This original article was published in the February 1972 edition of Action Forum magazine. Out of the 3 pubs mentioned only one is still operating in the original building although under the new name of the Rainham Arms instead of the Concord. The Cherry Orchard is no more and is now an Indian restaurant. The Railway is still a pub having been closed for a number of years but the building has been completely redesigned behind the original facade and now operated by JD Wetherspoon.
Rainham Boozers in 1972
As history starts from yesterday and goes back in time so also does our study of local hostelries, we start our tour by visiting the more recently established licenced houses.
Before setting out however, we tried to get a little background history from the local libraries. Much to our disgust we found that the pages dealing with Rainham had been torn out and taken from the record books, both at Rainham and Gillingham. Now that the culprit has had time to digest the information might we appeal to him (or her) to please restore these vital documents to the library.
Rainham’s latest licenced house was opened on Guy Fawkes Day, November 5th, 1969. An entirely new building designed on lines to blend with the surrounding estate in Wakeley Road. It has been named the “Concord” in honour of the latest aircraft which was undergoing its trials at the time. An interesting feature is that the inn sign shows the English spelling “Concord” on one side and the French “Concorde” on the reverse side. The Wakeley family are also honoured by the fact that what would be the public bar is named after them.
February 1872, “Meet you in the Cherry Orchard tonight love”. February 1972, “See you at the Cherry Orchard tonight, old sport”. That is the only link in the past that we could find in connection with the newest of Rainham's pubs. “The Cherry Orchard” named in compliment to the orchards which once existed nearby was built four years ago at the edge of Dean Wood and overlooking the Parkwood Estate. Modern colonial style in structure with picture windows, it is well equipped and with plenty of room both inside and on the terraces. Only the “Bunnies” were missing.
The photo below shows the Railway Hotel in 1981 during the annual pram race showing the Courage beer sign.
Although not perhaps the next most modern house, we found ourselves at the “Railway Hotel” in Station Road. Most railway stations have a Hotel, Inn, Tavern or Arms etc adjacent, this being comparable to the older post houses where travellers might obtain rest, food and drink. The “Railway” a little over a hundred years old was originally a Temperance Hotel established when reformers were trying hard to curb the growth of drunkeness. The railway lines to Thanet had only recently been completed and Rainham Village around the station was beginning to grow. Accommodation, food and ginger beer was provided for travellers and locals. However the teetotaler, being one who suffered from thirst instead of enjoying it, had to seek an alternative rendezvous for at the beginning of the century the Temperance Hotel was no more. The building was taken over, brought up to date, and renamed the “Railway Hotel” with a licence to sell intoxicants. After the First World War when new licencing laws were brought in and the village still further developed, things went ahead. Today after further modernisation the railway has made the “Railway” a favourite call for commuters to enjoy their thirst or partake of their deobstruent. The “Railway Hotel” is also the present headquarters of the Rainham Motoring Club.
