Thanks And Acknowledgements

My thanks go to Kent Libraries and Archives - Folkestone Library and also to the archive of the Folkestone Herald. For articles from the Folkestone Observer, my thanks go to the Kent Messenger Group. Southeastern Gazette articles are from UKPress Online, and Kentish Gazette articles are from the British Newspaper Archive. See links below.

Paul Skelton`s great site for research on pubs in Kent is also linked

Other sites which may be of interest are the Folkestone and District Local History Society, the Kent History Forum, Christine Warren`s fascinating site, Folkestone Then And Now, and Step Short, where I originally found the photo of the bomb-damaged former Langton`s Brewery, links also below.


Welcome

Welcome to Even More Tales From The Tap Room.

Core dates and information on licensees tenure are taken from Martin Easdown and Eamonn Rooney`s two fine books on the pubs of Folkestone, Tales From The Tap Room and More Tales From The Tap Room - unfortunately now out of print. Dates for the tenure of licensees are taken from the very limited editions called Bastions Of The Bar and More Bastions Of The Bar, which were given free to very early purchasers of the books.

Easiest navigation of the site is by clicking on the PAGE of the pub you are looking for and following the links to the different sub-pages. Using the LABELS is, I`m afraid, not at all user-friendly.

Contrast Note

Whilst the above-mentioned books and supplements represent an enormous amount of research over many years, it is almost inevitable that further research will throw up some differences to the published works. Where these have been found, I have noted them. This is not intended to detract in any way from previous research, but merely to indicate that (possible) new information is available.

Contribute

If you have any anecdotes or photographs of the pubs featured in this Blog and would like to share them, please mail me at: jancpedersen@googlemail.com.

If you`ve enjoyed your visit here, why not buy me a pint, using the button at the end of the "Labels" section?


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Friday 18 September 2015

Updates

18th September, 2015: Folkestone Herald Reports for 1989 Added

Toffs, Grace Hill 1974 - 1984?

Licensees

No details available



Folkestone Herald 10-11-1989

Advertising Feature

A new nightclub is opening in Folkestone tonight to bring a feel of the fifties and sounds of the sixties to town. Heroes night club is taking over from Toffs in Grace Hill. But it`s not a disco. The club, theme bar and steak house offer a nostalgic night out to anyone who wants to hear rock `n` roll, swing and hip hop from 1950 to 1985. A tribute to music heroes of the golden-oldie age, Heroes will re-live the days of Elvis, Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley and Billy Fury. Walls are covered with photos, rare album covers, original newspaper and magazine stories, and two Elvis gold discs. The club is open four night a week for chart hits from 1955 – 85 and live shows by cabaret bands from all over Britain. The theme bar in the tavern is open every day during normal pub hours and until 2 a.m. from Wednesday to Saturday, while the steak-house is open lunchtime and evenings. The club will be enlarged in February to attract bigger bands. Heroes offers Haley to Hendrix, Barry Manilow to Bobby Darin, Sinatra to The Shadows, and is open to over-21s, with smart dress essential.

Heroes, Grace Hill 1989 - ????

Licensees
No details available



Folkestone Herald 10-11-1989

Advertising Feature

A new nightclub is opening in Folkestone tonight to bring a feel of the fifties and sounds of the sixties to town. Heroes night club is taking over from Toffs in Grace Hill. But it`s not a disco. The club, theme bar and steak house offer a nostalgic night out to anyone who wants to hear rock `n` roll, swing and hip hop from 1950 to 1985. A tribute to music heroes of the golden-oldie age, Heroes will re-live the days of Elvis, Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley and Billy Fury. Walls are covered with photos, rare album covers, original newspaper and magazine stories, and two Elvis gold discs. The club is open four night a week for chart hits from 1955 – 85 and live shows by cabaret bands from all over Britain. The theme bar in the tavern is open every day during normal pub hours and until 2 a.m. from Wednesday to Saturday, while the steak-house is open lunchtime and evenings. The club will be enlarged in February to attract bigger bands. Heroes offers Haley to Hendrix, Barry Manilow to Bobby Darin, Sinatra to The Shadows, and is open to over-21s, with smart dress essential.
 

Banjo`s, Cheriton High Street 1989 - 1992


Licensees

Barry Chamberlain 1989 1991 Licensee of White Lion before name change
Anthony Leeves and Hilary Leeves 1991 1992 Remained at renamed White Lion

Folkestone Herald 17-3-1989

Advertising Feature

The old White Lion pub in Cheriton has opened with a new name and a new look. It is now called Banjo`s and puts much more prominence on food. There are regular bands and plenty of good beer.

Landlord Barry Chamberlain said “We have been closed for six weeks. Basically there`s been a complete change at the pub. There is a restaurant at the back of the pub now and one double-size bar”. He says he hopes to push the food more as an attraction. “We serve traditional English food and can boast a wide range on offer. It`s quality food at reasonable prices. Sunday night will be band night, when we will be having the best bands you can find in the area”, said Mr. Chamberlain.

The pub is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with the restaurant cooking good food practically all the time. Barry and wife Lyn always extend a warm welcome to their customers, and the White Lion has been a popular place for many years. Now under it`s new name it is set to stay just as successful – if not much better. So why not pop along to the end of Cheriton high Street if you fancy some decent food and drink?

Folkestone Herald 12-5-1989

Local News

A charity concert, raffles and a special record raised £1,300 for the Wishing Well appeal. Regulars at Banjos fun pub in Cheriton High Street, Folkestone, dug deep into their pockets for the appeal which raises money for the Great Ormond Street children`s hospital. Local bands made a record and put on a charity show at the pub with all proceeds going to the appeal, and more money was raised by the pub football team's meat raffle. A cheque was handed over to Dianne Cairns of the South East Kent Wishing Well Committee by landlord Barry Chamberlain.
 

Bertie`s, Rendezvous Street 1989 - 1990


Above photo courtesy of Steve Popple

Bertie`s 1998 Credit Martin Easdown

 

Licensees

Barrie Thompson, Roger Thompson and Christine Legister 1988 1989
Barrie Thompson 1989 1990



Folkestone Herald 10-2-1989

Advertising Feature

If you’re wanting to impress your loved one, spouse or favourite busi­ness contact, Bertie’s could be the place to go. It’s a new restaurant and cellar bar that opens this week on Rendezvous Street, and it’s aiming quite simply to be the best - anywhere.

Bertie’s owner Barry Thompson says “I got sick and tired of being ripped off with bad service, little choice and poor food. So I decided the answer was to set up a restaurant of my own”. The restaurant takes its theme and name from the old pub it is housed in - The Prince Albert Hotel. Barry has kept many of the original features, including the mirrors, panelling and the old pub signs which are now mounted above the serving area in the cellar bar. Everything is designed to build up the atmosphere of a Victorian establishment, from original mahogany chairs and tables, to the new high quality wallpaper and carpets. There is also a bandstand provid­ing seating for diners who like an elevated view or to accommodate live music for private functions. The cellar bar has many secluded cor­ners, providing the ideal surroundings for private conversation.

The attention to detail does not stop at the dining area or bar. The kitchens are spacious and there is a special area for waiters to add the finishing touches to food, as well as preparing coffee and other drinks. And even the food continues the Victorian theme. The menu will change every few weeks, and includes dishes like Bertie`s Bird - pheasant stuffed with Victoria plums, and Surf `n’ Turf, which is fillet steak with Pacific prawns. A three course meal for two with drinks will cost £40 to £50. So next time you`ve got something to celebrate, why not give Bertie`s a try?