Eagle 1960s

Folkestone Gazette 7-12-1960

Local News

Mr. Dave Martin, licensee of the Eagle Tavern, Guildhall Street, has received numerous messages and expressions of sympathy in the sudden death of his wife, Mrs. Susan Martin, which occurred early on Thursday morning. Mrs Martin, who was born in London, and was aged 65, died in her sleep. Before coming to Folkestone with her husband in 1926 she was for a time landlady of the Red Lion, Covent Garden, London.

Mr. Martin was licensee of the True Briton Inn, Harbour Street, Folkestone, for 33 years, until, in October last year, he and his wife moved to the Eagle. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Martin is survived by a son, David, and three daughters, Eileen, Jean and Thelma.

The funeral took place at Hawkinge Cemetery yesterday.

Folkestone Herald 10-12-1960

Local News

The funeral took place at Hawkinge on Tuesday, of Mrs. Susan Martin, wife of Mr. Dave Martin, of the Eagle Tavern, Guildhall Street, Folkestone.

Folkestone Herald 6-2-1965

Local News

Mr. Dave Martin, landlord of the Eagle Inn, Guildhall Street, Folkestone, was taken to Ashford hospital on Friday after he slipped on a patch of ice and broke a thigh.

Mr. Martin, who is 69, was on his way to the East Kent Arms, Sandgate Road, to buy one of his favourite cigars when the accident happened. Two youths saw him lying helpless in the road and helped him into a taxi. They left without giving their names.

It was later stated from Ashford hospital that Mr. Martin was “doing as well as could be expected”.

Folkestone Herald 16-4-1966

Local News

Seventy-year-old Mr. Dave Martin, publican at the Eagle in Guildhall Street, Folkestone, has been ordered to quit the premises within two weeks, so that demolition crews can move in and tear the building down. Kent Education Committee want the site to expand the playing fields of Christ Church Primary School.

So now Mr. Martin is to retire after a lifetime in the brewery trade. He says he is too old to find another pub, and anyway, a broken hip prevents him from moving about. His father was a licensee and so was his grandfather. He took up the trade 45 years ago in London, and after five years, moved to Folkestone, and the True Briton. Mr. Martin is a little bitter about having to go. “I have been told to quit, but no doubt this pub will still be standing 12 months after I have gone”, he said. “It was just the same when people were moved out of the cottages nearby. The occupants were told that their homes were to be demolished. That was five years ago, and they are still there”.

At the moment, his daughter is looking for a new home for her father. Mr. Martin does not know whether or not he will get compensation from the authorities.

Folkestone Herald 30-4-1966

Local News

Mr. Dave Martin, who retired recently as licensee of the Eagle, Guildhall Street, Folkestone, has received a cheque for £500 from Messrs. Mackeson & Co., Ltd., of Hythe, the owners of the public house. Cigar-smoking Mr. Martin, who is 70, has been in the licensed trade for 40 years. He was landlord of the True Briton, near the Harbour, for 34 years and of the Eagle for the last six years.

Dave, who was a close friend of the comedian Max Miller, was secretary of the former Whitbread Darts League from 1936 until it closed down some four years ago. For more than 30 years he has been local organiser of the News of the World darts competition. He will continue as Folkestone`s representative.

Folkestone Gazette 17-7-1974

Obituary

One of Folkestone`s best-known former publicans, Mr. Dave Martin, died recently at the Royal Victoria Hospital. He was 78. From 1928 until 1954 he was licensee of the True Briton, at Folkestone harbour. During that time he was treasurer of the local branch of the Licensed Victuallers` Association. For nearly 20 years he organised the local heats of the News of the World championships. After leaving the True Briton, Mr. Martin took over the licence of the old Eagle Tavern in Guildhall Street, Folkestone. The pub has since been demolished.

The funeral service at Hawkinge Parish Church was attended by members of his family and a few friends. Mr. Martin lived at 24, Tontine Street, Folkestone, with his eldest daughter, Miss Eileen Martin. He left two other daughters, Mrs. Jean Chard, and Mrs. Thelma Haywood, and a son, Mr. David Martin.