Bat and Ball and adjoining Cottages
This former pub pre-dates the 1841 Tithe Map. On the 1841 tithe map, it states that the beer shop and adjacent two cottages were owned and occupied by Thomas Waite. In 1872, from the Drainage Report, all these three properties were owned by a Mr Stenton, and the Bat and Ball was occupied by Mr Faircloth. The Bat and Ball itself was the earliest Beer House in the village and its name reflects the large number of Leigh residents who were employed in the cricket ball and bat factory of the Duke family at Chiddingstone Causeway. Another publican until his death in 1903 was Amos Thomas Eade of the Eade family of bat-makers of Chiddingstone Causeway. The Register of Alehouses dated 1753 shows the “Batt and Ball” at Leigh with John Carpenter as landlord. This indicates that cricket must have been played at Leigh at an early date. The two cottages are today the village shop and attached cottage.
The 1872 Drainage Report and Map says that the Bat Ball had gutters in good condition and that those of the main building discharge into tub in cellar, with overflow into an old drain. outbuildings well guttered delivering into two tubs, but with no provision for overflow. Sink and urinal connected with main drains. One common privy not connected.
The two adjoining properties – which today form the village shop and cottage attached – are described in the Drainage Report of 1872 as being occupied by Mr Payne and Mr Young (owned by Mr Stenton). It says the guttering is in good order, one downpipe delivers into an old drain, the others into a drain connected with the new system. Sinks also connected to same. There is a pump and a water butt, one common privy, not connected.
Information from various sources give some of the publicans of the Bat and Ball:
1753: John Carpenter, landlord
1841: Thomas Waite
1847: Thomas Waite (beerhouse)
1867: William Faircloth (beer retailer and fly proprietor)
1872: Faircloth (from Drainage Report)
1874: Frederick Faircloth (beer retailer)
1899: Amos Thomas Eade (Beer retailer and shopkeeper)
1903: Amos Thomas Eade (Beer retailer and shopkeeper)
1930: Rd Relf (Bat and Ball PH)
1934: Gillies Fras. Jolly (Bat and Ball PH)
1938: Samuel Harris (Bat and Ball PH)
Joyce Field (Aug 2021)