Oddfellows Arms 1920s

Folkestone Express 16-10-1920

Local News

On Sunday a quaint harvest festival took place in the Oddfellows Arms public house on The Stade, and as a result the Royal Victoria Hospital has benefitted to the extent of 15 cwt. of garden produce and £4 which was collected on the day.

There have been other services in the house on a Sunday evening, but nothing has approached the harvest festival service on Sunday. The public room presented a sight never to be forgotten, for it was lined from floor to ceiling with gifts of produce from fishermen and others. A giant marrow, weighing 34lbs., was a noteworthy exhibit. Fishing nets and cod lines were used in the arrangement of the gifts, which was undertaken by Mr. and Mrs. G. Skinner (host and hostess), Mr. W. Boorn, and Reg Spicer. Several hyumns were sung with Congo Milton at the organ. Dick Milton gave the address, in the course of which he said they should thank God for the bounteous harvest.

Among the congregation were Darkie Fagg, Mitteeman Walker, Hoggamy Hall, Tom Page, Brum Wheeler, Tich Banks, Alf Baker, Steve Starling, Harry Hall, Tiny Barton, Hoppy Hall, Tich Weatherhead, Red`un Fagg, Pout Fagg, and P. Hoile.

Folkestone Herald 16-10-1920

Felix

Strolling down the Old Quarter of Folkestone, and passing through the arch leading to the Fish Market on Sunday night, my attention was attracted by the noise of boisterous singing. As the churches were for the most part closed at that time, I was curious as to the meaning of it. Proceeding on my way, and listening again, I at first thought a “sing-song” was being held at a public house known as the Oddfellows, the front of which faces the Fish Market. But the strange part of it was that (as I subsequently found), instead of songs, hymns were being sung in chorus with full-throated vigour. When I heard “We plough the fields and scatter”, followed by “Come, ye thankful people, come”, being sung within the walls of this old-time hostelry I made enquiries, with the result stated.

Entering the house, I was cordially invited to “come right in”. I was glad I did so. I found a harvest festival in progress. There were ancient and modern mariners sitting round the tables; some in Sunday best, others in tan frocks. Ladies graced the proceeding with their presence. Each man had his quantum of foaming ale before him; the gentler sex favouring a little drop of “short”, or what are known as soft drinks (lemonade, etc.). In one corner of the room was a young mountain of vegetable produce grown by the fishermen on their allotments. There were giant marrows, cabbages of the full hearted order, weighing from 10 to 14lbs, apiece; there were also wonderful onions and superb potatoes. And then, with all these “good things around us”, the company each provided with a hymn book, proceeded to sing songs of thanksgiving – yes, women and all joined in together. It did not matter about the “incense” arising from a score or two of pipes. Some of these were of the “churchwarden” order; some were briars. At intervals there was a rest, but not for long. “Congo”, a sturdy son of the sea, presided at the piano. All, or mostly all, of the fishermen boast of nicknames. Thus one heard “Coconut Bill” call out “let the painter go”. This, being interpreted, meant another hymn.

I have been present at scores of harvest festivals in stately cathedral and tiny village churches, but I can truly say that I had never listened to heartier singing than that which I heard on Sunday night. And there was no levity about the proceedings at any time. Strange it was to hear amid these surroundings such well-known hymns as “Holy, holy, holy”, “God, be with us till we meet again”, “Nearer, My God, to Thee”, and “Abide with me”. True, the company “wet their whistles” occasionally, and filled up their pipes, but when they sang they did so with a heartiness and relish that no-one could deny.

Standing at the top of a flight of stairs leading to another room, Mariner R. Milton briefly addressed his “mates” and the ladies present. In the course of a neat little speech he said they not only toiled on the mighty deep, but in their spare hours cultivated the land. They were there that night to thank God for the harvest of land and sea. He believed their hearts were in the right place and full of thankfulness and gratitude, and in proof of this all the produce would be sent to the Royal Victoria Hospital – an institution which sorely needed help. They would take an offertory also for the same institution. Then the boxes were handed round and coins were readily dropped into them. They weighed quite heavy when the festival was over.

I might say that no songs were allowed; only hymns were rendered. The room was decorated with nets, fishing lines and hooks, and other fishing gear. Throughout the day a number of visitors looked in, including Skipper Nicks, of the Fishermen`s Bethel. On Monday, Capt. R.W. Reed, the energetic Secretary of the Hospital, visited the scene, and expressed himself delighted with the magnificent produce. Host George Skinner and his wife worked hard to make the whole affair the success it proved to be. It is interesting to learn in connection with this hostelry that hymns are sung here by the fishermen every Sunday night. We hear a great deal nowadays of public house reform, Is Mr. Skinner a pioneer? I am giving no opinion as to the propriety of holding such services on licensed premises, but I do say there was a real note of genuineness about this festival. The result of the collection amounted to £4, which included many silver coins.

Folkestone Express 28-8-1926

Wednesday, August 25^th: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Alderman C.E. Mumford, Mr. A. Stace, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, and Col. Broome-Giles.

Mary Ann Williams was charged with being been drunk and disorderly on Tuesday, and she pleaded Guilty.

P.C. Finn said that at 9.30 p.m. he was in Beach Street, when he was called by the landlady of the Wonder public house, to a woman in the public bar who was creating a disturbance. He went there, and saw prisoner, who was drunk, having an altercation with a man. He asked her to leave, and with assistance he ejected her. She went into the Jubilee public house, where he stopped her being served, and she was ejected. She then went into the Oddfellows, and became violent, and made use of filthy language. With assistance he took her to the police station.

Defendant: I am very sorry that it occurred again, and I hope you will lenient with me.

The Clerk: I think I have heard you say that about twenty times.

 Defendant: I lost control of my mind.

Do you belong to the Army now? – Yes. I belong to it still.

The Clerk: I don’t know whether you want the list of her convictions; it is as long my arm.

Inspector Pittock said the last occasion was on the 7^th July last year.

The Clerk: And I think the Army probably got hold of her again.

Mr. A.D.Z. Holmes (Police Court Missioner) said defendant had had one lapse, and after the numerous number of convictions it was not easy for her to go straight all at once. If the Magistrates could see their way to be lenient with her he would interview the Army officials himself. He understood trade had not been very good lately, and he thought the woman had had a serious temptation.

The Chairman said the Magistrates were very pleased to hear defendant had not been before them so frequently this last year or two. They would give her another chance  and adjourn the case for a month to see how she went on, and they hoped she would continue with the Salvation Army, and turn over a new leaf. She had one more chance.

Defendant was bound over in the sum of £5 to appear in a month`s time.

Folkestone Herald 28-8-1926

Wednesday, August 25^th: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Alderman C. Ed. Mumford, Mr. A. Stace, Dr. W.W. Nottall, and Colonel P. Broome-Giles.

Mary Ann Williams was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Radnor Street on Tuesday.

P.S. Thorne said at 9.30 p.m. on Tuesday evening he was in Beach Street, when he was called to the public bar at the Wonder Tavern. Prisoner was there, and she was drunk. He asked her to leave, but she refused to do so. He had her ejected. Prisoner then went to the Jubilee Inn, where he again had her ejected. Then prisoner went to the Oddfellows Inn, where she became abusive. He took her into custody.

Prisoner said she was very sorry, and that it would not occur again.

The Magistrates` Clerk: I have heard you say that twenty times. Turning to the Magistrates, Mr. Andrew said: You do not want the list of previous convictions, I suppose? It is as long as my arm.

Mr. A.D.Z. Holmes (the Police Court Missionary) said since joining the Salvation Army the prisoner had only had one lapse, and that was in July last year. It was not easy for the prisoner to go straight at once. He would interview the Salvation Army officials.

The Chairman said the Magistrates were glad to hear that the prisoner had not been so frequently before them as she used to be. They were going to give her another chance. The case would be adjourned for one month to see how she got on. If she behaved herself during that time they would very probably not punish her. The Magistrates hoped she would continue her association with the Salvation Army.

Folkestone Express 7-1-1928

Tuesday, January 3^rd: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Alderman C.E. Mumford, Mr. W.R. Boughton, and Col. Broome-Giles.

John Patrick Flynn, a young married man, was charged with unlawfully wounding Elvie Flynn, his wife, by stabbing her in the hip with a knife, in the Fish Market, the previous night.

P.C. Langford said about 9.40 p.m. the previous day he was in High Street when he saw a woman. From what she said he went with her to the Fish Market, and to the Jubilee Inn, where he saw the prisoner. He said to him “Are you the husband of this woman?” The prisoner`s wife was with him. He said to him “Your wife has previously come to me and said “My husband has stuck a pen-knife into me””. To that he made no reply. He then said “I shall take you to the police station, where you will be detained while further inquiries are made into it”. He then cautioned him, and he replied “I will come along”. At the police station he searched the prisoner, and among other articles found upon him the pen-knife, produced. He also had 13s. 2d. in his possession. Later he was present when the prisoner was charged by Det. Constable Butcher with inflicting grievous bodily harm upon Elvie Flynn. He replied “I have nothing to say”.

Dr. William Claude Percy Barrett said about 10.30 p.m. he examined Mrs. Flynn and found a small wound on the outside of the left hip about half an inch in length and an eighth of an inch in depth. This was an incised wound. It had caused bleeding. Her clothes had been pierced by some instrument agreeing with the site of the injury. The vest was bloodstained. Either blade of the pen-knife produced might have caused the wound, but it was probably the smaller one. The injury was not a serious one. The woman was wearing three thick articles of clothing and more than playful force must have been used to inflict the wound. The wound was a very trivial one.

Mrs. Elvie Flynn said she was the wife of the prisoner, and lived at No. 26, Garden Road. Her husband was an Army pensioner, and she had been married to him about twelve months. On Monday morning he left home early to draw his reserve pay. He returned home and gave her £1. He went out again and she remained indoors until 6 p.m., when he had not returned. She went to the Shakespeare Hotel, and saw him in the bar there. She asked him for more money for food, and he said he had none. Outside the bar he took from his pocket two or three Treasury notes and tore them in halves. He then put them back into his pocket. He attempted to strike her, but she had her pram with her baby in it,, and she twisted it round so that he could not strike her. They had two or three words outside the Shakespeare. She then said “Are you going to give me any money?”, and he walked away along Guildhall Street. Shortly afterwards she saw him in Foord Road and he walked behind her. When she went home he came in just after her. She again asked him for money, and he told her he had none. Her brother and sister-in-law and their child were in the room then. She went out and obtained some tea and sugar and on her return the prisoner sent a girl out for some fish and chips for his supper. When she returned with the fish and chips he had gone out. He came back two or three minutes afterwards. She did not ask him for money. He just came in the door and walked out. That was about 7.30 or eight o`clock, and her husband went out with her brother, Frank Waller. Before he left she told him that it was only beer of which he thought when he had money. He lost his temper. She remained indoors until about nine o`clock, and then she went down with her baby in the perambulator to the Fish Market. She opened the door of the Jubilee Inn and saw her husband sitting in the public bar. She called him out, but he would not come. She stood outside a few minutes, then called to him again. He did not come so she called out “You can have beer; come outside and give us money for food”. He came out and she said “Will you give me some money?”, and he took the notes from his pocket and tore them into pieces, and he threw them into the road, saying “There it is there” She said “You silly”, or something to that effect. As she said that he ran for her to hit her again. Her mother, who had come out of the Jubilee, said “Don`t hit her”. She started talking about money again. He ran for her and she thought he was going to punch her. She pulled the latch of the Oddfellows public house, intending to get away, and half fell, and as she fell she felt something hit her in the side just above the left hip. Mrs. Skinner and the men in the public house came to her assistance, one of the men in the public bar catching her. Defendant struck her a blow and she thought he was striking her with his fist. Whe he ran her round the pram he said “I will do you in”. She felt the knife enter her thigh, and she cried out “He has stabbed me”. She put her hand to the spot and found that it was covered with blood. She saw a policeman, and P.C. Langford went with her to the Jubilee. Her husband had been drinking, and she thought he must have been drunk to a certain extent.

P.C. Langford, re-called, said the prisoner appeared to be perfectly sober when he arrested him.

Prisoner said hearing what his wife said about his mother he lost his head.

The Chairman then said he would be committed to take his trial at the next Quarter Sessions.

Prisoner said he did not ask for bail.

Folkestone Herald 7-1-1928

Local News

A charge of unlawfully wounding his wife by, it was alleged, stabbing her with a pen-knife, was preferred against John Patrick Flynn at the Folkestone Petty Sessions on Tuesday.

P.C. Langford said at about 9.30 the previous night he was in High Street when a woman made a communication to him. He went to the Jubilee public house in the Fish Market, where he said to prisoner “Your wife has just come to me and said “My husband has just stuck a pen-knife in me””. To that he made no reply. Witness then said to him “I shall take you to the police station where you will be detained while further enquiries are made”. Witness cautioned him, and he replied “I will come along”. At the police station, among other articles found on prisoner, was the pen-knife produced. When formally charged, prisoner replied “I have nothing to say”.

Dr, W.C.P. Barrett, Police Surgeon, said he examined Mrs. Flynn at the police station, and found a small incised wound on the outside of the left hip, half an inch in length, and about an eight of an inch in depth. All the clothing above the wound had been pierced by some instrument. Either blade of the pen-knife produced might have caused the injury. The wound was not dangerous. The woman was wearing three thick articles of clothing, and more than playful force must have been used to inflict it.

Mrs. Elvie Flynn, who gave her address as 26, Garden Road, Folkestone, said her husband was an Army pensioner. They had been married 12 months. On Monday morning he left home early to draw his Reserve pay, and returned about 9.30, giving her £1. He then went out again. About 6 p.m., as he had not returned, she went to the Shakespeare Hotel, where, outside the house she asked prisoner for more money for food. He took two or three Treasury notes from his pocket and tore them in halves, and put them back in his pocket. He then attempted to strike her. She asked him again for money, and he walked away down Guildhall Street. Shortly afterwards she saw him in Foord Road and he walked behind her home. When they reached home she again asked him for some money and he told her he had none. Prisoner went out with her brother about 7.30 or 7.45. In the house they had an argument about money. At about 9 o`clock she went to the Jubilee Inn, in the Fish Market. She opened the door and called her husband. He would not come out. A few minutes later she called him again and said “You can have beer. Come on out and give me money for some food, will you?” He came out, took the notes from his pocket, tore them into smaller pieces, and, she thought, threw them into the road, saying “There it is”. He ran to her again to hit her but her mother, who had come out of the Jubilee, said “Don`t hit her”. Witness started talking about money again and defendant ran for her. She thought he was going to punch her. She caught hold of the latch of the Oddfellows Inn (sic), and as she partly fell he struck her in the left side. People in the public house came to her assistance. She thought defendant hit her with his fist. She did not see a knife in his hand. When he struck her he said “I will do you in”. When she was picked up she put her hand where the blow landed, and it came away covered in blood. She then found she had been stabbed. She went and found P.C. Langford. The knife produced belonged to her husband. Defendant had been drinking and must have been drunk to a certain extent.

P.C. Langford (re-called) said when arrested prisoner appeared to be perfectly sober.

The Magistrates then retired for a short period, and upon their return announced that prisoner would be committed for trial.

Prisoner, who did not ask for bail, said with his wife saying things about his mother, he lost his head.

Folkestone Express 28-1-1928

Quarter Sessions

Saturday, January 21^st: Before Roland Giffard Oliver Esq.

John Patrick Flynn, 22, a miner, pleaded Guilty to maliciously wounding his wife, Elvie, at Folkestone, on January 2^nd last.

Mr. J. Weigall (instructed by Mr. A.F. Kidson, the Town Clerk) prosecuted, and said the prisoner had pleaded Guilty to stabbing his wife with a pen-knife outside a Folkestone public house in the Fish Market. The man was of good character, and the matter seemed to have started by the wife demanding money from her husband, who, instead of giving her money, went off to the public house. The prisoner made a statement at the Police Court that he lost his head because of the observations his wife made about his mother.

Mrs. Flynn was called, and she said her husband was a miner and a good workman. She and her child had nothing to live upon if her husband was sent to prison.

The Recorder: Are you afraid of him?

Mrs. Flynn: No, sir. In reply to further questions by the Recorder, she said it was true she called his mother over something cruel.

The Chief Constable said the trouble seemed to have been going on for some time. The prisoner came from Wollaston, Staffordshire. He was educated at Newcastle, Stafford, and the schoolmaster said he was quite a good boy. He worked in the pits from 14 years of age until March, 1924, when he joined the Army and served for three years. At the end of that time he returned to Wollaston with his wife and baby, and they resided with his mother. He again went to work until August last, when he left of his own accord. While at Wollaston Colliery he bore a good character. There was no record of any conviction against him, and nothing was known detrimental to his character. His wife took out a summons against him at Wollaston for persistent cruelt, which was to be heard at Burslem on May 17^th, 1927, but as there was no appearance the case was not heard. On two occasions the police had been called to the house where they lived, but on account of the quarrels taking place in the house no action could be taken in the case. In the opinion of the police in Staffordshire the quarrels appeared to have been caused by the idle and dirty habits of the wife.

Dr. W.C.P. Barrett, in answer to the Recorder, said the wound was really only a graze. Although the skin was broken it was nothing more than a scratch.

The Recorder, addressing the prisoner, said he (Flynn) had been in prison since the incident occurred, and he had had time to think about it. He was going to give him another chance. He did not know that he ought to do so because he had a knife. In England they did not like people who used knives. He was prepared to think from what happened it was a very trivial use of the knife, resulting in a mere scratch – fortunately for the prisoner. He was going to give him another chance, as much for his wife`s sake as his own. He was going to bind him over for two years to be of good behaviour. The prisoner and his wife must not have these dreadful quarrels in public, or anywhere else. He was being treated very mercifully. If he went on like that again he would be brought before him, and be sentenced for what he did on that occasion. He (the Recorder) advised him to take that as a warning, and try to do better.

The prisoner: Thank you, sir.

 

Folkestone Herald 28-1-1928

Quarter Sessions

Saturday, January 21^st: Before Roland Oliver Esq.

John Patrick Flynn, aged 22, a miner, was indicted for, on January 2^nd, at Folkestone, maliciously wounding Elvie Flynn, his wife. Accused pleaded Guilty, and a written statement was handed to the Recorder.

At the Police Court hearing of the case it was stated that prisoner stabbed his wife with a pen-knife outside the Oddfellows Arms public house, in the Fish Market.

Mr. Weigall, who appeared for the prosecution, said he was informed that the man was of good character, and the trouble seemed to have started by the wife demanding housekeeping money. Instead of giving her the money, he went into a public house. She got him out, and before the Police Court there was a statement by the prisoner that he lost his head because of an offensive observation made by the wife about his mother.

Mrs. Elvie Flynn was then called, and in answer to the Recorder said she would have nothing to live on if her husband was sent to prison.

The Recorder: Are you afraid of him? – No, sir.

Has he ever done anything of this sort before? – No, sir.

The Recorder: He says that you said to him on that evening when you quarrelled “You are like your mother. She is no good to me, and nor are you”. – I called his mother something cruel, and I had no business to.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) said the trouble seemed to have been going on for some years; he believed ever since they had been married. Prisoner was born on November 25^th, 1905, at Newcastle, Stafford, and was educated at a Roman Catholic school and other places. His schoolmasters said that he was quite a good boy when at school. In 1917 he went to live at Wollaston, and when he was nearly 14 he went to work as pitboy at Wollaston Colliery. On January 19^th, 1923, he became wagon man in the colliery, where he remained until March 13^th, 1924, when he left of his own accord to join the Army. He served three years and returned with his wife and baby to live with his mother at Wollaston. He went to work in the colliery again, and remained there until the end of August last year, when he left of his own accord to go to Folkestone. While at the colliery he bore a good character, and no complaint was made about his work. There was no record of any conviction or anything detrimental to his character. During the time he was living with his wife and baby and mother, his wife took out a summons against him for persistent cruelty. This was heard on May 17^th, 1927, at Burslem, but as there was no appearance the case was not heard. On two occasions the police had been called on account of prisoner and his wife quarrelling in the house, but no action was taken. In the opinion of the police the trouble appeared to have been caused by the idle, dirty habits and temper of the wife.

Dr. C. Barrett, Police Surgeon, said technically the woman had a wound because the skin was broken, but it was nothing more than a scratch.

Replying to the Recorder, prisoner said he had been in prison since January 5^th.

The Recorder: I am going to give you another chance. I don`t know that I ought to, because you used a knife, and in England we do not like people who use knives, but I am prepared to think that from what happened it was very trivial, and the use of the knife resulted in a mere scratch, fortunately for you. I am going to give you another chance as much for your wife`s sake as for your own, because I do not see what good would be done in sending you to prison. You will be bound over for two years to be of good behaviour. You wife and you must not have these dreadful quarrels in public or anywhere else. You are being treated very mercifully.

Folkestone Express 18-2-1928

Obituary

We regret to report the death of Mr. George Skinner, the licensee of the Oddfellows Inn, The Stade. The deceased, who was 54 years of age, had been the licensee of the inn for seventeen years. He was well-known in Folkestone, and was held in high esteem by the local fishing fraternity and their families. He assisted in carrying out the Blessing of the Fisheries on an inspiring scale, and inaugurated the harvest festival at his house, which was an annual event that created considerable interest, especially amongst the fishermen. Deceased had not been well for some time, and passed away suddenly, leaving a widow and three sons to mourn his loss, and with whom great sympathy will be felt. He was Treasurer of the Sick and Dividend Club, which has a large membership.

The funeral takes place today (Friday), at noon, at the Folkestone Cemetery.

Folkestone Herald 18-2-1928

Obituary

The death took place on Monday at the Oddfellows Inn (sic), The Stade, Folkestone, of Mr. George Skinner, the proprietor. Widely known and greatly respected amongst the fishing folk, Mr. Skinner was regarded almost as a brother, for he was in the habit of associating himself in a large measure with their calling.

He it was who took part in improving the organisation of the Blessing of the Fisheries and other movements. The oddfellown Inn was a regular meeting place of the R.A.O.B.

The late Mr. Skinner himself conceived the idea of holding a harvest festival at his establishment on a Sunday one every year, and these were made famous throughout England.

The funeral will take place at Folkestone Cemetery on Friday at 12 o`clock.

Folkestone Express 10-3-1928

Adjourned Licensing Meeting

Wednesday, March 6^th: Before Mr. G. I. Swoffer, Mr. A. Stace, Mr. J.H.  Blamey_, Mr. W. Griffin, Dr. W.W. Nuttail, and Col. Broome-Giles.

The licence of the Oddfellows public house, The Stade, was transferred from the late Mr. George Skinner to Mrs. Flor­ence E. Skinner, the widow.

Folkestone Herald 10-3-1928

Adjourned Licensing Meeting

Wednesday, March 6^th: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. A. Stace, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Mr. W. Griffin, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, and Col. P. Broome-Giles.

The Magistrates sanctioned the transfer of the following licence: Oddfellows Inn, from George Skinner (deceased) to Florence E. Skinner.

Folkestone Express 7-4-1928

Wednesday, April 4^th: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer and other Magistrates.

Mrs. F.E. Skinner applied for the transfer and renewal of the licence of the Oddfellows Arms, The Stade, and also for the transfer of the music lience held on the business.

The Bench granted the application.

Folkestone Herald 7-4-1928

Adjourned Licensing Meeting

The adjourned licensing sessions were held at the Folkestone Police Court on Wednesday, Mr. G.I. Swoffer presiding.

The Magistrates agreed to the transfer of the Oddfellows Arms, Radnor Street, to Mrs. Skinner, widow of Mr. George Skinner, who previously held the licence. At the adjourned licensing session the widow was granted a protection order in respect of this house. The Bench also agreed to the transfer of the music licence.