Apollonian Hall, (Old) High Street 1848 - 1850

Licensee
Samuel Fields 1848 1850

Maidstone Gazette 2-4-1850

The Apollonian Hall Assembly Rooms: At the above rooms, which have been fitted up with much taste by Mr. Fields, the last ball of the series, under the auspices of the “Amateur Quadrille Assembly”, was given on Tuesday week, and was attended by a large party, principally the sons and daughters of the tradesmen of the town. The musical arrangements, which were excellent, were under the direction of Mr. Leaver. The staircase and rooms were profusely decorated with evergreens, plants, &c. Dancing was kept up with much spirit. Fifty persons afterwards sat down to an excellent breakfast, and shortly afterwards the party broke up, evidently pleased with all the arrangements made for their enjoyment. 

Kentish Gazette 30-7-1850

South Eastern Building Society

On Tuesday week upon the occasion of the near completion of the sixteen houses built by Mr. W. Field, for the above society, be gave his men, numbering sixty, a substantial and excellent dinner at the Apollonian Hall. The completion of these houses and the opening of the thoroughfare will be of much benefit to the town; the traffic to and from Dover to the harbour or bottom part of the town is confined to the narrow and steep Dover-street. The South-Eastern Rail­way Company until recently allowed the use of their road to the public, but that is now withheld. A portion of it, however, will be used as soon as the new London Street is opened, which is shortly expected.

Maidstone Gazette 24-12-1850

The Council met on Friday last. A report was read, recommending the purchase of the Apollonian Hall for a police station. Mr. Porter produced a plan of a Town Hall and police station, with a drawing of the elevation, which he stated could be had at a cost of £4,000, of if the town was not in a position to purchase or build, it could be got at a rental of £100 per annum for seven years.

Mr. Alderman Flint thought the Corporation could not do better than purchase the Apollonian Hall of Mr. Fields for the purpose of a police station, and that if they were compelled to leave the present hall the rooms there would answer for a temporary purpose. Mr. Fields would sell the premises for £650, which he thought a very reasonable sum; he did not see how they could do better.

The Mayor said that they were compelled by Act of Parliament o provide a station house; he did not see where else they could get one so convenient. They could transact all their business there, if required. He produced a rough sketch of the building, at the same time stating its capabilities. The Mayor further remarked that people gave him more credit in his transactions with Mr. Fields than he deserved; he had no interest in this matter, and certainly should not vote either way, whether the proposition was carried or not. (It may be necessary here to state that it has been repeatedly and openly stated that the hall is the property of Mr. Hart and not Mr. Fields.)

Mr. Jinkings asked the probable expense of altering the premises, and the parties to do them; he thought Mr. Fiels might be asked what he would do for it.

Mr. Rose thought that it would be better to defer purchasing the Apollonian Hall until they had seen Mr. Bayley, Lord Radnor`s agent.

Mr Caister wished to know where the money was to come from; they were running the town to a great expense and were already in debt, and he was sure it was putting burdens on them that tradesmen could not bear. Why not have a police station attached to their present hall? He would certainly vote against such an outlay of money.

The Mayor explained that the rent of the new station would not exceed £35 per annum, if they left the present mortgage of £400 upon it, and supposing Lord Radnor gave them ground for a station, the outlay of building would cost something like £200 or £300.

A long conversation ensued whether Mr. Fields would wait a short time, &c. This being answered in the negative, the chairman put the question to the vote. The report was then adopted, Mr. Rose and Mr. Caister voting against it; 9 for and 2 against.

Canterbury Journal 28-12-1850 

At the Town Council meeting yesterday se`ennight a report was read recommending the purchase of the Apollonian Hall for a police station, which was adopted, after some discussion, by nine to two.

Folkestone Chronicle 4-4-1863

Town Council Meeting extract

The usual special and monthly meeting of the Council and Corporation took place on Wednesday evening last at the Council Chamber.

The Mayor said in opening the proceedings, the first business was to receive tenders for hiring the upper part of the Sessions Hall. There was but one, which he would read. It was an offer from Mr. George Brickman.

Mr. Wightwick said he should move that the offer be accepted, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Town Clerk as to the details which were not named in the offer.

The Mayor suggested that it would be better to leave it to the General Purposes Committee.

Mr. James Banks observed the matter had been fully discussed before the General Purposes Committee, and he thought no restrictions should be put upon the tenant, except the usual ones of wear and tear, and notice to quit, &c.

Mr. Doridant thought as the High Street was already crowded with public houses, it would be unwise to allow the tenant the privilege of opening those premises as a beerhouse or public house of any kind, and he had heard it mentioned that it was intended to open it as a Roman Catholic Chapel. He was himself a Protestant, but he would prefer to let it to be used for that purpose for £10 less than to receive £10 more per year for the purposes of a public house.

Mr. Fitness thought sufficient notice – merely a board on the building – had not been given to let it. He was of opinion it should have been advertised to let, or better still, to be kept in hand for the purposes of a museum.

Mr. James Banks thought it would be extremely unfair to the gentleman who had tendered to do anything of the kind. He should move that Mr. Brickman`s offer be accepted, and that the Town Clerk prepare the agreement, subject to a proviso that it was not to be used as a public house or licensed dancing room.

Mr. Doridant seconded the motion.

Mr. Hoad wished to know what would be the cost of the proposed agreement, and queried whether it would be a quarter`s rent.

Mr. Harrison said he really could not tell. It would be the fair charge for such an agreement as was necessary.

Mr. Boorn thought that as a Corporation they ought not to let it as a Catholic Chapel.

Mr. Gambrill agreed with Mr. Boorn.

Mr. Wightwick considered that sufficient time had not been given to advertise it, and he rather fell in with the idea of Mr. Fitness, about retaining it in hand; he should move, as an amendment, that it be advertised to be let in the local paper.

Mr. Harrison suggested that if this course was carried out, the Town Clerk should be furnished with the heads of the agreement, to be entered into by the party tendering to be a tenant.

Mr. Gambrill asked if Mr. James Banks would allow a clause to be added to his motion, respecting it not being dedicated to the purpose of a Roman Catholic Chapel.

Mr. Doridant, again reiterating that he was a Protestant, was surprised to hear such a proposal in this room; at Rome, and in Spain, and other countries where Catholics were dominant, they refused Protestants to have places of worship in the cities, but drove them, as it were, into the suburbs, or holes and corners, to worship, and now they were about to do the same thing to Roman Catholics in this free country. If this was carried out, they would be acting precisely with the same bigotry that actuated the Roman Catholic. He hoped they would do nothing of such a bigoted character. If it was for a Jewish Synagogue, or any other place of worship, he should support it. (Applause)

Mr. Hills hoped the prohibition as to music licences would not prevent Mr. Brickman, if the tenant, from having a concert there.

Mr. James Banks said certainly not.

Mr. James Banks said he had been appealed to by Mr. Gambrill, to add to his resolution, that it should not be used as a Roman Catholic Chapel; he perfectly agreed with the remarks of Mr. Doridant, and was surprised that the Council had gone out of their way to bring this matter before them. If the Protestant Church could not stand on its own merits, all the Corporation might do to support it would have no effect. He could not consent to such a proposal.

After some further irrelevant discussion upon this matter, it was moved by Mr. Gambrill, as an amendment, seconded by Mr. Fitness, that the Council proceed to discuss the next business.

Upon a division, 6 voted for and 6 against the amendment, and the Mayor gave the casting vote in favour of the amendment.

During the discussion on this matter, which became very animated, an offensive remark was made by one member of the Council to another, which it is not worthwhile further to allude to, except to remark that the good sense of both parties will see the necessity of offering and receiving a retraction of what was said.