DOWN MEMORY LANE...in conjunction with Thurrock Museum

THIS week we visit the White Hart in old Grays High Street.

The latest phase of this pub opened in 1938. It has been recognised as a fine example of its architectural type of the inter-war period, during a time when improved quality of pub design was aimed to help combat drunkenness and associated bad behaviour.

Its designation with a Grade II listing by Historic England reflects its design and the original layout being little altered. The pub was one of several constructed in Thurrock by Charrington’s brewery.

In nearly all the examples – Orsett Cock, George & Dragon and Prince Albert – the new building was erected in brick and tile, behind the original, mainly timberframed, pubs dating back at least to the 17th century.

The Grays & Tilbury Gazette took a unique picture of the old White Hart with the new pub almost completed behind it in July 1938. The earliest reference to the first White Hart owner is 1791, when Benjamin Chesterton, victualler and peruke maker, was in occupation (a strange combination of skills as a peruke maker made wigs). The last licensee of the old pub before its demolition was Percy Edward Oliver, who may well have transferred to the new pub. The original was owned by the Graysbased Seabrook Brewery until 1929, when Charrington’s bought it out lock, stock and barrels.

Even in 1938, there were eight pubs in the centre of the town, so quite a lot of competition (name them if you can).

I mention here only the one directly opposite, which was the Anchor & Hope, an ale house (it did not sell spirits), which was frequented by the bargees, operators of the large number of Thames sailing barges, many of which were made opposite in Goldsmith’s yard.

I recently discovered and purchased a half-pint pewter mug, owned by MrWIFrost for his personal use in the White Hart. It dates to around 1900 from the pewter marks and had made its way toAmerica before returning to Grays and Thurrock Museum.

I will be taking the mug on an outing to the White Hart soon for historical research and test its handling with the pub’s best ale and see if there are anywigs for sale! Cheers for now.