The Harbour Inn, Harbour Street 1861 - 2011

Circa 1910

The Harbour Inn, c1980

Harbour Hotel 1916

 

 

 

Harbour Inn 1960s. Credit Folkestone Library

Harbour Inn 1998. Credit Martin Easdown

 

 

Licensees

Thomas Golder 1861 1862

Henry Augustus Herwigg c1862 c1864 To London Stores

George Pointer c1865 1866

Charles Page 1866 1880

Josiah Lyon Adams 1880 1888 Later Jubilee Inn

John Johnson 1888 1890 Ex Dew Drop Inn

Fanny Boorn 1890 1890

Joseph Arch 1890 1892

Samuel Barker 1892 1895

Eleanor Wonter 1895 1896

David Thomson 1896 1899

John Thomson 1899 1900

Agnes Robinson 1900 1900

Sarah Lovegrove 1900 1901

Thomas Hall 1901 1918 Ex Globe (2)

Ernest Mainwood 1918 1927

George Offen 1927 1943 To Martello

Wilfred Martin 1943 1944 Holding Manager. Licence suspended 1944-46

John Lloyd McKenzie M.B.E. 1946 1947

Ernest Ruff 1947 1947 Holding Manager

Victor Parks 1947 1960

Violet Parks (Later Brickell) 1960 1965

Victor Hood 1965 1970

Gerald Rouse 1970 1971

Peter Mison 1971 1981 Renamed Old Harbour Crab And Oyster House 1981-89

Hugh Penn and Robert Collins 1989 1990

Mark Edwards and Barry Miles 1990 1990

Mark Edwards and Timothy Pilling 1990 1992

Mark Edwards and Andrew Bradshaw 1992 1993

Mark Edwards and Michael Tilley 1993 1994

Mark Edwards and Andrew O`Shea 1994 1996 Andrew O`Shea To Harvey Hotel

Thomas Long and Nigel Prout 1996 1997 Thomas Long To Royal George

Nigel Prout and Stephen Underwood 1997 1998

William Porter, Carole Johnson and Neil Underwood 1998 2001

William Porter and David McKenzie 2001 2001 William Porter also Valiant Sailor 1998-2004

David Wilkinson 2001 2002

Catherine Ramsey, Roy Francis and Conrad Palmer 2002 2002

Alistair Wilson and Caroline Wilson 2002 2003

Costas Sotiriou and Paul How 2003 2004 + Renamed True Briton (2) 2011

 

Canterbury Weekly Journal 16-11-1844, Maidstone Journal 19-11-1844

On Saturday last the Town Council met at the Harbour Hotel for breakfast, after which they proceeded to the Guildhall, where Dr. Bateman was chosen Mayor for the ensuing year. This gentleman has filled the same position ten times before. The Council afterwards partook of a most excellent dinner at the Harbour Hotel.

Note: This predates start date for Harbour Inn (sometimes referred to as the Harbour Hotel) by 17 years, when, according to local reports, it was “newly erected”.

Folkestone Chronicle 24-8-1861

Annual Licencing Day & Petty Sessions

Wednesday August 21^st:- Before the Mayor, James Tolputt, W.F. Browell, W. Major, W. Bateman, and A.M. Leith esqs.

New Licences

Mr. Harrison said he appeared to support an application made by Mr. Thomas Golder, for a licence to be granted him for a house he had lately erected in Harbour Street. Mr Golder was no doubt well known to some of the bench, having lived in Folkestone all his life. He of course was determined to keep the house highly respectable; he might add that a house stood a short time ago near the spot where his new house was erected called the Pilot Cutter, but which was removed when the improvements were carried out; and also another house called the Folkestone Arms, which was in the vicinity, was removed. He trusted therefore to have shown sufficient to induce the bench to grant the application. Mr. Harrison also produced a petition numerously signed in favour of the application.

Mr. Boult said he was a publican in the immediate neighbourhood, and if this licence was granted there would be five licenced houses without a single house between them, three adjoining at one side of the street, and two at the other. There had been many houses pulled down in the immediate neighbourhood and very few rebuilt; some that had been were not let.

The Mayor in answer said that the bench had unanimously agreed to grant the licence.

Folkestone Observer 24-8-1861

Annual Licensing Sessions

The Magistrates sat on Thursday at the Sessions Hall for granting ale and spirit licences.

On the application of Mr. Harrison, a licence was granted to Mr. Thomas Golder for the Harbour Inn, newly erected, notwithstanding the opposition of Mr. John Transome Boult, of the Victoria, South Street.

 

Southeastern Gazette 27-8-1861

Annual Licensing Day

A new licence was granted to Thos. Golder, Harbour Inn.

 

Folkestone Chronicle 15-2-1862

Coroner`s Inquest

An inquest was held on Thursday last, February 12^th, at the Harbour Inn (sic), Folkestone, before the new coroner, John Minter Esq., on the body of Norris Stokes, a hawker of poultry and game, who had committed suicide on the previous day by hanging himself to a bed post.

The jury, with Mr. H.T. Hale as their foreman, having been sworn, they proceeded to view the body, which was lying at the Princess Royal public house.

On their return the first witness called was Filmer Tyas, who being sworn, stated that he was a labourer, in the employ of Mr. Pilcher, and that he lodged at the Princess Royal public house. He knew the deceased, and he believed him to be about 42 years of age. On the Tuesday previous, deceased came to the house about 9.15. He came into the taproom and called for a pint of beer, which he sat and drank, and smoked his pipe. About 9.30 witness got up and went out, and did not return until between 11 and 12. Deceased had then gone to bed, and witness saw no more of him until about 12 the next day, when the landlady enquired if he had seen deceased go out, and asked him to go upstairs and see. Witness went up, and on opening the bedroom door, saw deceased hanging to the bed post. He appeared to be on his knees, with his face towards the door. He had seemed to be in a depressed state of mind for some time past.

Mary Hobden, being sworn, said – I am the wife of John Hobden, landlord of the Princess Royal public house. On Tuesday night, about 9 o`clock, deceased came to our house and asked for a bed. He had frequently been to the house, but never slept there before. My husband told him he could have a bed; he asked how much. On being told 6d., he asked if it was a good bed, and if there were any other beds in the room. He then went out, but returned in 10 minutes, and called for a pint of porter. He sat for an hour smoking his pipe. I sat by his side at work. He then paid his 6d., and I went upstairs with him with a candle to show him in his room. I drew the curtains, and on looking round, I saw the deceased was laughing, and he said he did not like anyone else to be in his bedroom. We heard a slight noise in the night, but it appeared like someone at the front door. I asked Tyas in the morning if he had seen deceased go out. On his coming downstairs, and saying the man was dead, my husband sent for a policeman.

P.C. Woodland, sworn, said – On Wednesday about half past twelve, from information received, I went to the Princess Royal, South Street. I went up to the top room in the house. I saw the deceased hanging by a piece of cord (produced) to the bedstead by a running noose – the knot under his left ear; his feet were touching the skirting board; his knees were doubled under him but did not touch the ground. I cut him down – he was quite dead. I searched his clothes and found a key and a dinner knife recently sharpened. I have known deceased fifteen years. I remember his brother Jesse, fourteen years ago, attempting to hang himself in a barn. Deceased has appeared to be very strange for some time past. An accident happened to deceased and his brother some time ago; his brother, driving a cart from Dover, drove over the cliff, since which time deceased has not appeared right in his mind. Verdict, “Temporary Insanity”.

 

Dover Chronicle 15-2-1862

On Thursday afternoon an inquest was held at the Harbour Inn, before the Borough Coroner, J. Minter Esq., on the body of Morris Stokes, poulterer, who had committed suicide by hanging himself on the previous day. After hearing the evidence the jury returned a verdict of “Temporary Insanity.”

Maidstone Journal 18-2-1862, Kentish Independent 22-2-1862 

An inquest was held on Thursday last at the Harbour Inn, Folkestone, before John Minter Esq., borough coroner, on the body of Norris Stokes, a hawker of poultry and game, who had committed suicide on the previous day by hanging himself to a bad-post. Filmer Tyas stated that he was a labourer in the employ of Mr. Pilcher, and that he lodged at the Princess Royal public house. On the Tuesday evening previous, deceased came to the house about 9 o`clock and called for a pint of beer, which he sat and drank and smoked his pipe. About an hour afterwards he went to bed, and witness saw no more of him until about 12 the next day, when the landlady enquired if he had seen deceased go out, and asked him to go upstairs and see. Witness went up, and on opening the bedroom door, saw deceased hanging to the bed-post. His feet were touching the skirting board, and his knees were doubled under him, but he did not touch the ground. He was quite dead. A knife recently sharpened was found in his pocket. Other evidence was given to show that the deceased had appeared depressed lately, and it also appeared that his brother had once attempted to commit suicide. A verdict of “Temporary Insanity” was returned.

Folkestone Chronicle 5-4-1862

Coroner`s Inquest

An inquest was holden yesterday afternoon at the Harbour Inn, Harbour Street, before the Recorder, J. Minter esq., on the body of a labouring man, named Henry Cheetham, who died very suddenly that morning, under the circumstances detailed in the evidence below.

The jury were detained upwards of an hour and a half while a post-mortem examination of the deceased was being made by Messrs Tyson and Bowles.

The jury, having been sworn, proceeded to view the body, which was lying in a back room in the above house. On their return the following witnesses were called.

Thomas Hall, mariner, Folkestone deposed that he knew deceased, who lived in Folkestone, and had been working on the harbour for some time. About ten minutes before six on Friday morning, the 4^th instant, he met deceased by the Royal George. He noticed that deceased was unsteady in his gait, and asked him whether anything was the matter. Deceased said he felt very giddy in the head, and he then reeled, and fell to the ground. Deceased then supported himself by his hands, and said “Do come and help me”. Witness then took hold of deceased, and sent for some brandy, and rubbed his temples with it, and poured some into his mouth, but deceased died in about ten minutes. Deceased was at work yesterday, and appeared in very good health.

William Taylor Tyson deposed that he was a surgeon, practicing in Folkestone; was sent for to see deceased, but he was dead before he arrived. He had since examined the body of deceased, and although he had not been able to satisfy himself as to the immediate cause of death, still he had no doubt that deceased died from natural causes.

The jury returned a verdict that deceased died from the Visitation of God.

Southeastern Gazette 20-9-1862, Canterbury Journal 4-10-1862 

On Tuesday last, Mr. Thomas Golder, who has lately opened the Harbour Inn, Folkestone, went to Shorncliffe to witness the review, returning from thence by way of Sandgate. He remained for some time there with his friends, and was about starting for home, when he was suddenly missed. Search being made for him, he was found dead in the yard of the house, having apparently fallen dead in a fit.

Folkestone Chronicle 27-9-1862

Local News

A melancholy instance of the uncertainty of life occurred on Tuesday last; on that day Mr. Thomas Golder, who has lately opened the Harbour Inn, Folkestone, went to Shorncliffe to witness the review, which took place on that day, returning from thence by way of Sandgate. He remained for some time there with a few friends, and was about starting for home, when he was suddenly missed, Search being made for him, he was found dead in the yard of the house, having apparently fallen dead in a fit. 

Death

On Wednesday, the 23^rd inst., at Sandgate, Mr. T. Golder, of the Harbour Inn, Folkestone, and late master of the brig “Alice”, of Folkestone.

Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions.

Kentish Gazette 30-9-1862 

Mr. Thomas Golder, landlord of the Harbour Ian, in this town, died suddenly on Tuesday. He was returning home from Shorncliffe, where he had been to witness a review, when he fell down in a fit and ex­pired immediately.

Dover Chronicle 4-10-1862 

“In the midst of life we are in death.” Never was this truth of the inspired volume more forcefully verified than on Tuesday last at Sandgate. On that day Mr. Thomas Goulder, of the Harbour Inn, Folkestone, in the prime of life (aged 43 years), was standing at the door of the Victoria Inn, Sandgate, conversing with some friends. While thus engaged he suddenly fell to the ground, and on being raised up he was found to be speechless. Medical assistance was soon on the spot, when it was pronounced that the vital spark had fled – death, it was supposed, had resulted from a diseased heart.

Dover Telegraph 4-10-1862

Folkestone: Mr. Thomas Goulder, landlord of the Harbour Inn, in this town, died suddenly on Tuesday. He was returning home from Shorncliffe, where he had been to witness a review, when he fell down in a fit and expired immediately. Deceased was the senior member of the Mariners` Club.

Folkestone Observer 8-7-1865

Temporary license has been granted to George Pointer for the Harbour Inn.

Note: This is at variance with dates in More Bastions

Folkestone Chronicle 18-11-1865

County Court

Wednesday 15^th November:- Before C. Harwood Esq.

Bankrupt

Henry August Herwigg came up for his final examination and discharge, supported by Mr. Minter. There was no opposition. Defendant had formerly been an innkeeper, but gave up business six or seven months ago. He attributed his failure to having had his goods seized under a bill of sale for rent £16. He had nothing left and was now employed as a servant at Mr. Denibas` Paris Hotel. His Honour ordered his discharge to be signed in 30 days.

Folkestone Observer 18-11-1865

County Court

Wednesday November 15^th:- Before C. Harwood Esq.

Bankrupt

Henry Herwigg appeared for his final examination. Formerly an innkeeper but now a servant with no estate.

His Honour fixed next court day to grant an order of discharge.

Southeastern Gazette 21-11-1865

Local News

At a sitting of the County Court on Wednesday (before C. Harwood, Esq., Judge), Thomas Herwig came up for his final examination, supported by Mr. Minter. There was no opposition. Defendant had formerly been an innkeeper, but gave up business six or seven months ago. He attributed his failure to having had his goods seized under a bill of sale for rent—£16. He had nothing left, and was now employed as a servant at Mr. Denibas`, Paris Hotel. His Honour ordered his discharge to be signed in 30 days.

 

Southeastern Gazette 22-5-1866

Transfer of Licence

At a special sessions held at the Town Hall on Wednesday last, the following transfer was granted:—The Harbour Inn, from Mr. Pointer to Mr. Page.

Folkestone Chronicle 29-12-1866

Local News

As the Sprightly, of this port, Mr. C. Page, Harbour Inn, master, bound from Shields to Folkestone with a cargo of coals, was passing the North Foreland, a strong smell of burning was noticed, and it was discovered that the cabin was on fire. By the strenuous exertions of the crew, after the deck had been broken open so as to command the whole of the cabin, the flames were extinguished. The origin of the fire is enveloped in mystery; the damage done is considerable, but the amount cannot be ascertained until the vessel is put into the hands of the shipwrights for repair.

Folkestone Observer 9-10-1869

Tuesday, October 5^th: Before W. Bateman and James Tolputt Esqs.

William Kelly Sergeant, George Kelly, and Michael Moore, gunners in the 10^th Brigade, Royal Artillery, were charged with being drunk and riotous in Dover Street on the night previous. They were also charged with assaulting the police in the execution of their duty.

Prisoners denied both charges, Kelly saying he was knocked down before he was aware of it.

P.C. Swain said: About one o`clock on Monday morning I saw Kelly in company with another artilleryman and two men of the 10<sup>th</sup> Hussars. They were knocking at the door of the Royal Engineer, High Street. I told them they could not get into the house as it was past closing hours. Kelly was then drunk. They all went away. About two o`clock they were knocking at the Harbour Inn, and I told them to go away, and Kelly became insolent. Shortly after two I saw Kelly in company with the other prisoners, another artilleryman, and two Hussars near Mr. Jordan`s, South Foreland. They were then making a great noise.  They left there and went up Dover Street. I afterwards saw P.S. Reynolds and reported the circumstances. Some minutes after, P.C. Hills came down, followed by the prisoners. P.S. Reynolds went up to speak with them. They surrounded the sergeant, and P.C. Hills and myself went to his assistance. Moore struck Reynolds at the back of the head, and sent him sprawling. I then took Moore into custody, when he kicked me on the leg, and I hit him on the head with the staff. Prisoner then struck at me and I knocked him down again with my staff. P.C. Hills took Kelly, and the other prisoners ran away, P.S. Reynolds following. When on the first occasion I saw them in High Street they said they were out for a spree.

P.S. Reynolds said: I was on duty at the bottom of the town about three o`clock this morning. P.C. Swain called my attention to some soldiers who were drunk and riotous in Dover Street. There were the three prisoners, two Hussars, and a fourth artilleryman. I cautioned them, and told them not to make any disturbance, and to get out of the town. The whole of the prisoners were drunk and riotous. One of the soldiers had a whip and threatened to strike me with it. They surrounded me, and I put out my hand to keep them off, and Moore hit me with his fist, nearly knocking me down. I said “Don`t murder me” and called P.C. Swain to my assistance. Sergeant Kelly then came up to me and caught hold of me by the collar, and I knocked him down with my staff. He got up and ran away down Radnor Street. I caught him and brought him back. They were very violent, and struggled. I saw Swain use his staff when he came up. In High Street Moore kicked and struggled, and I hit him with my staff on his hands and legs.

Mr. Bateman said the police ought never to use their staffs when a man was handcuffed.

P.S. Reynolds said the prisoners were not handcuffed.

P.C. Hills said: I was on duty at the bottom of High Street about three o`clock when Sergeant Reynolds asked me if I had seen any soldiers. I told him I had not, but soon afterwards they came down Dover Street shouting. They were drunk. P.S. Reynolds went up to them, but I could not hear what he said. Shortly after, the sergeant whistled to us, and we went up to him. He had Moore and Kelly in custody. Moore knocked Reynolds backward, and before he could recover himself he told me to take Kelly into custody. The sergeant also told us to draw our staves. I suppose he gave that order because he got knocked down. Prisoners were very violent. When we drew our staves, the prisoners said they could use their whips, and commenced to flourish them about. When I had Kelly in custody he resisted very much, but with the assistance of Mr. Morford I put the handcuffs on with his hands behind him. During this time Sergeant and Kelly ran away. I met the sweep by Mr. Musgrave`s in High Street. I did not use my staff.

Cross-examined: The only cause for locking you up was for hallooing and shouting.

John Hubbard, a sweep in sooty uniform, said: I was up this morning a little after three o`clock, and as I was going down High Street I heard a screaming. When I got down by Dover Street I waited and listened to ascertain where the screaming came from. I went up Dover Street and saw P.S. Reynolds, and P.Cs Swain and Hills. There were also the three soldiers, now in the dock. Moore was very drunk. Sergeant was in a sober state, and went up civilly; Kelly was also quiet. They were all three in custody, and making a great noise. Moore and Kelly were resisting. Moore had hold of Reynolds` hand, and Reynolds asked him to let go, but he would not, and Reynolds drew his staff. Reynolds used the staff upon Moore`s hand and afterwards on his head. He went down when Reynolds hit him. Reynolds then asked him to get up, but he would not, and Reynolds put his hand on his thigh and made Moore moan. Swain then came up and assisted him. Prisoner had not then got up. Before this Hills asked me to assist them in getting the prisoners to the station house. I did so. I did not see that there was any occasion to use the staff. I only saw one policeman use his staff (P.S. Reynolds), and he made good use of it when he was about it. It was when Moore was biting him that he used the staff upon his head. Reynolds did not hit him after he had got his hand at liberty. I saw him hit Moore once in High Street because he would not walk.

Mr. Bateman at this stage of the case came to the dock and examined the prisoner Moore. He said two very heavy blows had been given on his head.

In answer to Kelly, Hubbard said: Although you were handcuffed, Mr. Hills had as much as he could do to get you along.

By Sergeant: I did not hear you make any noise. You were very quiet.

By Moore: You had hold of Reynolds` hand, biting it. This was the only provocation for the policemen to use their staves.

By Mr. Tolputt: I did not see any ill-treatment before Moore bit the sergeant`s hand.

The whole of the prisoners denied the charge. Kelly admitted having some ale, but Sergeant and Moore complained butterly of their treatment by the police.

After a consultation, Mr. Bateman said as Sergeant was drunk, and not riotous, they fined him five shillings and costs, and dismissed the charge of assault in his case. He (Mr. Bateman) was very sorry the men had been knocked about, but the policemen had warned the prisoners on several occasions to go home and not make such a noise, and Reynolds had himself walked up to them from the bottom of the town, so as to cause no excitement on the part of the prisoners, and they attacked him. The policemen were strong men, and they should be merciful as well as strong. If it were not for the injury the prisoners had received, they would be more severely punished. The sentence on them would be a month`s imprisonment, with hard labour.

The prisoners Moore and Sergeant presented a very bloody appearance. Moore had a deep cut over the left eye, a blow on the head – of the pain of which he complained during the hearing -, also a cut on his right ear. From these wounds the blood had run over the man`s face. Sergeant had two cuts above his forehead, and the blood had trickled down his face. Kelly had fortunately come off without any bruises whatever.

Folkestone Express 9-10-1869

Tuesday, October 5^th: Before W. Bateman and J. Tolputt Esqs.

Michael Moor, 34, William Sergeant, 35, and George Kelly, 31, privates of Royal Artillery, were charged with being drunk and riotous, and assaulting P.S. Reynolds and P.C. Swain of the Borough Police. The two first named prisoners bore evident marks of a struggle, their faces being covered with blood. Moore had a severe gash over the eye, a wound on his head, his ear and chin cut. His clothes were torn and covered with dirt. On being placed in the dock he had to be supplied with water and accommodated with a seat. The three prisoners pleaded Not Guilty to all charges.

P,C. Swain deposed that seeing three soldiers in High Street about one o`clock that morning, making a noise outside the Royal Engineer, he told them to go away. The prisoner Kelly was then drunk. They went towards the lower part of the town. He followed them, and saw them knock at the door of the Harbour Inn. He cautioned them, and ordered them to leave the town. Shortly after two o`clock he saw them again outside the South Foreland Inn with three other soldiers (two Hussars and four of the Royal Artillery). Moor was drunk, and they were all making a great noise. Sergeant was not so drunk as he others. He ordered them off and they went towards Dover Street, still making a disturbance. He informed Sergeant Reynolds of the circumstance, and P.C. Hills, whom he had just met. They then heard the soldiers coming down Dover Street making a noise, and Sergeant Reynolds went to them and wished them to be quiet, when Moor struck him on the back of the head. Witness then took him into custody, and being kicked by him on the leg, he retaliated by striking him on the head with his staff. A scuffle ensued, in which Moor was knocked down in the road, and he cut his head by falling. One of the soldiers had a loaded whip.

A man at the back of the room said there was a civilian present who saw the whole occurrence.

P.S. Reynolds, who had his hand bound up, said: I told the prisoners and the other soldiers to go home and not make a disturbance; they were outside the late Mr. Hughes` shop. All were drunk. One of the Hussars shook a whip over my head. Moor struck me on the back of the head and knocked me up against the wall. I said “Don`t murder me”, and told Swain to take them into custody. Sergeant then came up and took hold of my collar. I knocked him down. He then got up and ran away and I caught him in Radnor Street. I did not notice any civilians about. I saw Swain use his staff. I do not know if he used it after the man was a prisoner. I used my staff to Moor because he kicked and struggled. (Witness here showed his hand which had evidently been bit in the struggle)

P.C. Hills said: Sergeant Reynolds went up to the soldiers. Shortly afterwards he whistled to us, and I and Swain went to his assistance. He had Moor and Kelly in custody; Moor nearly knocked Reynolds backwards. He told me to take Kelly into custody and to draw our staffs. The soldiers were drunk and used bad language. I do not know why we drew our staffs except because they knocked him down. All the prisoners resisted, and the Hussars said “If you use your staffs we will use our whips”, and commenced flourishing them about. A man named Richard Morford assisted me in handcuffing Kelly. Other civilians were there. I did not use my staff. The prisoner tried to kick me two or three times.

John Hobart, a sweep, and who appeared in his sables, said: I was going down High Street at three o`clock, and hearing screaming I proceeded to the bottom of the street. I met P.S. Reynolds and P.C.s Swain and Hills. Hills asked me to assist them. Sergeant went up to the station very quietly; he appeared quite sober. All three were in custody when I met them; Moor and Kelly resisted a little. Moor took hold of Reynolds` hand and put it to his mouth. Reynolds told him to let go several times; he would not, and Reynolds drew his staff and used it on his hand and head; Moor fell. I do not know if it was from the result of the blow. Reynolds asked him to get up, and as he would not he put his foot on Moor`s thigh and made him moan. He was taken to the station. I never saw such ill-treatment as that was. Moor was hit once on the leg going up High Street because he would not walk.

Mr. Bateman here came from the Bench and examined the prisoner Moor, and said there were two severe bruises on the head.

Kelly denied making any disturbance; Sergrant said he was knocked down with a staff before he said a word; Moor said he never insulted anyone, and had never been treated so before.

The Bench fined Sergeant 5s. and costs for being drunk, and dismissed the charge of assault. As regards Moor they were sorry he was knocked about as he had been, but no doubt the police struck hard in their own defence, and they sentenced Moor and Kelly to prison for one month.