Wonder Tavern 1930s

Folkestone Express 13-9-1930

Saturday, September 6^th: Before Col. G.P. Owen, Mr. W. Griffin, and Eng. Rear Admiral L.J. Stephens.

Julia Donovan, an elderly woman, of the Bowling Green Lodging House, Dover, was charged with being drunk and incapable on the previous evening. Prisoner pleaded Guilty.

P.C. Kennett said at 7.30 p.m. on the previous evening he was called to the Wonder Tavern public house in Beach Street. He saw the prisoner drunk in the public bar. The licensee requested her to leave, and she refused to go away. He (witness) advised her to go away, and she did so. At 7.45 p.m. he saw her again in High Street, where she was using foul language and was surrounded by a crowd. She went into another public house and came out again. She said “It takes ten ---- policemen to lock me up in Dover”. With the assistance of P.C. Simpson he brought her to the police station.

Prisoner said she promised it would never occur again.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley): She has not been in custody before. I think that from the evidence the beer and the police at Folkestone are stronger than at Dover.

The Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes): Has she been in Dover long?

The Chief Constable: No, not long. She is on her way to the hop field now, I understand.

The Chairman: You admit that you have behaved badly?

Prisoner: Yes, but I will never do it again. For Gawd`s sake give me this chance, please.

The Chairman: The Bench have decided to allow you to go.

Prisoner: Thank you, kind gentlemen.

The Chairman: You will leave the town, of course.

Prisoner: Yes sir, thank you, I will.

Folkestone Herald 13-9-1930

Local News

Julia Donovan, of Dover, an elderly woman, was charged at the Folkestone Police Court on Saturday with being drunk and disorderly.

P.C. Kennett said that at 7.30 p.m. the previous day he was called to the Wonder Tavern, where he saw the prisoner in the public bar. She refused to leave the premises at the landlord`s request. Witness advised her to go away and she did so. At 7.45 he saw prisoner again in the High Street. There was a large crowd round her and she walked into the Earl Grey public house. He spoke to her and she said “It takes 10 ---- policemen to lock me up in Dover”. With the assistance of P.C. Simpson he brought her to the police station.

Prisoner tearfully said it would never occur again.

The Chief Constable said Donovan had never been in custody before. From the evidence he thought both the beer and the police at Folkestone were stronger than at Dover. He understood prisoner was on her way to the hop fields at the time.

When the Chairman (Colonel G.P. Owen) informed prisoner that she could go on condition that she left the town, she said “Thank you, kindly. Good morning”.