Thanks And Acknowledgements

My thanks go to Kent Libraries and Archives - Folkestone Library and also to the archive of the Folkestone Herald. For articles from the Folkestone Observer, my thanks go to the Kent Messenger Group. Southeastern Gazette articles are from UKPress Online, and Kentish Gazette articles are from the British Newspaper Archive. See links below.

Paul Skelton`s great site for research on pubs in Kent is also linked

Other sites which may be of interest are the Folkestone and District Local History Society, the Kent History Forum, Christine Warren`s fascinating site, Folkestone Then And Now, and Step Short, where I originally found the photo of the bomb-damaged former Langton`s Brewery, links also below.


Welcome

Welcome to Even More Tales From The Tap Room.

Core dates and information on licensees tenure are taken from Martin Easdown and Eamonn Rooney`s two fine books on the pubs of Folkestone, Tales From The Tap Room and More Tales From The Tap Room - unfortunately now out of print. Dates for the tenure of licensees are taken from the very limited editions called Bastions Of The Bar and More Bastions Of The Bar, which were given free to very early purchasers of the books.

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Contrast Note

Whilst the above-mentioned books and supplements represent an enormous amount of research over many years, it is almost inevitable that further research will throw up some differences to the published works. Where these have been found, I have noted them. This is not intended to detract in any way from previous research, but merely to indicate that (possible) new information is available.

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Saturday, 8 March 2014

Brewery Tap 1915 - 1919



Folkestone Express 27-2-1915

Monday, February 22nd: Before J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, R.J. Linton, and W.J. Harrison Esqs.

Ptes. Albert Shingleton and William Harrison, of the Middlesex Regiment, were charged with stealing twelve shirts and six pairs of pants, the property of Mr. R.G. Wood, of Tontine Street, on Saturday evening.

Albert Currie, an assistant to Mr. R.G. Wood, of Tontine Street, said on Saturday evening, about seven o`clock, he missed a bundle of six pairs of pants and a bundle of twelve shirts from a shelf in the doorway at the edge of the pavement. They were not secured in any way. He saw the articles there an hour previously. Shortly afterwards, Corpl. Inwood, of the Military Police, spoke to him, and he accompanied him and P.C. Lawrence to the lower end of Tontine Street. On their return they went into the Brewery Tap, and he there saw Pte. Shingleton coming towards the door of the house, carrying a bundle in his arm. He pointed the man out to the constable, and then went back to the shop. Shortly after P.C. Lawrence came to the shop, bringing two pairs of pants and three shirts, which he identified. The total value of the articles had not been found.

Corpl. Inwood, of the 11th Middlesex regiment, billeted in Folkestone, said he was in charge of a picket in Tontine Street on Saturday evening about a quarter past seven, when he saw the two prisoners together outside Mr. Wood`s shop. They were walking towards the Harbour, and he noticed that Allen had a bundle under his arm. A few minutes afterwards he saw the last witness come to the door of the shop, and he (witness) spoke to him. From what Mr. Currie said he went with him and P.C. Lawrence to the Brewery Tap and saw the prisoners in the house. Each had a small bundle, Allen`s not being wrapped up in paper, and it appeared to consist of soft goods. P.C. Lawrence took the prisoners to the police station.

P.C. Lawrence said on Saturday evening he accompanied the last witness to the Brewery Tap, where he saw the two prisoners at the rear of the house. Allen had the three shirts under his arm, and when he saw him he threw them down in the corner. He did not notice that Shingleton had anything. He brought them to the police station, and when Shingleton got there he undid his tunic and produced two pairs of pants, and said “There you are. That is all I have got”. He then charged them with stealing the articles mentioned in the charge. They made no reply.

Both prisoners pleaded Not Guilty.

Shingleton said they were in the public house sitting down when a soldier came in with the articles. He asked them to buy them, and he (prisoner) gave 1/6 for two pairs of pants. They did not steal the articles.

Allen said the soldier asked him if he could do with a couple or three shirts, and suggested that he should give him two bob for the shirts. He eventually gave the man 2/- for them. While he was examining them the constable and the “red cap” came in. He had six years` character for honesty. They did not know the other soldier.

P.C. Lawrence said Allen was the worse for drink. Shingleton was sober, but had been drinking.

An officer from the regiment said the men had nothing but military offences – really for being absent. They were both leaving on the following day with the regiment.

The Magistrates bound both men over in the sum of £5 to be of good behaviour for six months.

Folkestone Herald 27-2-1915

Monday, February 22nd: Before Mr. J. Stainer, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. R.J. Linton, and Councillor W.J. Harrison.

Arthur Shingleton and William Allen, privates in the Middlesex Regiment, were charged with stealing twelve shirts and six pairs of pants, the property of Mr. R.G. Wood.

Mr. Albert Curry, assistant to Mr. R.G. Wood, outfitter, said that about 6.50 on Saturday evening he missed a bundle containing six pairs of pants and a bundle of twelve shirts from the doorway. They were at the end of the shelf nearest the pavement, and were not secured. Shortly afterwards Corporal Inwood, of the Military Police, spoke to him, and he accompanied him and P.C. Lawrence to the arbour end of Tontine Street. He afterwards saw Shingleton at the Brewery Tap with a bundle wrapped in paper under his arm. He called a constable and returned to the shop. Shortly afterwards P.C. Lawrence brought to him two pairs of pants and three shirts, which he identified as part of the missing bundles. He valued the whole of the bundles at £1 12s. 6d. A quantity of the pants and shirts had not been recovered.

Corporal William Inwood, Middlesex Regiment, billeted in Folkestone, said that on Saturday evening, at 7.15, he was in charge of a picquet in Tontine Street, when he saw the prisoners together outside Mr. Wood`s shop. They were walking towards the Harbour, and Allen had a soft bundle wrapped in paper under his arm. A few minutes afterwards he saw the last witness come to the door of the shop. Witness spoke to him, and from what he said he went with P.C. Lawrence into the Brewery Tap, where he saw the prisoners. Each had a small bundle. Allen had a bundle of soft goods under his arm, and Shingleton had a bundle wrapped up in paper. They were taken into custody.

P.C. Lawrence said he accompanied the last witness to the Brewery Tap, where he saw the two prisoners. Allen had the three shirts produced under his arm, and when he saw witness he threw them down in a corner. He did not see whether Shingleton was carrying anything. He took them to the police station, where Shingleton unfastened his tunic and brought out the two pairs of pants produced. He said “There you are. That is all I`ve got”. Witness charged them with stealing six pants and twelve shirts from Mr. Wood`s shop. They made no reply.

Prisoners pleaded Not Guilty.

Shingleton said they were having a drink in the Brewery Tap, when a soldier came in with the bundles and asked them to buy the goods. He (Shingleton) gave him 1s. 6d. for two pairs of pants. They did not steal them.

Allen said the soldier sold him three shirts for 2s., and while he was examining them the constable and corporal came up. He did not steal them. He had a six years` character for honesty before he joined the Army, and had never been in a police court before.

P.C. Lawrence, re-called, said Allen was the worse for drink, and Shingleton had been drinking, but was not drunk.

An officer said there were only military offences against the men; they had been absent at one time and another. Both joined on August 7th, and were leaving on Tuesday with the regiment.

The Chairman said the Bench were satisfied of prisoners` guilt, but would give them a chance to redeem their characters. They would each be bound over to be of good behaviour for the next six months.

The Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. J. Andrew) pointed out to the men that a person found in possession of stolen articles who could not give a satisfactory explanation was deemed to have participated in the theft.

Folkestone Herald 25-9-1915

Friday, September 24th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Lieut. Col. R.J. Fynmore, Colonel G.P. Owen, Mr. H.C. Kirke, and Alderman A.E. Pepper.

Henry Francis Hasson was charged with stealing a bottle containing brandy from the Brewery Tap, Tontine Street, the property of Mr. A. Taylor.

Frederick Sydney Taylor, son of Mr. A. Taylor, landlord of the Brewery Tap, Tontine Street, said he was in the bar when prisoner entered that morning, about 9.20 a.m. Defendant had a glass of ale. There was another customer in the opposite bar. After prisoner had drunk a portion of the ale, witness left the bar, leaving the prisoner there alone. He returned in about three minutes’ time, and prisoner was still there. Three minutes later he found prisoner had left the house. A customer in the adjoining bar made a communication to him. He looked round, and found that a bottle containing brandy (produced) was missing. He missed it from a corner on the shelf opposite the counter. He did not miss anything else at the time. He then went to the door, and down Tontine Street, and saw P.C. Stevens. He proceeded later to the Marine Gardens with P.C. Stevens, and he saw the prisoner there in charge of two military policemen and his barman. He took the bottle of brandy from the barman. He had seen the bottle safe when prisoner came into the bar. He valued the brandy at 3s., and the measure attached to the bottle at 6s. 4d. They were his father's property.

P.C. Stevens said he went to the Marine Gardens with the last witness. He there saw the prisoner, who was being detained by two military police corporals and the prosecutor`s barman. The barman had in his possession the bottle of brandy with the measure attached. When charged at the police sta­tion, prisoner replied "All right”.

Accused was remanded till Saturday (today).

Folkestone Express 2-10-1915

Friday, September 24th: Before E.T. Ward Esq., and other Magistrates.

Henry Francis Hassen was charged with stealing a bottle containing some brandy.

Percy Sydney Taylor said he was the son of the landlord of the Brewery Tap. He was in the bar about twenty minutes past nine that morning when the prisoner came in and asked for a bottle of beer, which witness served to him. There was no-one else in the bar. He left the prisoner in the bar alone, returning in about three minutes. The prisoner was still there. Three minutes later he found Hassen had left, and a customer in an adjoining bar made a communication to him, and in consequence he looked round the bar. He then missed the bottle of brandy with the spirit measure from the corner of the shelf, which, in order to be obtained by the prisoner, must have meant him stretching full length. He went down Tontine Street, where he saw P.C. Stevens. He ultimately proceeded to the Marine Gardens with the constable, and there saw the prisoner in the company of two of the military police and the barman, who handed the bottle of brandy to him. The bottle was safe when prisoner came into the bar. The value of the brandy was 3/6, and of the plated measure 6/4.

P.C. Stevens said he accompanied the last witness to the Marine Gardens, where he saw the prisoner being detained by the military police and the prosecutor`s barman, the latter having in his possession the bottle of brandy and the measure attached. He took the prisoner into custody. When formally charged at the police station, Hassen said “All right”.

The case was adjourned until the following day in order that further evidence might be called.

On Saturday the chair was again occupied by E.T. Ward, when an additional witness was called.

Edmund William Hall, 32, Greenfield Road, potman employed at the Brewery Tap, said the previous morning he was on the premises when the prisoner came in. He saw him drink some beer and leave the premises. That was half past eight. He saw the prisoner half an hour later in the saloon bar. He had a glass of ale in front of him. There was no-one else in that part of the bar. That would be about nine o`clock. Ten minutes afterwards he was outside the premises when Mr. Taylor made a communication to him. He spoke to a military policeman, and went with him to the Marine Gardens, where he saw the prisoner. He went to him and said “Where is that bottle of stuff you have got?” He replied “I have not got any”. Noticing that prisoner`s right hand trousers pocket appeared to be bulky, he (witness) put his hand in the pocket and took the bottle containing brandy from it. He told the prisoner he would have to go with him. He made no reply. Hassen was taken into custody. P.C. Stevens and young Mr. Taylor asked him where the measure was, and he replied “It is in my jacket pocket”. He then handed the measure to Mr. Taylor. He saw the prisoner leave the house and proceed towards the Harbour.

Mr. Taylor said the prisoner took the measure from his pocket and gave it to him.

Prisoner pleaded Guilty. He said he was sorry for what he had done. He was drunk at the time, and he did not remember stealing the brandy. He was certainly not in his right mind.

P.C. Stevens, in reply to the Clerk, said Hasses appeared to have been drinking.

The Chief Constable (Mr. Reeve) said the prisoner had only been in Folkestone a day or two. He had in his possession Army discharge papers, which showed that after serving 84 days in the King Edward`s Horse he had been discharged owing to being medically unfit.

Prisoner said he had come from New Brunswick and enlisted at Liverpool, being discharged owing to heart disease. He came down to Folkestone as he was told he could enlist in the Royal Canadian Regiment.

A letter found on the prisoner was produced, and it was to the effect that if he proceeded to Canterbury he could obtain a pass to take him back home again from the military authorities.

The Magistrates bound Hassen over for three months, it being a condition of his probabtion that he should proceed to Canterbury immediately, obtain the pass, and go back to the States.

Folkestone Herald 2-10-1915


Saturday, October 25th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Colonel G.P. Owen, Mr. H.C. Kirke, and Alderman A.E. Pepper.

Henry Frances Hasson was charged on remand with stealing bottle of whisky from the Brewery Tap, Tontine Street.

Edmund William Hall, of 32, Greenfield Road, a bottler at the Brewery Tap, Tontine Street, stated that on the previous Friday morning he was on the premises about 8.30, when the prisoner came in. He saw him have some beer and leave the premises. About half an hour later he saw defendant in the saloon bar, drinking a glass of ale. There was no one else there. Shortly afterwards witness left the shop, and about 9.10 he was standing outside, when Mr. Taylor (junr.) made a communication to him. Witness spoke to a military policeman, and then went towards the Marine Gardens, when he saw the prisoner. He went up to him and said to him “Where is that bottle of stuff you have got?” He replied: "I haven’t got any”. Witness noticed that prisoner's right-hand trouser pocket seemed to be bulky, and he took from it the bottle produced. He said to the accused “You will have to come along with me”. Defendant was then taken into custody. Mr. Taylor, junr., had come up in the meantime, and he asked where the stopper was. Prisoner replied: “It is in my jacket pocket”, and took it out, handing it to Mr. Taylor, junr.

Prisoner pleaded guilty, and said he was drunk at the time, and did not remember stealing the whisky. He was not in his right mind.

P.C. Steven said prisoner was sober, but appeared to have been drinking.

The Chief Constable (Mr. H. Reeve) said the man was a perfect stranger to them. He was discharged after 84 days`service in King Edward`s Horse for being medically unfit.

The Chairman: What is that badge you are wearing?

The prisoner replied that it was the badge of the National reserve. He was in Canada at the beginning of the War, on a steamer at New Brunswick. He joined the King Edward`s Horse, as it was a Colonial regiment. He came to Folkestone with a Canadian to join the Canadian army. He was a steward on a boat.

The Chairman said defendant would be put on probation for three months upon agreeing to go to the Officer of the Records at Canterbury, who would give him a free passage to the United States.

Folkestone Herald 29-4-1916

Friday, April 28th: Before Mr. R.G. Wood and other Magistrates.

Albert Taylor, the landlord of the Brewery Tap, was summoned for allowing drunkenness.

The Chief Constable (Mr. H. Reeve) said he had issued the summons on information received from the military authorities, but after making several inquiries, and after an interview with the Town Commandant (Col. Burns Begg), he had decided not to offer any evidence, but to ask that the summons might be withdrawn.

Mr. G.W. Haines, who appeared for the defendant, said he was not at all surprised at the course the Chief Constable had taken. Of course, he was justified in issuing the summons on the information he had had before him. He (Mr. Haines) might say that the landlord took every precaution, and he had notices in the rooms asking any persons requested to leave the premises to do so at once. They did their best, and there was no stain on the occupier of the house.

The Chairman said the case would be withdrawn. At the same time, they were glad to see that the landlord had taken precautions.

Folkestone Express 6-5-1916

Local News

Before a sitting of the Police Court on Friday, before Councillor R.G. Wood and other Magistrates, Albert Taylor, landlord of the Brewery Tap, Tontine Street, had been summoned for (it was alleged) permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises. Mr. G.W. Haines appeared for Mr. Taylor.

The Chief Constable said Mr. Taylor had been summoned by him on reports received from the Military Authorities. Since the issue of the summons, however, he had cause certain enquiries to be made, as a result of which he had an interview with the Town Commandant, Colonel Burns-Begg, who agreed that the best course to adopt would be for him (the Chief Constable) to offer no evidence against the landlord, and ask their worships to allow the case to be withdrawn.

Mr. Haines, on behalf of the landlord, said he was not surprised at the course taken, and he felt it was only right to say that the course taken was perfectly correct. The chief witness for the prosecution was in the Court on two other occasions, and without going too much into the matter, he was not at all surprised the prosecution did not think fit to bring him there that day. So far as the house was concerned, the landlord had always tried to do his best, and he had a notice up that anyone requested to leave the premises should do so at once. The landlord, as he had said, tried to do his best, and he (Mr. Haines) understood there was no stain on the character of the house.

The Bench agreed to the summons being withdrawn, the Chairman observing that the Bench were glad to hear that everything that could be done for the proper conduct of the house was being done.
 
 
 

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