Bouverie Arms 1920s

Folkestone Herald 1-4-1922

Local News

An application was made by Mr. F.E. Hedges, of the Bouverie Arms, to the Folkestone Justices on Monday for an occasional licence to sell intoxicating drinks from 10.30 to 6 on the Martello Tower Ground at the west end of the Leas on Easter Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday, when the Hockey Festival will be held. The Magistrates granted permission to sell between the hours of 10.30 and 5.

Folkestone Herald 16-3-1929

Felix

“I thank you very much for your last week`s article, and particularly that part referring to the Assembly (Corporation) meeting at the old Kings Arms Hotel and the Marquis of Granby”. Thus Mr. F. Hedges, of the Bouverie Arms, Cheriton Road, spoke to me on the bright and beautiful morning of Monday last. It is nice to have a “Thank you” now and then, because it is my main desire to please in these small weekly efforts of mine. I do not soar towards the impossible, viz., to please everybody. I remarked this much, many years ago, to a gentleman, who was then, as he is now, associated with the Folkestone Herald. His reply was brief and to the point. It was this “You will be a darned big fool if you try. Do the right as far as you can and let the rest alone”. I have tried to follow this advice. Now, to return to Mr. Hedges and his thanks. His establishment is a place where men congregate largely, and naturally many subjects crop up for discussion. There are arguments, friendly and sometimes highly controversial. It is tha latter that this particular gentleman mostly dreads.

It appears one of the company at the Bouverie Arms on Saturday night, after reading my paragraph, asked of another “Where was the Marquis of Granby situate?” That was enough. The argument as to its whereabouts went on fully for a couple of hours, and it was only when the Speaker called “Time” that the controversy ceased. Now, to be fair, I must plead guilty to providing, what after all was a friendly argument, for discussion. In my last paragraph on this subject I declared the Marquis of Granby was situate in Seagate Street. This was wrong. It should have been High Street. I can`t give the exact site, but there are those living amongst us who can. It is probably difficult for the present generation to realise that this present beautiful town of Folkestone was confined to three, four, or five thoroughfares (not paved in some cases) when the late Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837. Such however was the case.

Perhaps the Cheiton Road unofficial debating Society would like to discuss the whereabouts of the Folkestone Arms. The site of it appears, as far as I can make out, to have been where now stands the commanding corner premises at the bottom of High Street at the junction formed by Harbour and South Streets. The Folkestone Arms, it would seem, was an important establishment in those days. I will prove it. Here is an extract from an old Kentish newspaper and it will be read, I feel sure, with interest by all true Folkestonians. “September 11^th, 1812. Tuesday last being the Mayor`s choice for the town of Folkestone, Thomas Baker Esq. was elected to the chair, who after taking the necessary oath adjourned to the Folkestone Arms Inn, accompanied by the jurats and the principal residents of the community, where a sumptuous and well-served dinner was prepared for them. After the cloth was drawn (removed), the following toasts, etc., were pronounced from the chair; “The King and God Bless Him”; “The Prince Regent” (and under his benign auspices may the Imperial Eagle be experimentally taught to fly the wing at the roaring of the British Lion); “The Queen and Royal Family”; “Alexander (and may the Gallic Cock (France) be finally brought to feel the ascending influence of the Northern constellation)”. Thus passed the fleeting hours, interspersed with convivial song and merry joke, until “Nox” was contemplating to withdraw her sombre curtain from the dusky landscape, which suggested to the company the idea of “iit domum”, and on which they unanimously rose and congratulated the Mayor (Thomas Baker) on his tenth election to the honour of the white wand”. The foregoing, although an involved and rather complicated composition, gives an insight into the life of Folkestone 117 years ago, and incidentally reminds us that our forefathers well enjoyed themselves in their own way, not only at the table, but with convivial song and merry joke.

Note: Felix again gets it wrong. The Folkestone Arms referred to was located at the top of High Street, and closed in 1846. The Folkestone Arms Tavern, at the bottom of High Street, opened in 1847.