DOVER KENT ARCHIVES
PUB LIST   PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1981

 Thompson Bell

Still open

335 Dover Road

(Walmer)

01304 361995

Thompson Bell in Walmer Thompson Bell in Walmer Thompson Bell sign in WalmerThompson Bell sign in Walmer

All above photos by Paul Skelton 26 July 2008.
Thompson Bell

Above photo date unknown.

 

This pub was once a tied house to Thompson's Brewery of Walmer, and is probably how it got it's name as the brewery had a bell tower. Originally called the George and Dragon but changed name to the "Thompson Bell" after the brewery closed in 1981.

The brewery was demolished in 1981, but there are reports that the bell from the Brewery tower was removed when the brewing stopped in 1974 and was taken to this public house. Unfortunately, reports say that it was damaged in the move and no longer rings.

I do not know whether the bell is still on site.

 

Information below taken from Dover Express 9th April 1998.

Deidre Arms

CRY FREEDOM FOR DEIRDRE: Regulars at the renamed Thompson's Bell

You're the best  bar none, chuck!

 

A PUB has been renamed the Free Deirdre Arms as part of its soap-mad, regulars battle to free a character from jail.

Landlords Stefan Pollard, 47, and Dineke Vogels, of the Thompson's Bell in Dover Road, Walmer, were shocked when Coronation Street's Deirdre Rachid (Anne Kirkbride) was sent down for 18 months.

They have joined a campaign to free Deirdre - caged for a series of frauds carried out by her crooked boyfriend - by draping a banner over the pub's real sign.

They vow it will stay there until Granada soap writers write her release into the scripts.

Mrs Vogels, 34, said: "When Deirdre was arrested one of the regulars asked us if we were going to campaign for her release. We decided to rename the pub The Free Deirdre Arms until she's freed."

Kent radio station Invicta has launched a rival campaign to keep "the woman locked-up." DJ Neil Francis is leading the anti-freedom bid.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

FAGG Frederick C 1974+ Library archives 1974 Charrington & Co

POLLARD Stefan & VOGELS Dineke 1998

 

Library archives 1974Library archives 1974

 

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