2 Ladywell Place

Photo above of Wheat Sheaf pre 1890.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 10 February 1939. The Union Hall, the "Wheatsheaf Inn," and the shop adjoining which is about to be demolished in connection with the widening of Ladywell where it will abut on the new Police Station. The Union Hall (recently used for A.R.P. purposes has had its contents removed  to Woodlands Factory in Bridge Street, which the Town bought. A sale of effects at the "Wheatsheaf" took place on Tuesday.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 24 February 1939. THE END OF THE "WHEATSHEAF" INN. Demolishing the remaining properties in Ladywell adjoining the site of the new Police Station. The shop formally on the corner of Ladywell Place, the "Wheatsheaf" Inn, and the Union Hall are involved, the intention being to improve the alignment of the road.

An outlet of Kingsford, which in its time had also obliged George Beer and Rigden. It stood on the corner, part facing Ladywell. It did not often make the headlines but we do know of its presence in 1858 from Melville's Directory of the same year.

The whole of Ladywell Place was compulsory purchased by Dover Corporation in 1936. Notices to quit the house had already been issued by September that year and the purchase was confirmed by the Ministry of Health in February 1938.

On 20th November 1939 Mr. and Mrs. Shave, then of Reading, celebrated their Golden Wedding the Dover Express reported and stated that they later had a tobacconist's business in High Street.

The price of the "Wheatsheaf", including the licence, was £4,000. An agreed compensation figure of £2,300 was also mentioned and may have formed part of the larger figure. I do not know.

In an effort to recover some part of the ratepayers money, the Council resolved to declare the pub redundant and have it referred. The Kent Brewers Association took exception to that and objected to the fund being so abused.

Right or wrong, the Bench did agree it was surplus to requirements in March 1938. Seven fully licensed houses were within two hundred yards and twenty one within a four hundred yard radius. The renewal was refused in June 1938 which then made it eligible for compensation.

The end of the story never came my way. It did go on. Perhaps the figure of £2,300 mentioned earlier was the result. I do not know. Although ready for demolition, it must have still stood in February 1939 when a provisional licence covered. It must have disappeared shortly after that because a new police station had opened on the site by September 1940. Just in time to be partially wrecked by a bomb two months later.

LICENSEE LIST

EAST Richard William 1858-74+

MITCHELL H. 1877

KINGSFORD 1877

LADD Mary Ann 1879 end

CADMAN Thomas Frederick 1879-82+

AUSTIN James 1888

SHAVE WaIter Ernest 1891-1913+

GODDARD John 1897 end ?

TOLHURST 1907 ?

FINN 1907 end ?

SANDERS William Harrison 1913

HALL Edwin Thomas senior 1919-20 end

HALL William Edwin junior 1920-25 end

DANE Edward Alfred 1925-27 end

STEVENS Robert Clark 1927-28 dec'd

BECKETT Edward Albert 1928-30 end

TWIGG Seth Layton 1930-37 end

MARTIN Wilfred 1938

From Melville's Directory 1858

From the Post Office Directory 1874

From the Post Office Directory 1882

From the Post Office Directory 1891

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1895

From the Kelley's Directory 1899

From the Post Office Directory 1903

From the Post Office Directory 1913

From the Post Office Directory 1922

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1924

From the Post Office Directory 1930

From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33

From the Post Office Directory 1938