Railway Bell 1925 - 1929

Folkestone Herald 23-1-1926

Obituary

We regret the death, at the Swan Inn, Dover Road, of Mrs. Annie Buller Saunders, at the age of sixty years. Deceased was the widow of the late Mr. “Sid” Saunders, who was successively landlord of the Railway Bell Hotel, Folkestone; the White Lion, Cheriton; East Cliff Tavern, and the Fountain Hotel, Seabrook. Her happy and cheerful disposition endeared her to all. To do a good and deserving turn to others afforded her real joy. To her only child, Mrs. Herbert, the wife of Mr. S. Herbert, of the Swan Inn, sincere sympathy is extended.

The funeral took place at the Cemetery.

Folkestone Express 13-3-1926

Obituary

We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. James Tunbridge, of Laudec Villa, 74, Radnor Park Road, and which took place in the Royal Victoria Hospital on Monday morning. He was 76 years of age, and had enjoyed good health until about a month ago. The deepest sympathy, we are sure, will be extended to the members of the family, who are left to mourn a very great loss. He leaves a widow, three sons and a. daughter, nine grandchildren and three great-grand­children.

Ever a fine personality, the late Mr. Tun­bridge was characterised by his extreme geniality and goodwill. He was a typical old English gentleman, who had won the highest esteem of those whom he came in contact. He was ever ready to help those in distress, and some of his staunch advice proved invaluable. His kindly nature had won the admiration of his fellow men. He celebrated his golden wedding on Christmas Day, 1921, the marriage taking place at the Holy Trinity Church, Dover, on Christ­mas morning, 1871. He was born at Alkham, the village midwav between Folkestone and Dover, and was a son of the late Mr. Thomas Tunbridge. He was a brother of the late Mr. Tilden Tunbridge. He was a carpenter, and was employed on the South Eastern Railway for twelve years. He was one of the first to commence the work on the projected Channel Tunnel. He assisted in the building of Shorncliffe Station and was foreman-in-charge of Cheriton Arch Station, which, at the present time is known as the Central Station. He became the proprietor of the Castle Inn, Foord, and subsequently resided at the Guildhall Vaults, the Railway Bell, and the Fountain Hotel, Seabrook. He retired from business in 1917. He was the chairman of the Licensed Victuallers Society on three occasions, and was the chairman of the Licensed Victuallers’ Mineral Water Co. for six years. He was exceedingly fond of bowls, and was a member of the Hythe Bow­ling Club. He was quite content and happy when “trundling the woods’.” He was, in his time, an excellent shot, and was probably one of the best shots in the neighbourhood. He was greatly devoted to shooting, and with! his canine friend and a gun and cartridges, would make his way to the woods, where he spent many happy hours. He loved a game of billiards, and was known to be a very good welder of the cue, and was a rather formidable exponent of the game. He came to Folkestone 47 years ago. He was a member of the Brotherhood of the Cheerful Sparrows, and also of the Folkestone Club.

The funeral took place yesterday (Thurs­day), at the Folkestone Cemetery, when the Vicar of St. John’s Church (the Rev. J. B. Cowell) officiated at the Church and at the graveside in the Folkestone Cemetery.

 

Folkestone Herald 13-3-1926

Obituary

We regret to announce the death on Sunday of Mr. James Tunbridge, of 74, Radnor Park Road. The deceased, who was seventy four years of age was widely known in the town and district.

In his early days he followed the occupation of a carpenter and was employed on the South Eastern Railway for twelve years. He was one of the first to start on the work of the Channel tunnel, the site of which was afterwards utilised for a coal boring. He helped to build Shorncliffe Station, and was foreman-in-charge of the erection of Cheriton Arch Station, subsequently known as Radnor Park and now as the Central Station. As a licensed victualler he was in turn licensee of the Castle Inn, Foord, Guildhall Vaults, Railway Bell, and the Fountain Hotel, Seabrook. In his particular calling deceased was regarded as a model, inasmuch as he always acted strictly in accordance with the licensing laws. He was for some time Chairman of the local Licensed Victuallers` Association, and also acted in a similar capacity for the Folkestone and District Licensed Victuallers` Mineral Water and General Supply Coy., Ltd. In both these positions he enjoyed the full confidence of the members. He retired from business about nine years ago.

Decease was a great devotee of the outdoor life. He loved a game of bowls, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than to handle the “woods” on the greens of the Hythe Bowling Club, of which he was a member up to the time of his death. He found great pleasure, too, with his gun and dog amid the “wheaten stubble” on autumn and winter days. He was widely regarded as a “dead shot”. A respected member of the Folkestone Club, he also enjoyed a game of billiards, and could give a good account of himself with the cue and ivories.

The late Mr. Tunbridge was born at Alkham, but had resided in Folkestone practically all his life. He celebrated his Golden Wedding on Christmas Day, 1921, and on that occasion, with his devoted partner, was the recipient of presents from many friends. Deceased was a typical Englishman. He was outspoken to a degree, “straight as a die”, and a real manly man. As such he was regarded by all who had the privilege of his acquaintance. He was a friend to many, and did a lot of good by stealth.

To his widow and surviving family (three sons and one daughter) much sympathy is extended.

The funeral took place at the Cemetery on Thursday afternoon.

Folkestone Express 21-1-1928

Local News

The licence of the Railway Bell Hotel, Dover Road, was on Tuesday, at the Police Court, transferred from Mr. Joseph Brown to Mr. Albert Leigh, of the Royal Oak, Dormans Sand, Surrey.

Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions.

Folkestone Express 26-1-1929

Friday, January 18^th:  Before Alderman G. Spurgen and other Magistrates.

Richard Ryan was charged with stealing on the 5th January, he being the bailee, a bicycle, the property of Mr. Attwood, by converting it for his own use. Defendant pleaded not guilty.

Mr. J. Attwood, a cycle engineer and dealer of 40, Coolinge Road, said he identified the prisoner. He first called at his shop on the 1^st January, with the view of purchasing a bicycle, and took the machine on the 2^nd January. He had wanted to know the terms for buying a machine on the instalment system. He entered into an agreement to have the bicycle on the hire-purchase system. On the 2nd January he read the agreement completely through, some of it aloud. He said he would pay 7s. 6d. He took the machine away. He paid nothing further, beyond the first 7s. 6d. Witness sent to his house twice and he had had a letter from him. He had given the defendant no authority to deal with the bicycle.

Prisoner: Did you say “This is the first bike I have sold this year?”

Mr. Attwood: I did.

The Clerk: When you went through this transaction were there any transfers on the machine? - Two, one on the front, and one on the rear.

Are they there now? - No, they have been rubbed off.

Prisoner: My boy rubbed it off.

Frederick Harold Croucher, 19, Canterbury Road, employed as a barman at the Railway Bell, said defendant was a customer there. He saw him there about a fortnight ago, and he was trying to find someone to buy a bicycle. Prisoner asked him, and he had the bicycle outside the bar. Three or four days later he went in the bar, and asked again if he wanted to buy it. Prisoner said he was hard up, and he purchased it for £2, under the belief that the bicycle belonged to him. He never noticed any transfers, whether they were on or off. He had had the bicycle ever since.

In reply to prisoner, witness said he wanted him not to sell it, as he wanted it. He told him he did not want a receipt, as he knew him.

David Edward Brown, employed by Mr. Attwood, said he was there when Ryan went to buy the bicycle. A few days later Mr. Attwood sent him to see prisoner about the payments, and he said he would go round on the Saturday, but he did not go. He went on the Monday, and prisoner said he would give him a note for Mr. Attwood.

Det.Sergeant Rowe said that about noon on the 16^th he went to 117, Canterbury Road, where he saw the bicycle. He saw it was a new machine, and the transfers had been scratched off and painted over. He saw the prisoner in Folly Road. At first prisoner said he would not toll him where he got it, and afterwards he said “I got it from Mr. Att­wood at Coolinge Road”. On Thursday he took a statement from Mr. Attwood, and in consequence ho charged the prisoner, and he replied “I bought that bicycle, I did not steal the bicycle.”

Brown, recalled, said he handed a copy of the agreement (produced) to Mr. Ryan.

Walter John Masters said he saw prisoner sign the agreement.

Prisoner, giving evidence on oath, said that when he went to Mr. Attwood he thought he had purchased the machine, and he told his wife it would do to ride up and down if the work opened up on Dover Road, and he got a job as night man. He honestly be­lieved it was his bicycle. If he did a thing like that with a wife and three children, with the pension of £1 a week, he would deserve horse whipping. He did not think he had purchased it for 7s. 6d., but he knew he had to pay for it. He sold it because his wanted him to get rid of it.

The Magistrates found defendant guilty. Inspector Pittock said there was one pre­vious conviction, for stealing ten fowls with another man. He had been wounded in the arm, which was practically useless. In 1927 he was thrown off a cart, and fractured his skull.

Prisoner was sentenced to one month’s hard labour.

Prisoner: I thank you.

Folkestone Herald 16-2-1929

Local News

A very enjoyable evening was spent by a good company at the Railway Bell Hotel on Monday, on the occasion of a farewell supper and concert to Mr. and Mrs. Leigh, the genial landlord and his wife, who are shortly leaving the town.

The chair was taken by Mr. E. Turner, supported by Messrs. Binfield, S. Smith, Langford, and other friends. After an enjoyable repast, the Chairman presented Mr. Leigh with a case of pipes, and a small present to Mrs. Leigh as a small token of respect and goodwill from a few friends. He said he was very sorry that Mr. Leigh was leaving them, but hoped that good luck would go with him and his wherever they went.

Mr. Leigh suitably replied, saying that he much regretted leaving Folkestone and his good friends.

After supper there was a musical evening, and Mr. H. Brooker ably accompanied at the piano.