Headstone dedicated to Time of Day, Hoo St Werberga.© Carole Tyrrell

I tried to find this grave last year in the churchyard of Hoo St Werbergh but ran out of time. However, on a return visit this year I finally found it.

It’s dedicated to a man called ‘Time Of Day’ ( I kid you not). (1833-1890) with ‘Day’ being his surname. I did wonder if his siblings were called after days of the week with their surname providing the end as in ‘Sun – Day, Mon-Day etc.

He was a licenced victualler or publican who owned a pub in a nearby hamlet, Fenn Street, Hoo, called The Bell Inn from 1881.  He died on 11 December 1890 and the headstone was erected by his wife, Martha, who was the executrix of his will. The value of his estate was £962.10s.3d which was a substantial sum at that time. There was no mention of any children.

The Fenn Bell Inn Sign © David Anstiss Geograph. Shared under Creative Commons

The Fenn Bell Inn as it looked roughly 16 years ago. © Chris Whippet – Geograph Shared under Creative Commons.

The Fenn Bell Inn may have been named after one of several bells erected on nearby marshes. In poor weather they would ring to enable travellers to find a safe way to cross but The ‘Bell’ is a common name for pubs throughout Britain.  The Fen Bell Inn has been in existence since the 17^th century although it has been remodelled and restored since then. However, some of the original fabric still exists. Since 2014, it has housed the Fenn Bell Conservation project for rescued animals and a miniature railway. Recently, there has been controversy over the pub landlord’s plan to sell off land for housing but he has defended it saying that he needed to do it to keep his business going.

‘Time of Day’ is a very unusual name as you might agree but he was a man of some substance and is likely to remembered for many years to come.

© Text and photos Carole Tyrrell unless otherwise stated.

References and further reading

TQ 77 NE 1105 – Fenn Bell Inn or Fenn Bell Public House or Bell Inn, Fenn Street, St Mary Hoo Parish – Historic Environment Record

The Fenn Bell, Pub Sign, Fenn Street,… © David Anstiss cc-by-sa/2.0 :: Geograph Britain and Ireland

Notes from Kent’s Hoo Peninsula: Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre – expanded photo library now online!    (scroll down for vintage photo of The Bell although it doesn’t state when it was taken)

The Fenn Bell Inn, Fenn Street © Chris Whippet cc-by-sa/2.0 :: Geograph Britain and Ireland (photo taken 2009)

Sign for the Fenn Bell Inn © JThomas :: Geograph Britain and Ireland – pub sign taken 2022

Fenn Bell zoo owner in St Mary Hoo says he’s suffered ‘personal attacks’ over plans for 44 homes next door

BELL INN  Pub of St Mary Hoo