Alexandra Hotel 1935 - 1937

Folkestone Express 12-1-1935

Local News

Richard Thomas Sibley, of 4, St. John`s Church Road, came before the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday, summoned for consuming intoxicating liquor at the Alexandra Hotel, Folkestone, at 11.15 p.m. on December 22^nd, and Francis J.E. May, the licensee, was summoned for aiding and abetting. Mr. B.H. Bonniface appeared for both the defendants, and pleaded Not Guilty.

On that day, the Saturday before Christmas, there was an extension of hours until 11 p.m., which had been granted by the Magistrates.

The Magistrates present were Mr. R.G. Wood, Judge H. Terrell, Alderman J.W. Stainer, Mr. L.G.A. Collins, Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens, and Alderman W. Hollands.

After a lengthy hearing the Bench dismissed the case.

Inspector Rowe said he was on duty outside the Alexandra Hotel at 11.15 p.m. with P.S. Butcher, and looking through the window he saw a number of persons in the saloon bar. He tried the door, which was locked. He then shook the door, and the licensee`s son appeared, unfastened and opened the door, which was either locked or bolted. With P.S. Butcher, he went into the saloon and saw four persons. The defendant Sibley was sitting on a chair with his back to the entrance to the saloon bar. His wife, Mrs. Sibley, was alongside him. The licensee was standing with his back towards the serving counter on the public side, and there was a fourth person present, Mrs. Kay, the housekeeper to the licensee. On the counter by Sibley was a pint glass half full of ale, which witness could tell by the colour, and near the defendant May was also a pint glass half full of ale. He did not taste what was in the glass, but he was satisfied it was ale, usually called bitter. As he entered the door he saw Sibley take a drink from the glass he had alongside him. He had not observed the witness at that time as he had his back to him. He (witness) said to the licensee “Who are these people here?” and he explained that Sibley was employed to play the piano and wash glasses. His wife was with him, and the other lady was the housekeeper. Witness told him the time was 11.15 p.m., checking the time with P.S. Butcher before going into the house. He told Sibley he would be reported for consuming intoxicating liquor after permitted hours, and Sibley replied “I hope you make a case of it”. He did not deny there was beer in the glass. He (witness) told the licensee he would be reported, and he said “All right”. Sibley then said he had been at the piano for half an hour; they could not expect him to play and drink too. He (the Inspector) was of opinion that May was under the influence of drink, if not drunk, and the defendant Sibley also had had enough to drink.

Mr. Bonniface objected to the form of the last question put to the witness, and said the matter should be restricted to the defence which was in front of them. Those questions could be nothing but prejudiced.

Answering Mr. Bonniface, defending, Inspector Rowe said there was a fire burning in the saloon bar, but he did not notice a kettle on the fire. Besides the two glasses he saw there were also a number of glasses which had been washed up and turned upside down. He did not know that the person described as the licensee`s son was employed in the business, but he knew Mrs. Kay was also amployed as a barmaid. There were three bars.

Apparently, said Mr. Bonniface, the licensee and his employees had just finished work. Everything was washed up at 11.15?

Witness: Yes. The bar was not fully lighted; in fact, bar keepers usually dropped their lights immediately the people went out.

P.S. Butcher said that on December 22^nd he and Inspector Rowe were outside the Alexandra Hotel. He noticed some people in the saloon bar through two of the blinds of the windows. The bar was not exceptionally well lit. The Inspector went to the entrance of the hotel, pushed the bell-push, and tried the door, which did not yield. After the Inspector had shaken the door, someone came. Witness went in with the Inspector, and the nearest person to them as they entered was Sibley, seated with his back half-turned to them. His wife was standing adjacent to him, and the housekeeper was sitting on a table at the far side of the bar. The licensee was on the public side of the bar, facing them. As they entered the bar Sibley took a drink from a glass which was on the counter containing bitter. He noticed another glass containing bitter adjacent to where the landlord was standing. He also noticed another glass to the left of Sibley which was a quarter full of stout. He heard the Inspector speak to the licensee and the explanation given by him, and also Sibley, who said “I hope you make a case of it”. Sibley later said “I have been playing the piano all the evening; the drink has been standing there. I cannot drink and play too”. He heard what the Inspector said to the licensee, who said “All right”.

Mr. Bonniface: You could see the figures in the bar. How long do you think it was between the time you first knocked at the door and when you were let in?

Witness: About a minute.

People had time to have drunk their beer if they wanted to hide anything? – Yes.

You agree the licensee told you Sibley was employed there? – Yes.

Mr. Bonniface said that summons was taken out under Section Four of the Licensing Act. People who were not customers, under Section Five of the Act, were allowed intoxicating liquors at certain hours as private friends, and this man (Sibley) was an employee, who came under the same provisions as private friends.

Sibley said he had been working in the bar from 7 p.m., having been collecting glasses and putting them on the counter. There was a lot of glasses and they soon got broken. He had been doing this for six months, on Fridays and Saturdays when they were busy. Witness was paid a shilling a day, with a drink and supper. On that particular evening he also played the piano when the work eased off a bit. He watched points and kept an eye on things. He remembered the licensee call time at ten minutes to eleven, and he went to the door with the idea of getting the troops out. There were a lot of soldiers there that night. Everybody was off the premises by 11. Witness came round and collected the glasses and went behind the counter and washed them. Eddie, who was Mrs. Kay`s son, and Mrs. Kay were also working there. At ten minutes to eleven the licensee told witness to go up and get the shilling and have his drink. The kettle was on, and there were generally some sandwiches left which he had for his supper, but they were all gone and the “governor” was going to send out for some fish and chips. The reason his wife was there was that she forgot about the extension and came down to see where witness was. She had a drink in the first part of the evening. He was paid his 1s. that night, and worked after the customers had gone, clearing glasses.

In answer to the Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley), the defendant said he had no regular employment and he had been paid 2s. a week by the licensee for the last six months. The place was packed between 7 and 10 on Friday and Saturday nights, full enough to be uncomfortable. Mrs. Kay, her son Eddie, and the licensee were continually serving between 7 and 10 p.m. Witness had no National Health Insurance book or unemployment card. His employer did not buy anything for him. He got a supper there when he wanted it. He got no dole, but was a pensioner getting £2 a week.

Francis J. May, the licensee, said he employed Sibley to keep an eye on the glasses passed up to the counter and if necessary give help in washing them up. Sibley was an ex-serviceman and he liked to put something in his way, so he gave him a shilling and supper, and rather than see sandwiches wasted he gave them to him. After 11 on the night in question Sibley cleared away the tables and washed glasses up. At a quarter to eleven witness said “Go up and get your drink now and get fixed up as I am going to call time by ten to eleven”, as he wanted to clear the house, which was full. He thought it was necessary to employ Sibley, as he had lost several things. “One week”, he said, “I lost nine wine glasses and five ash trays”, and he had had him for six months at weekends.

The Chief Constable: Are there some Saturdays in the last six months when you have not paid him?

May: I have no recollection of not having paid him.

Proceeding, he said that evening the sandwiches were all eaten and he was sending a boy out to get some fish and chips when the officers arrived. A busy evening was when they got forty or fifty in and for the sake of a shilling he thought he would get somebody in to help – a man who would be glad to earn it.

The Chief Constable told Mr. May that on Saturday, November 17^th, he had 56 people in his house at 8.20 p.m., and on June 23^rd, a Saturday, he had 35 at 9.35. Did it require four people to handle them?

Defendant said there was no hard and fast rule for Sibley; he came in when he liked.

The Bench dismissed the case, as stated.

Folkestone Express 12-1-1935

Local News

Richard Thomas Sibley, of 4, St. John`s Church Road, came before the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday, summoned for consuming intoxicating liquor at the Alexandra Hotel, Folkestone, at 11.15 p.m. on December 22^nd, and Francis J.E. May, the licensee, was summoned for aiding and abetting. Mr. B.H. Bonniface appeared for both the defendants, and pleaded Not Guilty.

On that day, the Saturday before Christmas, there was an extension of hours until 11 p.m., which had been granted by the Magistrates.

The Magistrates present were Mr. R.G. Wood, Judge H. Terrell, Alderman J.W. Stainer, Mr. L.G.A. Collins, Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens, and Alderman W. Hollands.

After a lengthy hearing the Bench dismissed the case.

Inspector Rowe said he was on duty outside the Alexandra Hotel at 11.15 p.m. with P.S. Butcher, and looking through the window he saw a number of persons in the saloon bar. He tried the door, which was locked. He then shook the door, and the licensee`s son appeared, unfastened and opened the door, which was either locked or bolted. With P.S. Butcher, he went into the saloon and saw four persons. The defendant Sibley was sitting on a chair with his back to the entrance to the saloon bar. His wife, Mrs. Sibley, was alongside him. The licensee was standing with his back towards the serving counter on the public side, and there was a fourth person present, Mrs. Kay, the housekeeper to the licensee. On the counter by Sibley was a pint glass half full of ale, which witness could tell by the colour, and near the defendant May was also a pint glass half full of ale. He did not taste what was in the glass, but he was satisfied it was ale, usually called bitter. As he entered the door he saw Sibley take a drink from the glass he had alongside him. He had not observed the witness at that time as he had his back to him. He (witness) said to the licensee “Who are these people here?” and he explained that Sibley was employed to play the piano and wash glasses. His wife was with him, and the other lady was the housekeeper. Witness told him the time was 11.15 p.m., checking the time with P.S. Butcher before going into the house. He told Sibley he would be reported for consuming intoxicating liquor after permitted hours, and Sibley replied “I hope you make a case of it”. He did not deny there was beer in the glass. He (witness) told the licensee he would be reported, and he said “All right”. Sibley then said he had been at the piano for half an hour; they could not expect him to play and drink too. He (the Inspector) was of opinion that May was under the influence of drink, if not drunk, and the defendant Sibley also had had enough to drink.

Mr. Bonniface objected to the form of the last question put to the witness, and said the matter should be restricted to the defence which was in front of them. Those questions could be nothing but prejudiced.

Answering Mr. Bonniface, defending, Inspector Rowe said there was a fire burning in the saloon bar, but he did not notice a kettle on the fire. Besides the two glasses he saw there were also a number of glasses which had been washed up and turned upside down. He did not know that the person described as the licensee`s son was employed in the business, but he knew Mrs. Kay was also amployed as a barmaid. There were three bars.

Apparently, said Mr. Bonniface, the licensee and his employees had just finished work. Everything was washed up at 11.15?

Witness: Yes. The bar was not fully lighted; in fact, bar keepers usually dropped their lights immediately the people went out.

P.S. Butcher said that on December 22^nd he and Inspector Rowe were outside the Alexandra Hotel. He noticed some people in the saloon bar through two of the blinds of the windows. The bar was not exceptionally well lit. The Inspector went to the entrance of the hotel, pushed the bell-push, and tried the door, which did not yield. After the Inspector had shaken the door, someone came. Witness went in with the Inspector, and the nearest person to them as they entered was Sibley, seated with his back half-turned to them. His wife was standing adjacent to him, and the housekeeper was sitting on a table at the far side of the bar. The licensee was on the public side of the bar, facing them. As they entered the bar Sibley took a drink from a glass which was on the counter containing bitter. He noticed another glass containing bitter adjacent to where the landlord was standing. He also noticed another glass to the left of Sibley which was a quarter full of stout. He heard the Inspector speak to the licensee and the explanation given by him, and also Sibley, who said “I hope you make a case of it”. Sibley later said “I have been playing the piano all the evening; the drink has been standing there. I cannot drink and play too”. He heard what the Inspector said to the licensee, who said “All right”.

Mr. Bonniface: You could see the figures in the bar. How long do you think it was between the time you first knocked at the door and when you were let in?

Witness: About a minute.

People had time to have drunk their beer if they wanted to hide anything? – Yes.

You agree the licensee told you Sibley was employed there? – Yes.

Mr. Bonniface said that summons was taken out under Section Four of the Licensing Act. People who were not customers, under Section Five of the Act, were allowed intoxicating liquors at certain hours as private friends, and this man (Sibley) was an employee, who came under the same provisions as private friends.

Sibley said he had been working in the bar from 7 p.m., having been collecting glasses and putting them on the counter. There was a lot of glasses and they soon got broken. He had been doing this for six months, on Fridays and Saturdays when they were busy. Witness was paid a shilling a day, with a drink and supper. On that particular evening he also played the piano when the work eased off a bit. He watched points and kept an eye on things. He remembered the licensee call time at ten minutes to eleven, and he went to the door with the idea of getting the troops out. There were a lot of soldiers there that night. Everybody was off the premises by 11. Witness came round and collected the glasses and went behind the counter and washed them. Eddie, who was Mrs. Kay`s son, and Mrs. Kay were also working there. At ten minutes to eleven the licensee told witness to go up and get the shilling and have his drink. The kettle was on, and there were generally some sandwiches left which he had for his supper, but they were all gone and the “governor” was going to send out for some fish and chips. The reason his wife was there was that she forgot about the extension and came down to see where witness was. She had a drink in the first part of the evening. He was paid his 1s. that night, and worked after the customers had gone, clearing glasses.

In answer to the Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley), the defendant said he had no regular employment and he had been paid 2s. a week by the licensee for the last six months. The place was packed between 7 and 10 on Friday and Saturday nights, full enough to be uncomfortable. Mrs. Kay, her son Eddie, and the licensee were continually serving between 7 and 10 p.m. Witness had no National Health Insurance book or unemployment card. His employer did not buy anything for him. He got a supper there when he wanted it. He got no dole, but was a pensioner getting £2 a week.

Francis J. May, the licensee, said he employed Sibley to keep an eye on the glasses passed up to the counter and if necessary give help in washing them up. Sibley was an ex-serviceman and he liked to put something in his way, so he gave him a shilling and supper, and rather than see sandwiches wasted he gave them to him. After 11 on the night in question Sibley cleared away the tables and washed glasses up. At a quarter to eleven witness said “Go up and get your drink now and get fixed up as I am going to call time by ten to eleven”, as he wanted to clear the house, which was full. He thought it was necessary to employ Sibley, as he had lost several things. “One week”, he said, “I lost nine wine glasses and five ash trays”, and he had had him for six months at weekends.

The Chief Constable: Are there some Saturdays in the last six months when you have not paid him?

May: I have no recollection of not having paid him.

Proceeding, he said that evening the sandwiches were all eaten and he was sending a boy out to get some fish and chips when the officers arrived. A busy evening was when they got forty or fifty in and for the sake of a shilling he thought he would get somebody in to help – a man who would be glad to earn it.

The Chief Constable told Mr. May that on Saturday, November 17^th, he had 56 people in his house at 8.20 p.m., and on June 23^rd, a Saturday, he had 35 at 9.35. Did it require four people to handle them?

Defendant said there was no hard and fast rule for Sibley; he came in when he liked.

The Bench dismissed the case, as stated.

Folkestone Herald 11-1-1936

Local News

The Folkestone Magistrates on Wed­nesday granted permission for slight alter­ations to be made to the Alexandra Hotel