1 Castle Street
Ashford
Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent by Debi Birkin. |
Above photo, date unknown, by kind permission of Roy Moore. |
Above photo, date unknown, by kind permission of Roy Moore. |
Above postcard, date unknown, from Melvin Roy Bartholomew. |
Above photo kindly sent by Chris Excell, date unknown. |
Above photo, date unknown. |
Above sign 1990. |

Above sign left September 1991, sign right November 1993
With thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com. |
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Pigot's directory of 1832 describes Phillip Meane as Excise Officer and
Brewer as well as licensee.
From Document Order U1524/T2/11. Date:1702.
2 Documents
Held At:- Kent History and Library Centre.
The Castle, brewhouse and brewing vessels, occupied by Rowland Williams, and land occupied by
James Bolding and Mary Lowndes.
Description: [Mortgage for £120 and interest at 6%, Walter Brooke of
Aldington, blacksmith to Ursula Knevett of Great Chart, widow] [Also
bond]
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26 March 1789.
Insured:- Julius Shepherd, Faversham, Kent, brewer.
Other property or occupiers: the Castle, Ashford (Angelina Wilson,
victualler).
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26 March 1793.
Insured: Julius Shepherd, Faversham, Kent, brewer.
Other property or occupiers: The Castle (Thomas Fellows victualler).
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From the Kentish Gazette, 3 January 1804. Price 6d.
Turnpike from Ashford to Tenterden.
NOTICE is hereby given that a Meeting of the Trustees of this Turnpike
Road will be holden (by adjournment) at the “CASTLE INN,” at the
entrance of the town of Ashford, on Saturday the 7th day of January
next, at eleven, o'clock in the forenoon. By order, GEORGE ELWICK JEMMETT, Clerk and Treasurer. Ashford 28th, Dec. 1803. |
Kentish Gazette 5 March 1850.
ASHFORD. NARROW ESCAPE.
Mr. P. Mien (of the "Castle Inn," Ashford), after
closing his doors as usual about 11 o'clock on Friday evening last,
ordered his ostler to turn off the gas at the main pipe, in
accomplishing which, some part gave way, allowing the premises to become
filled with gas. Mr. Mien, with his man, in endeavouring to discover the
cause of the escape, used for the purpose a lighted candle, when an
explosion took place, by which both parties were slightly injured; but
by the aid of kind neighbours, and getting the gas turned off at the
Gas-house, the flames were got under without very serious injury.
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Kentish Gazette, 23 May 1854.
Ashford.
Yesterday, Mr. Eaden held an inquest at the "Castle Inn," in the town,
on the body of Mary Stevens, a single woman aged 17 years.
The evidence touching her death is as follows:— Mary Bridgeland, saw
deceased alive on Friday evening in her bed—when she complained of acute
pains in the region of the heart, and on the day of her death she also
complained of similar pain, with pain in her head. Deceased said to
witness three or four times that she was going to die. Mr. Wilks,
surgeon, was sent for but was from home, and witness did not go for any
other assistance.
Henry Whitfield, from information he received, went to the house, when
he found the woman dead. The symptoms described were such as attended a
diseased heart—poison also would cause similar symptoms, particularly
arsenic. Saw what deceased had vomited but discovered nothing unusual.
Elizabeth Morris knew deceased, had heard her say her father was unkind
to her, and had threatened to break her bones; said she was encieste,
(pregnant) and would take something to destroy herself. Showed witness a
small brown paper packet, and said she would do it Sunday. Did not think
she was in earnest.
John Law, chimney-sweep, stated that deceased had told him she would
destroy herself, and showed him some white powder, which he took from
her and burnt. Showed him a mark on her arm, which she said was caused
by her father having "given it to her."
William Blackman had kept company with deceased 3 months since, but had
left her as he disliked her family.
Mary Ann, wife of Benjamin Blackman, stated that she heard deceased say
she hated her mother, but that she would not be a trouble to her long.
The inquest was then adjourned till this day, to obtain the evidence of
the surgeon, after a post mortem examination.
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Kentish Gazette, 30 May 1854.
Ashford.
In our last we gave the particulars of the inquest held on the body of
Mary Stevens, on the previous day, and which stood adjourned for a post
mortem examination. The jury again assembled on Tuesday, when Mr.
Whitfield having made a post mortem examination, found sufficient
arsenic to cause death; and a verdict was accordingly returned "that the
deceased died from the effects of arsenic, but by whom administered
there was no evidence to show."
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Kentish Gazette, 12 September 1854.
Ashford. Serious Accident.
An accident, which was at first regarded as trifling, occurred a few
days ago to Stephen Kettle, a servant at the "Castle Inn." When
cutting a bung the knife slipped, and passed through his thumb,
which occasioned a violent haemorrhage. He was at once removed to
the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, when Mr. Hallowes operated upon
the limb and secured the bleeding vessels. There has been no return
of the haemorrhage, or other bad symptoms, and he is now doing well.
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Canterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette 23 May 1857.
DEATH. FAVERSHAM.
May 10, Mr. Philip Mien, aged 76.
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Canterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette, Saturday 19 May 1860.
Boughton Blean. Indecent Conduct.
At Ashford, on Friday, William Hawkins, of this parish, was charged with
drunken and indecent conduct. Police-constable Hickmott deposed that
about 5:30 the previous afternoon he found the prisoner near the "Castle
Inn," Ashford, very drunk, and making a great disturbance. Witness tried
to persuade him to go home; but instead of doing so he went round to
North Street, and they took off nearly the whole of his clothes. The
Rev. J. P. Alcock confirmed the constable's statement, and, in default
of paying a fine of 40s., the prisoner was committed for 28 days.
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From the Kentish Chronicle, 19 May, 1860.
A BOUGHTON BLEAN MAN IN TROUBLE AT ASHFORD.
At the Ashford Petty Sessions on Friday, before Captain Groves, a man
named William Hawkins, of Boughton Blean, was charged with exposing
himself.
P.C. Hickmott deposed that about half-past five the previous afternoon
he found the prisoner near the "Castle Inn," very drunk, and making a
great disturbance. Witness tried to persuade him to go home; but instead
of doing so he went round to North Street, and there indecently exposed
himself by taking off nearly the whole of his clothes. There were a
great many females passing up and down the street at the time, who were
obliged to turn back to get out of the prisoner's way. Witness then
apprehended him.
The Rev. J. P. Alcook depose that shortly before the time mentioned by
the constable, he heard a great outcry at the top of high-street, and
saw the prisoner come out of the "Castle" yard, making use of the most
filthy and disgusting language he had ever heard in the street of
Ashford. It was so shameful that he sent two ladies, who were
approaching, back, to prevent their passing him, and he was obliged to
send for Hickmott.
The prisoner in excuse pleaded the beer had made him so; he was always
quiet at other times.
Captain Groves replied that drunkenness was rather an aggravation than
an extenuation of his offence. The public must be protected from such
conduct as his had been. He would therefore fine him 40s. The prisoner,
expressing his inability to pay, was committed to prison for 28 days.
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In 1869-70 the pub was part of a consortium who were
advertising their goods of selling tea in response to grocers' selling
beer and wine. (Click
for further details.)
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Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 12 March 1870.
ASHFORD.
At the Petty Sessions on Tuesday, a young man, a mechanic, was brought
up on remand from the previous day charged with assaulting
Police-constable Relfe in the execution of his duty. It appeared that
late on Saturday night the prisoner was in company with a crowd of low
characters who were creating a disturbance outside of the "Castle Inn."
One of their number was locked up, and Relfe was persuading another of
the party to go away, when the prisoner came behind him and deliberately
tripped him up, and he and some of the brawlers went into another street
and recommenced their quarrel and disturbance. Relfe followed them, but
was again tripped up and thrown heavily by one of them, whom he knew,
but who had absconded. A short time afterwards he found the prisoner and
apprehended him. The prisoner had nothing to say in defence, and was
fined £5 or a month's hard labour. The fine was paid.
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Canterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette 28 June 1884.
ASHFORD. PETTY SESSIONS.
Walter Osmond, painter, one of the "characters" of Ashford, was charged
with assaulting Mr. Stanford, landlord of the "Castle Inn," Ashford.
Osmond came into the "Castle" the worse for liquor, and because Mr.
Stanford would not serve him he took up another man's beer and threw it
in Mr. Stanford's face. Mr. Stanford did not wish to press the charge if
the defendant would become a teetotaller, and undertake not to enter his
house again. The defendant has been a great plague on account of his
tipsy habits, but as it was 12 months since his last imprisonment, he
was let off with a fine of 10s., and urged to take the pledge. |
Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 23 November 1889.
ASHFORD. PAYING DEAR FOR A PAIR OF BOOTS.
At the Petty Sessions on Tuesday. Mary Stanford, wife of the proprietor
of the "Castle Inn," Ashford, came up on remand charged with feloniously
receiving a pair of ladies' boots, value 7s. 6d.. well knowing that they
were stolen property.
Mr. Martyn Mowll appeared for prisoner.
The boots
were stolen by a prisoner in a previous case, and bought by Mrs.
Stanford for 1s. 6d. When she was first asked if she had bought the
boots she denied all knowledge of them, but ultimately admitted buying
them, and adding that she had been instructed by Mr. H. Piper, bootmaker,
of New Street, to buy any boots, & said that were offered her in case
they might belong to him. Mr. Piper again appeared, and denied having
given prisoner any instructions in the matter. Mr. Mowll pleaded
guilty, and handed in a memorial signed by fifteen inhabitants speaking
of her respectability. Mr. Mowll pleaded hard for a fine instead of
sending his client to prison and branding her as a felon for life. The
bench after a prolonged consultation, adopted this course, and fined her
the sum of £10 or in default ten months' hard labour.
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Whitstable Times and Herne bay Herald, 20 November 1926.
Betting Raid at Ashford.
Nine arrests were made in a betting raid about midday at the "Castle
Hotel," Ashford, on Tuesday. The arrested men were immediately brought
before Mr. C. Igglesden and Mr. J. Hogg at the Police Court. George and
Frederick Offen, of the "Castle Hotel," were charged with being
concerned together in keeping and using the "Castle Hotel" for the
purpose of unlawful gaming, on the 16th November and divers other dates.
John Albert Hopkins, Charles Henry Green, Clarence G. Wraight, Arthur
John Hanson, Arthur Amos Carey Arthur Summerfield and Percy G.
Summerfield were charged with being found on the premises alleged to be
used as a gaming and betting house, on Tuesday November 16th.
Superintendent Pattenden stated that with other officers he entered the
premises at the "Castle Hotel" about 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday and they
secured papers relative to betting. The two Offens, he said, gave him
all the assistance in their power and made his task less difficult. At
the Superintendent's request the defendant Arthur Summerfield was
discharged.
George W. Offen, and Frederick G. Offen were remanded on bail in the sum
of £50 each and the other defendants were bound over in the sum of £10
to apply appear at the Ashford Petty sessions on Tuesday next.
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I am informed that the pub is closed and in 2012 was being used as a
branch of the Halifax building society.
Above Google image, July 2012. |
Above Google image, May 2017. |
The pub unfortunately closed early 2000s and is now (2017) a Halifax
Building Society the last landlord, Richard Coughlan was the drummer for
Caravan, a Canterbury band.
LICENSEE LIST
WILLIAMS Rowland 1702+
WILSON Angelina 1789+
FELLOWS Thomas 1793+
HODGES John 1828+

MEANE/MEIN Phillip 1832-May/57 dec'd
 
BRIDGE William 1858+
FINN Walter Foster to Feb/1860

RIVERS James Brown Feb/1860-62+ (age 43 in 1861 )

HILLYER Mr to Feb/1868
 
GOBLE J Mr Feb/1868-70+
 
GOBLE Priscilla Mrs 1871-74+ (age 44 in 1871 )
ROSSITER Henry 1881+ (age 48 in 1881 )
HOMEWOOD James Thomas 1882+
STANFORD 1884-89+

McDAID John 1891+
OAKLEY Sarah 1901-03+ (widow age 46 in 1901 )

HILDER William Henry 1911-13+ (age 47 in 1911 )
OFFEN George William 1922-30+
HEYMAN William Frederick 1938+
WOOD Victor J & Lilian 1947-54
COUGHLAN Richard to 2000+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/Castle.shtml
http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/castle.html
From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29
From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
Census
Whitstable Times
and Herne Bay Herald
Kentish Gazette
Maidstone
Telegraph
Above postcard, date unknown, kindly sent by Debi Birkin.
Not showing the pub but showing Castle Street. |
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