'AuntBet's1a 5" ’ J J frmmary Lame‘ Albany Terrace gg Village Hall Alexandra House ‘Ship Inn’ V ,1_.°1_ge, , White Horse Inn ’Doddy I-"agg’s Farm’ , emperance Hotel’ 5‘ The 1: _ Suggested Lzon Inn start and » Nailbourne finish """"" -’Bif1.-ons Method pel Id School ‘Gas Works’ I PQ_RGII;if‘)jProba y c. Conveniently{2adjaoent“to the post- h¢'vi¢sae.*where orses %wou1a»1ae changed. “One of tw 7 mar smithies; later (19203) Mrs Turner's greengrocery; _ GAS WORKS Erected by Marchioness Conyngham in 1853 on land behind the present ‘High Beech’ to supply gas to Bi- frons and eventually to provide street lighting to Bridge in 1906 and then to the rest of the village and Patrixbourne. Closed in 1928. Oddly. the coal yard was behind houses be? yond the Old School. Electricity was brought to the village about 1935/ 6. I_._ METHODIST CHAPEL Built 1894 of Corrugated Iron at cost of just under £140 at purelyglocal expense. The Chapel Committee in Manchester had wanted brick. so refuseda loan. This Wesleyan foundation followed that of the Primi- tive Methodists. who had already erected a wooden chapel in 1868 in Dering Road, demolished 1951 when it was a pr; ~——- itate house. See also the entry for the Village Hall. ~ ; 5 ILL Bridge has had a mill since at least 1596 (one of 39 then in Kent). originally a post mill but later a smock ‘ériginally sited on Bridge Hill: erected at top of Union Road. in 1820s. By 1930 it was derelict and merely used as a store. but was demolished only in 1954. The miller’s house stands racing it. end-on to Union Road. NAILBOURNE The name 'bourne’ indicates that this is aihtermittent stream. only flowing at intervals. Frequently "dry. more so nowadays than formerly. because of increased ‘extraction from the chalk aquifer, the Nailbourne is yet ca- Vfiable of surprise. It upset work on Bridge bypass in the 1970's. and ten years later made Brewery Lane impassable. Time for another flood? 7 j_oz.o nNc:.AND's HOLE An old tradition states that the last stand of the Britons against Caesar"s invasion with the Tiegion in 54BC tookplace here. after their flight from defeat on Barham Downs. Roman burials have been found ‘Bourne Park. and in 1771 more than ‘100=tumuh' were rp- reorded in the adjacent field. The Hole is however possibly Ftnore than anold chalk quarry. I ‘ V 1 ‘ ‘ om scnooz. Built in"1849 by Lady conyiighcmi. was super- seded by the new school in Conyngham Lane in January 1,371. From 1871 to 1911 teaching was in the exclusive hands of the Wye family. Prior to 1872 the National School was in the n Workhouse. Lady C. also supported a.,schoo! in\thejlo”dg'e*-j Patrixbourne (by roundabout).’,‘ ‘ ' j C‘ ’ V ' " T ' PLOUGI-I AND I-IARROW Built. in 1692.IoriginallyTas.‘tw dwelling houses. converted’ .into,a“ rnalthouse 1732-59.711: [be- at * ’ 1 eqmeen c1.l;B{l“l6\'«,1':S9;./iiltty1332,,1s,noWIl-:5? issqfg by ‘present name._ To the rear the‘f_dr- ‘mer~t'—head,quarter's[Df_ Bridge Fire" Bri- H ‘ za¢1B,..($i*i¢e cc!-19[°7?« eéiablishedl by " ”Mc.w¢1ni«=»xr'ess; ‘.C°hW€h¢m”¢‘* ” =*4'é’[.¢+* ', ' V’ ngine. The funeralyof eginl in 1910 attracted 590° mburnersw is I V‘ . . ' » . - ~ _..O5'I'—_¢1=f‘E‘ICI:: From which‘ Lord ‘Kitchener sent his fine patches at the start of ThePost Office has been vari- ouely, located; in 1323 at the White I-1'or'se;.in in a cottage the newsagent (per ‘ " ?z).‘in M r Perry's grocers "3 $kijDp饑§ 9) V " Mr’ Bob‘ e1't5' (perhaps no 32>. Gnly since then in 1:‘ present Iojaciwien. REP :.;ensn~iN~3‘ui1~’.ei:1 itssxirztune ,entral, ehiznney ca;-é..*iewc1s.a1i~aa.czyl¢aiieai by‘“this name by“ I ‘I 1632. Used to have extensive stabling and carriage business. Housed the fire engine until ca 1904. Mr Jack Friend (1383-1936) was a noted publican in WW I Note that V there are two inns. one on each side of the river, for travellers in both directions. _ ‘SHIP INN’ Late 15*“ century timber frame house with brick infill- In the 19”" century a row of four cottages (‘Primrose Alleyf). converted in mid-20*?‘ century. There is an cast inside the pink- washed portion. V ST. PE'I'ER'S CHURCH Was traditionally viewed as a chapel to St Mary's. Patrixbourne (Bridge is not mentioned in Domesday Book). retains some Norman features (in the West door, for instance). liglut was largely rebuilt ‘with grotesque insensitivity’ (Pevsner) lay Scott in 1859-61 through the generosity of Mrs Gregory of Bridge W112-Iouse. It has three bells and several local memorials. ‘ )1 ‘TEMPERANCE HOTEL‘ New River House. Mid-late 1a=h centu.r_y.. Fformerly residence of TI. Collard. auctioneer & Valuer, Clerk to Board of Guardians. Auctioned at the Red Lion in 1904. failed to ‘sell at £380. Subsequently a Temperance Hotel. " BRIDGE The reason for the villages existence. it marks village centre. It is the first river crossing out of Dover. about half a day's march away. and provides a convenient stopping point. The core of the present bridge consists of a double arch. builtin ythe mid-18”‘ century. still visible from the river-bed. There wasfa ‘water-splash on the NE side until the mid-20”“ century. One old um railing survives. I_T,'I'HE UNION’ Bridge Union Workhouse. Hence Union Road. Kit féterved 22 parishes around Canterbury. Built in 1835 at a cost ‘of @4376 by TI-'' Cooensof Canterbury, it was ready for its first in- itiates within 9 months (February 1836). It was designed to South side: women and boys under 13. North side. men. In 1381 housed 128 in a total village population of B64-._Became a ’hon?ie ‘far the elderly in 1934-. converted to individualpdwellings in 1932. ("when the New Close by the new school was opened. * ' ; JLLAGE HALL Built in 1824 as the original Methodist Chapel. bought by Lady Conyngharn in 1854 after 'disturbance' to the vi}- -lage caused bythe ’ranters‘ (Primitive Methodists). who had dis- placed the Wesleyans. to serve as a Reading Room and doubled in " i e inj18?8. Presented to the village M,arquis oi Wzursnonsz INN The Posting though Bridge is -aaiygiyntzs ” P ’ )ef=7=Wi°r- wiih we ».m1¢4 Research tezrt byflvtaurice Raratyr _ 311219. V St Peter's Chui-*ch A Map and Guide N to the History of p the Village , iPub1ishecl.:(by:t1ie”. ; i it 1 I STORY Bridgeand District I-Iistorysociety’ ' ETY ©Seipte1nber I ' ' 1 ‘Ship Inn’ to house 1 s. a er. the Grand Old Maniof Br: g lager of the Fire Brigade for 51 years. of the church c ) _ for 68 years and secretary of the Gas Works Co. for 432 ‘ (1348-1942). ' AUNT BETSYS HILL (Daring Road) Named after her fie:-1-Laps legendary tea-rooms in 'Sunnyside'. The stee of the road is a consequence of the grading of th in road (like Bridge Hill) to facilitate traffic in 182 ' Here were also the old undertaker's store (destroyed 198 d a WWI alehouse (Pricketfs — who ran the village store until the 1970s). ‘ fimzons (‘Two Fronts‘) Sadly demolished immediate stwar (1949).ywas the most signifioant house for Bridg Originally built by John Bargrave in 1634. with wings. as the name implies. it was rebuilt in conternpora style in the 1770's by Edwa Taylor. It was sold in 1830 v _ Marchioness Conyngham. "'*"“.”**‘ K ‘ ' favourite of George IV a ‘ table benefactress to the village ‘fat. handsome. hindl ‘ j_ rewd and extremely fond of jewels‘. RIDGE PLACE Built in rnid—17‘h century by Sir Arno raems. first Chairman of Dover Harbour Board. It w I:-iginally the largest house in East Kent. other than Ch am. Castle. but was partly demolished by ‘John Taylor if:-onsin 120.9. leaving only one corner of the origi ine by seven bayed house with a central coux-‘tyyard.' ' ONYNGHAM LANE Previously Laundry Lane; whe ‘e only buildings comprised the laundry to Bifrons. T oad also gave access to Bridge -from Bifrons until 131 hen Bekesbourne ‘Road was built to replace it. The o rick gateway just above the road is agrelic of ourt, a ‘mansion demolished in 1931. Beechmount lawn» nthe site. _ ‘ V _; . ADDY FAGG"S ‘FARM’ Namedflafter , tiwner. was a 15*?‘ century. ‘Wealden hall- ouse and great thatched barn, de- olished in‘ 1962 for the sa1:e“of an ousing v development Bifrons and eventually to provide street lighting to Bridge in 1906 and then to the rest of the village and Pat:-ixbourne. Oddly. the coal yard was behind houses beyond the Old School. Methodist Chapel Built 1894 of Corrugated Iron at a cost of just under 8140 at purely local expense. The Chapel Committee in Manchester had wanted brick. so refused a loan. This Wesleyan foundation followed that of the Primitive Methodists. who had already erected a wooden chapel in 1568 in Dering Road. demolished 1951 as a private house. Nailbourne The name ’bourne' indicates that this is an intermittent stream. only flowing at intervals. Frequently dry. more so nowadays than formerly. because of increased extraction from the chalk aq- uifer. the Nailbourne is yet capable of surprise. It upset work on Bridge bypass in the 1970's. and ten years later made Brewery Lane impassable. Time for another flood? Old England's Hole An old tradition states that the last stand of the Britons against Caesar's invasion with the 7”‘ legion in 54-80 took place here. after their flight from defeat on Barham Downs. Roman burials have been found in Bourne Park. and in 1771 more than 100 tumuli were recorded in the adjacent field. The Hole is probably no more than an old chalk quarry. though. Old School Built in 1872. was superseded by the new school in Conyngham Lane in January 1971. ‘From 1871 to 1911 teaching was in the exclusive hands of the Wye family. Prior to 1872 the National School was in the Workhouse. Plough And Harrow Built in 1692. originally as two dwelling houses. converted into a malthouse 1782-89. ,1. It became an alehouse in 1832. known by 1860's by its present name. To the _ rear the former headquarters of ‘ Bridge Fire Brigade (since ca . 1907). established by M.'archion- ‘ V - ess Conyngham. and garage for the Engine. The funeral of fireman I Penn in 1910 at- tracted 5000 mourners. Post Office From which Lord Kitchener sent his first dispatches at the start of WWI. But the Post Office has been variously located: in 1823 at the White Horse: in 1873 in a cottage near the news- agent. perhaps No. 72. in 1896 at Mr Perry's grocers (now Shippers restaurant). in 1955 at Mr Roberts’. Only since then in the present location. Red Lion Inn Built in 1593 around a central chimney core. called by this name by 1632. Used to have extensive stabling and carriage : business. Housed the fire engine ° until ca 1904. Note two inns. one on each side of the river for travellers in both directions. ‘Ship Inn’ Also late 15* century timber frame house with brick infilling. In the 19* century a row oi four cottages (‘Primrose Alley‘). converted in mid-20* century. There is a oast inside the pink-washed portion. St. Peter's Church The church was traditionally viewed as a chapel to St Mary's, Patriar- bourne (Bridge is not mentioned in Domes- day Bookl. It retains some Norman features (in the West door. for instance). but was largely rebuilt by Scott in 1859-61 through the generosity of Mrs Gregory of Bridge Hill House. It has three bells. ‘Temperance Hotel’ Now River House. Mid-late 18* cen~ “ tury.. Formerly residence of TI. Collard. auctioneer & Valuer. Clerk to the Board of Guardians. Auctioned at the Red Lion in 1904. failed to sell at £380. Subsequently a Temperance Hotel. The bridge The reason for the village's existence. it marks 3 p the village centre. It is the first river crossing out of Dover. about half a day's march away. and provides a convenient ; stopping point. The core of the present bridge consists of a ‘ double arch. built in the mid-18"‘ century. still visible from " the river-bed. There was a water-splash on the NE side until the mid-20”‘ century. ~ ‘The Union’ — Bridge Union Workhouse. Hence Union Road. The Union served 22 parishes around Canterbury. Built in { 1835 at 0. cost of (24376 by TS‘ Cozens of Canterbury. the house was ready for its first inmates within 9 months (February 1836). It was designed to house 200. South side 5 women and boys under 13. North side. -men. Became a home for the elderly in 1954. converted to individual dwellings in 1982. when the New Close by the new school was opened. Village Hall Built by Marchioness Conyngham and origi- nally know as the Reading Room and extended in 1878. Pre- sented to the village by the Marquis of Conyngham on the coming of age of his son (1891) (P?) White Horse Inn The Posting House. though Bridge is only 1 half a stage from Dover. 18*‘ century exterior. with late me- j’ diaeval core. Early place lintel. The links‘ 1661 draw- Street. Cathedral brawl here involv- plegate, a Mar- First meeting of worhhouse guardians here. 22 April 1835. ing of the archives ing Christopher Ap- 16"‘ century inscription on fire— house is visible in 5chel- High 1 record 1 lowe contemporary. , 'Bifrons' A Map and Guide to the History of the Village ’Daddy Pagg’s Farm’ Published by the Bridge and ‘District History Society April 1999 O Bridge Place Village Hall ‘Ship Inn’ O H ;Laundry Lane‘ Albany Terrace r ,3 T Old School 0 ‘Gas Works‘ Albany Terrace Early 19”‘ century. erected to house Dover customs officials (?). Notable resident of No. ‘IS Mr C! Wills, baker. the Grand Old Man of Bridge. secretary of Fire Brigade. _ Aunt Betsy's Lane - Dering Road Named after Col. Chol- meley Daring. younger brother of Sir Edward Daring of Surrender: Daring. He raised a cavalry regiment in East Kent in 1794, which served with distinction in Ireland in the rebellion of 1798. but was disbanded in 1800. Daring bought I-lowletts in 1799. sold in 1816 to George Gipps. The steepness of the road is a consequence of the grading of the main road to facilitate traffic in 1829. Here were also the coffinmaher and another alehouse. Why Aunt Betsy? Bifrons Sadly demolished immediately postwar, was the most significant house for Bridge. Originally built by John ’ " ' Bargrave in 1634, with two wings, as the name implies. it was re- built in contemporary style in the 1770's by Edward Taylor ~.'— " ‘ and sold in 1820 to Marchion— ess Conyngham. a favourite of George W and notable benefactress to the village ‘fat. handsome. kindly. shrewd and extremely fond of jewels’. Bridge Place Built in mid—‘l'Z“* century by Sir Arnold Braems. first head of Dover harbour Board. It was origi- nally the largest house in east Kent. other than Chilham Castle. but was partly demolished by John Taylor of Bi- frons in 1709. leaving only four of the original nine bays. Conyngham Lane ‘Formerly Laundry Lane. when the only buildings comprised the laundry to Bifrons. The road also gave access to Bridge from Bifrons. The old brick gate- way just above the road is a relic of Olivers, a mansion demolished between the wars. ‘Daddy I-"agg’s Farm‘ Named after its most recent owner. was a 15* century thatched Wealden hallhouse. demo!- ished in 1962 for the sake of housing develop- ment (Western Avenue Estate on three fields). Possibly the oldest vernacular building in Bridge. it was replaced by a M N'eo~Georgian terrace. Other possible , 15*‘ century houses Nos. 33 8.49 High St. W . g I . Dr Hunter's House New No. 24. Rosedale Villa. 18”‘ cen~ tury timber framehouse. hung with mathematical tiles to resemble brick. Roger Hunter practised from here from 1939-1970 (surgery at the side). having bought the practice and the house from his predecessor Arthur Wilson. who came in 1906 and who was in his turn like his predeces~ sors M0 to the Union. Both were graduates of Trinity Col- lege Dublin. In 1970 the surgery was moved to Green Court by ‘Dr Russell. ‘Forge’ Conveniently adjacent to the posting house, where horses would be changed. One of two former smithies. 'Gas Works’ Erected by Marchioness Conyngham in 1859 on land behind the present ‘High Beech’ to supply gas to