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.

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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, 16 August 2014

Black Bull 1930s



Folkestone Herald 2-5-1931

Local News

The Folkestone Magistrates on Tuesday granted a protection order to Mr. Eric E. Anderson in respect of the Black Bull Hotel.

Folkestone Express 13-2-1932

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 10th: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, The Mayor, Alderman A.E. Pepper, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Alderman T.S. Franks, Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens, Mr. F. Seager, Mr. W. Griffin, Dr. W. Nuttall, Miss A.M. Hunt, Councillor Mrs. E. Gore, Mr. S.B. Corser, and Councillor the Hon. Mrs. N.E. Howard.

The Bench granted music licences for the use of wireless concerts at the Ship Hotel and the Black Bull.

The date of the Adjourned Licensing Sessions was fixed for March 9th next.

The Chairman stated that music and dancing licences which had been in existence were also renewed that day, and the billiards licences were also renewed.

Folkestone Herald 13-2-1932

Annual Licensing Sessions

The Licensing Magistrates at the Annual Licensing Sessions, which were held at the Town Hall on Wednesday, referred two licensed houses, the Granville and the Oddfellows, to the adjourned sessions for further consideration on the grounds of redundancy.

The Magistrates were: Alderman R.G. Wood, The Mayor, Alderman A.E. Pepper, Mr. W. Griffin, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Miss A.M. Hunt, Mrs. E. Gore, Alderman T.S. Franks, Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens, the Hon. Mrs. N. Howard, Mr. F. Seager and Mr. S.B. Corser.

Music licences were granted to the Ship Hotel and the Black Bull Hotel so that wireless concerts might be given on the licensed premises.

The Magistrates fixed Wednesday, March 9th, for the adjourned sessions.

The Magistrates also renewed all the music and dancing licences.

Folkestone Express 7-5-1932

Saturday, April 30th: Before The Mayor, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Alderman T.S. Franks, Councillor W. Hollands, and Mr. W. Smith.

John Scott, a Folkestone business man, residing at Maidstone, was charged with stealing two bronze figures, together of the value of £17, the property of Mr. Eric Edwin Anderson, on April 20th. Prisoner was also charged with stealing two brass vases on April 26th, the articles again being the property of Mr. E.E. Anderson. Mr. B.H. Bonniface appeared for the defence.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) said he proposed to take the evidence of arrest only and would then ask for a remand until next Friday.

P.C. Simpson said at 9 p.m. on the previous evening he took up observation on the interior of the lounge at the Black Bull Hotel. There were several people in the lounge, including the prisoner, who was sitting at the side. At 9.25 prisoner changed his position and went over to the fireplace, placing his drink on the mantelpiece above. On the mantelpiece was a brass-figured ashtray, and the prisoner placed his drink next to it. He remained in that position until 10 p.m., when time was called. He then turned round to the mantelpiece, took hold of his drink with his right hand, and took hold of the ashtray with his left, and placed it in the left pocket of his overcoat. He then walked towards the front door. Witness immediately ran round to the front entrance of the lounge and stopped the prisoner as he was leaving. He told him he was a polie officer and that he had seen him take the ornament from the mantelpiece and place it in his pocket. He cautioned prisoner, who replied “Yes, here it is; I admit taking it”. Prisoner handed him the article. He brought prisoner to the station to be detained for enquiries. At the station prisoner asked if he could speak to him. He told him he could, and cautioned him. He then said “I wish to tell you that about a week ago I took two bronze figures from the same place, and a few days afterwards two brass ornaments (produced) also from the same place. The bronze figures are at my house at Oak Leigh, East Sutton, Maidstone, and the two brass ornaments are in my bedroom in Folkestone, where I am lodging”. Witness then proceeded to the prisoner`s lodgings, and in the bottom drawer of the chest in the bedroom he recovered the two brass ornaments. He then returned to the station, where he formerly charged and cautioned the prisoner. He replied “I have got nothing to say”.

By Mr. Bonniface, witness said the prisoner was in business in the town.

The Chief Constable then asked for the remand.

Mr. Bonniface asked for a remand on bail. The man was in substantial business in the town. The man had held an excellent character, and he did not think the police would object to bail.

The Chief Constable said he did not object to bail.

The Magistrates granted bail, the prisoner in £25 and one surety of £25, and remanded the case until Friday next.

Folkestone Express 14-5-1932

Friday, May 6thth: Before The Mayor, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Alderman T.S. Franks, Mr. F. Seager, and Mr. W. Smith.

John Scott, a Folkestone business man, residing at Maidstone, was charged on remand with stealing two bronze figures, together of the value of £17, the property of Mr. Eric Edwin Anderson, the licensee of the Black Bull Hotel. Prisoner was further charged with stealing two brass vases on April 26th, also the property of Mr. Anderson. Defendant pleaded Not Guilty, and was defended by Mr. G.W. Haines.

Eric Edwin Anderson, licensee of the Black Bull Hotel, said there were a number of metal ornaments. He recognised the bronze ornaments (produced) as belonging to him. They were kept on the mantelpiece in the lounge. On Saturday, April 23rd, he missed two bronze ornaments, the value of which was between £7 and £10 each. Brass ornaments produced also belonged to him, and they were kept in an alcove near the fireplace. They were missing on April 26th. On April 29th he put a brass ashtray on the mantelpiece to take the place of the bronzes that were missing. On the following Friday that was also missed. He had known defendant about three weeks. He had been in the lounge nearly every night.

Mr. G.W. Haines said the defendant pleaded Not Guilty. He had borne a splendid character, and he was a businessman in Folkestone. The wonder was why he took the articles. There was no reason why he should have done such a thing.

Chief Inspector Pittock said that there was nothing against prisoner, but the police had recovered the bronzes from the defendant`s home.

The Mayor said that the Bench, in order that medical evidence could be called with regard to the defendant`s state of health, would adjourn the case until Tuesday.

At the Police Court on Tuesday, defendant was again brought before the Magistrates.

Mr. G.W. Haines said that defendant had been examined by Dr. C. Barratt on Saturday, and presented his report to the Bench. He asked that it should not be read in Court.

Chief Inspector Pittock said that defendant bore an unblemished character, and had worked for one firm for 25 years. The police had nothing whatever against him.

After retiring, the Mayor said that the Bench had given careful consideration to the doctor`s statement, and they had decided, in the circumstances, to dismiss the case.

Folkestone Herald 21-5-1932

Local News

When John Scott, a middle aged man, appeared at Folkestone Police Court, three charges of theft were preferred against him. He was charged with having, on April 20th, stolen two bronze figures together of the value of £17; with having, on April 26th, stolen two brass ornaments, value 8s.; and with having, on April 29th, stolen a brass ashtray, value 5s., all the property of Mr. Eric Anderson. Mr. H.B. Bonniface appeared for Scott.

P.C. Simpson said he took up observation in the lounge at the Black Bull Hotel. There were several people in the lounge, including Scott, who was sitting at the side. At 9.25 p.m. Scott changed his position and went over to the fireplace, placing his glass on the mantelpiece above it. On the mantelpiece there was a brass figure ashtray (produced), and Scott placed his glass next to this ornament. Scott remained in that position until 10 p.m., when “Time” was called. He then turned round to the mantelpiece, took hold of his glass containing liquor with his right hand, and with his left took hold of the ornament, placed it in the left hand pocket of his overcoat, and walked towards the front door. Witness immediately ran round to the front entrance of the lounge and stopped Scott as he was leaving. Witness told him he was a police officer, and that he had seen him take the ornament from the mantelpiece and place it in his overcoat pocket. He cautioned Scott, who replied “Yes, here it is”, and handed it to witness. “I admit taking it” he added. Witness took Scott to the police station to be detained for enquiries. At the police station Scott said “I wish to tell you that about a week ago I took two bronze figures from the same place, and a few days afterwards two brass ornaments (produced), also from the same place. The bronze figures are at my house at Oak Leigh, East Sutton, near Maidstone, and the brass ornaments are in my bedroom where I am lodging”. Later witness proceeded to the house where defendant was lodging and in the bottom drawer of the dressing chest in the back bedroom he discovered the two brass ornaments.

Following two adjournments of the case, Scott appeared before the Folkestone Magistrates, on remand, on Tuesday last week, when a medical report as to his condition having been considered, the case was dismissed.

Dr. C. Barrett gave evidence of having examined defendant, the result being the report produced.

Chief Inspector Pittock said there was no record of anything against defendant. He bore an unblemished character. He had worked for one firm for 25 years.

The Magistrates retired, and upon return the Chairman said they had discussed in private the circumstances of the offence, and had decided under the circumstances to dismiss the case.

Folkestone Express 7-1-1933

Wednesday, January 4th: Before Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens, Miss A.M. Hunt, and Mr. W. Smith.

An application for the transfer of the licence of the Black Bull Hotel from Mr. E. Anderson to Mr. R.A. Barber was granted. Mr. Barber has previously held licences in London and Weybridge.

Folkestone Express 17-6-1933

Friday, June 9th: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Miss A.M. Hunt, Mr. L.G.A. Collins, and Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens.

Reginald Barber, of the Black Bull Hotel, was summoned that on the 29th May, being the holder of a justices` licence, he sold a bottle of beer to one George Baker, under the age of 14, for consumption off the premises, it not being in a corked or sealed vessel. Defendant pleaded Guilty.

A police constable gave evidence that at about 9.10 p.m. on the 29th of last month he was standing at the corner of Invicta Road, when he saw a small boy going into the side door of the Black Bull Hotel carrying a bottle. When witness got to the hotel the boy came out carrying the bottle full of beer. He asked the boy what he had got there, and he said “A pint and a half of beer for my father”. There was a cork in the bottle, but it was not sealed. He spoke to the barman about it, and he said “No, we have run out of labels. It was served by the landlord himself”. Defendant came through, and he (witness) pointed to the bottle. Defendant said “Yes. I ran out of labels. They have been ordered for three weeks. I sold it myself”. The boy in question was ten years old.

Defendant said he wished to apologise for that offence. Unfortunately his labels had run out. They were served by the brewery and had been on order for three weeks. They did not arrive, and he thought he had been run out for about a day. He did not get a lot of call for bottles. It was mostly sold in bottles already sealed and corked.

The Chairman: If an adult comes, you do not have to seal it, only in the case of children under fourteen?

Defendant: Yes, sir.

The Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes): Of course, this is looked on as being rather important.

The Chairman: It is rather unfortunate that the constable came along at that time.

Defendant: It is, very unfortunate.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) said he did suggest that a penalty should be imposed in that case, in order to show the other licensees that the licensing authority did look upon that offence with some seriousness.

The Chairman said that was a child of very tender age in that case, and the Bench thought perhaps defendant should have made a note of that. He would be fined 10s.

Folkestone Herald 17-6-1933

Local News

A licensee`s omission to seal a bottle of beer he sold to a person under 14 led to his appearance at the Folkestone Police Court on Friday last week to answer a summons for a breach of the Licensing Laws.

The defendant was Reginald Barber, the licensee of the Black Bull Hotel, and he was summoned for selling a bottle of beer which was not labelled, to a person under 14, for consumption off the premises.

P.C. Alexander said at 9.10 p.m. on May 29th he was standing at the corner of Invicta Road, when he saw a small boy going into the Black Bull Hotel carrying a bottle. Soon after the boy came out carrying the bottle. He asked the boy what he had got in it, and he replied “A pint and a half of beer for my father”. The bottle was not sealed, and when he went into the bar the barman said “We have run out of labels”, but added that the bottle had been wrapped up. He next saw the licensee, who said “We have run out of labels; they have been on order three weeks”. The boy was aged 10.

Defendant said he wished to apologise. Unfortunately he had run out of labels on this occasion, although they had been on order three weeks. He stated it was not often he sold beer like this.

The Chairman (Alderman R.G. Wood): You don`t have to seal it in the case of adults? – No.

The Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes) said this was regarded as a rather important matter by the authorities.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) suggested that some penalty should be imposed, so that when these matters were brought before the Magistrates the licensees would realise that they treated them with a certain amount of seriousness.

The Chairman said it was rather an important matter, and defendant would be fined 10s.

Folkestone Express 10-3-193

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

Tuesday, March 6th: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Alderman A.E. Pepper, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Alderman T.S. Franks, Councillor Mrs. E. Gore, Mr. W. Smith, Judge H. Terrell, and Councillor W. Hollands.

An application was received for the transfer of the licence of the Black Bull Hotel from the present holder, Mr. Barber, to Mr. W.H.C. Jackson, of St. John`s Wood.

The Chairman asked if it was not a fact that there had been several changes at that house recently.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley): Changes have been far too frequent.

The Chairman said the last one seemed to be about twelve months ago.

The Chief Constable: It was not much over twelve months.

Mr. Barber said he had been there fourteen months.

The Chairman said it was not for them to offer a reason, unless it was on the grounds of redundancy. There was a reason, no doubt, for those very frequent changes.

The Chief Constable: I think it is very obvious.

The Bench agreed to the granting of the transfer.

Folkestone Herald 10-3-1934

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

At the adjourned annual licensing sessions, held at the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday, Alderman R.G. Wood presiding, the licence of the Black Bull Hotel was transferred from Mr. R.A. Barber to Mr. W.H.J. Jackson, of St. John`s Wood.

The Chairman remarked on the rather frequent changes of licence in connection with this hotel, and the Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) said the changes were more frequent than he would wish.

The Chairman said he believed it was about 12 months ago when the licence was last transferred.

Mr. Barber said it was 14 months ago.

The Chairman said it was not the Magistrates` business, unless it was on the grounds of redundancy, but there must be a reason for these changes.

The Chief Constable said he thought the reason was pretty obvious.

The Magistrates agreed to the transfer.

Folkestone Express 28-3-1936

Local News

Damage, which was estimated at £100, was caused by a fire at the Black Bull Hotel, Black Bull Road, Folkestone. The fire broke out in the public bar close to the fireplace early on Monday morning.

The existence of the fire was first discovered by Miss Hilda Richards, a maid at the hotel. She was in bed when she was awakened by smoke coming out of the fire-place in the room. She quickly went down to Mr. Jackson, the licensee, who inspected the bars. He opened the door leading to the public bar but was met by clouds of smoke and the heat was so intense that he was forced to shut it again. Mrs. Jackson phoned for the Fire Brigade, who turned out very smartly.

Chief Officer Woods and six men came with the Thornycroft tender at about 3.20 a.m. They had to cut their way through the outside door, which opens into the bar from the street, owing to the intense heat at the other entrance. After about two hours’ work they suc­ceeded in extinguishing the blaze with water from the hydrant and by cutting away burning wood.

The fire was caused through a wooden joist, which had been smouldering for some little time, bursting into flame.
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

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