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| Thistle & Shamrock 1999. Credit Martin Easdown |
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| Thistle & Shamrock. Credit Thistle & Shamrock Facebook page |
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| Thistle & Shamrock. Credit Thistle & Shamrock Facebook page |
Licensees
Caroline Andrewartha 1997 1998
Caroline Andrewartha and Patrick Brennan 1998 2001
Caroline Andrewartha and Anthony Brerton 2001 2004
Caroline Godden and David Godden 2004 2004 +
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| Photo from Folkestone Herald |
Folkestone Herald
2-10-1997
Local News
One of Shepway`s oldest pubs is set for a relaunch
offering people a taste of the Emerald Isle and Scottish Highlands. The Cheker,
in George Lane, Folkestone, dates back to 1426, and has now been refitted and
renamed the Thistle and Shamrock. Famous drinkers are said to have included
Charles Dickens, H.G. Wells and William Harvey. Landlady Caroline Andrewartha,
originally from Scotland, is looking forward to the opening. She added “There
will be a fabulous atmosphere”. The new pub officially opens for business on
Saturday, October 4.
Folkestone Herald
23-10-1997
Advertising Feature
On Saturday, 4 October, Folkestone saw the transformation
of its oldest ale house (The Cheker) into The Thistle and Shamrock.
Since the successful opening, the customer base has
grown, and landlady Caroline says ”We constantly see lots of new faces coming
back for more”. The variety of live bands appearing, combined with the
authentic Celtic atmosphere is obviously payi8ng off!
The history of the ale house dates back to 1426 when, as
The Cheker, people used to come and pay their taxes. Failure to pay meant
people would be locked in the cells below or even hanged. Charles Dickens, H.G.
Wells and William Harvey are all supposed to have drank there.
Caroline moved to Folkestone from Scotland in 1979, and
this is not the first ale house she`s been in. With over ten years experience
in the trade, she always dreamt of owning a free-house of her own. When The
Cheker came up for sale last year, Caroline knew this was the pub for her, and
could see so much potential and character in the building.
The Thistle and Shamrock, situated in George Lane (behind
the Albion Bookshop) has been totally transformed and now boasts a wood floor
and cable spool tables, together with a great selection of Celtic beers and
spirits. Celtic bar snacks are available, which include Scotch Broth, Irish
Stew, and Stovies, all served with crust bread ,and being ideal winter warmers.
Caroline has been overwhelmed by the positive comments
from both old and new customers and feels that she is providing the public of
Folkestone with what they need – a very comfortable and relaxed atmosphere
where anyone can feel free to call in for a quick cup of coffee, especially
when out on those often laborious Christmas shopping trips!
Caroline wants to encourage shoppers to take advantage of
the open fire which is now being lit every day, and during the festive season
will be serving home-made game soup, pheasant and grouse, original bar snacks,
rabbit stew, etc. Each day in December will be like Christmas Day, with plenty
of food, drink and music, and if you are a local band, Caroline is keen to hear
from you!
If you still require an office Christmas Party venue and
can`t decide where to go, The Thistle and Shamrock could be the ideal place for
you. Call Caroline, who will be only too pleased to inform you of her Christmas
and New Year listings.
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| Photo from Folkestone Herald |
Folkestone Herald 8-1-1998
Local News
Folkestone landlords have backed a Government proposal to
lower the drink-drive limit, despite the effect it may have on their takings.
Ministers are considering plans to lower the existing limit from 80 mg of
alcohol per 100 mg of blood to 50, bringing the laws in line with the
Continent. They are also looking at the idea of introducing a two-tier system,
with motorists who are found to be just over the limit receiving lesser
penalties.
The lower levels, which are equivalent to just one pint
of beer, are yet another thing to hit landlords` coffers. Bootlegging has
greatly affected pub takings, with gangs stocking up with beer from abroad and
selling it off at cut-price rates. But, say landlords, the new restriction will
not be the latest thing to hit the pubs.
Steve Lloyd, manager of the Pullman pub in Church Street,
said “Drink affects people differently, so the only way to stop drink-driving
is to ban it completely. I don`t think this will affect our takings because we
sell a lot of alternatives like coffee soft drinks and low alcohol lager. They
will help make up the difference. But this two-tier system is stupid. Nobody
knows when they`ve had too much. It just wouldn`t work”.
And Caroline Andrewartha, landlady of the Thistle and
Shamrock in Rendezvous Street (sic), believes that country pubs will be worst
hit. She said “It won`t affect me so badly because I`m in the town centre. But
country pubs will suffer because people usually have to drive to get to them. I
was really busy over the New Year, but a lot of people were talking about
having parties indoors. This, together with the bootlegging, has hit us very
hard. But money isn`t a question when it comes to drink-driving, because it`s
more important that people aren`t hurt”.
And the police are encouraged that landlords have given
the plans the thumbs-up. Spokesman Stuart Donaldson said “The police`s position
has always been very clear – don`t drink and drive. We would welcome any new
law that lowers the risk of people dying on the road. The new plans make it
absolutely clear about how much you can drink when you`re driving.
Unfortunately there`s still a hard core of people who don`t take any notice of
the law, which is even more of a reason why these new levels should be
introduced”.
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