Updates

15th Jone, 2013: Folkestone Chronicle and Folkestone Express Reports for 1904 Added

Blue Anchor 1900 - 1904

Folkestone Chronicle 17-11-1900

Friday, November 16^th: Before J. Fitness and J. Stainer Esqs.

Mr. Walter Whiting, late of Ashford, was granted temporary authority to sell at the Blue Anchor, Beach Street.

Folkestone Herald 17-11-1900

Friday, November 16^th: Before Messrs. Fitness and Stainer.

The licence of the Blue Anchor public house, Beach Street, was temporarily transferred to Walter Whiting.

 

Folkestone Express 8-12-1900

Wednesday, December 5^th: Before J. Hoad, W.C. Carpenter, T.J. Vaughan, J. Stainer, J. Pledge, W. Wightwick, and G. Peden Esqs., and Lieut. Col. Westropp.

Mr. Arthur Whiting was granted a transfer of the Blue Anchor licence.

Folkestone Herald 8-12-1900

Wednesday, December 5^th: Before Mr. J. Hoad, Lieut Col. Westropp, Alderman Pledge, Councillors Carpenter and Peden, and Messrs. Wightwick, Vaughan, and Stainer.

The following licence was transferred: Blue Anchor from James Bugg to Walter Whiting.

Folkestone Chronicle 20-4-1901

Saturday, April 13^th: Before Messrs. Fitness, Herbert, Swoffer, Salter, and Wightwick, and Lieut. Col. Hamilton.

Alfred Smith appeared to answer a summons charging him with being drunk on licensed premises. Defendant pleaded Guilty.

P.C. Prebble said that on Monday evening he was called to the Blue anchor at 6.30 to put prisoner out. Again at 9.30 he was called to the house of Walter Whiting for the purpose of ejecting defendant.

Fined 9s. and 5s. costs.

Folkestone Express 20-4-1901

Saturday, April 13^th: Before J. Fitness, W.G. Herbert, and G.I. Swoffer Esqs., and Alderman Salter.

Alfred Smith was summoned for being drunk on licensed premises, the Blue Anchor, on April the 8^th.

He pleaded guilty, and in answer to Mr. Wightwick said he had been about in various public houses.

Fined 5s. and 9s. costs.

Folkestone Express 24-5-1902

Saturday, May 17^th: Before Alderman T.J. Vaughan, Colonel W.K. Westropp, and W.C. Carpenter Esq.

Emily Small, a well-known character, who did not appear, was summoned for refusing to quit licensed premises when requested.

Walter Whiting, landlord of the Blue Anchor Inn, in Beach Street, said on Wednesday the defendant entered the bar and asked for a man who was not there. She then caused a disturbance, throwing beer about and breaking the utensils. He told her to leave, and as she refused he sent for a policeman, but as one was not forthcoming he ejected her himself. She was the worse for drink, but he had not served her with any.

P.C. Prebble said about 8.45 p.m. on Wednesday he saw a large crowd, in the centre of which was the defendant, who was trying to gain an entrance into the Blue Anchor public house. She was very violent, and struck several blows at the landlord, but he guarded them off. Eventually she went away, after creating a disturbance.

Ten previous convictions were proved, including no less than six sentences of fourteen days.

The Bench imposed a fine of 10s. and 11s. costs, or 14 days.

Folkestone Herald 24-5-1902

Saturday, May 17^th: Before Alderman Vaughan, Mr. W. Chas. Carpenter, and Colonel Westropp.

Emily Small was convicted in her absence of having refused to quit the Blue Anchor Inn, Beach Street, on the previous Wednesday evening. She was very disorderly, and a policeman (Prebble) was called to eject her. Ten previous convictions. Fined 10s. and costs, or 14 days`.

 

Folkestone Chronicle 5-7-1902

Wednesday, July 2^nd: Before Messrs. W. Wightwick, W.G. Herbert, and C.J. Pursey.

James Flemming appeared to answer a summons for assaulting Walter Whiting, landlord of the Blue Anchor.

Mr. Whiting said defendant came to his house at 10.30 p.m. on the 26^th of June. Witness refused to serve him, upon which came a volley of bad language. After defendant had refused to quit the house on three successive requests a policeman was sent for. When the constable came defendant was outside the house, and on his name and address being taken defendant butted witness with his head.

The Chairman: Butted you like a ram, eh?

Witness: Yes. (Laughter) The defendant, he added, came round next day and apologised.

P.C. Johnson corroborated.

Defendant said that he was drunk, but he did not commit any assault; he simply fell up against the complainant. He could not have put himself in a fighting attitude, as his missus got locked up the same night and he had to take the baby.

Fined 10s. and 10s. costs, or 14 days`.

Defendant: I`ll have to do the 14 days, I suppose.

Folkestone Express 5-7-1902

Wednesday, July 2^nd: Before W. Wightwick, W.G. Herbert, and C.J. Pursey Esqs.

Walter Whiting, landlord of the Blue Anchor, summoned James Flemming for assault.

Complainant stated that prisoner came into his house about 10.30 p.m. on the 26^th June, and he refused to serve him. As he persisted in using bad language and complainant had asked him to quit the premises three times, he went for a policeman. When he came back defendant was standing outside. As the policeman was taking his name and address, defendant butted complainant with his head.

The Chairman: He butted you like a ram? – Yes (Laughter)

Defendant came round the next day and apologised.

P.C. Johnson said he was called about 10.50 p.m. on the 26^th June by the last witness, who stated that defendant had been using bad language on his licensed premises. Witness went into Beach Street, and while taking defendant`s name he put himself into a fighting attitude and tried to strike Mr. Whiting, but was prevented by another constable. He then charged at the complainant.

Defendant: Why didn`t you stop me?

The defence was that he was intoxicated and fell against complainant. He could not have put himself into a fighting attitude because he had a baby in his arms.

The constable, re-called, denied this.

Defendant: I can bring hundreds of people to prove I had. The missus got locked up the same night, so I had to take it.

The Magistrates imposed a fine of 10s. and 10s. costs, in default 14 days` hard labour.

Defendant: I suppose I shall have to do the 14 days.

Folkestone Herald 5-7-1902

Tuesday, July 1^st: Before Mr. Wightwick, and Aldermen Herbert and Salter.

James Fleming was summoned for assaulting Walter Whiting.

Complainant said the defendant came into his house, the Blue Anchor, and he refused to serve him because he had used bad language on previous occasions, and requested him to quit. Witness then went for a policeman, and when he came back defendant was outside. As the policeman was taking his name and address, defendant butted complainant with his head. Defendant came round and apologised tha next morning.

P.C. Johnson also proved the assault.

Defendant said that he was intoxicated and fell against complainant.

Fines 10s. and 10s. costs, or 14 days` imprisonment.

Folkestone Chronicle 7-3-1903

Adjourned Licensing Sessions.

On Wednesday morning the large hall at the Folkestone Town hall was crowded to excess by temperance people, publicans, “trade” sympathisers, and some hundreds of the neutral public, to witness the anticipated legal combat over licensing matters in the borough. The Court presented a very animated appearance. On the Bench were Mr. W. Wightwick, Colonel Hamilton, Mr. W.G. Herbert, Mr. E.T. Ward, Mr. J. Pledge, Lieut. Col. Westropp, and Mr. C.J. Pursey. Facing the Bench were a noble array of legal luminaries, including Mr. Lewis Glyn K.C., and Mr. Percival Hughes, instructed respectively by Mr. Martin Mowll and Mr. G. Haines, to represent the applicants in the cases of opposed old licences; Mr. Thomas Matthew and Mr. Thorn Drury, instructed by Mr. Minter, representing new applicants; and Mr. Montague Bradley, solicitor, who held a watching brief for the Temperance Council. The Chief Constable, Mr. Harry Reeve, was present conducting the opposition. These gentlemen were flanked by the Press on one side, and on the other by either the principals or representatives of the various breweries having interests in the town, such as Messrs. Leney, Mackeson, Nalder and Colyer, Flint, G. Beer, etc.

The Chairman, in opening the Court, said that 23 full licences stood adjourned since the previous Court. Since the adjournment, enquiries had been made, and from those enquiries the Chief Constable was instructed to persevere in the objection against nine houses, viz.: The Providence, Mr. Arthur F. East; Marquis Of Lorne, Wm. R. Heritage; Granville, Charles Partridge; Victoria, Alfred Skinner; Tramway, Fredk. Skinner; Hope, Stephen J. Smith; Star, Ernest Tearall; Bricklayers Arms, Joseph A. Whiting; and Blue Anchor, Walter Whiting. From a recent inspection of those houses, however, the Bench had decided to withdraw the objections against the Victoria, the Hope, and the Blue Anchor, and proceed with the remainder. Regarding the 17 houses which would that day have their licences renewed without opposition, the Bench had decided to deal with them at the 1904 Sessions according to the then ruling circumstances. The Bench desired to warn Mrs. Brett, of the Swan Hotel, as to her husband`s conduct of the business. In the cases of the London And Paris, the Imperial Hotel, the Mechanics Arms, and those houses against which convictions were recorded, it was the desire of the Bench to warn the various landlords that any further breach of the licensing laws would place their licences seriously in jeopardy. With respect to the Imperial Tap (sic), the Castle, and those houses which had been originally objected to for structural alterations to be made, the Bench now renewed the licences on the condition that the order made as to the various alterations should be carried out in 14 days. It was the wish of the Bench that the general warning should also apply to the beerhouses under the Act of 1869.

Coming to the licences in the old portion of the town, the Bench were of opinion that they were out of all proportion to the population, and it was the purpose of the Bench to obtain information before the 1904 Sessions which would lead to their reduction. In the meantime, the Bench invited the brewers and owners to co-operate with the Magistrates in arriving at the mode of the reduction. Failing that, the Justices would take the matter into their own hands, and, he hoped, arrive at conclusions on a fair and equitable basis. (Hear, hear)

Mr. Lewis Glyn K.C. at once asked the Bench to withdraw their opposition to all the opposed licences this year. With the whole of his learned friends, he thought he was right in saying that in view of legislation in the coming year it would be fairer to the Trade to wait until 1904 before taking any drastic action. He would submit that because a neighbourhood happened to be congested, it was hardly fair to take away one man`s living and to hand it over to another, which such a proceeding practically meant.

The Chairman said the Bench would note Counsel`s observations, but the applications must proceed in the usual way.

Folkestone Express 7-3-1903

Wednesday, March 4^th: Before W. Wightwick, Col. Hamilton, Col. Westropp, E.T. Ward, J. Pledge, W.G. Herbert, and C.J. Pursey Esqs.

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

It will be remembered that at the last sessions the Justices ordered notices of opposition to be given to nine licence holders, namely:- the Providence, the Marquis Of Lorne, the Victoria, the Tramway, the Hope, the Star, the Bricklayers Arms, and the Blue Anchor.

Several other applications were adjourned, and in some cases plans were ordered to be submitted. The notices of opposition to the Victoria, the Hope, and the Blue Anchor were afterwards, by direction of the Bench, withdrawn.

The flowing counsel were engaged:-  Mr. Lewis Glyn, K.C., instructed by Mr. Mowll, Mr. Percival Hughes, instructed by Mr. G.W. Haines, representing the Folkestone Licensed Victuallers` Association; Mr. G. Thorn Drury and Mr. Theodore Matthew, instructed by Mr. Minter; and Mr. Drake was briefed in the matter of the Blue Anchor, which was not in the end opposed. Mr. Bradley, of Dover, representing the Folkestone Temperance Party and Mr. W. Mowll opposed the applications for the two new licences.

The Chairman said before the commenced business, he would, by direction of the Magistrates, read to the gentlemen present what they proposed doing. At the General Annual Licensing Meeting they directed the Chief Constable to give notice to the owners of nine houses. Since then they had inspected those houses, with the result that they had directed the Chief Constable to withdraw the notices of objection served upon the owners of the Victoria, the Hope, and the Blue Anchor. The other objections would be proceeded with. As regarded the remaining houses, they decided to renew the licences, but the Chairman referred to those cases where there had been convictions, and warned the licence holders to be careful in future. Certain structural alterations were ordered to be made at the Packet Boat, the Brewery Tap, the Castle Inn, the Lifeboat, and the Prince Of Wales.

The Licensing Justices expressed the opinion that the number of houses licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquors now existing in the borough, especially in that part of the town near the harbour, is out of all proportion to the population, and the Justices proposed between now and the Licensing Sessions of 1904 to gain information and determine what reduction shall then be made. Meanwhile the owners of licensed houses were invited to agree amongst themselves to voluntarily surrender a substantial number of licences in the borough in 1904, and submit the result of their united action to the Licensing Justices. Failing a satisfactory voluntary reduction, the Justices would in the exercise of their discretion in a fair and equitable spirit decide what reduction should then be made.

Mr. Glyn, who said he was instructed on behalf of Messrs. Nalder and Colyer, thanked the Magistrates for the statement as to the course they intended to adopt, and said he was going to throw out a suggestion that it would be fairer under the circumstances if the renewals which still stood over for hearing should also stand adjourned until the Annual General Licensing Meeting of next year. The principal ground of complaint, so far as he gathered, was that the houses were not wanted. He contended that it would not be fair, for instance, to take away one of the six licences which were to be opposed.

The Chairman, however, said the Magistrates decided to hear all the evidence.

Folkestone Herald 7-3-1903

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

The Adjourned Licensing Sessions for the Borough of Folkestone were held in the Town hall on Wednesday. In view of the opposition by the police to a number of the existing licences extraordinary interest was evinced in the meeting, and when the proceedings commenced at eleven o`clock in the morning there was a very large attendance, the “trade” being numerously represented. Representatives of the Folkestone Temperance Council and religious bodies in the town were also present, prominent amongst them being Mr. J. Lynn, Mrs. Stuart, and the Rev. J.C. Carlile. Prior to the commencement of business the Licensing Justices held a private meeting amongst themselves. When the doors were thrown open to the public there was a tremendous rush for seats. The Justices present were the following:- Mr. W. Wightwick, Mr. E.T. Ward, Mr. W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Mr. J. Pledge, Lieut. Col. Westropp, and Mr. C.J. Pursey.

Before proceeding with the business, the Chairman announced that at the Annual Licensing Meeting the Justices adjourned the renewal of 23 full licences and five on beer licences, and directed the Chief Constable to give notice of objection to the owners of the licences of the following nine houses:- Providence (Arthur F. East); Marquis Of Lorne (William R. Heritage); Granville (Charles Partridge); Victoria (Alfred Skinner); Tramway (Frederick Skinner); Hope (Stephen J. Smith); Star (Ernest Tearall); Bricklayers Arms (Joseph A. Whiting); and Blue Anchor (Walter Whiting). Since the former sessions the Justices had inspected all the houses objected to, and considered the course which they ought to pursue with respect to the same, with the result that they had directed the Chief Constable to withdraw the notices of objection served by him with respect of the Victoria, Hope, and Blue Anchor, and to persist in the opposition to the following:- Providence, Marquis Of Lorne, Granville, Tramway, Star, and Bricklayers Arms. As regarded the remaining 15 full licences and five beer licences they would renew the same this year, and deal with them next year according to the circumstances.

 

Folkestone Express 14-3-1903

Letter

Dear Sir,

May I crave a small space in your valuable paper to protest against a wrong which I, with many others, consider unjustifiable.

At the Licensing Sessions held in February the stipulated fee of 8s. 6d. was charged for the renewal of a full licence, and at the Adjourned Sessions in March 9s. 6d. was charged for the same.

Is it because they were put to the inconvenience of briefing Counsel, likewise the anxiety and worry through no fault of their own? I know of no statute authorising the same, and fail to see how it could legally be charged. It seems to me like adding insult to injury.

Perhaps some of your numerous readers might be able to enlighten me.

Apologising for encroaching on your valuable time and space.

I remain, dear sir,

Yours sincerely,

Walter Whiting,

Blue Anchor, Folkestone.

Folkestone Express 8-10-1904

Thursday, October 6^th: Before E.T. Ward, Ald. Vaughan, and Lieut. Col. Fynmore.

James Butcher was charged with stealing a quantity of gin, value sixpence, from the Blue Anchor Inn, Beach Street.

Walter Whiting, the landlord, said the previous afternoon he was in a back room at the rear of the bar, and on coming through the communicating door he saw the prisoner leaning across the counter, turning a tap on of a gin cask on the private side of the bar. He had a glass in his hand, which was also his (landlord`s) property. On asking prisoner what he was doing, he (prisoner) drank the gin off and ran out of the bar, leaving the glass behind. Witness followed, and as a constable was passing, gave information to him.

P.C. Sales said about 3.30 p.m. the previous afternoon, from information received, he went in search of prisoner, and subsequently found him in the Eagle Tavern, where he charged him with the theft. Prisoner said he had not stolen anything, and was not going to the police station. Witness eventually took him tere with assistance.

Prisoner pladed Not Guilty, and elected to be dealt with summarily. He mad a rambling statement, which, however, soon fell through.

The Chairman said the prisoner had a very bad record. He had been there constantly, and would have to go to prison for 14 days with hard labour. He cautioned him about coming again, as they would have to commit him for trial as a vagabond.