RAILWAY BELL Pubs of Kearsney

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1859

Railway Bell

Still open

120 London Road, Temple Ewell

Kearsney/River

01304 822016

Above photo by kind permission Dover Library ILL/63. Please note, it was then referred to as the "Railway Hotel, date unknown.

HIGH NOTE: Catherine Woodward and Francis Gorham outside The Railway Bell Ref: pd 91977

Dover Mercury 2/May/2002

Old pub's owners ring the changes

TWO centuries of hospitality and a return to an earlier name were celebrated at The Railway Bell pub, Kearsney, on Tuesday by owners Francis Gorham and Catherine Woodward, and their customers.

Francis explained: ''A lot of regulars still called the pub by its old name, even though it had been The Pickwick since May 1983, when it had been bought by Whitbread as part of its Wayside Inn chain.

"The place has got to be couple of hundred years old, and an old coaching inn, and it's had a number of names in that time.

"With the coming of the railway, tradition has it that there was a bell at the pub which would be rung 10 minutes before the train was due at the station across the road and that's how it first came by the name of The Railway Bell."

Francis and Catherine already own the Lydden Bell and they plan to make The Railway Bell chime with people's tastes in pubs today.

This will mean no loud music, no swearing and a new menu with good food, freshly prepared throughout the day.

From the Dover Mercury, 2 May, 2002.

THE Railway Bell on London Road, has returned to its original name after being known as Pickwicks since 1983.

Now boasting an all day food menu, the popular pub held its official re-launch last Tuesday when it staged an 80s night to raise money for the Temple Ewell Players.

For more information please call the Railway Bell on 01304 822016.

Landlady and landlord, Catherine Woodward and Francis Gorham are pictured with manageress Deborah Whitehouse.

From the Dover Express, 23 October 2003.

DAREDEVIL pub patrons have managed to raise over £2,000 for charity by bungee jumping in the dark. The brave jumpers, regulars of the Railway Bell pub in London Road, took the 200 foot plunge to raise money for the Kent Air Ambulance on October 10. The crane and launch basket were set up in the pub's car park, with participants falling towards tarmac at an alarming speed before being bounced back up by the bungee cord.

As well as the sponsored jumpers taking part, bungee enthusiasts from around the county were also attracted to the event, making the night a busy one for all involved. Pub manager Deborah Whitehouse (right, holding Tee-shirt) was thrilled with the event's success.

Photo above and below by Paul Skelton 10 November 2007

Built at the time of the laying of the railway track through River (1861ish), Kearsney and Temple Ewell to London from Dover and known unofficially by locals as the "Kearsney Bell" due to a "Lydden Bell" being a few miles up the road at Lydden.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 14 July, 1871. Price 1d.

ASSAULTING A CONSTABLE

John Cornish, 20 years of age, a soldier in the 2nd Battalion Rifle brigade, quartered at Dover, was charged by K.C.C. Edward King with being drunk and disorderly at the “Railway Bell,” River, and assaulting him while in the execution of his duty.

It appeared that the prisoner got in behind the bar of the public-house and becoming belligerent stripped himself to his skin, and declared himself ready to fight all corners. The police were called in, and in getting him out of the house King was assaulted.

The Magistrates sent him to prison for seven days, owing to the good character given him by the sergeant of the company.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 26 March, 1875.

SUICIDE AT EWELL

A coroner's inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon at the "Railway Bell Inn," Ewell, before T. Delasaux, Esq., Coroner for the County, on the body of Thomas Claringbould, carpenter, aged 47 years, who shot himself about five o'clock on the previous morning. Deceased formerly resided at Dover, where he was well known, but for several years past he has lived in one of the detached villa, residences at Ewell, occupied by Mr. Shuttle. The following were sworn on the jury:- Mr. R. Tritton, Mr. T. Shepherd, Mr. G. Down, Mr. W. Ayers, Mr. W. Wraight, Mr. G. Simpson, Mr. R. T. Forward, Mr. J. W. Bacon, Mr. E. Maxted, Mr. J. Pierce, Mr. G. Gammon, and Mr. C. Langley. The latter gentleman having been chosen foreman, the jury proceeded to view the body, which was lying, saturated with blood, on the floor beside the bed where the rash act was committed. From the position of the wound it is supposed the deceased must have leaned on the muzzle of the gun and fired it by means of a brace attached to the trigger. On the return of the jury room the following evidence was adduced:-

Louise Nye: I belong to River, and am in the service of Mr. Shuttle, who is a widow. The deceased lived at Mrs. Shuttle's, who has brought him up as a lad. I have lived with Mrs. Shuttle twelve months. Deceased has lived in the house all the time I have been in Mrs. Shuttle's service. Yesterday morning about five o'clock I heard the report of a gun, apparently from the bedroom of the deceased. I immediately went there and saw the deceased lying on the floor quite dead. During the whole time I have been with Mrs. Shuttle deceased has appeared low and melancholy, but from what cause I do not know. I last saw him alive at ten o'clock on Sunday night, just before I went to bed.

By a Juror: There appeared no difference in him on Sunday night than on any other night.

Thomas Newman: I live at Kearsney, and am agent to Mr. Churchward. Yesterday morning at a quarter past five, I heard a loud knocking at my front door. I ran down directly and there saw the last witness, Louisa Wye. In consequence of what she said I directly went to the house of Mr. Shuttle, and on going up the stairs to the bedroom, there saw deceased lying on the floor in the same position as the jury have just viewed the body. He was quite dead. I saw the gun now produced on the floor about a yard from the body, and it had been recently discharged. I have known deceased for upwards of twenty years. During the last week he has appeared strange in his conduct, but from what cause I do not know. I am quite satisfied the gun was discharged by the act of the deceased.

Thomas Ray, K.C.C., stationed at Ewell: I was sent for yesterday morning to the house of Mrs. Shuttle, and there saw the body of the deceased. On searching his person I found the following articles; a purse containing 16s. 6d., four dog and gun licences, two knives, three gun caps, and several other articles.

Francis Ezekial Barton, of Dover, surgeon: I was sent for yesterday morning early to attend the deceased, whom I found on the floor, quite dead. I examined the body and found a gun shot wound on the front of his chest, at the right side of his heart, which, I believe, was caused by gunpowder and a discharge of leaded shot, which I should imagine produced instantaneous death. From the nature and position of the wound I have no hesitation in saying the same was caused by his own hand.

The Coroner very briefly summed up the evidence and the Jury returned a verdict that "Deceased shot himself when in a state of mental derangement."

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

FOUND DROWNED AT RIVER

Mr. T. T. Delasaux, County Coroner, held an inquest at the “Railway Bell,” Kearsney, near Ewell, on Saturday morning last, respecting the death of a Dover tradesman named Pascall, whose body had been found in the Dour near Mr. Mannering’s mill at River. Edward Pascall, son of the deceased, identified the body, and said that his father was 50 years of age, and a cabinet maker, living in Dover. The deceased had left home on the Thursday morning, and had not returned. James Martin, a cowman in the employ of Mr. Jennings, at River, gave evidence with reference to finding the body. He stated that at about half-past seven o’clock on Friday morning he was near Mr. Mannering’s mill when he saw something in the river, which he took to be a coat, but on pulling it ashore found that it was the body of the deceased. With assistance he conveyed it to a shed near, belonging to Mr. F. Phipps.

It appeared that the deceased was missing on Thursday, and as it was known that he had gone to River, Instructing Constable Ross was directed to make enquiries, and he traced him from various public-houses, and one would be led to suppose that the deceased had fallen in while the worse for drink.

The Jury returned an open verdict of “Found Drowned.”

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 17 March, 1882. Price 1d.

APPLICATIONS

The landlord of the “Railway Bell,” Ewell, asked for permission to keep his house open till half-past ten o’clock at night, as the down train arrived at ten minutes past ten o’clock, and he was frequently asked for drink from travellers by the train.

The bench said they could not grant the application, but advised the applicant to attend the next Court, and in the meantime the Magistrates would talk the matter over.

From the Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury, 2 June, 1900. 1d.

FATAL RESULT OF A BICYCLE ACCIDENT.

The East kent Coroner (Mr. R. M. Mercer) held an inquest at the "Railway bell," Kearsney, on Tuesday, touching the death of Harold Longman.

It appears that a man named George Hogbin was driving a water cart beside the tram shed on the Barton Road, Buckland, on the 11th may, when the deceased, who was a solicitor's clerk, came along riding a bicycle. He came up from behind the water card, and got between the cart and a milk van which was standing by the roadside. To avoid the cart's horse the deceased turned his bicycle sharp round and went into the right hand shaft of the van. He fell off his bicycle, but got up and walked along, pushing his machine. When asked if he was hurt the deceased said he thought he had only got a good shaking. Dr. John Rubel was called to attend the deceased on the 11th may, and found him suffering from shock. He ordered him to bed until the 18th. He was then better and got up, and on the 19th he went for a long walk without the doctor's knowledge. He was suffering from injury to the liver, caused by the collision. Death took place on the 28th, and was due to the accident, heppolytis, and embolism.

The jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Originally the "Railway Bell" and also referred to as the "Railway Hotel" and then "Pickwicks" (May 1983) but now reverted back to the "Railway Bell" again.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 31 March 1939.

The West Street Foxhounds will meet at 11.30 a.m. on Thursday, April 6th - Bell, Kearsney, (by invitation).

From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 4 July 1952.

NEW SITE FOR "SUICIDE SEAT"

The Chairman, Alderman A. J. Fenn, reported to the Works Committee on Tuesday that he and the Borough Engineer had agreed that the only suitable alternative site for the seat at the bottom of Whitfield Hill was by the Railway Hotel.

At its last meeting the Committee had agreed that the seat should be removed from the bottom of Whitfield Hill after one member had said it was almost suicidal to sit there.

From the Dover Mercury, 18 August 2005.

Pubs bid to open round the clock.

TWO of Dover's pubs and a 'supermarket' have asked for the right to serve alcohol 24 hours a day.

Under the Government's new licensing regime, all pubs, clubs and businesses serving alcohol and hot food after 11pm, and offering public entertainment, can ask for variations in the times they serve alcohol.

The Britannia pub in Townwall Street, and the Railway Bell in London Road, Kearsney, have applied for licences that would allow them to serve alcohol at all times of the day and night.

And Tesco in Whitfield wants to offer its shoppers the choice of buying alcohol whenever they visit the store.

Both licenses cite very different reasons for their applications, dismissing any thoughts of round-the-clock binge drinking.

Sarah Webb, licensee of the Britannia near the harbour, said: "We are looking to cater for people who work shifts and do not want to go to a nightclub. We know from our customers that many would like a quiet drink, outside normal hours."

Francis Gorham, licensee of the Railway Bell, said his application was not about keeping the pub open 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

He added: "This is about being able to decide, as responsible licensees, a suitable time to close the pub. One night that could be 3am, another 11pm."

Deadline

Following the August 6 deadline for licence applications, the district council has received 480 applications out of an expected 650 for the Dover district.

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.

From the Dover Express, Thursday, 24 February, 2011. 60p

BELLS AT THE BELL

Advertising feature

Wedding co-ordinator Kylie Marsh, owner of Gorgeous to Go, the gift and wrapping service, has recently launched Wedding Bells at The Railway Bell.

Situated in the popuIar village of River near Dover, Kylie intends to make the most of this traditional British pubs lovely location and combine it with her planning skills to offer a truly bespoke service.

"The setting really lends itself to country-style weddings, explains Kylie. "But I am more than happy to come up with a bespoke design or theme - whatever your wish is."

Kylie likes to really get to know her clients and is available for consultation 24/7. She is quick to point out what a wonderful wedding need not cost the earth. With a book full of contacts, she will always go the extra mile to ensure best possible deal on everything, from teaspoons to toilets!

Kylie will take the strain and stress out of all your wedding planning, leaving you free to enjoy the whole experience from beginning to end.

Wedding Bells at The Railway Bell will be hosting a Wedding Fayre on March 26. 2011, from 10am to 4pm. Held within the actual venue, there will be a range of specially selected exhibitors from the local area, all able to give you a taste of what they can provide. Admission is free and there is parking available.

For more information, contact Wedding Bells at The Railway Bell on 07789 937638.