Pub memories

[david_russell]

I hope you manage to locate her.
In the meantime anyone interested can have a look at the photo on the Deadpubs site. At the time (1917-1919) it was tied to the Style and Winch brewery, Maidstone. One of the doorways, now gone, is shown on the corner of the building. Above the door a sign reads 'Maidstone Ales'. Today there is a bas relief of a kicking donkey and the date 1840. Both of these have been added since the pub closed.

The window on the right seems to hold a display of goods suggesting the publican was also a shopkeeper.

I think we can just make out a pub sign above the window although it's not clear. A drawing of the pub about ten years later in 'The Pubs of Hastings and St Leonards' shows a clear sign of a kicking donkey on the left hand wall.

Im hoping Patricia has found some memories of this pub in her search.

David

[david_russell]

Trina, Continuing from your 'Arches' topic.

Yes, you are correct the cliffs in West Leonards are bricked over for safety reasons. In the past there have been some serious cliff falls and accidents affecting local property there.

As far back as 1860 twenty tons of earth and rock crashed down onto the stables then located at the back of the Marina Fountain pub killing John Barker a homeless man who was living there.

In the 1850s some of the pub's customers actually lived in the caves in the cliffs. William Smith and family lived above the pub and had built themselves living quarters including "a stable, kitchen and chicken house".

It seems that cliff falls were a regular occurrance and effected the safety and insurance policies of property there.

One of the last ? serious falls was in 1939 particularly effecting another pub then at the other end of Caves Road, the Marina Inn. No one it seemed admitted responsibility. Hastings Council said they were not in charge of the clliffs and it was nothing to do with them !

Eventually though, they were bricked over. Not sure about the arch design ?

I think the Marina Inn (on the corner of Caves Road/Sussex Road) closed because the insurance had become so expensive.

It closed in 1996. Anyone have any memories of either pub ?

David.

[patrick]

There was a fall some 10 to 15 years ago,as a result the steps by the Marina Pub were closed and still are as far as I know..These steps went from beside the pub to the road above,West Hill Road ? Steps similiar, going from St Leonards church to Archery Road, were closed for the same reason,but I think that this was a bit later..

[david_russell]

Thanks Patrick.

Re: the Kicking Donkey, Hill Street (above). Did you get anywhere in your search for Patricia Rand-Liddle ?

[patrick]

Emailed her twice but no response so far,the message may have been spammed or she might think it some sort of 'con',,She was a member of a theatre group but my email to them was not accepted..Wil have another try later on_ _ _ Am reading a copy of 'Hastings of Bygone days-and the present' by Henry Cousins,dated 1920,, this gives a list of some of the pubs of yesteryear,some which are still in existence.. If you have not read this book I can give a list or I suppose you can read it in the Reference Library or the Local History section at the Museum_ _ _.

[david_russell]

Thanks Patrick. Can you post the list if it's not to long. Could be interesting.

[barfly]

The water colours of the old Marina Inn sign and the London Trader pub which appear on the back cover of David Russell's book were painted by Jean Hope. Jean and her daughter, Amanda, run the shop in George Street called 'Miniature Street'. Call in and buy a card of the London Trader and look at the model houses including a miniature pub.

Bar Fly

[Terry]

Regarding rockfalls in the Marina Fountain area: I found this short passage

http://www.hastingschronicle.com/1863/0 ... e-digging/

The rest of this site is fascinating too.

[david_russell]

This week another Hastings pub bit the dust when the Smugglers, White Rock closed down. But hopefully not for the last time. Some months ago it changed landlords (and pub company). It was then doing alright with a loyal group of customers. But they all went elsewhere with the change. (Bit like the 'Nellie' and the Carlisle mentioned above).

I think the Smugglers (then the Wellington) was open continuously from 1844. A good record of 166 years. In those days the pub looked out over the America Ground to the Carlisle (then the Pelhan Arms) on the other side. I've always felt that the customers of both pubs were the true inheritors of the spirit of those times - slightly anarchistic and freewheeling. I've met a lot of people in the Smugglers who wouldn't fit in elsewhere. Always a space for everyone.

Many a good music night was had there. All the prominent local musicians played at the Smugglers one time or another. Anyone remember the gigs ?

[patrick]

Old Inns mentioned are as followsThe Swan,High Street,demolished 1889_ _ _The Crown,All Saints Street,second in iportance to the Swan,The Ctter,The Anchor,The King's Head,The Hastings Arms,The George.The Pelham,The Castle,The Marine.Pelham Place,The Albion,The Royal Oak,The York,The Royal Victoria,The Brunswick (The Star),The Warriors Gate,The Norman,The Saxon,The British,(in East Ascent), Horse and Groom,The Sea Side,in Stratford Place,now part of the Palace,The Royal Standard in Robertson Street,The Havelock,The Fortune of War,in Halton,The Queen's,The Ship,by the Bourne Side,The George in All Saints Street,Cinque Ports Arms,Hare and Hounds,Stag Inn,The Roebuck,Rose and Crown.The Old Ship.The Maidenhead,The Red Hart,The Shipwright Arms,The Harold,The Conquerer,The Tivoli,in Hollington_ _ _