Folkestone Herald 13-2-1965
Local News
Police statements about the responsibility of
publicans towards drunken drivers have brought protests from local landlords. Superintendent Frederick Coatsworth
said at Seabrook last week that licensees exerted a tremendous influence on
their customers and had a vital role to play in the prevention of offences
involving drink, especially where motorists were concerned.
Reaction from Mr. Reg. Gard, landlord of the
George Inn in George Lane, Folkestone, was “It just doesn’t make sense. We’re supposed to be
mind- readers now, asking customers their age to see if they are over 18. The only thing we can do is to refuse
to serve drinks to anyone who has obviously had too much. And, of course,
thirsty motorists could always wear a ticket around their necks saying “I’m a
driver. Please can I have a drink?””
Mr. Ron Letts, licensee of the Globe on The Bayle,
said “It’s ludicrous. Our job is to sell drinks. A fair proportion of my customers are drivers, and in
the nine years I have been here I have found they are generally responsible
people. On
the odd occasion, when you know your customer, it’s O.K. to say “Give me your
keys—you’d better take a taxi home”. But how can you say that to a perfect
stranger?”
Mr. Alec Wales, of the London and Paris, near the
Harbour, who is chairman of Folkestone, Hythe and District Licensed
Victuallers’ Association, put most of the blame on restaurants. “You cannot hold a publican
responsible for what customers drink”, he declared. “I don’t allow anyone who is
obviously drunk in my house, but when they can get served at a restaurant, what
can you do? I certainly don`t think the majority of drunks come from pubs”.
At Folkestone Brewster Sessions on Wednesday Supt.
Coats worth reiterated his opinion. “Licensees, particularly those whose
premises attract what is known as the motor car trade, have a vital contribution
to pay in regard to safety
on the roads”, he said. The
police are the first to realise in a town such as Folkestone that all persons
do not obtain their liquor in licensed premises. But, as responsible citizens, licensees can exert
a great
influence on their customers by always bearing in mind the effect which
alcohol taken in excess might have on drivers of a motor vehicle”.
The last word came from Mrs. Maud Lewis, licensee
of the Guildhall Hotel, chairman of the Women’s Auxiliary of the local L.V.A.
After Brewster Sessions she told the Herald “We all try to do our stuff. If we
think customers have had enough we tell them so. Irrespective of whether
they`re driving or not, I`m firm with them on the question of drink”.
Folkestone Herald 24-7-1965
Local News
Some three years ago Mr. Ronnie Letts, of the Globe
Hotel, The Bayle, Folkestone, revealed an unexpected flair for organisation. It
was suggested that an annual darts competition should be arranged for Cancer
Relief (as apart from research) and he undertook the task of running it. It
proved an instantaneous success, and in each of the last two years a very
useful sum has been realised through the co-operation of other licensed houses
within the area.
Next Thursday, commencing at 7.30 p.m., the semi-finals
and final of this year`s competition will take place at St. George`s Hall at
the rear of the Roman Catholic Church. A fitting venue, because the project has
the interest and active support of Father C.J. Walmsley, priest-in-charge at
the church.
The semi-finalists are Plough Inn A (holders of the
loving cup held annually by the winners), Cherrypickers Inn B, Star and Garter
Inn A (holders of the runners-up shield) and Richmond Inn A. There should be
some excellent sport, and, still more important, a generous addition to the
funds of the very worthy cause for which the competition is held.
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