British Lion 1910s

Folkestone Daily News 5-12-1912

Local News

It is with regret that we have to record the passing away of Mr. James Pankhurst, of the British Lion, on the Bayle. He died of the malignant scourge which takes of so many at about the age of 60, viz., cancer on the liver. Whether that complaint is more prevalent in Folkestone than other places we cannot say, but it is evidently being painfully brought to our notice by the loss of so many of our old friends.

Mr. James Pankhurst was an old friend and an old inhabitant, respected and loved by all who came in contact with him. He was one of the oldest jobmasters in the town, and his father before him. Modern science and the process of evolution has brought the taxi cab and motor carriage, but the old-fashioned, well-appointed carriage and pair, or carriage and four still has charm and attraction for those who love old custom. Mr. James Pankhurst was one of the smartest drivers in the town, and could handle the ribbons with the best. Whether single, landau, or four-in-hand, our old friend was equally expert and at home.

At the British Lion he has been the most genial host and landlord, and has always taken his part as a loyal and patriotic citizen. We join with the whole town in tendering our sympathy towards those he has left behind.

Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions.

Folkestone Herald 7-12-1912

Local News

The funeral of the late Mr. J. Pankhurst, of the British Lion, The Bayle, took place at the Folkestone Cemetery on Monday afternoon, amidst many signs of mourning.

Folkestone Express 18-1-1913

Local News

At the Police Court on Wednesday the following licence was transferred: The British Lion, from the late Mr. Pankhurst to Mr. J. Pankhurst
 

Folkestone Herald 18-1-1914

Local News

At a special transfer sessions of the Folkestone Borough Bench, before Mr. E.T. Ward, Mr. W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Major G.E. Leggett, Mr. R.J. Linton, and Mr. G. Boyd, the licence of the British Lion, The Bayle, was transferred to Mr. H. Pankhurst. It was explained that Mr. Pankhurst had in reality been carrying on the business for some time for his father, who recently died.

Folkestone Herald 27-1-1917

Felix

Duty took me to the last meeting of the Gardeners` Society, which holds its meetings fortnightly on the large club room of the famous old-time hostelry, the British Lion, on The Bayle. For many years has this self-same room served a useful purpose. It was here that the Victoria Lodge of Druids first saw the light of day; here, too, that many an old-time free-and-easy was held long before the people were so “good” as they are nowadays. It was here, too, that many Folkestone tradesmen were wont to gather to do their best with either a jovial song or recitation. They loved a chorus then, and I hear some of the old boys now singing in strident tones “Join in the chorus, Join in the chorus, Join in the chorus, It is a chorus song”.

And the company did join in until those old rafters rang again. The British Lion has a character about it not to be associated with any other licensed house in the town. Old fashioned, curiously constructed, it has an air of old-time comfort about it that is pleasant to note. The late Mr. James Pankhurst – and a better and juster man never lived – studied the comfort of his customers. The excellent smoking room is evidence of this. The fine old prints, the grandfather`s clock, the cosy fire, and excellent seating accommodation remind one of some of those famous old inns to be met with in Yorkshire.

I hold no brief for the present proprietor, Mr. H. Pankhurst, but this I do say; If all the licensed houses in Folkestone were made as comfortable as this, and conducted on the same excellent lines, there would not be such an outcry in some quarters as there is against such places. A delightful relic of the past, a real inn in the proper acceptance of the term – that is the British Lion.