The Shepherd & Dog, Ballards Gore
The Old Shepherd & Dog late 19th Century
Unknown
The Bar Early 1970s
The Publican
Site of the New Shepherd & Dog after 1929 Fire
Unknown - Local Newspaper cutting
Shepherd & Dog 2000
Martin Rycroft then Proprietor
By Brian Pettitt
A History
Shepherd & Dog has been at the centre of the local community for many years, but what you see today in Gore Road is only a small part of the story. This building was erected around 1934 following a major fire on the current site which destroyed the barns and other buildings that were previously situated there. A photocopy of a picture from a local paper is attached showing the aftermath and below is is a summary of the associated article.
"What might have developed into one of the most extensive farm fires in the district for many years was averted by prompt action from men on the spot and Southend Fire Brigade. A cottage and several large outbuildings were completely destroyed with damage estimated at £2,300. The alarm was raised by a Mr Carter working on the adjacent Cater's brickfields who warned cottage owner Harry Smith, who had been in his workshop next to the barn. They then set about removing the furniture from the cottage which was occupied by Mr Alfred Heffer, employed as a blacksmith by Mr Smith. The barn and granary were lost containing 20 quarters of wheat, 2 stacks of straw and 5 loads of bound straw. Fortunately no bullocks nor pigs perished as they had been moved the previous week. The Fire Brigade under the direction of Captain W.G.Harvey dealt with the fire and in so doing pumped dry two local wells, one at a distance of 500 yards "
A reference to Kelly's directory of 1929 shows that the pub was the residence of a Mr Arthur Carter who may or may not be the aforementioned Carter who raised the alarm. He was succeeded by his son Percy Hugh Carter between 1933 and 1937. It would also appear that the pub was not named from 1890 to 1933 so perhaps the newly built pub was re-christened.
The previous incarnation of the pub was just around the corner in Paglesham Road and is now a somewhat modified private residence. Attached are some already widely reproduced photographs of the pub as it was in the late 19th century and after the modifications were made.
Relatively little is recorded or written about the old pub, as far as our current research has shown however, as we believe it was probably built in the late 15th or early 16th century there must be much more to uncover.
Following the recent takeover of the lease of the current pub some old photos of the way it looked in the late 1960's/ early 1970's have come to light and are also attached.