Star and Garter 1960s

Folkestone Herald 23-1-1960

Notice

To: The Clerk to the Rating Authority for the Borough of Folkestone.

The Chief Constable of Kent,

The Clerk to the Justices for the Borough of Folke­stone.

And to all whom it may concern

I, Dorothy Mabel Binfield, of the “Star and Garter”, Harvey Street, Folkestone, Kent, Licensed Victualler, being the holder of a licence to sell by retail Beer and Wine for consumption on or off the premises known as the “Star and Garter”, in the Borough of Folkestone aforesaid, do hereby give notice that it is my intention to apply at the General Annual Licensing Meeting for the said Borough, to be held at the Town Hall in the said Borough, on Wednesday, the 10^th day of February, 1960, at 11 a.m., for the grant to me of a Justices` Licence authorising me to apply for and hold an Excise Licence to sell by retail any intoxicating liquor for consumption on or off the premises known as the “Star and Garter”, in the Borough of Folkestone aforesaid, of which said premises Fremlins Ltd. are the owners and of whom I rent them.

Given under my hand this 18^th day of January, 1960.

(Sgd.) Dorothy M. Binfield.

Folkestone Herald 13-2-1960

Annual Licensing Sessions

Licences to sell spirits, in addition to beer and wine, were granted to the Star and Garter, Harvey Street, and the Prince of Wales, Guildhall Street.

Mr. Norman Franks, making the application on behalf of Mrs. D.M. Binfield, of the Star and Garter, said the licence had been in her family for the past 65 years.

Folkestone Herald 10-2-1962

Local News

It was not the usual Monday night. Chris and Dorrie were serving drinks, and the usual game of darts was in pro­gress. The Star and Garter, Har­vey Street, Folkestone, has a proud record for darts, and trophies line the walls, but players and regulars were unusually subdued.

Mr. and Mrs. Binfield., Chris and Dorrie, were retiring. Dorrie, who was born in that same building 61 years ago, and Chris, have “run the local ” for nearly 22 years. Their retirement marks the end of a period of 68-69 years during which she inn has been run by a member of Dorrie’s family. The tradition goes still further back; before her father, Mr. Arthur, became landlord of the Star in about 1893, his people had tenanted the Princess Royal, down by the harbour. On the death of Mr. Arthur in 1911 Dorrie’s mother kept the Star going. Dorrie became the official licensee in 1943, but had been helping to run the, place since her father’s death. She and Chris, himself a Folkestone man, married in 1940 on a special licence in order that the house could stay open.

Best suits were in evidence as the regulars, many of whom had known Dorrie for 40 years, and some who even remembered her father, packed the bar on Monday to bid “au revoir”. But certainly not “farewell”, because Dorrie and Chris will no doubt make many visits to their old quarters. They are moving only to nearby Margaret Street.

It was “service as usual’’ for this popular couple, who pulled the familiar pumps for drinks for their friends, until 9 o’clock, when Mr. T. Anderson, Chair­man of the Star and Garter Darts Club, made a presenta­tion. “I am sure everybody feels as sad as me that Chris and Dorrie are retiring, but I am saying “cheerio”, not “goodbye”, as we will be seeing them again this side of the bar”, Mr. Anderson said. He then presented Dorrie with an engraved wristlet watch, and Chris with a pocket watch, on behalf of all their friends.

Chris’s reply to the cries for “Speech” was that he had a cold, but Dorrie, holding a bouquet given by one of their many friends, smiling tearfully, replied on behalf of both of them. “We will both see you all, as no doubt we will be dropping in. Thank you all, very much”, she said.

Refreshments were served, and Chris and Dorrie carried on serving.