Gun Tavern 1900 - 1919

Folkestone Herald 15-11-1902

Felix

The Gun Tavern, in Cheriton Road, has changed hands, after several years. Mr. Norman, the former proprietor, was a native of “the Appy Fatherland”. He served with the German Army all through the Franco-Prussian War, and after acting the part of Boniface, is now seeking the peaceful shades of retirement. The new proprietor is an Englishman amongst Englishmen. He both looks and acts the part. Mr. Straughan`s associations with Folkestone are many, and not the least interesting feature in his career is the fact that he was a disciple of Caxton for a very considerablt time in the printing office of the Folkestone Herald. Strawney, as he was termed, was classed as one of the best, and when he departed to take over the proprietorship of the Wheatsheaf Hotel at St. Lawrence, general regret was felt. Now our friend has returned to his old love – Folkestone, and all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance will wish both himself and his amiable partner every success. The proprietor of the Gun is one of those characters that deserve to succeed.

Folkestone Chronicle 20-12-1902

Wednesday, December 17^th: Before Alderman J. Banks, Messrs. Wightwick, Swoffer, and Herbert, and Lieut. Col. Hamilton.

 

The following transfer of wine, beer, and spirit licences was granted: the Gun Tavern to Mr. H. Straughan

Folkestone Express 20-12-1902

Wednesday, December 17^th: Before Alderman Banks, Lieut. Colonel Hamilton, W. Wightwick, W.G. Herbert, and G.I. Swoffer Esqs.

A transfer of the licence of the Gun Tavern was granted to Mr. Straughan.

Folkestone Herald 20-12-1902

Wednesday, December 17^th: Before Alderman Banks, Lieut. Colonel Hamilton, and Messrs. Herbert, Wightwick, and Swoffer.

This was a special sessions for the transfer of licences.

Mr. B.R. Straughan made an application for a temporary licence for the Gun Tavern. For a considerable period this applicant had been landlord of the Wheatsheaf, at Ramsgate, prior to which he was a member of the staff of F.J. Parsons Ltd. Application granted.

Folkestone Chronicle 16-4-1904

Wednesday, April 13^th: Before Mr. W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Cols. Westropp and Fynmore, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, and Mr. J. Stainer.

Alterations to the Gun Tavern, Cheriton Road, and the Guildhall Tavern were approved.

Folkestone Express 16-4-1904

Wednesday, April 13^th: Before W.G. Herbert Esq., Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Lieut. Col. Westropp, G.I. Swoffer and J. Stainer Esqs.

The Magistrates agreed to slight alterations at the Railway Tavern, the Gun Tavern, and the Guildhall Tavern being made.

Folkestone Herald 16-4-1904

Wednesday, April 13^th: Before Ald. W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, Mr. J. Stainer, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, and Lieut. Colonel Westropp.

Permission was granted for alterations to be carried out on the following premises:- The Railway Inn (sic), The Gun Tavern, and The Guildhall.

Folkestone Herald 5-11-1904

Monday, 31^st October: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Alderman G. Spurgen, Alderman T.J. Vaughan, Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, Mr. W.C. Carpenter, and Mr. J. Stainer.

Edward Arnold Palmer surrendered to his bail on a charge of assaulting the police.

P.C. Johnson said that at 10.20 the previous evening he was called to Broadmead Road, near the Darlington Arch. There he saw the prisoner fighting with another man. Witness separated them, and while he held the accused the latter struck him several blows on the right hand with a stick (produced). Mr. Straughan, landlord of the Gun Tavern, was passing, and assisted witness to take the stick away from Palmer. He was then taken to the police station and charged. He replied “I am sorry, old chap. I didn`t intend to do it”. Prisoner was sober.

Bernard Straughan stated that he saw prisoner strike the constable. He tried to hit him over the head with the stick, but the constable only received the blows on the arm.

Prisoner, in defence, said that two of his acquaintances had been down to Hythe. He tried to get them home as they had had rather too much to drink. An altercation took place between these two and some other men. Near the railway arch one of his companions was struck and knocked over the railings. The assailants then struck at him, as the result of which he got a black eye. He then could see nothing but stars, and struck out, as he thought, at the man who had assaulted him, but he afterwards found out that he had been striking the constable.

The Bench fined Palmer £1 and 5s. 6d. costs, or 14 days` imprisonment. The money was paid.

Folkestone Herald 27-4-1907

Saturday, April 20^th: Before The Mayor, Alderman T.J. Vaughan, Councillor W.C. Carpenter, and Messrs. E.T. Ward, T. Ames, and R.J. Fynmore.

Mr. Straughan, of the Gun Inn, was granted an occasional licence to sell at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, on the occasion of an Oddfellows` gathering.

Folkestone Daily News 3-5-1907

Thursday, May 2^nd: Before The Mayor, Messrs. Herbert and Stainer.

Patrick McCarty was charged with placing himself in the public highway for the purpose of collecting alms, and also with being drunk.

P.C. Rew said he saw the prisoner in Cheriton Road asking for alms. He saw him place himself in front of a gentleman and take hold of his coat. Witness went across to him and found he was drunk. He then took him into custody.

Thomas Copus said he lived at 18, Cheriton Road, and saw the prisoner in front of the Gun Hotel. Prisoner came to him and asked him if he would buy something he had in his pockets. Witness replied “No”, and then prisoner held up his fist as if to strike him.

Prisoner said it was the first time he had been in the town, and would leave the town if the Magistrates let him off.

The charge of drunkenness was dismissed, and he was sentenced to twenty one days` hard labour for begging.

Folkestone Daily News 9-9-1909

Saturday, September 4^th: Before Messrs. Ward, Vaughan, and Fynmore.

George Heath was summoned for causing an obstruction in Gloucester Place.

P.C. Prebble said he saw defendant`s barrow standing in Gloucester Place for about twenty minutes unattended. Defendant was in the Gun public house.

In defence, defendant said it was raining very hard, and he went in the public house out of the wet.

He was fined 2s. 6d., including costs.

Folkestone Express 11-9-1909

Saturday, September 4^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Alderman Vaughan, and Lieut. Colonel Fynmore.

George Heath was summoned for causing an obstruction. He admitted the offence.

P.C. Prebble said on August 24^th, from a complaint he received, he went to Gloucester Place, near the Gun Tavern, where he saw a barrow, laden with greengrocery, standing outside. He kept observation on it from 5.20 to 5.50, when defendant came out. Witness told him he should report him, and defendant replied that it was wet outside.

Heath said it was raining hard, and he was standing out of the wet. He was half wet through.

Fined 2s. 6d., the costs being remitted.

Folkestone Herald 11-9-1909

Saturday, September 4^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, and Alderman T.J. Vaughan.

George Heath was summoned for causing an obstruction in Gloucester Place. Defendant pleaded Guilty.

P.C. W. Prebble deposed that on the 24^th ult., owing to a complaint, he went to Gloucester Place. Outside the Gun Tavern he saw a barrow loaded with greengroceries. Witness kept observation on it for half an hour, and then the defendant came out.

Defendant said it was raining hard at the time, and he went into the Gun Tavern for shelter.

Fined 2s. 6d. without costs.

Folkestone Express 18-9-1909

Monday, September 13^th: Before Messrs. W.G. Herbert, J. Stainer, and R.J. Linton.

George Fitzgerald was charged with stealing a rosary from the Roman Catholic Church, the property of some person unknown.

James Betts, of 13, Black Bull Road, said he was a motor driver. At about twenty minutes past eight the previous evening he was in Glocester Place on the motor stand, when the prisoner came up and asked for assistance. Afterwards he produced a rosary, which he said he had found on the beach. He also asked if it was worth a penny. On looking at it, witness was asked by the prisoner to give twopence for it, which would make up his night`s lodging and a penny over. He gave him 2d., and took the rosary. About two minutes after the man had gone, he saw P.C. Sales and handed the rosary over to him.

P.c. Sales said at 8.15 the previous evening, from information he received, he went to Gloucester Place, where he saw the last witness, who handed him the rosary produced. In consequence of what he told him, they went in search of the prisoner and saw him in the Gun Tavern. On coming outside witness said to the man “You have sold this rosary for 2d. just now?” He replied “I sold him it for a pint. I picked it up between half past five and six in the shelter on the beach. It is not worth anything. If you don`t believe, me take me to the police station”. Witness took him to the police station, where he was detained for enquiries to be made. He later charged the prisoner with stealing the rosary from the Roman Catholic Church, the property of some person at present unknown. He replied “I did not go in there until after the benediction. Do you think I would steal things like this? I am a Roman Catholic myself. I went there to see Dr. Scannell for assistance. The rosary I have worn for 27 years”.

The Chief Constable said that was as far as he could take the case that day. There was no doubt that the prisoner went to the Roman Catholic Church.

The Chairman, after a consultation with his colleagues on the Bench, said there was some sort of shadow of doubt about the case, but precious little. Prisoner, however, would be discharged.

The Chief Constable said the rosary would remain in the possession of the police fo a little time, and if it was not claimed he would hand it over to Betts. He did not think the prisoner was a very good Roman Catholic, or he would not sell his rosary for a pint.

Folkestone Herald 18-9-1909

Monday, September 13^th: Before Messrs. W.G. Herbert, J. Stainer, and R.J. Linton.

Geo. Fitzgerald was charged with theft.

James Petts said that he lived at 13, Black Bull Road, and was a motor driver. The previous evening, at 8.20, he was in Gloucester Place. The prisoner came up to him and asked him for assistance. Accused showed him the rosary (produced) and said he had found it on the beach, and asked whether it was worth a penny. Witness looked at it, and prisoner asked witness 2d. for it. Witness gave him 2d. for it, and took the rosary with the intention of informing the police. Witness then saw P.C. Sales and handed it over to him, and told him what he knew about it.

P.C. Sales deposed that about 8.15 the previous evening, from information received, he went to Gloucester Place and received the rosary from the last witness. From what he heard he went into the Gun bar, where he saw the prisoner. Witness called him outside, and, cautioning him, asked him whether he had just sold a rosary for 2d. Prisoner replied “I sold it to him for a pint; I picked it up on the beach at 5.30 this evening. It is of no value. If you don`t believe it, take me to the police station”. Witness subsequently brought him to the police station, and charged him with stealing the rosary from the Roman Catholic Church, the property of some person or persons unknown. Prisoner replied that he did not go in there till after the benediction. He would not steal a thing like that. He was a Roman Catholic himself, and went in there to see Dr. Scannell for assistance. He said that he had worn the rosary for 25 years.

The case was dismissed, as there seemed to be some doubt about the matter.

The Chief Constable remarked that the prisoner could not be a very good Catholic, or he would not sell his rosary for a pint.