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.

Easiest navigation of the site is by clicking on the PAGE of the pub you are looking for and following the links to the different sub-pages. Using the LABELS is, I`m afraid, not at all user-friendly.

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, 21 June 2014

Belle Vue Hotel 1920s



Folkestone Express 9-2-1924

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 6th: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Dr. W.J. Tyson, Miss Weston, Miss Hunt, the Rev. Epworth Thompson, Alderman Pepper, Col. Owen, Col. Broome-Giles, Messrs. G.I. Swoffer, G. Boyd, A. Stace, W. Hollands, E.T. Morrison, J.H. Blamey, and W.R. Boughton.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) presented his report as follows: I have the honour to report for your information that there are at present within your jurisdiction 114 premises licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor, and taking the population of the Borough according to the last Census this gives an average of one licensed house to every 329 persons. The following are particulars of the licensed premises: Full licences 71; beer on 7; beer off 6; beer and spirit dealers 13; grocers, etc., off 6; confectioners wine on 3; chemists wine off 4; cider and sweets off 1; Total 114 (81 on and 33 off). Fifteen of the licences have been transferred during the year. Four occasional licences have been granted to licence holders to sell drink on special occasions elsewhere than on their licensed premises, and 60 extensions of hours have been granted to licence holders when dinners, etc., were being held on their licensed premises. In no case has any abuse of the privilege been reported. Six hotels and one restaurant have authority under Section 3 of the Licensing Act, 1921, to supply intoxicating liquor with meals for one hour after 10 p.m. on weekdays, viz.: Metropole Hotel, Grand Hotel, Majestic Hotel, Regina Hotel, Esplanade Hotel, Royal Pavilion Hotel, and Central Cafe. During the year ended 31st December, 1923, 26 persons (21 males and 5 females) were proceeded against for drunkenness; 16 were convicted and 10 discharged after being cautioned by the Bench. Of those proceeded against, 8 were residents of the Borough, 5 were soldiers, 10 were of no fixed abode, and 3 were non-residents. This is an increase of one as compared with the number proceeded against last year, when 25 persons (16 males and 9 females) were proceeded against, of whom 16 were convicted and 9 discharged. The permitted hours, as allowed by the Licensing Act, 1921, have been fixed by the Licensing Justices for the Borough of Folkestone as under: On weekdays from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Sundays from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eleven clubs where intoxicating liquor is supplied are registered under the Act. All the licensed premises have been periodically visited at irregular intervals by my officers during the year to see that the same are being conducted in a satisfactory manner, and I am pleased to report that with few exceptions no adverse reports have been submitted to me. There are 28 premises licensed for music and dancing and one for public billiard playing. During the year two licensees have been proceeded against for breaches of the Intoxicating Liquor Laws, viz.: (1) 15-6-23 Henry William Cork, George the Third, Fenchurch Street, permitting intoxicating liquor to be consumed on his licensed premises during non-permitted hours; the case was withdrawn upon my application to the Bench. (2) 7-9-23 Alfred John Cope, Rose Hotel, Rendezvous Street, failing to have his name and expression of business for which the licence was granted affixed to the premises; fined 10s. On 20th October, 1923, Michael Ivory, of the Bouverie Hotel, Bouverie Road, was convicted and fined £1 at Newport, Isle of Wight, for consuming intoxicating liquor on licensed premises during restricted hours. I beg to report that in my opinion there is still a redundancy of licensed premises on the older portion of the Borough. Observation has been kept, and it would appear that very unequal trade is done between house and house in the same neighbourhood. Three houses, viz.: The Oddfellows, Dover Street, The Belle Vue, St. John`s Street, The Richmond Tavern, Richmond Street, according to reports received, are doing the least trade in the area referred to, and I have no hesitation in saying that they are redundant to the needs of the public, and I accordingly recommend that the licence of each house be referred back for your consideration at the adjourned meeting. I have to express my appreciation of the fairness and courtesy extended to me by the Bench during my first year of office, and also for the able assistance I have received from your Clerk, Mr. John Andrew.

The Chairman said they were especially pleased, it being the Chief Constable`s first year there, that he was in a position to present such a good report. The members of the Licensing Authority were very gratified that the report was so good. They were of opinion that such a good report must point to the fact that the licence holders had been careful during the past year to see that the law had been carried out and adhered to on every possible occasion. Proceedings had only been taken against two licence holders, and they were reminded that in one instance the Chief constable withdrew the summonses, and in the other case the offence was of a technical nature. Then with regard to the cases of drunkenness, out of the 16 convictions only eight of them were residents of the Borough. When they considered the population of Folkestone and that Folkestone was a port, with a fishing quarter, and with a military district adjoining, the Magistrates thought it spoke well for the community. They knew the community of Folkestone was very sober, but it only required a few indiscreet persons to spoil their record. They were glad to know that those few indiscreet persons had exercised great discretion during the past year, and they hoped the number would not be increased during the present year. On behalf of the Bench he offered his congratulations to the licence holders and the general public, who had enabled the Chief Constable to present such an excellent report. The Justices had given full consideration to the question of the renewal of those houses specifically mentioned with regard to redundancy, and they had decided to put back the renewal of those licences for consideration at the adjourned meeting, and they directed the Chief Constable to cause opposition to their renewal. As proceedings were also pending against the Prince of Wales Inn for alleged breaches of the Licensing Act that licence would not be renewed, but would be put back to the adjourned meeting also. The question of the renewal of the licences of the Rose Hotel and the George the Third had also been considered, and they would be renewed that day. All the other licences would also be renewed.

Folkestone Herald 9-2-1924

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 6th: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Dr. W.J. Tyson, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Mr. E.T. Morrison, Colonel G.P. Owen, Mr. A. Stace, Alderman A.E. Pepper, the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson, Mr. W.R. Boughton, Councillor W. Hollands, Colonel P. Broome-Giles, Miss A.M. Hunt, and Miss E.I. Weston.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) read his report (for details see Folkestone Express).

The Chairman said they had heard the report of the Chief Constable, and they were especially glad, it being his first year, for him to be in a position for him to present such a good report at this annual licensing meeting. He did not think it required many words from him, beyond saying that the members of the licensing authority were very grateful that the report was so good, and they were all of opinion that having such a good result must point to the fact that the licence holders had been careful during the past year to see that the law was carried out and adhered to on all possible occasions. Proceedings had only been taken against two licence holders, and they were reminded in one case that the Chief constable withdrew the summons, and the other case was of a technical nature. He thought they would agree with him that neither of these charges could have been of a serious nature. With regard to the convictions for drunkenness, they had heard that out of sixteen offenders only eight were residents of the borough. When they considered the population of Folkestone and further that the town was a port, with a fishing quarter, and had a military camp close at hand, to know that only eight of the offenders were residents spoke very well, he thought, for the community. (Hear, hear) The community as a whole was a very sober one in Folkestone. It only required a few indiscreet persons to spoil their record, and they were glad to know that those few indiscreet persons had exercised great discretion during the past twelve months, and they hoped that the number of offenders would not be increased during the coming year. They offered their congratulations to the licence holders and the general public, who had undoubtedly assisted the Chief Constable to present such an excellent report as they had had that morning. The Bench felt that the question of the renewal of the licences of the Oddfellows Inn, the Belle Vue, and the Richmond Tavern should have further consideration on the grounds of redundancy, and therefore they would put back the licensing of these houses to the adjourned sessions. They also directed the Chief Constable to give opposition to the renewals on the ground stated. The licence of the Prince of Wales, against which proceedings were pending, would also be put back. The Rose Hotel and the George the Third Inn had also been considered, and in these cases the licences would be renewed that day. Therefore, with the exception of the three houses mentioned on the grounds of redundancy, and the one against which proceedings were pending, all the other licences would be renewed that day.


Folkestone Express 1-3-1924

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 27th: Before Dr. W.J. Tyson and other Magistrates.

The Magistrates considered the opposition of Mr. Beesley to the renewal of the licences of the Oddfellows Inn, Dover Street, the Richmond Tavern, and the Belle Vue on the ground of redundancy.

Mr. Rutley Mowll appeared in the cases of the Oddfellows Inn and the Richmond Tavern, both of which are owned by Messrs. Leney and Co., of Dover, and the respective licensees, Mr. G.A. Woodley and Mr. A. Ingleton, and Mr. G.W. Haines appeared for Messrs. Mackeson and Co., the owners, and Mr. F.J. Taylor, the licensee, of the Belle Vue Inn.

Evidence was given by Mr. Beesley and Inspector Pittock to the effect that the houses were unnecessary for the needs of the district, and the latter gave evidence as to the result of his observations regarding the trade done at the three houses compared with the other houses in the district.

The Magistrates decided to renew the licence of the Richmond Tavern, but referred the other two houses to the Compensation Authority at Canterbury.

Folkestone Herald 1-3-1924

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 27th: Before Dr. W.J. Tyson, Mr. G. Boyd, Mr. A. Stace, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Colonel G.P. Owen, Mr. E.T. Morrison, Mr. J. Blamey, the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson, and Miss A.M. Hunt.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) opposed the renewal of the licences of the Oddfellows Inn, Dover Street, the Richmond Tavern, Richmond Street, and the Bellevue Hotel, St. John`s Street on the ground of redundancy.

The Bellevue Hotel

In this case Mr. G.W. Haines appeared on behalf of the licensee.

The Chief Constable said the Bellevue Hotel was a fully licensed house situated in St. John`s Street, and bordering on the congested area. The licensee was Mr. Frederick John Taylor, who obtained the transfer in 1910. The previous transfer dated back to 1906. The owners were Messrs. Mackeson and Co., of Hythe. The rateable value of the house was £24. The Harvey Hotel was situated 100 yards away, whilst the Mechanics Arms was 106 yards away, and the Honest Lawyer 100 yards away. Within a radius of 200 yards there were five fully licensed houses and three off houses.

By Mr. Haines: The house was well kept. The immediate neighbourhood was a quite respectable locality.

Inspector Pittock said observation had been kept on the house for a month, and the total number of customers in the house when visits were made was 89, whilst the numbers at the Harvey Hotel were 265; at the Mechanics Arms 165; and at the Honest Lawyer 175. These figures gave an average of 6 to the Bellevue Hotel, 24 to the Harvey Hotel, 12 to the Mechanics Arms, and 13.5 to the Honest Lawyer. The trade had fallen off considerably. The house was one of the busiest in the town a few years back.

Figures as to the trade of the house since 1923 were put in by a representative of Messrs. Mackeson and Company.

The licensee said he had been the holder of the licence for 14 years. He had brought up a family of seven children on the premises. During the summer months he provided luncheons and teas. He was quite satisfied with the living he got at the house.

Mr. W.H. Wilkins, managing clerk to Mr. Haines, put in figures as to the takings for the past fourteen years.

The Bench retired, and upon their return the Chairman said they had decided that the licence of the Richmond Tavern should be renewed, but with regard to the Bellevue Hotel and the Oddfellows Inn, they would be referred to the compensation authorities.

The licences of the Oddfellows Inn and the Bellevue Hotel were provisionally renewed.


Folkestone Herald 9-8-1924

Local News

The East Kent Compensation Authority, sitting at St. Augustines, Canterbury, on the 1st instant, had before them the question of the renewal of the licences of the Oddfellows, Dover Street, and the Bellevue Hotel, St. John`s Street, Folkestone, refused by the local Justices on the ground of redundancy. Mr. W.A. Wardley, instructed by Mr. C. Rootes, appeared in support of the Justices` refusal to renew, and Mr. L.S. Fletcher, instructed by Mr. Geo. W. Haines, appeared in support of the renewal of the licence of the Bellevue Hotel. In the result the Compensation Authority decided not to renew the licence, and as the owners of the Oddfellows did not contest the decision of the local Justices with regard to that house, both licences will cease to exist on payment of compensation in a few weeks` time.


Folkestone Express 22-11-1924

Local News

A meeting of the East Kent Compensation Authority was held at the Sessions House, Longport Street, Canterbury, on Monday, to approve the awards agreed as regards houses which had been referred for compensation. Lord Fitzwalter was in the chair. The following were the awards: Oddfellows, Dover Street, Folkestone, £1,525 - £1.314 1s. 1d. to Messrs. Alfred Leney and Co. Ltd., of Dover, and £210 18s. 11d. to Clement Augustus Woodley, the tenant; Belle Vue Hotel, St. John`s Street, Folkestone, £1,320 - £1,071 18s. 6d. to Messrs. Mackeson and Co. Ltd., and £248 1s. 6d. to Frederick John Taylor, the tenant.


Folkestone Express 6-6-1931

Tuesday, June 2nd: Before Alderman G. Spurgen and Mr. L.G.A. Collins.

William Whiting was summoned for assaulting Robert Fryer by throwing a bottle at him on May 28th.

Robert Fryer, of 5, St. John`s Street, said the defendant was one of his sub-tenants, and there were altogether four families living in the house, which was formerly a public house. About nine o`clock in the morning he heard a bumping about and swearing, so he got up and saw the defendant on the landing. He was creating the noise, and Whiting said one of the girls in another family had been peeping through the keyhole. He told him that he had already given him a week`s notice to get out of the house and he did not want to hear anything about the matter. Miss Hiesley came up the stairs and he heard her tell Mrs. Whiting what her husband had said was not the truth. Mr. Whiting came out of one of the rooms and started to thump the girl and slapped her. He pushed her downstairs, and he (witness) managed to save her by putting out his arms. Defendant threw a scrubbing brush at her and then he told him (witness) to get downstairs and threw a glass water bottle at him. It struck him on his arm, which was bruised. At the time he thought the blow had broken his arm.

Madeleine Hiesley, of 5, St. John`s Street, said defendant hit her and threw a brush at her.

Defendant said the water bottle fell out of his hand.

Alderman Spurgen: There was some ginger behind it. A fall of the water bottle would not hurt a man`s arm like that has done.

Defendant: He did that by falling downstairs.

Whiting was then summoned for assaulting Madeleine Hiesley.

He pleaded Guilty, but said he had received provocation.

Complainant said the defendant struck her, threw a brush at her, and then threw her down the stairs.

In reply to the defendant, she said she did not rush upstairs and slap Whiting`s face before he slapped her.

Defendant said the complainant came upstairs interfering, so he pushed her down. He was not going to be dictated to by her and have her “cackling”.

The Magistrates fined the defendant 10s. for the assault on Mr. Fryer, and he was ordered to pay 4s. costs on the second case. He was allowed 14 days in which to pay.

Folkestone Herald 13-6-1931

Local News

William Whiting was fined 10s. for assault when he was summoned at the Folkestone Petty Sessions on Tuesday of last week. There were two summonses, but the second was dismissed on payment of costs (4s.).

In the first case Robert fryer was the complainant. He said he lived at 5, St. John`s Street. Defendant and two other families also lived in the house. On May 28th he was in bed at about 9 a.m., when he heard a noise. He came downstairs and saw defendant standing just outside the room. He alleged that “one of the girls” had been looking through the keyhole. He reminded defendant that he was under notice to leave the house. Miss Heesley also came out, and she said to defendant`s wife “It is not the truth”. Defendant then slapped her face and pushed her down the stairs. Whiting next threw a water bottle at complainant, hitting him on the arm and causing a severe bruise.

Madeleine Heesley, another tenant in the house, also gave evidence.

Defendant said he called Mr. Fryer downstairs, and whilst they were talking the water bottle slipped out of his hand.

Alderman Spurgen: There was some “ginger” behind it for it to strike Mr. Fryer with such force.

Defendant: He did that rushing down the stairs. This house is not fit for children to live in.

Defendant pleaded Guilty to the second summons, under provocation.

Madeleine Heesley said on May 28th defendant struck her, and she thought “he threw me downstairs”. Her cheek swelled and the inside of her upper lip was cut.

Cross-examined, Miss Heesley denied that she rushed up the stairs and slapped defendant in the face.

Defendant said Miss Heesley came up interfering, and he pushed her down.

The Magistrates granted Whiting 14 days in which to pay the fine, and the Chairman added that the sooner defendant got out of the house the better it would be.
 
 
 

 
 

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