Railway Bell 1910 - 1919

Folkestone Daily News 26-9-1911

Tuesday, September 26^th: Before Messrs. Ward, Fynmore and Vaughan.

The licence of the Railway Bell was transferred from Sidney Saunders to George Hoare.

Folkestone Express 30-9-1911

Tuesday, September 26^th: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Alderman Vaughan, and Lieut. Col. Fynmore.

The licence of the Railway Bell was temporarily transferred to Mr. George Hoare, who said he had previously kept a public house at Sandgate.

Folkestone Herald 30-9-1911

Tuesday, September 26^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Alderman T.J. Vaughan, and Lieut. Col. Fynmore.

Application was made for the temporary transfer of the licence of the Railway Bell Inn from Mr. J.S. Saunders to Mr. George Hoare. Granted.

Folkestone Daily News 30-11-1911

Wednesday, November 29^th: Before Messrs. Stainer, Linton and Leggett.

The licence of the Railway Bell was transferred.

 

Folkestone Express 2-12-1911

Wednesday, November 29^th: Before J. Stainer and R.J. Linton Esqs., and Major Leggett.

The following licence was transferred: Railway Bell, from Mr. S. Saunders to Mr. G. Hoare.

Temporary authority had been granted.

Folkestone Herald 2-12-1911

Wednesday, November 29^th: Before Mr. J. Stainer, Major Leggett, and Mr. R.J. Linton.

The licence of the Railway Bell was transferred from Mr. S. Saunders to Mr. H. Hoare.

Folkestone Express 20-1-1912

Local News

The Transfer Sessions were held at the Police Court on Wednesday morning, when the licence of the Rendezvous Hotel again came before the Bench. The Magistrates were E.T. Ward Esq., Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Major Leggett, Alderman Jenner, and W.G. Herbert Esq.

Plans for the alteration of the Railway Bell, opposite the Junction Station, were approved.

 

Folkestone Herald 20-1-1912

Wednesday, January 17^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Lieut. Col. R.J. Fynmore, Major Leggett, Alderman C. Jenner, and Mr. W.G. Herbert.

Plans were produced and passed for alterations of premises at the Railway Bell.

 

Folkestone Express 15-6-1912

Thursday, June 13^th: Before J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, W.J. Harrison, A. Stace, and G. Boyd Esqs.

Margaret Driscoll, who is a stranger and a cripple, was charged with breaking a plate glass window, value £3 10s., at the Railway bell Hotel on the previous day. She said it was an accident.

John Watson said he saw “the lady” come up Dover Road at about a quarter to twelve. She went into the Railway Bell, where she was refused drink. She took up her crutch and struck the window – a large plate glass one – three times with the foot of the crutch, but it did not break. She then reversed the crutch and struck the window with the head, breaking the glass at the third blow.

In reply to the defendant, witness said he did not see her thrown out of the house.

George Hall (sic), landlord of the Railway Bell, said he saw the prisoner between ten and eleven o`clock on Wednesday morning, when she went into the public bar and asked for a glass of beer. With which she was served. She commenced to dance, and he requested her to leave, which she did. At a quarter to twelve she returned, and was refused any drinks, and the barmaid turned her out. Prisoner sat down on the pavement. Witness went back into the house, and shortly after he heard the glass break. He went outside and saw prisoner standing up, shouting “Rule Britannia”. He sent for a constable and gave her into custody. The value of the window was £3 10s.

P.C. Styles, who took the prisoner into custody, said he saw her sitting in the Junction Station yard. When told the charge, she replied “I don`t care”. She had had a drink or two, but was not drunk.

Prisoner said she was a stranger to the town. She went in a temper to strike a person, and had no intention of breaking the window. She was heartily sorry, and if she could pay for the window she would willingly do it. She was invited to the house by “two other ladies”.

The first witness said he saw two other women go into the bar before the prisoner went in.

Prisoner said the “two ladies” took her in.

The Bench imposed a fine of 5s., damage £3 10s., and costs 6s. 6d., or 21 days` imprisonment with hard labour.

Folkestone Herald 15-6-1912

Thursday, May 13^th: Before Mr. J. Stainer, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Councillor W.J. Harrison and Councillor A. Stace.

Margaret Driscoll was charged with wilfully breaking a plate glass window, value £3 10s., at the Railway Bell Hotel. Prisoner pleaded Not Guilty.

It was stated that the woman broke the window after being turned out of the house.

Accused, who was a stranger to the town, was fined 5s. and 6s. 6d. costs, and the value of the window, £3 10s.; in default, 21 days` hard labour.

Folkestone Daily News 15-6-1912

Thursday, June 13^th: Before Justices Stainer, Swoffer, Boyd, Harrison, and Stace.

Margaret Driscoll, a middle-aged wreck of a woman with a wooden leg, but whose diction was of a superior class, was charged with breaking a plate glass window, value £3 10s., at the Railway Bell Hotel. In the absence of the Chief Constable, Inspector Swift conducted the prosecution.

John Frederick Morrison, of 50, Bridge Street, said he saw the defendant outside the Railway Bell about 11.45 a.m. on Wednesday. She entered the hotel and then came out again, as the barmaid had refused to serve her. She deliberately took up her crutch and jabbed at the plate glass window three times, but the window did not break; she there reversed her crutch, using the mallet end, and striking at the window again, broke it.

The accused: It was under great provocation. Did you not see me thrown into the road?

Witness: I did not.

Accused: Was I not talking to two ladies?

Witness: There were two ladies in the “balloon” bar.

George Ward, landlord of the Railway Bell, deposed that he saw the prisoner between 10 and 11 a.m. on Wednesday. She came into the bar and asked for a glass of beer, with which she was served. After that she commenced to sing, and danced round upon her crutch. Witness then told her to drink up and go out, which she did, but she came back again about 11.45, and the barmaid, by his instructions, refused to serve her, and turned the woman out, but she again attempted to re-enter. He (witness), who was standing in the doorway, prevented re-entry, and led the woman across the pavement, when she either “slid” or sat down in the roadway. After he had returned indoors he heard a crash of glass, and on going out again he saw prisoner near the broken window, with her crutch raised, and she was singing “Rule Britannia”.

Prisoner (surprised): How could I sing “Rule Britannia” when you had thrown me down and I had a lot of blood on me?

Witness (continuing) said the window was valued at £3 10s.

Prisoner: There were two women I know from London in the bar. I should not have come back into the bar unless they had asked me.

Witness admitted there were two women in the bar, but prisoner abused them.

P.C. Stiles said about 12 a.m. on Wednesday he went to the Railway Bell, and from the information received he went to the Station yard, where he saw prisoner sitting down. He charged her, and she replied “I don`t care”.

The Deputy Clerk (Mr. Roots): What was her condition?

Witness: Her condition was normal; she was not intoxicated.

The prisoner, addressing the Bench, said she was extremely sorry, and if she had the money she would most willingly pay for the damage. She had let her temper get the better of her, and she could only express her great regret and contrition, and say how heartily sorry she was for what had occurred. The whole thing had been caused (she alleged) by the publican throwing her out and hurting her.

Inspector Swift said the accused was quite a stranger, and nothing was known about her.

The Chairman said the attempts to break the window were repeated and persistent. It was not the impulsive action following provocation, but a very determined intention to break the glass. Prisoner would be fined 5s., costs 6s. 6d., damages £3 10s. (£4 1s. 6d. in all), or 14 days` hard labour. Prisoner, who had no money, was removed to the cells.