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, 7 June 2014

Alexandra Hotel 1920s



Folkestone Express 24-7-1920

Local News

The Borough Magistrates on Tuesday sanctioned the following temporary transfer of licence: Alexandra Hotel, from Mr. Step (sic) to Mr. W.R. Taylor.

Folkestone Herald 24-7-1920

Local News

At the Folkestone Petty Sessions on Tuesday, the licence of the Alexandra Hotel, Bridge Street, was temporarily transferred from Mr. Harry Edward Steff to Mr. Wm. Robert Taylor.

Folkestone Express 28-8-1920

Wednesday, August 25th: Before Councillor Boyd, Councillor Harrison, Rev. Epworth Thompson, Col. Owen, Mr. W.R. Boughton, and Mr. Blamey.

The following transfer of licence was granted: The Alexandra Hotel, from Mr. Steff to Mr. W.R. Taylor.

Folkestone Express 9-10-1920

Local News

At the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday morning a summons against William Robert Taylor, the landlord of the Alexandra Hotel, Beach Street, for allowing consumption on the premises after ten p.m. was adjourned until today (Friday) on the application f Mr. Mowll (Dover), who will appear for Mr. Taylor.

Folkestone Herald 9-10-1920

Friday, October 8th: Before Col. G.P. Owen and other Magistrates.

William Robert Taylor, of the Alexandra Hotel, Beach Street, was summoned for allowing the consumption of intoxicating liquor on his premises after ten o`clock at night. Mr. A.K. Mowll appeared for the defendant, who pleaded Guilty.

Inspector Sales stated at 12.45 a.m. on the 28th September he was in Harbour Street with P.C. Butler. Hearing a piano being played and singing in the Alexandra Hotel he rang the bell, and the door was opened by the landlord. He said to him “Who have you on the premises?”, and he replied “A few friends”. Witness asked if they were staying at the hotel, and defendant replied “Not all of them”. He further stated that he was just giving a little party to a friend who was leaving the town the next day. Witness asked him if he had notified the police, and defendant said “No, is it necessary?” Witness said it was not necessary, but that it might prevent inconvenience. He then went with P.C. Butler to a room on the first floor. There he saw eleven men and a number of women, and on the table there were bottles of spirits and glasses which had contained beer. Some of the glasses contained liquor. Witness asked if they were all staying in the hotel, and some of them replied “No, not all of us”. One said “We are the guests of the landlord, and we have been invited here”. Whilst he was taking the names of those present, one man, named Every, drank some liquor, wishing witness good health. He took the names and said to the landlord “You don`t deny liquor is being consumed?”, and he said “No, that is what they came here for”. Witness told him that he would submit a report, and defendant said “I am very, very sorry if anything is wrong. I was just giving a private party to a friend who is leaving the twon tomorrow”.

In reply to Mr. Mowll, witness said everything was quite open.

Mr. Mowll said defendant had pleaded Guilty because in his view he had committed a technical offence under the regulations. He was wrongly under the impression that he was entitled, as he was under the old licensing laws, to have this supper party. He asked the Bench, if they were satisfied that defendant had made a mistake, to dismiss the summons. Defendant had held a licence in London for nine years.

The Chairman said defendant should have been aware of the regulations. He would be fined £10.

Mr. Mowll: I take it you don`t wish that to affect his holding the licence?

The Chairman: We cannot say that. It is the opinion of the Bench that it is a very serious matter.

Folkestone Express 16-10-1920

Friday, October 8th: Before Colonel Owen, Alderman Jenner, the Rev. Epworth Thompson, Mr. L.G.A. Collins, and Capt. Griffin.

William Robert Taylor, the licensee of the Alexandra Hotel, Beach Street, was summoned for allowing intoxicating liquor to be consumed on his premises at 12.45 a.m. on the 28th September. Mr. A.K. Mowll (Canterbury) appeared for defendant, and pleaded Guilty.

Inspector Sales said at 12.45 on the morning of the 28th September he was in Harbour Street, in company with P.C. Butler, when he heard singing, and a piano being played in the Alexandra Hotel. He rang the bell and the door was opened by Mr. Taylor. He said to the landlord “Who have you on your premises?” and he replied “A few friends”. Witness said “Are they staying in the hotel?” and Mr. Taylor said “No, not all of them. I am just giving a little private party to a friend who is leaving the town tomorrow”. Witness asked him if he had notified the police, and he replied “No; is it necessary?” Witness said “I will see your friends”. In a room upstairs he saw eleven men and a number of women. On a table there was a number of beer and several spirit bottles, some containing liquor, and a number of glasses, some of those also containing liquor. He said to those present “Are you gentlemen all staying in the hotel?”, and some replied “No, not all of us”, and one said “We are guests of the landlord, invited here to a party”. He was taking their names when one of those present drank beer from a tankard, at the same time wishing him good health. (Laughter) He took the names and left the room with the landlord, to whom he said “You don`t deny liquor is being consumed?”, and he said “That is what they are here for, and they also have sandwiches”. He told Taylor he would have to submit a report and he replied “I am very very sorry if anything is wrong. I am giving a farewell party to a friend who is leaving tomorrow”.

Cross-examined by Mr. Mowll: Usually the Chief Constable was notified and proper police advice was given.

Mr. Mowll addressed the Magistrates, and said the defendant had pleaded Guilty to the summons because, in his view, however technical the offence may be, he had committed an offence under D.O.R.A. He was wrongly under the impression that he was entitled, as he was entitled under the licensing laws, to have this party, and that the regulations did not apply in this case. Everything was done perfectly above board. Music was heard, and the police were welcomed in. There was no shuffling of glasses to get rid the beer, and even one of the guests drank the health of the inspector, and wished him good luck whilst they were there, and the police seized upon that unfortunate man, who was the person who had landed the licensee there that day. What they had to consider was whether it was not a case where a bona fide mistake had been made on the part of the licensee. He did not know it was necessary to communicate with the Chief Constable on the matter. He asked the Magistrates to dismiss the case on the payment of costs. He had only held this licence for nine weeks.

Defendant said he had held a licence in London for nine years.

The Chairman said defendant should have known the Liquor Control Orders were still in force. He would be fined £10.

Mr. Mowll: You don`t think it ought to affect his licence?

The Chairman: I cannot say that. In the opinion of the Bench it is a very serious matter.

Mr. Mowll: You don`t know whether the regulations are still in force or not.

Folkestone Express 5-2-1921

Local News

On Tuesday morning at the Police Court the following temporary transfer was granted: Alexandra Hotel, Beach Street, to Mr. C.N. Tapsall, Sandwich.

Folkestone Express 12-2-1921

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 9th: Before The Mayor, Alderman Sir S. Penfold, Alderman Pepper, Rev. H. Epworth Thompson, Councillor Miss I. Weston, Miss Hunt, Councillor Boyd, Mr. Swoffer, Mr. Blamey, Councillor Boughton, Councillor Hollands, Councillor Stace, and Colonel Owen.

The Chief Constable (Mr. H. Reeve) presented his annual report as follows:- I have the honour to report that there are at present within your jurisdiction 114 places licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor by retail, viz.: Full licences 71, beer on 7, beer off 6, beer and spirit dealers 15, grocers etc. off 6, confectioners wine on 3, and chemists wine off 6. This is an increase of one full licence compared with the return submitted last year, a licence having been granted to the Grand Hotel at the adjourned licensing meeting held on 10th March last. This gives an average according to the Census of 1911 of one licence to every 293 persons, or one on licence to every 429 persons. Thirteen of the licences have been transferred during the past year. Three occasional licences have been granted to licence holders to sell drink on special occasions elsewhere than on their licensed premises, and 36 extensions of hours have been granted to licence holders when dinners, etc., were being held on their licensed premises. Two licence holders have been convicted during the year, viz.: The licensee of the Prince Albert Hotel was fined £10 and costs on 28th August for selling beer at a price exceeding the maximum price under the Beer (Prices and Descriptions) Order. The licensee of the Alexandra Hotel was fined £10 on 5th October for allowing the consumption of intoxicating liquor on his licensed premises after 10 p.m., contrary to the Order of the Liquor Control Board. During the year ended 31st December last 37 persons (28 males and 9 females) were proceeded against for drunkenness; 27 were convicted and 10 were discharged after being cautioned by the Bench In the preceeding year 46 persons were proceeded against for drunkenness, of whom 34 were convicted and 12 discharged. Twelve clubs where intoxicating liquor is supplied are registered under the Act. This is an increase of one since last year`s report. Proceedings have been taken against the steward of one of the registered clubs for allowing consumption of intoxicating liquor after 10 p.m., but the case was dismissed on the payment of costs. There are 24 premises licensed for music and dancing, one for music only, and two for public billiard playing. As a result of the reports received from my officers, who have made numerous visits at irregular intervals to the licensed premises and places of entertainment, I am able to report that the houses generally have been conducted in a satisfactory manner.

The Mayor said it was a great source of satisfaction to the Bench that Mr. Reeve had been able to make a report so favourable as the one he had submitted, especially in respect to the last paragraph. It was also a great source of satisfaction to the Bench to know that the charges for drunkenness were less during 1920 than during 1919. Forty six persons were proceeded against in 1919, and 37 in 1920, showing a decrease of 9. The Magistrates had reason to believe from the report that the licensed houses during the past year, in the main, had been well conducted.

Mr. Reeve: Yes, sir.

The Mayor said the Bench recognised that the licensees had a difficult task to perform. There were many Acts of Parliament and Orders from different Boards which they had to adhere to and carry out. Speaking personally, he preferred to see himself the Continental cafe system, which would be a much easier system to carry out than their public house system, and he did not know why it had not been tried in this country. He hoped some day someone would make the experiment. At the Continental cafes they saw any amount of people having a pleasant time and social intercourse, and taking their wines or coffee, and spending a very happy time. They had to deal with the English system, but he hoped that some day the Continental system would be tried, and that it would be a success on this side. He hoped that during the coming year the licensees would exercise the same caution and vigilance as they had during the past, and that cases of drunkenness would continue to decrease annually. All the licences would be renewed with the exception of the Prince Albert. The licence of the Alexandra Hotel had passed into fresh hands since the conviction, and that would be renewed from that day. The Prince Albert would be referred back to the adjourned meeting.

The adjourned sessions were fixed for the 9th March.
 

Folkestone Herald 12-2-1921

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 9th: Before The Mayor, Sir Stephen Penfold, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Councillor G. Boyd, Colonel G.P. Owen, Councillor A. Stace, Alderman A.E. Pepper, the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Councillor W.H. Boughton, Councillor W. Hollands, Miss A.M. Hunt, and Councillor Miss E.I. Weston.

The  report of the Chief Constable (Mr. H. Reeve) was read. (See Folkestone Express for details).

The Mayor said it was a great source of satisfaction to the Bench that the Chief Constable had been able to make a report so favourable, especially the last paragraph, where it was stated that all licensed houses had been conducted in a satisfactory manner. It was also a great source of satisfaction to the Bench that charges of drunkenness were less in 1920 than in the preceding year. Forty six persons were proceeded against in 1919, and thirty seven in 1920, showing a decrease of nine. That was satisfactory. They had reason to believe, from the report, that all licensed houses had been well conducted. The licensees had a difficult task, because there were so many Acts of Parliament and Orders to which they had to adhere and carry out. Speaking personally, he would prefer to see the Continental cafe system, as it would be much easier to carry out than the public house system. He did not know why it could not be tried in this country, and he hoped somebody would try to introduce it some day. On the Continent they saw any amount of people having a pleasant time, having wine or coffee or whatever they wanted, and going home afterwards none the worse for it. Anyhow they had got their own system in this country, and they had got to take it as they found it. He hoped the licensees would exercise the same vigilance this year as they had exercised in the past, and that drunkenness would show a decrease. The Licensing Committee had had the report before them, and with the exception of the Alexandra Hotel and the Prince Albert Hotel, the whole of the licences would be renewed. The Alexandra Hotel had passed into fresh hands since the conviction, and the licence would be renewed that morning. The Prince Albert Hotel licence would be referred back to the adjourned meeting next month.

The licence of the Alexandra Hotel, Bridge Street (sic) was permanently transferred to Mr. C.H. Tapsell, whilst the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, was transferred to Mr. J. Twigg.

The date of the Adjourned Licensing Sessions was fixed for Wednesday, March 9th.

Folkestone Express 25-11-1922

Local News

The following transfer of licence was granted at the Folkestone Police Court on Wednesday morning: The Alexandra Hotel, from Mr. C.H. Tapsall to Mr. John Edmund Fortune, of Ramsgate.

Note: This is at variance with More Bastions.
 

Folkestone Herald 25-11-1922

Local News

At the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday (Mr. G.I. Swoffer in the chair), the licence of the Alexandra Hotel was transferred from Mr. Tapsall to Mr. John Edmund Fortune.

Note: This is at variance with More Bastions.

Folkestone Express 13-1-1923

Local News

At the Police Court on Wednesday the following licence was transferred: The Alexandra Hotel, from Mr. C.H. Tapsell to Mr. J.E. Fortune.


Folkestone Express 20-7-1929

Local News

On Wednesday at the Folkestone Police Court several applications were made for music and dancing licences. The magistrates on the Bench wore Col. G.P. Owen, Mr. J.T. Blamey, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Miss A.M. Hunt, Alderman T.S. Franks, Mr. F Seager, and Mr. W. Smith.

Mr. Cork, of the George the Third, Fenchurch Street, and Mr Fortune, of the Alexandra Hotel, both applied for a music licence in respect of their premises. They said they intended to have portable wireless receiving sets and they desired to use them at times during the hours of opening.

The Chairman said the licences would be granted.
 
 
 
 
 

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