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, 31 May 2014

Black Bull 1925 - 1929



Folkestone Express 21-2-1925

Local News

The following extension of licence was granted by the Magistrates at the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday:—Black Bull Hotel, one hour, on the occasion of the Sick and Dividend Society’s annual dinner on the 25th.

Folkestone Herald 21-2-1925

Local News

At the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday (before Colonel G.P. Owen, the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson, Mr. J.H. Blamey, and Miss A.M. Hunt) various licensing matters were dealt with.

The licence of the Black Bull Hotel, Canterbury Road, was transferred from Mr. William George Wilson to Mr. William John Bennett. After the Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. J. Andrew) had read various testimonials regarding the suitability of Mr. Bennett to be a licensed victualler, the Chairman said that they were glad to hear he was so highly spoken of, and they hoped he would be successful.

Folkestone Herald 10-4-1926

Felix

By the courtesy of Mr. J. Bennett, the proprietor of the Black Bull Hotel, I was able a few days ago to glance at a large oil painting, the work of an artist of many years ago, on which the old hostelry on the present site is depicted. There the old building - a tumbledown looking old building – is depicted. All around there are nothing but bare fields. Outside the building is an ancient tree, whilst a strangely clad milkmaid stands at the gate. Here indeed is a reminder of the onward march of Folkestone. When Messrs. Nalder and Collyer erected the present hotel the ancients and non-progressives shook their heads. But the enterprise of the firm has been justified. A town has grown up around the hostelry, and it will grow, especially if Hill Road is fully developed. The present proprietor of the Black Bull Hotel is one of those who believe that catering for the needs of the holiday public in the matter of food is one of the needs of the age, and he is hoping to use his establishment in this direction at no distant date, more especially as there is considerable space and well-kept gardens that adjoin it. I have noticed several wayside hotels which, although they have the chance, do not develop on these lines. The other day I heard of a motoring party travelling about the country. They called at a somewhat pretentious kind of hotel and asked for a cup of tea (it was in the afternoon). “Sorry”, said the proprietor, “the kettle don`t boil, and the Missus is out”. It is hoped that Mr. Bennett`s hope of developing the catering side of his establishment will be rewarded.

Folkestone Herald 3-3-1928

Felix

I wish someone would relieve me of writing this paragraph, for the simple reason that I cannot find words in the English vocabulary to express myself in a suitable manner. Have any of my readers ever seen a dog or cat suffer and die from the effects of poison? I have. There is no need to labour the point. It is pitiable in the extreme. Why am I mentioning the matter at all? Well, here is the reason. Councillor John Bennett, the newly-elect of the North Ward, and proprietor of the Black Bull Hotel, up to a couple of weeks ago owned a fine Airedale dog. This member of the canine species had a fine pedigree. He was one of the most intelligent dogs I has seen for many a day. Its owner, his wife, and youngsters were all fond of him. Never was there a better four-footed guardian of any premises. Someone, however, probably under the cover of darkness, spread poison in the dog`s path. In spite of all efforts on the part of its owner the faithful friend died. Councillor Bennett offered £5 reward for the discovery of the poisoner, and has increased this sum to £10. In the same neighbourhood two other canines have been similarly poisoned. The owners are Mrs. Hazell, West View, Canterbury Road, and Mr. G. Parks, Albion Stores, Albion Road. In these three families there is grief because of the loss of their pets. The poisoner is the most despicable being in the world, and is difficult to detect. He goes out under the cover of darkness and drops death around. He squares his conscience by remarking to himself “I shall never be found out”.

But sure as the sun will rise on the morrow retribution will overtake him. He may escape human justice, but the Creator of all things will in the end exact vengeance. Before leaving this subject I may also mention that twenty or thirty cats have suffered the same end. Why torture these animals with poison? If they need riddance, why not the lethal chamber? That £10 of Councillor Bennett`s is waiting for anyone who will give information of the dog poisoner who appears to haunt the Canterbury Road district.

Folkestone Herald 1-9-1928

Friday, August 31st: Before Colonel G.P. Owen, Mr. A. Stace, Mr. L.G.A. Collins, Mr. W. Griffin, Miss A.M. Hunt, Alderman W.H. Moncrieff, Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens, and Dr. Wolverton.

Robert Todd was summoned for being disorderly and refusing to quit licensed premises. He pleaded Not Guilty.

Mrs. Edith Bennett, wife of Mr. John Bennett, licensee of the Black Bull Hotel, said that at 9.30 p.m. on August 27th she was in charge of the public bar. There was a good number of people there. She noticed Todd standing near the door with a pint glass of beer in his hand. Some months ago he was refused admittance to the house, and had not been in since. Witness told him to get outside as he knew very well she would not serve him. He replied that he wouldn`t go until half past ten. She asked him again to go out, and he called her “bad names”. She said she would fetch her husband, and he said “Fetch your old man”.

At the Magistrates` Clerk`s request Mrs. Bennett wrote on a piece of paper the names which she alleged defendant called her.

Shown the names, defendant said in decided tones “No, sir”.

Continuing, witness said that eventually her husband came, but defendant still refused to go, and taking off his coat showed fight. Her husband got hold of his arm to eject him and eventually, with the help of his friends, Todd was ejected.

Replying to defendant, witness denied that her husband hit defendant with a glass.

Why did you refuse me admittance? – Because I lent you 5s. when you were hard up and you have not been man enough to come into the house or pay up.

Replying further to the Clerk, witness said defendant was always disorderly when in the house.

Harry Croucher, a barman employed at the Black Bull Hotel, said he saw defendant standing just inside the door of the public bar. Mrs. Bennett said “You had better go out, Todd; you know I don`t serve you”. Defendant replied that he would go out until 10.30. He threatened Mrs. Bennett, saying “I`ll mix you up amongst these glasses” and “Fetch your ---- old man”. When Bennett came in Todd said “Ah, here he is; I`ll show you what I`ll do with him”. He pulled his coat open and adopted a fighting attitude. Bennett got hold of defendant and eventually he was ejected. Defendant used both obscene and abusive language.

Todd: Did you see Bennett try to hit me in the face with a pint glass of beer? – No.

Mr. John Bennett, licensee of the Black Bull Hotel, said he was called into the public bar, and there found a man rather under the influence of drink – the defendant – using very obscene language. Witness went up to him and told him he must go, as he was barred the house. He said he would not go until 10.30 and after using a most awful expression took off his coat and attempted to fight. He butted witness with his head.

Inspector Pittock, Folkestone Borough Police Force, said he saw defendant being pulled out of the public bar by his hands. When told he would be reported for refusing to quit licensed premises he said “He can get on with it”. When witness read over the summons to defendant he said “I can`t do with it”.

Defendant told the Bench that he said he would leave the Black Bull when he had finished his glass of beer.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) said there were no previous convictions against defendant. Mr. Bennett was trying to keep his house clean and defendant had caused a lot of trouble.

Defendant was fined £1 or in default 14 days`. He was given a week in which to pay.

Folkestone Express 8-9-1928

Local News

At the Folkestone Police Court on Friday,                Robert Todd was summoned for refusing to quit the licensed premises, the when Black Bull Hotel, when he was disorderly, on the 27th August. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Defendant asked for all witnesses to be sent out of the Court.

Mrs. E. Bennett, wife of John Bennett, said she was in charge of the bar at 9.30 p.m. on the 27th August and she saw Todd standing just inside the door. He had a pint glass of beer in his hand. Some months ago she refused him admission to her house, and he had not been in since so far as she knew. She told him to get outside, as he knew she had refused to serve him. She told him to get outside, and he said he was not going until 10.30. She asked him two or three more times to go, and thinking he would go in time she left him alone, but in later she had to fetch her husband, and defendant said “Fetch your old man, and I will show you what I will do with him”. Obscene language continued for some time.

Defendant denied he used bad language.

Mrs. Bennett said her husband came round from the street, and asked him twice to go, and he took his coat off, and showed fight. He got hold of his arm, and tried to eject him, and with the help of Todd’s friends he was finally got outside.

Cross-examined by defendant: Defendant went in, and she did not see him go in. She put his fourpence on the counter, and he refused to pick it up. She did not tell him she would bash his head in. She certainly would have struck him with the funnel if he (defendant) had struck her husband. She would not go round to the defendant because he said he was going to make a mess of her. Some months ago she refused to serve him because he borrowed 5s., and had not repaid it or been in the house. If he was playing push-penny he would use bad language.     

Harry Shorter Croucher, barman at the Black Bull Hotel, said he heard Mrs. Bennett say “You know l do not serve you, Todd, you bad better go”. Defendant said he would not go, and then he said he would not go until 10.30. Defendant tol;d Mrs. Bennett “I will mix you up amongst those glasses, ' When Mr. Bennett arrived defendant said “Now I will show you what I will do with it". He thought defendant had had as much drink as he could do with.

John Bennett, licensee of the Bull Hotel, said when he was called to the bar he saw defendant there, who was rather under the influence of drink. Defendant used obscene language. Defendant made five or six attempts to butt him with his head. Defendant was got out of the bar by his friends before the police arrived.

Cross-examined by defendant: He did not throw the beer in his face.

Inspector Pittock said that 10.15 p.m. on the 27th he received a telephone message, and in consequence he went to the Black Bull Hotel, arriving at 10.25. He saw the defendant being pulled out of the premises by four of his friends, and he told him to get away home. He told defendant he would be reported for refusing to quit licensed premises, and he said “Let him get on with it”. He served the summons on Thursday night, and defendant said “I can do with it”.

Defendant said he came out of the Black Bull and walked straight along. Inspector Pittock and two con­stables met him at the bottom of Sidney Street, and said “Now get home”, and he replied “l am going home, sir”. Mrs. Bennett told him he had to got out, and he said ho would go when he had drank his beer. Mrs. Bennett said she would smash his face with the funnel. She stopped him outside and asked him for some money, and he told her the street was not the right place to ask him for money, and he would not pay it. Mrs. Bennett said “It isn't that, it is your regular custom and your money”, and he replied “You have lost both”.

Defendant was fined £1, or in default fourteen days' imprisonment.

Defendant was allowed one week in which to pay.
 

 
 
 
 

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