Sportsman`s Tavern, Sydney Street 1881 - 1973 (Off Licence)

Sportsman`s Tavern sign, 1929. Photo kindly supplied by Martin Easdown

Sportsman`s Tavern c1950. Credit Peter & Anne Bamford

Licensees

Stephen Smith 1881 1899

Jane Smith 1899 1902

Stephen Mayor 1902 1906

Jesse Wood 1906 1926

John Thomas Smith 1926 1943

Dennis Couzens 1943 1956

Herbert Cursoe 1956 1973

Folkestone Express 17-5-1884

Saturday, May 10^th: Before The Mayor, Captain Carter, Alderman Sherwood and J. Fitness Esqs.

Stephen Smith was summoned for selling beer to be drunk on the premises, on the 6^th March, without having a license to sell.

Mr. Jones, the Acting Supervisor of Inland Revenue, appeared to prosecute, and Mr. Minter defended.

Patrick Joseph Stanton, Inland Revenue Officer of Folkestone district, said the defendant held an off license to sell beer. On the 6^th March, about half past nine, he called at Mr. Smith`s house, and found there in the front room Wm. Lester. He was standing at the counter. He asked for Mr. Smith, and asked how he could account for Mr. Lester being on his premises drinking beer. He said he knew nothing about it, and he hoped witness would take no notice of it. He told him it was a very serious thing and he should report it. He did not go the next day and tell Smith what he intended to do, but Smith, on the following day, called and expressed his sorrow, and hoped witness would say no more about it. He replied that it was a very serious thing, and must go forward. He then said he would rather have given £50 than it should have occurred, as he was in hopes of getting a full license for the house later on and it might mitigate against that. He also said he would give witness £5 if he would say nothing about it. He told Smith he was not to be bribed, and that that was an offence in itself.

Cross-examined: The shop is a general shop, and his wife was serving. He sent Lester there, so that he might drop in and trap him. It was necessary to do so. There was not another man in the shop at the time he went in. There was one who went out.

Re-examined: I had never seen Lester before that evening.

William Lester, a painter, living at 78, New Bridge Street said he went to Smith`s house on the evening of the 6^th March, at half past nine. He called for a pint of beer. Mrs. Smith served him. He gave her 6d., and received 4d. out. The defendant was not in the shop. He drank the beer in the shop. He was not there more than ten minutes. Smith went round the same evening and asked if he would say he had half the beer in the house, and half out. He had never been supplied with beer in the house before except supper beer. When he went in there was a glass in front of a man named Kennett. He saw him drink the contents – ale or beer.

Cross-examined by Mr. Minter: How much money did Mr. Stanton give you to go into the place? – Sixpence

How much money were you to have for going to trap this man? – Nothing.

Then you pocketed 4d., and guzzled the beer? (Laughter) – That is it. I had a pint of beer, and paid for it out of the 6d.

You kept the 4d.? – Of course I did.

You know what you went there for, of course? – No, I did not.

Did you know what you received the 6d. for? – No.

Where did you receive the 6d.? – In the Two Bells.

Is that Burchett`s? – Yes.

When you received the 6d., what did Mr. Stanton tell you to go and do with it? – He told me I could go and get a pint of beer up at Smith`s.

Then what do you mean by saying you did not know what you were to do with it? – Well, he did not exactly tell me.

Did he tell you to take care to drink the beer on the premises? – He did not say anything about it.

Did he tell you to bring the beer outside or drink it on the premises? – He did not tell me to drink it inside. It did not matter to me where I had it. I had it inside.

You wish the magistrates to believe you don`t know what the 4d. was for? – I don`t know. It was my money. I don`t know what the officer gave it to me for.

You say there was a man named Kennett in there? - Yes.

When you got your beer, did Mrs. Smith tell you to take it outside? – No.

You are in the habit of getting your supper beer there? – Yes.

Re-examined: Did Mr. Stanton tell you why he sent you there? – Yes, because Smith was selling beer on the premises.

Mr. Minter: Smith summoned you to the County Court for breaking his ladder, didn`t he? – Yes.

And you had to pay for it? – Yes.

Edwin George Burchett, landlord of the Two Bells, was called to prove a conversation he had had with the officer about Smith`s house, but the Magistrates` Clerk told the supervisor it was not evidence.

Mr. Jones said he wanted to show that it was from complaints made that this man was sent up.

Mr. Bradley said the magistrates could only hear evidence, and that was not evidence.

Mr. Jones then claimed the right to reply, but was told he could not.

Mr. Minter addressed the Bench for the defendant, pointing out that the prosecution did not come before them with clean hands. It did not want much perception to see that the case had arisen from the jealousy of Mr. Burchett, a rival landlord, who no doubt looked on the defendant as antagonistic to him in his trade, inasmuch as he sold beer for supper, and so on. The case rested solely on the evidence of that worthless character, Lester, who had lied backwards and forwards, whom it was admitted had been sent on purpose to entrap Smith, but who had told the Bench that he did not know what he went for.

He called Richard Kennett, a carter, living at 48, Sidney Street, who said he dealt at Smith`s shop for bread and vegetables, and was there when Lester went in. It was false to say he took up a glass of ale or beer. He did not touch a glass of any description. He heard Lester call for a pint of beer. Mrs. Smith said “Where is your jug?”. He said “I haven`t got one”. She said “All my cans and jugs are out. I`ll lend you a glass to take it home”. She drew the pint of beer and gave it to him. He started drinking it directly. Mrs. Smith told him he mustn`t drink it there – he must take it home.

Cross-examined: I went for bread and vegetables. I did not ask Lester if there was a police officer outside. Mrs. Smith did not call her husband to put him out.

Mr. Jones frequently interrupted Mr. Minter during his speech, evidently being stung by his caustic remarks.

Mr. Bradley told Mr. Jones that he ought to know how to conduct the case.

Mr. Jones: I think I do know.

Mr. Bradley: You have been most irregular.

Mr. Jones: The counsel for the defendant has been most irregular in his remarks. (Laughter)

The Bench considered the case proved, and fined the defendant £5, including costs.

Folkestone News 17-5-1884

Saturday, May 10^th: Before The Mayor, Capt. Fletcher, Alderman Sherwood, and J. Fitness Esq.

Stephen Smith, a beer seller, of Folkestone, was charged by the Inland Revenue authorities with unlawfully selling a pint of beer, he having only an off licence, on May 6^th. Mr. Jones, Supervisor of Inland Revenue, Dover district, prosecuted, and Mr. Minter defended.

Mr. Jones, in his opening remarks, said the case was brought forward in consequence of complaints that had been made of defendant selling beer to be drunk on his premises.

Patrick Joseph Stanton, an officer in the Inland Revenue, said he called at defendant`s shop on the 6^th, and found a man named Wm. Lester there drinking a pint of beer. Witness asked for Mr. Smith and then questioned him as to how it was he accounted for the fact of this man drinking beer on the premises. Defendant said he knew nothing about it and hoped no notice would be taken of it. Witness told him it was a serious thing and he should report it, and should take the next day or two to think over it. He did not, as he said he should, go down the next day and tell Mr. Smith, and the latter came up to him, expressed his regret at the affair, said it should not occur again, and hoped that the officer would not think anything more about it. Witness told him that after consideration he thought it was a very serious thing, and ought to go forward. Defendant then said that he would rather have paid £50 than have it occur, as he was anxious to get a full licence later on, and was afraid this would injure his prospect of so doing. Witness told him he could not help that, and that he should report the case. He then said he would rather give witness a £5 note to say nothing about it. Witness replied that he was not to be bribed, as that was an offence in itself. In cross-examination witness said he had never taken money from defendant.

Wm. Lester, of 73, New Bridge Street, said that on 6^th March at half past nine he went into defendant`s to call for a pint of beer. It was served to him and he changed 6d. and got 4d. out. Mr. Smith was not there. That was all he had; he drank it there. Smith came to him afterwards, and asked him whether he could not say he drunk half inside and half outside. A man named Kennett was there with a glass with some beer in it.

By My. Minter: Mr. Stanton gave him the 6d. to go and get the beer with. He was not to have anything for going. It was given to him in the Two Bells and Mr. Burchett was present at the time.

Mr. Minter: Did he (Mr. Stanton) tell you to take care you were to drink the pint of beer on the premises?

Witness: He told me to go and get a pint of beer, and didn`t say about being careful.

Mr. Minter: Then why did you drink it inside instead of out on the pavement?

Witness: I don`t know.

Mr. Minter: Why did you drink it inside? Do you mean to state that you did not know why you went up there to get a pint of beer?

Witness: I don`t know anything more about it.

Mr. Minter: You knew how to keep the 4d. in your pocket. Do you know what that was for?

Witness: No. It`s your own money if you have it given to you, I suppose.

Mr. Minter: The defendant, I believe, summoned you at the County Court for breaking his ladder?

Witness: Yes, that`s right.

Mr. Jones explained that this case was instituted before the summons was issued.

Mr. Minter then addressed the Court at great length in support of the defence, and characterised the proceeding of the Revenue authority as constituting an unfair snare on the occasion, in employing a man who customarily went to the house to get beer to take away. It was unfortunate that in this case the man`s wife could not be permitted to give evidence.

A witness named Kennett, a carpenter, said he dealt at Smith`s shop for bread and vegetables. He was in there on the evening in question. It was false that he drank or bought any ale there or touched a glass of any description. When Lester came in, he asked for a pint of beer, and Mrs. Smith said “Where is your jug?” He replied that he had not got one. She said all her cans and jugs were out, and she would lend him a glass to take it home in. She drew the beer in a pint glass. Directly he got it in his hand he commenced drinking it. She told him he must not drink it there, but take it home.

Cross-examined by Mr. Jones: He went to pay an account. Mr. Smith ordered the man out twice. He did not see him leave the house.

The Mayor said that the magistrates considered the case proved, and fined defendant £5.

The prosecution asked for their costs to be allowed.

The Bench decided that this could not be done.

Folkestone Chronicle 30-8-1884

Annual Licensing Meeting

The annual granting of public house and other refreshment licenses took place on Wednesday morning in the Session House, before The Mayor and other Magistrates. The whole of the licenses were granted without comment, except in the cases of the Alexandra Inn (sic) and an off beer license to a man named Smith.

Supt. Taylor informed the Bench that in the former case two serious convictions had been recorded, and in the latter, one. As the Alexandra bore an indifferent character, the Bench held the license over till the adjourned transfer day, on the 24^th Sept. Smith`s license was granted with a caution.

Folkestone News 30-8-1884

Wednesday, August 27^th: Before The Mayor, Capt. Fletcher, J. Clark Esq., and Aldermen Sherwood and Caister.

Licensing Day

This being the annual licensing day, the holders of licenses in the district applied for renewals, which were granted without opposition except in the cases mentioned below.

Stephen Smith applied for a renewal of his off licence.

Supt. Taylor reminded the Bench that on May 10^th the applicant was convicted of selling beer on the premises, and was fined £5 and costs.

Mr. Minter appeared for the applicant, and said the case alluded to was one in which it was proved and admitted before the magistrates that it was a plot laid by the excise officer, sending a regular customer to the house, supplying him with money for the purpose of procuring beer to drink on the premises. For the defence it was said that the wife of the defendant served the beer in a glass for it to be taken away, but this did not satisfy the Bench.

The licence was granted, The Mayor cautioning Mr. Smith to be careful in the future.

Folkestone Chronicle 19-12-1891

Inquest

An inquest was held at the Town Hall on Monday evening before the Borough Coroner (J. Minter Esq.) on the body of Cordelia Grinstead, who died suddenly in the Royal Standard Inn on Saturday morning.

Henry Grinstead, a plasterer, living in Canterbury Road, said the deceased was his wife, and her age was 51. She lived with him and died on Saturday, about a quarter past eleven, at the Royal Standard public house. He last saw her alive at eight o`clock on Saturday morning, going down the footpath leading to the road in front of his house. He was in his bedroom. She had not slept with him, but downstairs, on the same floor as his mother slept. His mother`s age was 85, and was, considering her age, active, and did the housework. He went to bed on Friday night about 10.30, leaving his wife lying on the sofa, where she slept. He said to her “Don`t you think it`s time I slept upstairs and you there, as I`m sober and you`re drunk”. He had been in the habit of sleeping on the sofa, as he would not sleep with her because she was drunk. She was drunk on Friday night. There was no quarrel between them, but they were in the habit of quarrelling, and that was the reason he did not sleep with her. The drunken habits of the deceased had been going on for ten or twelve years. As deceased was going down the path she appeared to be sober. She brushed her dress as she walked along.

Mrs. Jane Elizabeth Smith, wife of the landlord of the Sportsman`s Tavern, Sidney Street, said on Saturday morning the deceased went to her house about 9.30 and asked for some beer, and witness refused her. She seemed all right, but looked very pale.

Mrs. Amy Merton, of the Royal Standard Tavern, said the deceased went to her house at about a quarter to eleven on Saturday morning. She was not indoors when deceased went in, but when she returned at about ten minutes to eleven she saw deceased in a fit in a chair. She sent for assistance, and Dr. Barrett came about twelve. Deceased was dead when he arrived.

Mrs. Sarah Holliday, of the Wheatsheaf Inn, said she saw the deceased between half past ten and eleven on Saturday morning. She asked for 4d. worth of whisky, and passed the remark that she was not feeling very well.

William Barrett, surgeon, said he was called to see deceased on Saturday at about a quarter to one. He went to the Royal Standard and found deceased lying on the couch dead. He had made a post mortem examination of the body and found she had a large and several small tumours on the liver. A small one had burst, causing syncope, from which she died.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

Folkestone Express 19-12-1891

Inquest

An inquest was held at the Town Hall, Folkestone, on Monday evening, before J. Minter Esq., Coroner, on the body of Cordelia Grinstead, who died suddenly in the Royal Standard Inn on Saturday morning.

Henry Grinstead, a plasterer, living in Canterbury Road, said the deceased was his wife, and her age was 51. She lived with him, and died on Saturday about a quarter past eleven in the Royal Standard public house. He last saw her alive at eight o`clock on Saturday morning, going down the footpath leading to the road in front of his house. She had not slept with him, but downstairs on the same floor as his mother slept. His mother`s age was 85, and was, considering her age, active, and did the housework. He went to bed on Friday night about 10.30, leaving his wife lying on the sofa, where she slept. He said to her “Don`t you think it`s time I slept upstairs and you there, as I`m sober and you`re drunk?” He had been in the habit of sleeping on the sofa, as he would not sleep with her because she was drunk. She was drunk on Friday night. There was no quarrel between them, but they were in the habit of quarrelling, and that was the reason he would not sleep with her. The drunken habits of the deceased had been going on for ten or twelve years. As deceased was going down the path she appeared to be sober, as she brushed her dress as she walked along.

Mrs. Jane Elizabeth Smith, wife of the landlord of the Sportsman`s Tavern, Sidney Street, said on Saturday morning the deceased went to their house about 9.30 and asked for some beer, and witness refused her. She seemed all right, but looked very pale.

Mrs. Amy Merton, of the Royal Standard Tavern, said the deceased went to her house at about a quarter to eleven on Saturday morning. She was not indoors when deceased went in, but when she returned at about ten minutes to eleven she saw deceased in a fit in a chair. She sent for assistance, and Dr. Barrett came about twelve o`clock. Deceased was dead when he arrived.

Mrs. Sarah Holliday, of the Wheatsheaf Inn, said she saw the deceased between half past ten and eleven on Saturday morning. Deceased asked her to serve her with 4d. worth of whisky, and passed the remark that she was not feeling very well.

William Peard Barrett, M.R.C.S., said he was called to see the deceased on Saturday last at about a quarter to one. He went to the Royal Standard and found deceased lying on the couch dead. He had made a post mortem examination of the body, and found she had a large, and several small, tumours on the liver. A small one had burst, causing syncope, from which she died.

The jury found that the deceased died from natural causes.

Folkestone Herald 19-12-1891

Inquest

Mr. John Minter (Borough Coroner) held an inquest at the Town Hall on Monday evening last, touching the death of Cordelia Grinstead, who died on Saturday last at the Royal Standard public house, Bridge Street.

The jury having viewed the body, the following evidence was taken:-

Henry Grinstead, plasterer, living at 88, Canterbury Road, said deceased was his wife. He last saw her alive on Saturday morning last, when she appeared in her usual health. Witness said he did not sleep in the same bedroom as deceased, on account of her drunken habits. She was drunk the night before her death. Deceased had been given to drinking about ten or twelve years. He had had no quarrel, nor did he strike deceased on Friday.

Jane Eliza Smith, wife of Robert Smith, landlord of the Sportsman`s Inn, Sidney Street, said deceased came into her house on Saturday morning last at half past nine and asked for a drink, but she refused to serve her.

Ellen Murten, wife of William Murten, landlord of the Royal Standard, said deceased came to her house about 10.45 on Saturday morning. She was not indoors at the time, but on returning found deceased in a fit. Witness at once sent for a doctor, and on his arrival found she was quite dead.

Mrs. Halliday, wife of George Halliday, landlord of the Wheatsheaf, said deceased came to their house between 10 and 11 a.m. and had some whisky. She complained of not feeling well, and soon after left the house. Witness afterwards saw her enter the Royal Standard.

Dr. William Peard Barrett, M.R.C.S., said he was called to deceased, and found her lying on a couch quite dead. He made a post mortem examination of the body. Deceased was suffering from an internal complaint, and in his opinion the immediate cause of death was syncope.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Folkestone Express 11-3-1899

Wednesday, March 8^th: Before J. Fitness and C.J. Pursey Esqs.

The off licence of a beer-house in Sidney Street was temporarily transferred to Mrs. Smith, widow of the late proprietor.

Folkestone Up To Date 11-3-1899

The following licence was transferred:

Off licence of beerhouse in Sidney Street temporarily transferred to Mrs. Smith, widow of late proprietor.

 

Folkestone Express 29-4-1899

Wednesday, April 26^th: Before The Mayor, J. Fitness, W. Wightwick, and C.J. Pursey Esqs., and Col. Hamilton.

An application for the transfer of the off licence of the Sportsman, Sidney Street, to Mrs. Smith, the widow of the late licence holder, was granted.

Folkestone Herald 29-4-1899

On Wednesday last a beer off licence was granted to Mrs. Smith, of the Sportsman.

 

Folkestone Up To Date 29-4-1899

Wednesday, April 26^th: Before The Mayor, J. Fitness, W. Wightwick, and C.J. Pursey Esqs., and Lt. Col. Hamilton.

The following transfers was granted: 57, Sidney Street (beer off licence), Stephen Smith to Jane Elizabeth Smith (widow)