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The Independent
01-08-2025
- General
- The Independent
Inside the battle to be crowned London's oldest riverside pub
On a charming cobblestone street tucked away in London 's East End, a pub proudly hangs out a sign that reads 'Oldest riverside pub in London.' Across the Thames River, a pub with a different name makes the same bold claim. The unofficial title of the oldest riverside pub in the city has long been disputed, with both the Mayflower and the Prospect of Whitby laying claim to the title. The two contenders can be found along a quiet stretch of the Thames, far from the city's crowded souvenir shops and tourist sites, serving up traditional British dishes — from steak and ale pie to sticky toffee pudding — with a side of history. The Mayflower is named after the Pilgrim Mayflower ship, which set sail from the site in 1620 to begin its journey to America. Though it only got its name in 1957, it is said to have some of the ship's original timbers incorporated into its structure. Today, pubgoers who can prove direct descent from one of the Mayflower passengers can sign its 'Descendants Book.' Escaping the skyscrapers Every night, tourists step out of black cabs at the doors of the two pubs, trading the capital's modern skyscrapers for the storied streets of London's East End, lined with quaint terraced houses and red brick warehouses. In both pubs, they enter spaces where old paintings hanging on dark paneled walls and other mementos of their histories seem to leave the contemporary world behind. 'There really is a feeling that you might have stepped back in time and could be drinking beer with sailors or pirates or anybody from any Dickens novels really," said Emily Godwin, a Londoner who has been to both. She spoke while sipping a pint of lager with friends at the Prospect on a recent summer evening. The Prospect boasts a pewter bar – the longest of its kind in Britain — where the infamous 'Hanging Judge Jeffreys' is said to have watched the many hangings that took place at the nearby 'Execution Dock.' Early on, the pub was known as the Devil's Tavern due to its association with thieves and smugglers. A hanging noose outside serves as a reminder of the pub's grisly history. It 'feels like such a pocket of history in London,' Godwin said. 'So much of London's East End feels very new and trendy, and the Prospect feels like it's barely changed.' Challenging times for the pub industry British pubs have always been at the center of social life, with locals coming together over a pint, even in times of war and economic hardship. But the last five years have been challenging for the industry as pubs contended with the COVID -19 pandemic and rising costs. This year an estimated 378 venues are set to shutter across England, Wales, and Scotland, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. 'When a pub closes, it puts people out of a job, deprives communities of their heart and soul and hurts the local economy,' said Emma McClarkin, head of the BBPA. Pubs across the country have been forced to find new ways to attract customers. History is a big draw for pubgoers, with a trip to a traditional British pub coming in high on tourists' London bucket lists, raising the stakes of the Prospect and the Mayflower's competition. A 'loving rivalry' The Prospect claims it was established in 1520, with its original flagstone surviving an arson attack in 1666 — the same year as the Great Fire of London. The pub was outside of the city limits at that time and was not affected by the conflagration that gutted the medieval city. Justin Billington, assistant manager at the Prospect, said some people date the pub to its full reconstruction in 1774 after the 1666 fire. But he doesn't see it that way, noting that it operated continuously. The day after the fire, the workers rolled out a barrel of beer that had survived the flames and locals showed up with their tankards, drinking vessels, and enjoyed a drink on the spot. There were several reconstructions in the pub's subsequent history, but none withstood the salt water and shifting foundations of the Thames, Billington explained. Not, that is, until 1774 when the retired captain of a merchant ship called 'The Prospect' rebuilt it using the ship. 'This rebuild held and continues to hold on for dear life," he said. If the pub was actually established in 1774, that would make the Mayflower — established in the 16th century — older. But there are no hard feelings between the pubs as Billington described their competition as a 'loving rivalry.' 'We compete against each other to be the oldest, and to serve the best food and drink,' he said. The search for the oldest pub in London But the question remains: How can either pub definitively claim the title? Unlike the title of the 'Oldest pub in England,' held by the Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold, which is said to date to the 10th century, there is no official certification for the oldest pub in London. Guinness World Records said it has not formally awarded the title because of the complexities created by numerous name changes, relocations and reconstructions. 'There are lots of very old pubs that might make a claim to being oldest, but it could be contested because it could be argued they weren't always in 'London,'' English historian and author Jacob Field said. 'Many pubs have changed names over time, making it hard to claim they are the oldest."
Washington Post
01-08-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Two pubs claim to be London's oldest riverside pub. Which one is right?
LONDON — On a charming cobblestone street tucked away in London's East End, a pub proudly hangs out a sign that reads 'Oldest riverside pub in London.' Across the Thames River, a pub with a different name makes the same bold claim. The unofficial title of the oldest riverside pub in the city has long been disputed, with both the Mayflower and the Prospect of Whitby laying claim to the title.
The Independent
01-08-2025
- General
- The Independent
Two pubs claim to be London's oldest riverside pub. Which one is right?
On a charming cobblestone street tucked away in London's East End, a pub proudly hangs out a sign that reads 'Oldest riverside pub in London.' Across the Thames River, a pub with a different name makes the same bold claim. The unofficial title of the oldest riverside pub in the city has long been disputed, with both the Mayflower and the Prospect of Whitby laying claim to the title. The two contenders can be found along a quiet stretch of the Thames, far from the city's crowded souvenir shops and tourist sites, serving up traditional British dishes — from steak and ale pie to sticky toffee pudding — with a side of history. The Mayflower is named after the Pilgrim Mayflower ship, which set sail from the site in 1620 to begin its journey to America. Though it only got its name in 1957, it is said to have some of the ship's original timbers incorporated into its structure. Today, pubgoers who can prove direct descent from one of the Mayflower passengers can sign its 'Descendants Book.' Escaping the skyscrapers Every night, tourists step out of black cabs at the doors of the two pubs, trading the capital's modern skyscrapers for the storied streets of London's East End, lined with quaint terraced houses and red brick warehouses. In both pubs they enter spaces where old paintings hanging on dark paneled walls and other mementos of their histories seem to leave the contemporary world behind. 'There really is a feeling that you might have stepped back in time and could be drinking beer with sailors or pirates or anybody from any Dickens novels really," said Emily Godwin, a Londoner who has been to both. She spoke while sipping a pint of lager with friends at the Prospect on a recent summer evening. The Prospect boasts a pewter bar – the longest of its kind in Britain — where the infamous 'Hanging Judge Jeffreys' is said to have watched the many hangings that took place at the nearby 'Execution Dock.' Early on, the pub was known as the Devil's Tavern due to its association with thieves and smugglers. A hanging noose outside serves as a reminder of the pub's grisly history. It 'feels like such a pocket of history in London,' Godwin said. 'So much of London's East End feels very new and trendy, and the Prospect feels like it's barely changed.' Challenging times for the pub industry British pubs have always been at the center of social life, with locals coming together over a pint, even in times of war and economic hardship. But the last five years have been challenging for the industry as pubs contended with the COVID-19 pandemic and rising costs. This year an estimated 378 venues are set to shutter across England, Wales, and Scotland, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. 'When a pub closes, it puts people out of a job, deprives communities of their heart and soul and hurts the local economy,' said Emma McClarkin, head of the BBPA. Pubs across the country have been forced to find new ways to attract customers. History is a big draw for pubgoers, with a trip to a traditional British pub coming in high on tourists' London bucket lists, raising the stakes of the Prospect and the Mayflower's competition. A 'loving rivalry' The Prospect claims it was established in 1520, with its original flagstone surviving an arson attack in 1666 — the same year as the Great Fire of London. The pub was outside of the city limits at that time and was not affected by the conflagration that gutted the medieval city. Justin Billington, assistant manager at the Prospect, said some people date the pub to its full reconstruction in 1774 after the 1666 fire. But he doesn't see it that way, noting that it operated continuously. The day after the fire, the workers rolled out a barrel of beer that had survived the flames and locals showed up with their tankards, drinking vessels, and enjoyed a drink on the spot. There were several reconstructions in the pub's subsequent history, but none withstood the salt water and shifting foundations of the Thames, Billington explained. Not, that is, until 1774 when the retired captain of a merchant ship called 'The Prospect' rebuilt it using the ship. 'This rebuild held and continues to hold on for dear life," he said. If the pub was actually established in 1774, that would make the Mayflower — established in the 16th century — older. But there are no hard feelings between the pubs as Billington described their competition as a 'loving rivalry.' 'We compete against each other to be the oldest, and to serve the best food and drink,' he said. The search for the oldest pub in London But the question remains: How can either pub definitively claim the title? Unlike the title of the 'Oldest pub in England,' held by the Porch House in southern England, which is said to date to the 10th century, there is no official certification for the oldest pub in London. Guinness World Records said it has not formally awarded the title because of the complexities created by numerous name changes, relocations and reconstructions. 'There are lots of very old pubs that might make a claim to being oldest, but it could be contested because it could be argued they weren't always in 'London,'' English historian and author Jacob Field said. 'Many pubs have changed name over time, making it hard to claim they are the oldest."
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Councillor pushes for 'overnight camping' policy for Chatham homeless encampment
Michael Bondy plans to put forward a motion at a special meeting of municipal council next Monday. "My motion basically would allow for overnight camping in parks, but not during the day," he said. At issue is Chatham's large homeless encampment that recently was forced to move. The community of roughly 50 tents was near the Thames River in the city's downtown, but upcoming construction work forced it to be moved. Since then, a lot of those people have relocated further east to a municipal green space beside the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) building — and closer to more homes. "That would alleviate the encampment kind of situation that we're in," said the Ward 6 Chatham-Kent councillor. "Municipal land would be available for sheltering overnight, but then those people would have to leave during the day with their stuff." WATCH | Confusion inside Chatham's encampment along the riverfront earlier in July: The motion seeks to limit temporary shelters erected on municipal land to one hour before sunset until one hour after sunrise. "I don't believe it's fair to the community that an area with soccer fields and a trail system has been basically commandeered by a small group of people that have affected the lives and, frankly, the property values. The businesses are nervous. Something's got to be done." If supported, Bondy's motion would enable bylaw enforcement and police officers to remove, seize or impound property that is unlawfully found. "I don't think it would be an arrest. It would just be a kind of a move along. I'm sure some sort of fine would probably be associated with it, but hopefully, there's compliance and that wouldn't be necessary." Bondy says his motion stems from the concerns of many citizens who have reached out to him. "Open drug use, garbage, noise, inconvenience. People feel unsafe. They feel that the green space has been effectively kind of occupied," he said. "Frankly, I think a lot of these folks probably will decide not to do it and choose somewhere else because it's very inconvenient for them to pitch a tent and have to take it down in the morning." 'Significant issue,' says mayor Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff hopes Monday's meeting will help find a balance between the rights of unhoused people and the rights of the area's homeowners. More than 1,700 people have signed a petition expressing concerns about the encampment, and Canniff said Thursday he had 43 calls to return on the topic. "I'm not sure that I've had an issue, that I've had that many people reaching out," Canniff said. "It's a significant issue in the community, and we owe it to the residents to have a public discussion about it." Unresolved issues Since people have set up the encampment on PUC property, there was a plea from the Chatham-Kent Police Service for people to stop calling 911. Ontario courts have upheld the rights of unhoused people to camp on municipal land if there are insufficient alternative shelter options. Chatham-Kent has an expansive policy guiding where camping can take place, but Canniff said he will put forward new proposals at the Monday meeting. "You're allowed to have an encampment or a tent within 10 metres of a residential property. ... When you look at London, for instance, [it's] 100 metres. Look at Sarnia; they put a kilometre. So, you know, we're 10 metres. … Do we feel as council that that's fair that someone can set up an encampment 10 metres behind your residence?" Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Trevor Jones told CBC News the decision to move the encampment rests entirely with the municipality, but the Ontario government believes residential areas are not places for encampments. "I am proud to support Bill 6 – the Safer Municipalities Act, which gave law enforcement the tools they requested to remove encampments from public areas and ensure the safety of residents," Jones said. "Furthermore, our government has provided over $3 million in direct funding to support vulnerable individuals in Chatham-Kent, along with an additional $2 million for supportive housing. We believe no one should be left behind."
CBC
15-07-2025
- General
- CBC
Inside Chatham's encampment, confused people ask where they can go before Monday eviction
Christina Ratte has spent hours of her days this week trying to figure out where a relative living in a Chatham encampment can move to before Monday's eviction deadline. She says the dozens of people living in tents at an encampment in a park downtown on the edge of the Thames River are frustrated with conflicting information from different authorities. "Are you wanting them to go out and to buy measuring tapes and like, actually check, just wander around and just check, 'OK, am I 100 metres from the closest school playground?,'" said Ratte. Chatham-Kent's encampment protocol prevents people from setting up shelter near schools, playgrounds or along private property lines. Ratte has been scrambling between online maps and calls to area officials to find a space where her relative could live. "The rules are technically complicated,' she said. "A few are even confusing to me and I'm a bookkeeper with a college education." People living in tents say searching for housing, jobs difficult task The municipality wants people out of the park by Monday because a construction project requires the site for equipment storage into next year. But people living at the site say they're unable to pay for housing and are on wait lists for affordable units that could take years to become vacant. Ron Cowell, standing in front of a water-logged tarp covering the collapsed tent he's lived in for nearly a year, said being homeless makes it nearly impossible to find stable housing or a job. "The major deal is to get up in the morning in one piece, the same piece you went to bed in, and survive through the course of the day," said Cowell. He doesn't have a phone or a laptop but when he does have access to rental listings he sees prices that are beyond his budget. "I mean, I'm looking at one bedrooms that are between $1,800 and $2,600 a month. For a one bedroom." Police kick people off of property municipality said is OK He's watched people pack up all their possessions at the encampment to head for a new place after last week's eviction notice, only to see them return a while later to move back into the park. "There's been some who have gone but have been sent back," said Cowell. Ratte has heard the same thing and wants clarity on where people can go. "People have tried and they keep on being sent back, so I'm at square one again," she said. People at the site tell CBC News that one of the residents packed up their stuff and moved to another site that was suggested to them, when they were told to leave the park. But once they arrived, a police officer told them they couldn't stay there and sent them back downtown. 'May be some confusion,' says police That was a misunderstanding by police, according to Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K), an outreach group that has visited the site daily to help. On Thursday, the municipality confirmed the site does fit within the encampment protocol and people can set up shelters there, which has been communicated to police. A spokesperson for the Chatham-Kent police service said they're looking into the incident. "We recognize that there may be some confusion around this matter but please note that our officers are acting in good faith based on the information and guidance available to them," said spokesperson Shelomi Legall. Confusion, uncertainty for dozens living in Chatham encampment who have been told they need to relocate 5 days ago Duration 2:30 Residents of a Chatham encampment were recently told they need to leave the area while the municipality does construction work. But there's uncertainty for many about where to go next. The CBC's Chris Ensing reports. Deadline to leave is Monday morning The confusion has made for a stressful time at the park, said Danny Zimmerman, who visits often to help friends living in the encampment. "I think they should talk to us more," said Zimmerman. "Get together with us and talk to us instead of just jumping in our faces and saying, 'this is what's happening, this is what we're doing.'" The municipality and R.O.C.K. have offered to help connect people to housing supports and move items ahead of the Monday deadline. But the director of housing services in Chatham-Kent says they know not everyone will be able to find a bed. "We are in desperate need of supportive housing in our community in Chatham-Kent," said Kim Crew. "We don't have any. Our council has been pretty vocal about the need for it." Until the municipality gets that housing, "there's going to be no solution for some folks," Crew said. Ratte said her relative is living in the park after a house they lived in burned down, destroying all of their possessions. With no space to take her relative in her own home, Ratte has been supporting them while they live in the park. She's frustrated with the confusion about where people should go and what could happen if they don't leave. "If the cops show up and they haven't moved, the cops will take everything they own and throw it out," said Ratte. After her relative's house fire, Ratte says she worries losing what's left could be unbearable for her family member.
