West Cliff Shades 1930s

Folkestone Herald 20-1-1934

Obituary

Much regret was expressed on Friday of last week when it became known that Mr. Walter Herbert Barker had passed away at his residence in Christ Church Road after a sudden seizure, from which he never rallied.

The late Mr. Barker, who was 58 years of age, was a son of the late Mr. R. Barker, of Windfarthing (Norfolk), and had resided in Folkestone for over 30 years.

He was widely known amongst a large section – visitors and residents alike – as lessee of the West Cliff Shades. Mr. Barker`s one desire was to keep up the tone of the Shades, and this he did to a marked degree.

Mr. Barker was a much respected member of the local Licensed Victuallers` Association, and used his quiet but nonetheless useful influence in upholding the dignity of the trade.

The late Mr. Barker was gifted by nature with a sunny disposition. He was courteous and affable, not only to his customers, but to all – be they rich or poor – with whom he was brought into contact. There is a volume contained in the words “A Perfect English Gentleman” – the late Mr. Barker was that.

He leaves a widow and three children (two sons and one daughter), and to them much sympathy is extended. It is of interest to note that Mr. L. Barker, a brother, is the proprietor of the Prince Albert Hotel, Rendezvous Street, and was for several years a member of the House of Commons Police.

The funeral took place on Tuesday at Golder`s Green Crematorium.

Folkestone Express 10-2-1934

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 7^th: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Mr. W. Smith, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Mr. F. Seager, Councillor W. Hollands, and Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens.

Mr. R. Dallas Brett applied on behalf of Mrs. B.A. Barker, widow of the late licensee of the West Cliff Shades, Mr. W.H. Barker, who died on the 12^th January, for the transfer of the justices` licence which he held there. He said that she had already been accepted as tenant by the brewers concerned.

The Chief Constable said that the late licensee had carried on the business of the house since 1903. It was not altogether desirable that a woman should hold a public house licence, and he had taken the trouble to ensure that Mrs. Barker was protected by her son in that case. He understood that he was going to devote less time to his other business, which was close by, and more time to the licensed house.

The Chairman: I think the Justices will agree with that remark.

The transfer was granted.

Folkestone Herald 10-2-1934

Annual Licensing Sessions

“Eight years ago we tried an experiment that had only been tried in one or two places then, of granting an extra half hour on weekdays during the summer months. No ill-effects have been observed, and the Licensing Magistrates are still of the opinion that that half hour is very useful to the licensees and residents the town during the crowded months of the summer. Therefore, as we have no regrets of having granted it to you, we are going to renew the whole of the liquor licences on the same terms as before”.

This very satisfactory statement on the sobriety of the borough was made by the Chairman of the Licensing Magistrates (Alderman R.G. Wood) at the Annual Licensing Sessions at the Town Hall on Wednesday. The other Magistrates were Engineer Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Councillor W. Hollands, Mr. F. Seager, Mr. W. Smith, and Dr. W.W. Nuttall.

Mr. Dallas Brett applied on behalf of Mrs. Barker, the widow of the late Mr. W.H. Barker, of the West Cliff Shades, and applied for a transfer of the licence to herself. Mrs. Barker, he said, had already been accepted as the new tenant by the brewers, and she also had a number of references, which were submitted.

The Chief Constable said the references were perfectly satisfactory. Continuing, he said it was not desirable that a woman should hold a public house licence, but he had taken the trouble to investigate the application of Mrs. Barker, and found she was protected by her son, and he understood that he was going to devote more time to the licensed business, and less to his own.

The transfer was granted.

Folkestone Herald 5-8-1939

Local News

There was a sequel to police observations on the West Cliff Shades public house, Christ Church Road, Folkestone, at Folkestone Petty Sessions yesterday, when William Henry Wood, of 5, Ingles Mews, Folkestone  was summoned for on July 12^th and certain other dates using the premises for the purpose of betting. Walter Aubrey Edward Hill, of 51, St. Michael`s Street, Folkestone, was summoned for on the same dates aiding and abetting Wood. Mr. Lloyd Bunce appeared for Wood. Both defendants pleaded Guilty.

Mr. B.H. Bonniface, who prosecuted, said Hill was a barman at the West Cliff Shades. On four successive days, July 12^th, 13^th, 14^th and 15^th, P.C. Welch kept observation in these premises in the bar itself. During those days betting was going on openly in the bar, Hill tak­ing bets and putting them in a drawer. The licensee was not there, Hill being in sole charge at the time. When the other defendant came in on each day he look the betting slips and the money away with him.

P C. Welch said he kept observation in the public bar of the West Cliff Shades from 12.15 p.m. to 2.15 p.m. on July 12^th.

Hill was there the whole time, and there were about 15 men present. He saw one man go up to Hill, hand him a piece of paper and money over the coun­ter, which Hill put in a drawer. He later saw another man write something on a piece of paper and hand it with money to Hill. He saw Wood visit the premises with another man. Hill handed Wood some­thing. He again kept observation from 11.40 a.m. to 2.10 p.m. on July 13^th. He saw various people write out slips and with money hand them to Hill. Wood came into the premises about 1 p.m. with the same man as the day before. Wood stood talking to Hill, who then went to a drawer, took out a small blue paper bag and handed it to Wood, who put it in his pocket. About 1.10 p.m. a man present went to Wood and placed a small piece of paper with a coin in his hand. Another man did the same thing shortly after. On July 14^th slips and money were again passed over to Hill. Wood later came into the premises and stood talk­ing to Hill. Hill went to a drawer un­derneath the counter, took out another blue paper bag and handed it over to Wood, who then put it into his pocket.

Inspector J. Rowe said about 1.25 p.m. on July 15^th he entered the premises by virtue of a warrant. Hill was behind the bar and Wood was on the customers' side of the counter. In Wood's possession he found a blue bag containing two betting slips on which were written the names of four horses running that day at Sandown Park. He also had in his possession 18s. 5½d., ten other slips and a number of "Football Naps".

Mr. Lloyd Bunce said Wood was not a bookie or engaged in the betting busi­ness; he was a chauffeur. He was ask­ed by friends “to put something on" for them. Having received the slips he handed them on to another party who in turn passed them on to a bookmaker. He took these bets as a favour for some friends, not realising that he was break­ing the law in any way.

Continuing, Mr Lloyd Bunce said Wood, who was a man of good character, was an "Old Contemptible'.' He was in the front line trenches from September 8^th, 1914, and served until the end of the war. He was three times mentioned in dispatches and he received the Military Medal for bravery in the field. He also had the Meritorious Service Medal and the Mons Star.

Hill said he was very sorry for what had happened; it would never happen again.

The Magistrates fined each defendant £1, and ordered Wood to pay £2 4s. 9d. costs and Hill costs amounting to £2.

 

Folkestone Express 12-8-1939

Local News

Police observation on a Folkestone public house resulted in two men appearing before the Folkestone Magistrates on Friday. They were William Henry Wood, a chauffeur, of Ingles Mews, Folkestone, who was fined £1 with £2 4s. 9d. costs for using the West Cliff Shades in Christ Church Road for the purpose of betting on horse racing, and Walter Aubrey Hill, a barman, of St. Michael`s Street, Folkestone, who was also fined £1 and £2 costs for aiding and abetting Wood.

Mr. Lloyd Bunce appeared for Bruce and pleaded Guilty. Hill entered a similar plea.

Mr. B.H. Bonniface, prosecuting, said Hill was barman at the West Cliff Shades public house, On four successive days, July 12^th to 15^th, P.C. Walsh kept observation in the public bar, and on the 15^th Inspector Rowe entered the premises with a warrant. P.C. Walsh would describe to them what he saw going on openly in the bar. Hill was taking bets systematically, and placed them in a drawer by his beer engine. The licensee was not there, and Hill was in sole charge of the public bar. Wood took betting slips away with him when he visited the public house each day. When Inspector Rowe searched the defendant he had two betting slips relating to betting that day, together with money, in his pocket. The maximum penalty was a fine not exceeding £100.

P.C. Walsh said he kept observation in the public bar at the West Cliff Shades public house from 12.15 p.m. until 2.15 p.m. on July 12^th. Hill was behind the bar, and there were about fifteen men present. One man went up to Hill and handed a piece of paper over the counter to Hill, who placed it in a drawer under the counter. Wood came to the premises accompanied by another man. Hill handed Wood a small piece of paper, which was given to the other man, who unfolded it and produced some money. Witness said on July 13^th he kept observation from 11.40 a.m. until 2.10 p.m. He saw people wrire slips and hand the money to Hill. Wood entered the premises about one o`clock accompanied by the same man. Hill took a small blue paper bag from the drawer and handed it to Wood, who placed it in his pocket. On the following day he saw a man go over to Wood and place a small piece of paper and a coin in his hand. Ten minutes later another man did the same thing. On the 14^th pieces of paper and money were passed over to Hill, and Wood visited the premises. He spoke to Hill, who handed him a blue paper slip from the drawer, which he (Wood) put into his pocket.

Inspector Rowe said at 1.25 p.m. on July 15^th he entered the premises under a warrant. Hill was behind the bar and Wood was standing on the customers` side of the counter. He told all the people in the bar why he was there. And searched Wood, finding a blue bag containing two betting slips on which were written four horses running that day at Sandown Park. He also had in his possession 18/5½, ten other slips, a number of football naps, and an explanatory circular.

Mr. Bunce said Wood was not a bookie, and was not engaged in the betting business. He was a chauffeur, and went to the est Cliff Shades on a number of occasions because he was asked by friends to put “something on” for them, and having received the slips, the contents of which he did not know, he handed them over to another party who, in turn, passed them on to a bookmaker. Wood took the bets as a favour to his friends, and did not realise he was breaking the law in any way, which was quite a reasonable surmise if it was done in clubs in certain conditions. Apparently if it was done in a public house it was different.

The Clerk: I do not quite follow. I do not know under what enacture that can be done in a club.

Mr. Bunce: I think it can be arranged. (Laughter)

Continuing, Mr. Bunce said Wood was a man of good character. He was an Old Contemptible, being in the first line trenches from September 6^th, 1914, to the finish. He was mentioned three times in dispatches, and was awarded the Military Medal for gallant conduct and bravery in the field, the meritorious service medal, and the Mons Star.

Hill told the Court that he was very sorry for what had occurred, and said it would never happen again.

The Chairman (Dr. W.W. Nuttall) said the defendants had both pleaded Guilty, and would each be fined £1. Wood would have to pay £2 4s. 9d. costs, and Hill £2.

Folkestone Express 7-10-1939

Lighting Regulations

Judging by the number of cases at the Folkestone Police Court, the residents and traders of the town are exercising considerably more care in the obscuring of the lights from their premises. On the two days when such cases are usually heard at the Court there have been few summonses compared with pre­vious weeks. Two defendants appeared before the Folkestone magistrates on Friday sum­moned for breaches of the lighting order.

Mrs. Bessie Barker, West Cliff Shades, Folkestone, was the first defendant.

P.C. Barrett said at 11.15 p.m. on the 24th September he noticed a bedroom window on the first floor of the West Cliff Shades was illuminated. The covering on the window was a blue blind, which was very thin, and he could see the lamp through the blind. The blind was too narrow, and there was an opening in it at the top, permitting bars of light to be shown. He interviewed defendant, and she said she had only just gone into the room.

Defendant said she was very sorry.

The Chairman (the Mayor, Alderman G.A. Gurr) said the defendant would have to be more careful. She would have to pay a fine of 10/-.