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| Folkestone Herald 3-1-1891 |
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| Folkestone Chronicle 1-1-1887 |
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| Holbein`s Visitors` List 24-11-1886
Folkestone
Chronicle 11-8-1888
County Court
Tuesday, August 7th: Before W.L. Selfe Esq.
George Belgrave v John Gammon: The defendant is a
farmer, occupying Stockham Farm. The claim made by Mr. Belgrave, brewer, of
Folkestone, was for £7 2s. 9d., and disputed on the grounds that defendant had sent
back one cask of beer for which the plaintiff had not allowed him credit. The
actual amount disputed was 8s. 9d., one item being that the plaintiff had not
deducted the amount of an offset in the shape of a ton and a quarter of hay
properly.
His Honour went through the items and found that the
plaintiff had reckoned it up correctly and that it was the defendant who was
under a wrong impression. The disputed item of 8s. 9d. was thus reduced to 2s.
6d.
Mr. Belgrave stated that the cask of beer was sent
back, and he allowed the defendant for all that was sent back. Seven gallons
had been drawn at the defendant`s house, and he was merely charged for five
gallons.
His Honour gave judgement for £7 2s. 9d., £2 to be paid
in a fortnight, and the balance by instalments of £2 per month.
Folkestone
Express 11-8-1888
County Court
Tuesday, August 7th: Before Judge Selfe
G. Belgrave v John Gammon: Claim £7 2s. 9d. for beer
supplied to defendant, a farmer, of Stockham.
Defendant disputed part of the claim on the ground that
he had returned some of the beer, which was not good, and supplied plaintiff
with some straw. He admitted all the account except 8s. 9d.
Plaintiff said the defendant was allowed for all the
beer which was returned. The account was an old one. Defendant had never paid
anything in cash.
Order for payment by £2 in a fortnight, and the balance
at £2 a month.
Folkestone
Up To Date 2-8-1894
Hall Of Justice
Present: Messrs. J. Holden, J. Pledge, and J. Fitness.
Three lads were charged with stealing two quart bottles
of stout. The case against one was allowed to be withdrawn, and he gave
evidence against the other two.
They were fined 20s. each and cautioned by the Bench.
Folkestone
Chronicle 3-8-1894
Wednesday, August 1st: Before Mr. Holden,
Mr. Fitness, and Alderman Pledge.
Edward Howland, Charles Wratten, and William Fox,
respectably-dressed young men, were charged with stealing two bottles of stout,
the property of Mr. George Belgrave, from the Gun Brewery, on the 24th
July.
Mr. F. Hall, who prosecuted, said Fox had been employed
several years by Mr. Belgrave as night watchman. His master believed he had
been led away by the other men, and wished to withdraw the charge against him.
The Bench assented, and Fox was afterwards called as a
witness.
P.C. Simpson said as he was on his beat in Cheriton
Road about a quarter to two on the morning of the 24th June, he saw
the gate of the Gun Brewery open. Fox came out, looked up and down the road,
and went back. Hearing voices inside, he watched the place from Mr. Pope`s
doorway. At five minutes to two Fox came out, followed by the two defendants.
They went to the Shakespeare corner, and witness, going up to them, said “What
are you loitering about here for at this time of night?” Wratten replied “We`re
out for a walk”. He told them it was time they were at home. Wratten`s trousers
pockets were bulky, and this gave rise to the following dialogue between him
and the constable: “What have you got there?” – “Nothing. Who do you think
we`ve been robbing?” – “What`s in those pockets?” – “A bottle” – “What does it
contain?” – “Best stout!” – “Where did you get it?” – “Oh, you know; where
you`ve been many a time.” – “What do you mean?” – “Well, it came from the
brewery”. He took their names and addresses and searched Howland, but found
nothing. Wratten commenced to drink from the bottle, and handed it to Howland.
Witness took it away.
William Fox said he was night watchman at the Gun
Brewery. It was his duty to keep the gates locked, but the two defendants came
on the night in question, and he let them in. They asked if he could give them
a drink, and he gave them the two quart bottles containing stout.
Mr. Belgrave said the value of the stout and bottles
was 1s. 6d.
Defendants were each fined £1, and Fox was severely
reprimanded by the Bench.
Folkestone
Express 4-8-1894
Wednesday, August 1st: Before J. Holden, J.
Fitness and J. Pledge Esqs.
Edward Howland, Charles Wratten and William Fox were
charged with stealing, on Tuesday, July 24th, two quart bottles of
stout, value 1s. 6d., the property of Mr. Belgrave, Gun Brewery.
Mr. F. Hall appeared for the prosecutor. He asked on
behalf of Mr. Belgrave the permission of the Magistrates to withdraw the
summons against Fox, and to call him as a witness. He had been in the employ of
Mr. Belgrave some years, and had hitherto borne a very good character, but he
appeared to have been led astray by the others.
The Bench acceded to the application.
P.C. Simpson said: On Tuesday morning, the 24th
instant, I was on my beat between one and two. I was at the corner of Cheriton
Road and Guildhall Street. From that position I could command a view of the Gun
Brewery. I saw the door open, and Fox came out and looked up and down the road.
He went in again. I heard someone inside, and also voices, so I made up my mind
to watch the place. I went up Cheriton Road, along Gloucester Place, through
Pankhurst`s Yard, and then into Guildhall Street, where I stood in Mr. Pope`s
doorway. At five minutes to two the door was opened again by Fox, who came out.
The two prisoners came out afterwards and went to the corner of Cheriton Road
and Guildhall Street, in front of the Guildhall Hotel. I went up to them and
said “What are you loitering about here for at this time of night?” Wratten
said “We are out for a walk!” I told them it was time they went home. I noticed
that Wratten`s trouser pockets were bulky, so I said “What have you got about
you?” He said “Nothing; do you think we`ve been robbing anyone?” I searched
Howden and found nothing, then I searched Wratten. I touched his pocket outside
and said “What have you got there?” He said “A bottle!” I said “What does it
contain?” He said “Best Stout”. I said “Where did you get it from?” He said,
“Oh, you know, where you have been many a time!” I said “What do you mean?” He
said “Well, it came from the Brewery”. Upon that I took their names and
addresses. They commenced drinking from the bottles – Wratten drank first, and
then Howden – whilst they were standing by me. I then took the bottles away.
William Fox said: I am in the employ of Mr. George
Belgrave. I was left in charge of the premises. It is my duty to lock the gates
and keep them closed. I am relieved in the morning at six o`clock. On Tuesday
morning the 24th instant these two men, Wratten and Howland, came to
the Gun Brewery whilst I was there, about twenty minutes past one in the
morning. They asked me if I would give them drink. I gave them two bottles
(produced) with Stout in them. I let them out of the premises.
Mr. George Belgrave said the value of the two bottles
of stout was about 1s. 6d.
The defendants pleaded Not Guilty to stealing, but
Guilty to receiving the bottles.
The Bench inflicted a fine of £1 each, or in default
fourteen days` hard labour.
The Magistrates called the witness Fox before them and
pointed out to him that it was entirely owing to the leniency of Mr. Belgrave
that he remained unpunished. He ought to be extremely grateful to Mr. Belgrave
for saving him through his mercy. They hoped that the punishment inflicted upon
the others would be a lesson to him.
Folkestone
Herald 17-8-1895
The Gun Brewery
There is a big rush on just now in Folkestone.
Everybody is busy – either on business or pleasure bent. The tradesman appears
contented, and his assistants have never worked so hard before. Some will urge
that the season is not so bad on the whole, others that a worse one was never
recorded. My ears are getting attuned to this parrot cry. Folkestone has not
yet reached the goal of perfection, but you can take it that the place is
blooming along. Ask the railway and postal authorities, the amusement caterers,
and hotel proprietors and they will agree that we are in for a very respectable
season. Would that this happy state of things could last the whole year
through; alas it cannot! Soon, the sere and yellow leaf of autumn will be with
us, only to be followed by the chilly blasts of winter and a doubtful spring.
In those long and unknown months we have, as it were,
to rely upon ourselves for trade. We are not overwhelmed with local industries,
and in those that give employment to numerous hands we all naturally take some
interest. The Local Veto Bill has not passed, neither has the Prohibition Law
been written as one of the statutes of the realm.
And having these important facts in view, with the
knowledge that the Gun Brewery is the only manufactory of the sort in the
place, it occurred to me that a few remarks on this establishment, which was
founded in the year 1821, would not be out of place in these columns. I have no
desire to make any comparison with other well known brewers that serve this
town and neighbourhood, but I think out of a spirit of local patriotism some
notice should be taken of a firm which has stood the test of the best part of a
century. The Gun stands in Cheriton Road, and nearly forms a junction with
Guildhall Street. It is a familiar landmark to Folkestonians, and during the
brewing process the aroma of hops and malt is in much evidence to passers by.
My residence in Folkestone now extends to more years
than I care to remember, but nevertheless I must plead ignorance to a knowledge
of the inner life of the establishment that forms the subject of this article.
But I was enlightened on Wednesday morning. Readily the management acceded to
the request that I should make a tour over the Gun. In a well-known cookery
book the opening chapter thus commences “First be clean, and then proceed to
work”. From a close inspection of the premises I have come to the conclusion
that the cookery maxim is an inflexible rule down at Cheriton Road. In every
detail of the manufacture we gladly observe that the necessity for the
observance of this all-important condition is rigidly enforced.
Naturally I sought a little information from the
brewer, who politely ushered me into his inner sanctum, under the arms of a
spreading chestnut tree. “Now, as to the water – that most essential factor in
brewing good malt liquors – what of that?” I queried. “Well, now you are asking
for my opinion” answered my friend.
“I should naturally say that the water is excellent for the purpose, but we are
constantly having analyses made by eminent scientists. Here is a report I have
just had made by Mr. Harland, the well-known expert. He declares, after an
exhaustive analysis, that the water is one of the best he has ever examined
professionally”. Proceeding, my informant said “We have a constant supply of
spring water, which is pumped from our own well 108ft. below the surface.
Through the most prolonged droughts we have never known it`s volume to
decrease. From a long experience I am satisfied that our water is above
suspicion”. Plying my ready informant with further queries, he answered “Every
schoolboy is conversant with the process of the manufacture of beers, but I
might say that our beverages are bittered with the very best English hops
procurable. The foreign article I would not give storage to. We are making a
great speciality of our stout. Hitherto, for various reasons, we have not
manufactured it, but after considerable demand from our customers we have
produced an article which we would prefer to tell it`s own tale. Of course we
bottle other stouts, but to make the Folkestone brand a leading line will be
our constant endeavour”.
And now this kindly gentleman pilots me to the “regions
below”, where are stocked in a cool atmosphere numerous hogsheads of barley
wine, to be drawn off in smaller receptacles. After creeping about in
semi-darkness I find myself in the bottling house, where a number of men and
boys are busily engaged with patent bottling and cork apparatus – marvels of
ingenuity. Noticing a huge pile of “basket bottles”, I asked if this branch of
the trade was flourishing. “Oh, yes” my friend replied “it is wonderful how the
basket trade has gone on. You see, these bottles with a tap only hold a gallon,
and it is possible to draw off the whole of the contents perfectly clear
without the slightest suspicion of sediment. Yes, we expect to develop our
basket bottle trade. You see they are so handy in size, and can be handled with
the greatest facility.
After a further glance round the mash tubs, granaries,
engine rooms, and other details, I left the Gun impressed with the idea that
with it`s present active management, a great future is before this local
industry.
Folkestone
Herald 31-8-1895
Folkestone Brewster Sessions
The annual licensing meeting for the Borough of
Folkestone was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday last, the sitting Justices at
the opening of the Court having been Captain Carter, Mr. Wightwick, Mr.
Fitness, Alderman Pledge, and County Alderman Herbert. The business was very
light, the existing licences being renewed in the absence of any complaint or
objection.
The Gun Brewery
Mr. Hall, solicitor, applied in respect of this
establishment. He stated that the concern had been sold recently, and that the
former Manager, Mr. Rogers, would continue to act in that capacity. Under these
circumstances the application was that the licence should be granted in the
name of Mr. Rogers.
The application was granted.
Folkestone
Visitors` List 4-9-1895
Annual Licensing Session
The annual meeting of the Borough Magistrates for the
purpose of granting and renewing licenses within the Borough was held on
Wednesday. There was some expectation that opposition was to be offered to the
renewal of the music and dancing licence for the Town Hall, but this year there
was no opposition of any kind whatever. Considering all that has taken place
within the past few months with regard to the Temperance party, this was
somewhat astonishing. In the neighbouring town on Dover on the previous day the
teetotallers succeeded in a slight degree, but at Folkestone no attempt
whatever was made to oppose any of the existing licences or the application for
new ones.
The Magistrates present were Captain Carter, Mr. J.
Fitness, Mr. W.G. Herbert, and Alderman Pledge.
Mr. F. Hall, solicitor, applied on behalf of the
proprietor of the Gun Brewery. The licence had formerly been granted to Mr.
George Belgrave, but Mr. Belgrave had sold the business a week or two ago to
another gentleman. Thus there was no time to serve the necessary notices, but
Mr. Belgrave`s manager, Mr. Rogers, was still manager for the new proprietor,
and he applied that for the time being the licence might be renewed in the name
of Mr. Rogers.
The Chairman said that the Bench would renew the
licence as applied for by Mr. Hall.
Superintendent Taylor, on the part of the police,
offered no opposition to the renewal of any of the existing licences, and there
was no opposition of any other kind. The Bench, therefore, renewed the whole of
the licences previously granted.
It is some years since the Annual Licensing Sessions
has been so quiet at Folkestone, and there being no complaint or opposition of
any kind shows that the licensed houses in the town are conducted in a careful
and satisfactory manner.
Folkestone Chronicle
26-11-1898
Inquest
Dr. Hardman held an inquest at Deal on Saturday on the body
of George Belgrave, formerly a brewer of Folkestone, who died suddenly that
morning. It appeared from the evidence and his own diary that deceased came to
Deal for the fishing on Thursday, the 10th, and was then unwell. He
kept to his bed on Friday and Saturday, a doctor attending him. On Sunday he
was better, and throughout the week he fished from the pier daily, returning
for the last time at five o`clock on Friday evening. He retired to bed at 9.30,
and the next morning came downstairs as usual, leaving his wife in the bedroom.
A quarter of an hour later he was discovered by the servant, lying across a
chair, with his head against the piano, life being extinct. He had suffered
occasionally from gout and rheumatism, and the doctor who was again called in
was of opinion that death was due to syncope. A verdict of “Death from natural
causes” was returned.
Folkestone Express
6-5-1899
Notice
GEORGE BELGRAVE deceased
Pursuant to Statute 22 and 23 of Victoria, Chapter 35.
Notice is hereby given that all Creditors and other persons
having any Debts, Claims, or Demands against the estate of George Belgrave,
formerly of the Gun Brewery, Folkestone, Brewer, but late of Deal, both in the
County of Kent, (who died on the 19th day of November, 1898, and
whose will was proved by William Belgrave and Frederic Hall, the executors
therein named, in the Principal Registry of the Probate Division of Her
Majesty`s High Court of Justice on the 28th day of March, 1899) are
hereby required to send particulars in writing of their Debts, Claims, or
Demands to me, the undersigned, as Solicitor to the said Executors on or before
the 20th day of June, 1899, after which date the said Executors will
proceed to distribute the assets of the said testator among the parties
entitled thereto, having regard only to the Debts, Claims, and Demands of which
they shall then have had notice, and that they will not be liable for the
assets or any part thereof so distributed to any person or persons of whose
Debt, Claim, or Demand they shall not then have had notice.
Dated this 28th day of April, 1899.
Frederic Hall,
Bank Chambers,
Folkestone, Kent.
Solicitor to the said Executors.
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