Oddfellows Arms 1930 - 1934

Folkestone Express 13-2-1932

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 10^th: 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 Chief Constable presented his report as follows:- I have the honour to present my ninth annual report relating to the administration of the licensing laws within the Borough for the year ending 31^st December, 1931.

Licensed Premises: There are in the Borough 114 premises licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor, the number being made up as follows: Full licences 69; beer on 7; beer off 10; beer and spirit dealers 9; grocers, etc., off 6; confectioners wine on 4; cider and sweets off 7; chemists wine off 2; Total 114. No licensed premises were referred back on the ground of redundancy by the Annual Licensing Committee.

Alehouse Licences: Of the alehouse licences, one is a six days` licence.

Licences Transferred: The following licences were transferred during the year: Earl Grey, from William Charles Dixon to Clara P. Dixon; Alexandra Hotel, Stanley A. Bishop to Frank Allwood; Bouverie Arms, Frank E. Hedges to Frederick Hedges; Guildhall Hotel, Ellen Cozens to Richard Rivers; Black Bull Hotel, Frederick A. Bray to Eric Anderson; Harvey Hotel, Charles Waghorn to Harold Sherrin; Foresters Arms, Charles Ovenden to Kate L. Ellers; Richmond Tavern, Adam Ingleton to Edward Jordan; Clarendon Hotel, Harry Whittaker to Wm. A.J. Taylor. At the adjourned annual licensing meeting held on the 11^th March, 1931, application was made for the transfer of the beer off licence of the Gun Brewery, Cheriton Road. The licensee of these premises having died in 1900, and the licence not having been transferred, the Justices declared this licence null and void.

Alterations to Licensed Premises: No applications have been made to the Bench during the year for sanction for alterations to licensed premises.

Occasional Licences: One hundred and eleven occasional licences were granted to licence holders to sell intoxicating liquor other than on their own premises.

Extension of Licensing Hours: Three hundred and six extensions have been granted to licence holders when dinners, etc., were being held on their licensed premises, and in no case has any abuse of the privilege been recorded.

Proceedings against Licence Holders: During the year no licence holders have been proceeded against for committing any breach of the Intoxicating Liquor Laws.

Visits by Police to Licensed Premises: All licensed premises have been periodically visited at irregular intervals by my officers to see that they are being conducted in a satisfactory manner, and no adverse reports have been submitted to me. The total number of visits was 1,868.

Drunkenness: During the year 26 persons (22 males and four females) were proceeded against in the Borough Court for drunkenness. These were dealt with as follows: Convicted 13 males, three females; discharged nine males, one female. The persons proceeded against were: Residents of Folkestone, four males, two females; non-residents, five males, one female; no fixed abode, six males, one female; and seven soldiers. The total proceedings for drunkenness are the same as the preceding year, when eight persons were convicted and 18 discharged.

Comparative Return of Drunkenness: The following table shows a comparative return for drunkenness with towns similarly situated to Folkestone: Folkestone, population 35,890, number proceeded against per 1,000 population .723; Chester 41,438 and 1.134; Hastings 65,199 and 1.02; Canterbury 24,450 and .61; Margate 41,312 and 1.02; Cambridge 66,803 and ,439; Gravesend 35,490 and 1.4; Scarborough 41,791 and .31; Ramsgate 33,597 and .35; Bedford 40,573 and .69. It will be seen that Folkestone`s record for sobriety still stands very high.

Permitted Hours: The permitted hours as allowed by the Licensing Act of 1921 have been fixed by the Licensing Justices for this Borough as under: Weekdays, from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., and from 7 p.m. to 2 p.m. During the months of June, July, August and September, 1931, an extension of half an hour on weekdays, from 10 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. was again allowed by the Bench, and I am pleased to state that no ill-effects have been observed.

New Licences: No licences have been granted for new premises during the year.

Clubs: Seventeen clubs where intoxicating liquor is supplied are registered under the Act, this being the same number as was in existence in the preceding year.

Hotels: Six hotels and two restaurants have authority under Section III of the Licensing Act, 1921, to supply intoxicating liquor with meals for one hour after 10 p.m. on weekdays, namely: Metropole Hotel, Grand Hotel, Majestic Hotel, Regina Hotel, Esplanade Hotel, Royal Pavilion Hotel, Central Cafe and Savoy Cafe. During the year under review, the Regina Hotel closed down, but the licence in respect of the premises is still in existence.

Music and Dancing: Forty eight licences for music and dancing have been granted or renewed under the provisions of Part IV of the Public Health (Amendment) Act, 1890. This is an increase of four as compared with the previous year. Of this number 15 are for the use of wireless for public entertainment in licensed premises.

Billiard Licenses: There are three premises licensed for billiards in the Borough, namely: The Queen`s Hall, Tontine Street; 24, Rendezvous Street; and the Fishermen`s Institute, The Stade. The licence in respect of the last named premises is a new one, having been granted by the Justices on the 11^th February, 1931. Supervision of these premises has been kept, and no adverse reports have been received.

Conclusion: In conclusion, I should like to draw the particular attention of the Bench to the high standard of conduct of the licensees within the Borough. Despite the large number of official visits made, and the casual observation which is kept from time to time, no single instance has come to light which would justify police interference. To this may be attributed in no small measure the high place that Folkestone occupies in the comparative table. I have again to tender my thanks to the Bench and to Mr. Charles Rootes for their unfailing consideration and assistance freely given whenever occasion demands it.

The Chairman said the Justices had had an opportunity of seeing the Chief Constable`s report, and he was instructed to say they regarded it as of a very satisfactory nature. If he might begin where the Chief Constable left off, with reference to the high standard of the licensee in the Borough, he thought that it was very conclusive, because no-one had been in any difficulty, and there were no proceedings against any licensee in the year. He thought that went to the credit of the licensee, and showed they exercised great care in carrying out the law touching those matters, which was somewhat difficult and complicated at times. With reference to the drunkenness, he would like it to be less, of course, but having regard to the fact that they were a health and pleasure resort and thousands of visitors came there, they thought it was very creditable indeed. Of those 26 persons, only six of them were residents of the Borough, and they thought that went to the credit of the residential population anyhow, considering that was one whole year. The Justices were glad to think that they gave way to the point with reference to the summer season, giving the half hour`s extension. They were glad to know that no ill-effects had been accrued in consequence of that, but that the convenience in reference to the visitors had been appreciated.

The Chairman then announced that the public house licences and beer licences would all be renewed, with two exceptions, and they were the Granville and the Oddfellows. Those would not be renewed that morning, but would be referred to the adjourned meeting for further consideration on the ground of redundancy.

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 9^th 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 report submitted by the Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) showed that during the past year only six residents had been charged with drunkenness, whilst no proceedings had been taken against any licensees. These two points were favourably commented upon by the Magistrates.

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.

The Chief Constable submitted his report (for details see Folkestone Express).

The Chairman said the Justices had had an opportunity of seeing the Chief Constable`s report, and he was asked to say that they regarded it as very satisfactory. If he might begin where the Chief Constable had left off, with reference to the high standard obtained by the licensees during the year, he thought that was very conclusive because there had not been any proceedings against any one of them during the year. They endorsed what the Chief constable had said. It showed that the licensees had exercised great care in the carrying out of the law, which was somewhat critical and complicated at times. With reference to drunkenness, they would like the figures to still be less, but having regard to the fact that they were a health and pleasure resort they thought the record was a very creditable one. They noted that only six residents were proceeded against, and that must be placed to the credit of the residential population. The Justices were also glad to know that after they granted the extra half hour`s extension during the summer months there had been no ill-effects. The public house and beer licences would be renewed with two exceptions. Those were the Granville and the Oddfellows. Those two licences would not be renewed that morning, but referred to the adjourned meeting for further consultation on the grounds of redundancy.

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 9^th, for the adjourned sessions.

The Magistrates also renewed all the music and dancing licences.

Folkestone Express 12-3-1932

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, March 9^th: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, The Mayor, Col. G.P. Owen, Alderman A.E. Pepper, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Dr. W. Nuttall, Miss A.M. Hunt, Alderman T.S. Franks, Mrs. E. Gore, Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens, and Mr. F. Seager.

The question of the renewal of the licences of the Granville Inn, Dover Street, and the Oddfellows Arms on the Fish Market was considered at the adjourned general licensing meeting at the Folkestone Police Court on Wednesday. The objection to both licences was on the ground of redundancy.

The case of the Oddfellows Arms, The Stade, was then considered, the Chief Constable having objected to the renewal of the licence on the grounds of redundancy.

The Chief Constable again gave formal evidence of the particulars of the congested area as in the previous case. There was, he said, nothing against the character of the tenant.

Chief Inspector Pittock said the rateable value of the house was £52. There was entrance from Radnor Street and The Stade, both frontages. There had been four transfers since 1894, and the present tenant had been there since 1928, and her husband was there before that from 1911. There were six public houses within 100 yards of the premises, five additional ones within 150 yards, and another five within 200 yards, making 16 within 200 yards. He made twelve visits between 8.05 and 9.35 p.m. in January and February to see the number of people in the house. For the Jubilee the number of people was 253, in the Oddfellows 91, in the Ship 249, and in the Packet Boat 157. The percentage was for the Jubilee 21, the Oddfellows 7.6, the Ship 20.7, and the Packet Boat 13. He suggested that the house was redundant from the observations he had kept. He was of the opinion that any two of those houses were redundant, having regard to the requirements of the neighbourhood.

In reply to Mr. L.S. Fletcher, who appeared for the applicants of the licence, witness said he considered there were too many houses in that neighbourhood. It was to form an opinion as to the trade that he paid visits to the licensed houses. He would say that the Oddfellows did more than double the trade of the Granville. He did not know it did 7 barrels a week.

Mr. Fletcher: You know that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has put a tax on beer?

Witness: Yes.

Is it correct to say that that has discouraged trade? – It is obvious.

Mr. Fletcher: I won`t say whether I express any regret about that. (Laughter)

Continuing, Mr. Fletcher said would it alter witness`s opinion if he told him that the Oddfellows had increased its trade in 1931?

Witness: No. I am still of the opinion that the whole of the trade in that district could be done by two houses.

Continuing cross-examination, witness said the house was mainly visited by fishermen. There was a club room there and a slate club. He did not know of a conviction with the house during the past three years.

Mr. William Joseph Jennings, managing director of Messrs. George Beer and Rigden Ltd., said the trade in barrels was 294¾ for 1929 at the Oddfellows.  In 1930 it was 391 5/8, and in 1931 it was 416 3/8. It gave an average of seven barrels per week. The spirits had decreased as the beer had gone up. In 1929 it was 133 4/5 gallons, in 1930 it was 93½, and in 1931 it was 99 2/3.

Mr. George Skinner, the elder son of Mrs. Skinner, the licensee, said he acted as the manager of the house, and his younger brother acted as barman. They made a good living out of the house, and they had no other sort of income. They had very much extra trade in the summer.

Mr. Fletcher said there was a gentleman, the Rev. W.H. Pickburn, who would like to say a word about the house.

The Chief Constable said they were not entitled to give that.

The Chairman said they were only dealing with the redundancy of the house.

The Chairman said the Justices had decided to renew the licence.

Folkestone Herald 12-3-1932

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

The Folkestone Licensing Magistrates at the adjourned annual licensing sessions on Wednesday considered two licences which had been referred on the ground of redundancy.

After hearing considerable evidence the Magistrates refused to renew the licence of the Granville, Dover Street, the house being referred to the East Kent Compensation Authority, but in the other case, that of the Oddfellows Inn, Radnor Street, the licence was renewed.

The Magistrates were: Alderman R.G. Wood, Colonel G.P. Owen, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Alderman A.E. Pepper, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Miss A.M. Hunt, Alderman T.S. Franks, Mrs. E. Gore, Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens, and Mr. F. Seager.

The renewal of the licence of the Oddfellows Inn was next considered. Mr. L. Fletcher, instructed by Messrs. Mowll and Mowll, appeared for the appellants.

The Chief Constable gave similar figures to those he offered in the first case. He added that there was nothing against the character of the tenant.

Chief Inspector Pittock said the house was situated at 30, Radnor Street, ad the licensee was Elizabeth Skinner. The rateable value was £52. The owners of the premises were Messrs. George Beer and Rigden, Faversham. There had only been four transfers since 1894, and Mrs. Skinner had been the licensee since 1928, her husband having been there before since 1911. There were six public houses within 100 yards of the premises, five within 150 yards, and another five within 200 yards, making 16 in all. He made 12 personal visits between January and February, between 8.05 and 9.35 p.m. The total customers were: The Jubilee 253; the Oddfellows 91; the Ship 249; and the Packet Boat 157. The average for the Jubilee was 21; the Oddfellows 7.6; the Ship 20.7; and the Packet Boat 13. He was personally of the opinion that any two of the houses in Radnor Street were redundant, having regard to the requirements of the neighbourhood.

Mr. Fletcher: Do I understand you to say that the Oddfellows is redundant because on the occasion of your visits you only found a total of 91 customers? – Not generally. It is the knowledge of the houses in the neighbourhood.

Replying to further questions, witness said he did not know that the trade of the house was seven barrels a week. He belived it was the first time that it had been suggested that the Oddfellows was a redundant house.

Mr. Fletcher: I believe that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has put an extra tax on beer. Is it correct to say that that has disarranged trade? – It is obvious.

Mr. Fletcher: I won`t say I express any regret about that, but is it obvious for every town and licensing district? – It is obvious in Folkestone.

Replying to further questions, witness said the house was in the fishmarket and it was largely used by fishermen. There was a good size club room on the first floor, and a lodge of Buffaloes met there. In addition there was a slate club and a registered club. The house was in easy reach of the East Cliff sands.

Mr. Fletcher: Am I right in saying that there has not been a single conviction in respect of this house for the past 21 years? – I don`t remember a conviction for 23 years.

William Joseph Jennings, managing director of George Beer and Rigden`s, who were owners of the house, said the trade for the last three years including bulk and bottle, for this house was: 1929 294¾ barrels; 1930 391 5/8; 1931 416 3/8. That was an average for the three years of 367 barrels, which was an average of seven barrels a week over three years. The spirits, however, had decreased as the beer had increased. In 1929 the trade was 133 4/5 gallons; 1930 93½ gallons; and 1931 99 2/3 gallons. The year 1931 was a year of diminished beer consumption.

George John Skinner, eldest son of Mrs. Florence Elizabeth Skinner, who had been licensee of the house since her husband`s death in 1928, said he managed the house. His younger brother acted as barman, and his mother made a good living out of the house. They had no other sort of income.

In reply to the Clerk, witness said the trade of the house greatly increased in the summer months.

The Magistrates decided to renew the licence.

Folkestone Herald 2-9-1933

Local News

A pointless practical joke which took the form of a telephone call to the Folkestone Fire Brigade to the effect that the Oddfellows Arms Inn, The Stade, was on fire, brought the Chief Officer and six men to unnecessary trouble on Sunday evening. The men went to the house with the motor pump, but failed to find any trace of a fire. The matter was left in the hands of the police.

Folkestone Express 9-9-1933

Monday, September 4^th: Before The Mayor, Alderman G. Spurgen and Alderman R.G. Wood.

Sidney Allen Crockitt, a soap salesman, was charged on remand with obtaining food to the value of 2s. 8d. by other than false pretences.

The prisoner was before the Court last week, when evidence was given that he went into the Corner Restaurant after ten o`clock at night, had a good supper, and then told the proprietress that he had no money, and she had better call the police. She called the police and he was arrested. Prisoner now pleaded Guilty and asked the Magistrates to deal with the case.

A second charge was then preferred against him, that of giving a false alarm to the Fire Brigade on August 27^th. He pleaded Not Guilty to this charge.

Alexander Louis McLaren, of the Folkestone Fire Brigade, said at 11 p.m. on Sunday, August 27^th, he received a telephone message, and in consequence of what he was told he turned out the Fire Brigade. They went to the Oddfellows public house, Radnor Street, but there was no fire at those premises or any place on the Fish Market. The cost of the turn-out was £2 9s.

Arthur John Grant, a night telephone operator at the G.P.O. telephone exchange, of 37, Clarence Street, said he received a call from the street telephone box at the Fish Market. In consequence he connected with the Fire Brigade Station.

James Albert Fagg, a fisherman, of 7, Clout`s Alley, Radnor Street, said at 11 p.m. on August 27^th he was sitting on the chains in the Fish Market when he saw the prisoner standing inside the telephone box. He struck a match and put his ear to the telephone. He saw him come out two minutes later and walk away.

Witness, in reply to the prisoner, said the prisoner was wearing the same clothes as that day. He was of the opinion that the prisoner was perfectly sober.

Defendant: What makes you so sure it was me?

Witness: I recognised you.

In what manner? – The way you were dressed and the way you walked.

Were you of the opinion that I was perfectly sober that night? – I did not take any notice.

Defendant asked leave to call P.C. McFazdean and Inspector Hollands as witnesses.

He Deputy Clerk said they had already been called as witnesses, but he could have them in the box again and ask them questions.

P.C. McFazdean, in reply to the defendant, said that when he arrested defendant he was perfectly sober.

Inspector Hollands, cross-examined by defendant, said that when defendant was arrested and he saw him at the police station, he (defendant) was sober and normal.

Defendant, addressing the Bench, said he was a soap salesman, running his own business. While in Dover, being a stranger in a strange place, he went with four sailors who persuaded him to go and have a drink. He was more or less drunk for four days afterwards. With regard to the fire charge, he knew nothing about that. His nerves were so shattered, he did not know what he was doing. With regard to the meal, he was in the same state of mind then.

The Clerk, reading a statement handed by the defendant to the Magistrates, said it stated that during the last month and a half, after being placed on probation at Greenwich, he realised that crime did not pay. He had been going round the coast towns in business with soap and haberdashery. That was the first time he had ever slept in Folkestone, and it would be the last. He asked the Bench not to send him to prison, as his business would be lost.

The prisoner said if the Bench would deal leniently with him, he would pay all expenses in that case. He was very sorry for what had actually happened.

Inspector Hollands said the prisoner was a stranger to the town. At first he refused all information about himself. As far as he knew, the only information they had was his record from London. There were six previous convictions against him. He had been in a reformatory, and had received a sentence of 18 months on a charge of burglary. In 1930 in Winnipeg, Canada, he was charged with vagrancy, and sentenced to six months and deportation from that country. On April 24^th last when charged at Greenwich he was bound over on probation in the sum of £25 for two years. On the night of the alleged offence of sending that fire alarm, defendant put up at a lodging house in the town, and the next morning there was an allegation that he stole some money while there, but there was insufficient evidence to charge him.

Defendant: I know nothing about that.

An elderly woman, who stated that she was the defendant`s mother, came forward and said that her son had not been short of money, and he must have got into bad company and got drunk. His record was a bad one, but he had been improving. He had been sending money home.

The Chairman said the Magistrates were convinced that the prisoner was Guilty of both offences. For obtaining credit by fraud, they committed him to prison for one month with hard labour. The sentence was governed to some extent by the record of his past behaviour, because they heard he was already on parole to be of good behaviour for two years.

Defendant`s mother: He will never be able to get a living after this, and he has worked up a decent connection.

Folkestone Herald 9-9-1933

Local News

When Sidney Alan Crockett was brought before the Folkestone Magistrates on Monday on a charge of incurring a debt of 2s. 8d. by means of fraud other than false pretences, a further charge of giving a false alarm of fire was preferred against him. Crockett had been charged on the previous Thursday with obtaining a meal, valued 2s. 8d., from the Corner Restaurant, Harbour Street. He pleaded Guilty to this charge, but denied the fire alarm allegation.

The Magistrates were: The Mayor, Alderman G. Spurgen and Alderman R.G. Wood.

Alexander Louis McLaren, a driver in the employ of the Folkestone Fire Brigade, said on August 27^th, at 11 p.m., he received a call by telephone. In consequence of what the person said he hurried out the fire brigade to the Oddfellows public house in Radnor Street. There was no outbreak of fire and the brigade`s services were not required.

Arthur John Grant, 37, Clarence Street, a night telegraphist at the Post Office, said he was on duty on the night of August 27^th. About 11 p.m. he received a call from the telephone box in the fishmarket. In consequence of the call he received he connected it to the Fire Station.

James Albert Fagg, 7, Clout`s Alley, Radnor Street, said about 11 p.m. on August 27^th he was sitting on the chains on the fishmarket when he saw prisoner standing outside a telephone box. He then went inside, struck a match and put the earphone to his ear. He was in there two or three minutes.

Cross-examined, witness said he recognised prisoner by his walk and his dress. He did not take enough notice of prisoner to say whether he was perfectly sober.

P.C. MacFazdean, re-called at prisoner`s request, said, in reply to Crockett, that he was of the opinion that accused was perfectly sober when he was arrested.

Inspector W. Hollands, who was also called by prisoner, said he was of the opinion that Crockett was normal when he was brought to the police station.

Crockett, addressing the Magistrates, said he was a soap salesman, and whilst in Dover he got in contact with four sailors and they asked him to have some drinks. As a result he was drunk for three days. He could not say anything about the fire charge. If the Magistrates dealt leniently with him he would pay all the expenses incurred. He was very sorry for what had happened.

Inspector Hollands said Crockett was a stranger to the town. There were six previous convictions, the first being on December 26^th, 1927, at Old Street Police Court, when he was charged with stealing money. The case was adjourned sine die. At Birmingham in the same year he was sent to a reformatory. There was a sentence of 18 months` hard labour for burglary. At Winnipeg he had been charged with vagrancy and sentenced to six months` imprisonment, and ordered to be deported. On April 24^th of this year he was charged at Greenwich Police Court with stealing money and clothing and bound over for two years.

The Mayor said the Magistrates found Crockett Guilty on both charges. On the first he would be sentenced to one month`s hard labour.

Folkestone Express 7-10-1933

Council Meeting Extract

The Folkestone Town Council on Wednesday approved of the Health Committee`s recommendations concerning the scheme for dealing with the whole of Radnor Street as a slum clearance, and further progress will therefore be possible in connection with the rebuilding of the area. The scheme include the compulsory purchase of four licensed houses, lodging houses, a restaurant, stores, temporary buildings for amusement, and workshops.

The Health Committee`s recommendations dealing with the matter were as follows: (extract)

Resolved: That Compulsory Purchase Orders be made for the purchase by the Council; that there shall be included in the above-mentioned Compulsory Purchase Orders the under-mentioned properties and such other properties which are surrounded by or adjoin the clearance area, including: Radnor Street, No. 59, public house (Packet Boat Inn); No. 24, public house (Jubilee Inn); No. 30, public house (Oddfellows Arms); No. 38, public house (Ship Inn)

Councillor Dallas Brett said with regard to the four public houses those were matters presenting somewhat of a difficulty. It was a difficulty which had not been got over at the present moment, because it had not been tackled, but he was informed at the Ministry in other schemes throughout the country, where public houses had existed and had to be got rid of, private arrangement with the brewers had been made, which had been more satisfactory than would have been thought possible He proposed to ask his Committee to give instructions to himself and the Town Clerk to see what arrangements could be made. Whatever they did, they had got to realise that the whole area had to be cleared, and that they included in their plans two very valuable sites for public house property, to take the place of one or two or more of the houses which were in existence in Radnor Street at the present time. It was a matter of negotiations.

Councillor Barfoot said he believed that the scheme would be materially reduced if the stores and two public houses on the Fish Market were left as they were, and if the houses which it was proposed to build on that site were built on what was now the amusement park.

The resolution confirming the adoption of the recommendations was almost unanimously carried.

Folkestone Express 6-10-1934

Council Meeting Extract

On Wednesday the Folkestone Town Council had before them the letter from the Ministry of Health in which they practically approved of the Council`s scheme for making a slum clearance area. They made suggestions, however, for a few properties to be excluded in order to lessen the cost of the scheme.

The Health Committee, in consequence, in their minutes recommended the preparation of fresh plans in order to provide for forty houses on the site, and also that the three licensed houses, which were to be dealt with under the original scheme, should be allowed to remain. The Council, without any discussion, approved of the recommendations.

The Town Clerk submitted the following letter from the Ministry of Health (extract): Ministry of Health, Whitehall, S.W. 1. 30^th August, 1934. “At the same time the Council will appreciate that when the inclusion of expensive properties is proposed it is necessary to consider carefully whether the cost of their acquisition does not outweigh their benefit to the scheme, and in this connection the estimated cost of acquiring the licensed premises in the area is of particular importance. The conclusion which the Minister has reached is that the properties reference Nos. 88, 91, and 97 should be excluded”.

Note: It is unclear which three properties this refers to, as originally there were to be four licensed houses cleared. I suspect that it means the Oddfellows, Ship, and Jubilee.

 

Folkestone Express 24-11-1934

Council Meeting Extract

A general scheme for the re-housing of the Radnor Street area was definitely approved by the General Purposes Committee of the Folkestone Town Council at their meeting yesterday (Thursday).

The Borough Surveyor submitted a report and description of the proposed lay-out of the Radnor Street area.

The proposal assumes that the licensed houses will be moved to alternative and more commodious sites, and it is desirable that these premises should be moved, as only by these means can a symmetrical and generally accepted lay-out be obtained.