging to Birch. The whip was given him by the prosecutor's daughter, and he now produced it. On the charge being read over to the prisoner at the station-house, he said he had taken Birch's whip and another from the "Endeavour" skittle ground.

It appeared that the prisoner, although promising to restore the whips, had not offered to do so until he found that information had been given to the police and there was danger of him being taken into custody upon the charge now before the Bench, and that when first charged with stealing the whip he said it was given him. It was only afterwards, when he found there was a clear case against him, that he confessed to stealing it.

The Magistrates thought this a very grave and aggravated feature of the case, and that it tended seriously to mitigate against the prisoner's defence.

Thomas Wright, the prosecutor in the second case, said he did not wish to press the charge against the prisoner, who had till now borne a very good character, and that he and Mr. Birch both desired to recommend the prisoner to the regretful consideration of the Bench.

Sergeant Pope, in reply to the Magistrates, said that nothing against the prisoner's history had been known to the police previous to this occurrence. The prisoner was a general dealer and had lived at Eythorne for the past six or seven years, and the only irregularity of which he was known to be guilty was being occasionally apt to get too much to drink.

The prisoner in reply to the usual questions, requested that he might be dealt with summarily and pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Magistrates told the prisoner that it was unfortunate for him that Mr. Wright had consented to forego his charge, and that both he and Mr. Birch had united to recommend him to mercy. For this offence he was liable to a punishment of three months in the House of Correction, with hard labour, but after a consideration of all the circumstances, the Bench were of opinion that a more lenient sentence would answer the justice of the case, and had decided to mitigate the penalty to fourteen days imprisonment.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 12 September, 1863.

ANNUAL LICENSES

Charles Eastes of the "Endeavour," Buckland, failed to answer his name at the Dover Police Court Annual Licensing day and therefore had to go to Broadstairs to get the license renewed.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 3 January, 1882. Price 1d.

SAD CASE OF SUICIDE

We regret to hear that Mr. Stephens, landlord of the “Old Endeavour Inn,” Buckland, committed suicide this morning by cutting his throat.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 2 January, 1885.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Thomas Menter, a labourer living at Buckland was brought up charged with disorderly conduct in the “Endeavour Inn,” Buckland by breaking 3 glasses and two match stands value 4s. the property of Sarah Baldwin.

Sarah Baldwin, landlady of the “Endeavour Inn” said: the defendant came into my house several times on Saturday. He came in between 9 and 10 in the evening and said he wanted to be locked up as he could get no work. I told him that if he wanted to be locked up he should go to the police station and ask the police to lock him up. He said he would do something in order to get locked up, he then knocked over 3 or 4 glasses, the contents of which went over the gentleman that were standing at the bar. He then broke two match stands. The damage done is about 4s. I sent for a policeman and the language defendant used while in the house was something disgusting.

The Magistrates fined the defendant 1s. 6d. and damage 4s. or in default 7 days’ imprisonment. He went to prison.

In 1982 a window was installed by voluntary contribution to recognise and acknowledge that.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 11 May, 1888.

SUDDEN DEATH AT BUCKLAND

An inquest was held before the Borough Coroner (Sydenham Payn, Esq.), at the “Old Endeavour,” Buckland, on Monday evening, on the body of a widow named Susannah Belsey, who was found dead at her sitting room early on Saturday morning last. The following gentlemen composed the Jury:- Messrs. J. G. Chapman, T. Beer, E. C. Simpson, W. Wright, W. H. Johnson, H. Brown, T. Tunbridge, J. J. Filmer, B. Terry, E. Pierce, J. West, J. C. Sellens, G. Solley, W. J. Coleman, and W. Pelham.

Mr. Sellens was chosen foreman of the Jury, and after viewing the body, which was lying at 47, Oswald Road, the following evidence was taken:-

Fanny Halke said: I am the wife of William Halke, and live at 76, Limekiln Street. The body the Jury have viewed is that of my mother, Susannah Belsey. She lived at 47, Oswald Road, and her age was 49 years. She was a widow; her husband was George Belsey, a carpenter. I last saw her alive on Friday, 4th instant, and she was then down the town, and appeared to be in her usual health and spirits, but complained of her feet troubling her, and she said she would be glad when she got home again. My mother never had any fits, but she had rheumatic fever very bad about six years ago, and this has effected her right hand. The deceased had only lived in the present house a fortnight, but previously lived with and nursed a Mrs. Middleton. To my knowledge my mother’s habits were sober, and she was having parish relief.

Charles Belsey, 14 years of age, said: I live with my mother, the deceased, at 47, Oswald Road, and I have been working at Mr. Finnis’ back yard. On Friday last night, about seven o’clock, I went home from my work and saw my mother in the sitting room. She appeared quite well, except that she complained of pains in the legs and feet, as she frequently did. I left home and came back about eight o’clock, and my mother was then in the same room. I did not go out again, but went to bed with my mother about nine o’clock. About a quarter to twelve p.m. I heard Mr. Rigden, who occupies half of the house, calling out to my brother and me, and shortly after I heard my mother calling us. I went down stairs with my brother, and found her lying on the floor of the sitting room on one side of her face, with her feet under a chair. My brother and I tried to get her up, but she could not stand. She called us, but she did not say how she had fallen on the floor. I did not ask what was the matter with her. My brother and I afterwards left her lying on the floor, as we could not get her up, and went back to bed. The bolster which my mother was lying upon had been kept in the sitting room several days, as it was for my brother who was going to sea, and has since gone. My mother was standing up in the room when I went to bed, and she was not in the habit of sleeping downstairs. I got up the next morning at 5.30 a.m. and my brother had got up some time before and had left the house, as he was going down to the ship. On going down stairs I found my mother on the floor in the same position as we left her when we went down in the night, and she was asleep and snoring heavily. I remained in the room about ten minutes, and then left the house to go to work, but before I left she had moved and was lying more on her face. I tried to rouse her but could not. I have not known my mother to get drunk. I did not call Mr. Rigden in, as I was not alarmed. On Saturday morning I went down the town and told my brother that my mother was dead.

In answer to a Juryman, witness said he did not know his mother was out on Saturday morning.

Mr. Solley, on of the Jury, said he saw the deceased out on Saturday morning about seven a.m.

Margaret Mary Rigden, wife of Edward Thomas Rigden, and living in a part of the same house as deceased, gave evidence. Witness said he returned home from work on Friday night about ten o’clock, and the deceased was then standing in witness’s room drying some clothes, which she had been washing, before the fire. She appeared to be in her usual health, and left witness’s room and went into her own room. About an hour afterwards Mr. Rigden heard Mrs. Belsey call. Witness went into the room and found her lying on the floor. Deceased asked witness to help her up. Witness called her husband and he lifted her up in a chair, but she fell on the floor twice after. Witness’s husband suggested to the deceased to go upstairs, but she said that she would remain in that room, as she wanted to call her son early the next morning. Witness remained in the room some time, and when she left Mrs. Belsey was lying on the floor on the bolster. The next morning witness heard nothing of the deceased, and about ten o’clock went into her room, as she knew that it was time Mrs. Belsey should go for her parish money, and there found her lying on the floor dead, in the same position as when witness left her the previous night. Witness did not hear Mrs. Belsey go out on Saturday morning, but would have done so if she had, as the front door had to be slammed to shut it properly. On Friday night witness noticed the deceased did not speak properly but spluttered.

Mr. Clement Cuthbert Walters gave evidence to being called to the deceased’s house on Saturday morning. He found that death had taken place two or three hours. He examined the body but found no marks of violence. From the evidence he had heard he thought that the deceased had a fit of apoplexy, and that probably was the cause of death, but he did not think it likely that the deceased had left the house on Saturday morning.

The Coroner, in summing up the facts of the case, said he thought there must have been a mistake made as to the day the deceased was seen out.

The Jury returned a verdict of “Death from natural causes.”

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 16 August, 1889.

DROWNED AT BUCKLAND

On Tuesday afternoon an inquest was held at the “Old Endeavour” on the body of an old inhabitant of this town, Henry Harman, a carpenter, who had been found lying face downward in the river at the back of his house, 139, London Road. The following gentlemen composed the Jury:- Mr. E. Simpson (foreman), Messrs. E. Bell, F. Pennal, W. Atkins, C. Pierce, E. Wood, J. Gould, E. Pearce, J. R. Abbott, J. Penley, E. Vaughan, W. Johnson, James Joyce, and F. Friend.

The first witness called was the deceased’s son, H. Harman. He said the body that the Jury had viewed was that of his father, who lived at 139, London Road. He would have been 73 years of age next Saturday. He last saw him alive at his own house on Sunday; he was quite well then, and in good spirit. He had complained of his head being rather giddy. He had been in the habit of getting up very early. Witness heard of his death about eight o’clock that morning. He went down at once to his house and saw the deceased lying in the water, face downwards. The water was just covering him, and in that spot it was about 2ft. deep. He went down London Road and met Police-constable Dixon, who at once went to the body, and witness went on to the Police Station. On returning he found the body which had been left in the river, had been taken out and laid on the opposite bank. The body was taken into the house by the constable.

By the Jury: he knew at once when he saw the body that it was his father’s.

Mr. Walters, F.R.C.S., was next called. He said he was sent for that morning at half-past eight. He saw the body and found no marks of violence. He was of opinion that death had resulted from drowning. He had been dead some three hours. Witness had attended him some years. In the spring he fell down in Harden’s Brewery and hurt his head. He was suffering from vertigo at the time.

Samuel Prescott, engine driver at Phipps’ Mill, who lived in a cottage opposite the garden of the deceased, said he saw him in his garden walking up from the bottom about six a.m.

Eliza Browning, housekeeper to the deceased, said that the previous day he had gone to Alkham and returned in the evening. He complained of being low spirited and of his head feeling bad. She went downstairs about half-past seven, and finding the shutters had not been opened, it being the custom of the deceased to open them every morning, she asked the next door neighbours if they had seen him, but they had not. She looked for him in the garden, and not finding him she looked into the river, and saw him lying face downwards in the water. She gave information. She had never heard him threaten to do away with himself.

Police-constable Dixon, who took the body out of the water, said he found upon him an empty purse, a pocket knife, and a piece of pencil.

He searched the house but did not find anything.

The Jury after some discussion, brought in a verdict of “Found Drowned.”

For many years this was popular with the local motor cycle fraternity and was used by them for meetings in the seventies and eighties. They also had their own window installed denoting 'The 69 Club'. The club now hold their meetings at The "Royal Oak" in River.

From the Dover Express, 10 August 2000.

MEMBERS of the 69 Motorcycle Club raised £500 from helping with Dover District Council's events on the seafront on New Year's Eve.

The money was donated to the Pegasus Playscheme, a voluntary organisation providing four-week play schemes for children aged five to 19 with learning difficulties in Dover and Deal.

Anyone interested in joining the 69 Motorcycle Club can turn up on any Sunday evening, form 8pm onwards, at the Old Endeavour pub, Dover.

All types of riders are welcome.

In our picture, 69 MCC chairman Clive Luckett, (centre right) is with other club members presenting a cheque to two representatives from the playscheme.

They are outside the club's headquarters at the Old Endeavour pub.

From the Dover Mercury, 21 November, 2002.

Pub helps fuel motorcycle spirit

RAISE A GLASS: Celebrating 30 years at the Old Endeavour pub in Dover, the committee of The 69 Motorcycle Club Ref' pd 290447.

TWO wheels is all it takes to tour the world on a motorbike but for The 69 Motorcycle Club there's been one fixed point for the last 30 years - The Old Endeavour, London Road, Dover.

Colin Baxter, club press secretary, said: "Our members are all ages and backgrounds and there are very few places we haven't been - their bikes are anything from little mopeds to Goldwings.

"We were founded when the Rev William Shergold came to Dover. He had run a 59 club in London and he was vicar of St Bart's in Templar Street and retired to Wells in Somerset.

"There are around 70 of us and meeting at The Old Endeavour grew out losing our original club house. The landlord welcomed us in the pub. We've taken over the back room and got a trophy cabinet there and The 69 Club is also a big fund-raiser for good causes."

The club gathered at The Old Endeavour to celebrate with a 30th anniversary party this month.

From the Dover Mercury, 18 August 2005.

Pubs bid to open round the clock.

Many pubs have applied for longer hours, especially at weekends. The Flotilla and Firkin, in Bench Street, wants to close at 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, while the Old Endeavour, in London Road, has applied to stay open until at 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

April 2008 I have heard that the "Old Endeavour" has been forced to close, the rumour, so far unsubstantiated, has been that a police raid found drugs on the premises. I am awaiting confirmation of this from the local papers.

From the Dover Express, 15 May 2008. Report by Kathy Bailes.

On remand: Archie Dryden, pub landlord and dad to Whites striker Jimmy Dryden, is behind bars.

THE dad of Dover Athletic striker Jimmy Dryden is behind bars after being arrested in a drugs raid.

Kevin Dryden, known to pals as Archie, was one of 20 people picked up by officers from Kent Police's serious and organised crime unit and the tactical support group in two days of swoops last month targeting alleged drug importation, supply and dealing.

Mr Dryden, the popular landlord of the Old Endeavour pub in London Road, has been remanded 'in custody' after being charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine. He is believed to be in Chelmsford Prison.

The 50-year-old is due to attend Canterbury Crown Court for a plea and case-management hearing on June 9.

The doors of The Old Endeavour have been shut since the police carried out the operation on April 2 and 3, although Mr Dryden's daughter and her baby are believed to still be living at the premises.

Brewer Shepherd Neame said no decision has been made about Mr Dryden 's future at the pub, but it will be reopened. All those charged with conspiracy to supply have been remanded in custody apart from Kim Kendall, and will appear at Canterbury Crown Court alongside Mr Dryden on June 9.

The raid was part of a series carried out after a year of undercover investigations. More than 200 police searched 14 Dover properties and two addresses in Merseyside. Cocaine worth £60,000, cash and vehicles were seized.

An eye witness to one of April's early-morning raids, in Astley Avenue, said: "It was one of the big police vans and about six officers went in and out of the house. They came out with plastic evidence bags.

"At about 9am they got in the van and left. It was a bit of a shock to see them, it makes you wonder."

Dover fans' favourite and former St Edmund's pupil Jimmy Dryden, 28, has been a striker with the Whites since moving from Folkestone lnvicta in December 2005.

He was top scorer in 2006/07 and netted the winner against Burgess Hill last month which took Dover Athletic up into the Ryman League One South.

The dad-of-one is currently on a team-bonding holiday in Spain but is expected this week to make a decision about his future with Dover Athletic. His one-year contract is up for renewal.

The striker was brought up by his grandparents in Folkestone but has renewed his relationship with his father.

The Dover Express called Mr Dryden but had received no reply at the time of going to press.

Eight people have been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Latest news I have been told is from the mother of Kevin Dryden's youngest daughter. She says:- "I can assure you that no drugs were found on the premises of the pub when recently raided by police in the early hours of the morning! Please feel free 2 contact Folkestone Police who were dealing with this at the time. Kevin Dryden never has been + never will be a drug dealer! The bags taken out the premises that morning contained money + paperwork, nothing more! Although The Dover Express has used this to sell papers it is all untrue + assuming! Disgusting!"

I will continue to update the history of pubs and licensees in Dover and District as I find information. I have no hidden agendas and I am only the messenger. (Paul Skelton.)

Glad to say the Old Endeavour after closing has been re-painted outside and also shows a new sign and is now open again.

From the Dover Mercury, Thursday, 18 September, 2008

Picture Paul Amos pdl481294

New beginning for blighted pub.

MUSICAL celebrations marked the reopening of a Dover pub at the weekend as the new licensee vowed to make it a family place again.

The Old Endeavour in London Road was closed after police carried out a major drugs operation that resulted in three people, including the former licensee, being jailed.

Chris Gardener, who has a wealth of experience in the licensed trade and who runs other pubs in the Deal area, is committed to making it a family pub and has imposed a policy of zero tolerance regarding drugs.

Live music was provided on Sunday to mark the start of the new chapter in the pub's history.

Above photographs by Paul Skelton, 9 April 2010.

Looks like as of April 2010 the pub is up for sale.

Looks like it's closed again 29 Oct 2010. Photo supplied by Chris Grimes.

Currently undergoing renovations and just heard that the workmen are saying that although the renovations are taking longer to complete than they had hoped, the pub should open again early in June. It is said that it will become a bistro/pub, with seating overlooking the river.

Just seen today 25 May 2011, a new sign hanging on the pub. It's still called the "Old Endeavour" and now a Freehouse. The same evening I received an email from the new licensee Deborah Gunn, who informs me that she hopes the premises will be open for trade in about 6 weeks, and confirms it will be a pub and bistro.

Old Endeavour Sign 2011

Above sign photo by Paul Skelton, 28 May 2011. Right July 2011.

Latest update on the pub taken by Tony Wells, 24 June 2011.

From the Dover Mercury, 16 June, 2011. 70p

PUB RECALLED PRIVATEER THAT TOOK ON FRENCH

Above the "Old Endeavour" 2010.

Above "Old Endeavour" 2011.

On London Road, Buckland, stands the "Old Endeavour pub, which closed in 2010. It was said to be named after a privateer, the Endeavour, fitted out at Dover in July 1746. Local researcher Lorraine Sencicle looks at the history of privateers in Dover.

PRIVATEERlNG was legalised piracy and one of the main income earners for the folk of Dover, particularly in the 18th century.

During the reign of Henry III (1216-1272), privateering commissions were granted to specific individuals. These allowed them to seize the King's enemies at sea in return for splitting the proceeds with the Crown.

They were limited to a specific locality and to ships of specific nations, and breaches would lead to punishment, including hanging. During Edward III's reign (1327-1377), the commissions were formalised as Letters of Marque.

In the Channel, English merchant ships were in constant threat from 'Dunkirkers', privateers in the service of Spain, which operated from ports along the Flemish coast for about 100 years from 1568. Ship owners from Dover sought Letters of Marque and were so successful that the Spanish Ambassador complained to the Privy Council of 1571 that the Channel was almost blockaded by English and Dutch privateers, who were only interested in seizing Spanish ships! The captured ships were brought into Dover Harbour and their cargoes and crew were taken to the Market Place to be sold.

In 1608 Dover's Mayor, Robert Jarrett, was committed to Marshalsea Prison, London, for not arresting a Dover privateer. During the Nine Years War (1688-1769), England lost roughly 4,000 merchant ships to French privateers.

In the peace that followed, Dover council encouraged the fitting out of local ships to double as privateers. By time of the War of the Austrian Succession (1739-1748), many Royal Navy ships were in need of repair so when Dover ship owners applied for Letters of Marque their ships, suitably equipped, were dispatched.

One of these was the Endeavour. Fitted out at Dover in July 1746, her master was Thomas Kennett.

James Boyton, Dover's Revenue Officer from 1743 to 1756, described an engagement typical to those that the Endeavour was involved in.

"(The) privateer engaged two French privateers for six hours. He was obliged to pull away - he had four men killed and nine wounded. The vessel is very much shattered... One of the French had 20 guns and the other 16; he had but 14 guns and 100 men. This privateer helped fight a 20-gun ship in the Calais Road... and had all his masts shot away, but was not taken."

By the time of the seven Years' War (1756-1763), Dover was a base for privateers. The town's shipbuilders produced vessels ranging from 20 tons to 150 tons burden. The Privateering Act of 1759 was brought into force to stop vessels of less than 100 tons and with a company of fewer than 40 men claiming Letters of Marque.

Records show that Dutton, an East Indiaman running out of Dover, made £30,000 in profits from only three privateering voyages during this time.

On February 1, 1793, France declared war, the Napoleonic wars began, and Letters of Marque were sought.

Diarist Thomas Pattenden, who lived on Townwall Street, gives accounts of confrontations between Dover privateers and French privateers.

However, Thomas Pattenden gives an account in 1817 of a Tunisian privateer brought into Dover having been seized in the Downs.

He comments: ''A very uncommon occurrence."

From the Dover Express, Thursday, 21 July, 2011. 60p

ENDEAVOURING OLD PUB IS NOW UNDER THE GUNN

Deborah takes on refurbished bar

Report by Yamurai Zendera

A DOVER pub which has had its fair share of, problems over the years is to be reopened under new management.

The "Old Endeavour," in London Road is now In the hands of former Folkestone School for Girls pupil Deborah Gunn.

The 26-year-old has bought the freehold from Shepherd Neame, with parents Barry and Angela Gunn as business partners, and plans to reopen it at the start of next month.

The pub was temporarily shut down after a drugs raid in 2008 and then reopened under new management before closing again last year.

Deborah said she hopes the refurbishment she has given it will help to wipe away the stain of the past.

She said; "The pub has had a complete refurbishment and will be a family-run, family-friendly pub and bistro with seating overlooking the river."

Deborah has worked in pubs and bars since she was 15 - most recently as joint manager of Bar Vasa in Sandgate.

Yet she could have just as easily been in France right now following one of her other passions, snow boarding.

She said; "I went to Meribel in France in February last year. I enjoy snowboarding and had not been travelling for a little while. The slopes were amazing, so I decided that I would return and work there for six months.

"I was meant to be going back last December to work as a chalet host during the snowboarding season. The flights were all booked but then around the same time my parents saw the pub being advertised online. As soon as l saw the place l fell in love with it. It was worth giving up the snowboarding for."

Deborah said she is determined to make the pub a success and has employed six people.

She said: "Since I was 16 I have wanted to own my own pub. I'm passionate and determined to do whatever it takes to make it a success. I want to give people a reason to come in, with a warm friendly atmosphere and value for money."

LICENSEE LIST

EAST Charles 1847-74