Licensees
Kent pub celebrates 500th birthday
The Duke of Wellington, in Ryarsh near West Malling asked regulars and friends along to join in the celebrations by being part of the photograph.
Jon Sutton, the licensee, said: “We have a number of historic pictures of the Duke on the walls of the pub, and we realised one in particular lent itself to having a modern version taken to mark our 500th birthday.”
The photograph shows villagers gathered in front of the pub and so 150 regulars and friends were invited to stand for a 2016 version.
It will sit next to the rest of the historic photographs in the pub, showing the changes in trends and décor since the pub opened in 1516.
Jon added: “We were touched that so many turned up to have their place in the pub’s history recorded for posterity.”
The pub is also holding a beer festival on August 6 and 7, a variety of live bands and a black tie charity dinner in aid of the Heart of Kent Hospice.
