Globe (2) 1960s

Folkestone Herald 13-2-1965

Local News

Police statements about the responsibility of publicans towards drunken drivers have brought protests from local landlords. Superintendent Frederick Coatsworth said at Seabrook last week that licensees exerted a tremendous influence on their customers and had a vital role to play in the prevention of offences involving drink, especially where motorists were concerned.

Reaction from Mr. Reg. Gard, landlord of the George Inn in George Lane, Folkestone, was “It just doesn’t make sense. We’re supposed to be mind- readers now, asking customers their age to see if they are over 18. The only thing we can do is to refuse to serve drinks to anyone who has obviously had too much. And, of course, thirsty motorists could always wear a ticket around their necks saying “I’m a driver. Please can I have a drink?””

Mr. Ron Letts, licensee of the Globe on The Bayle, said “It’s ludicrous. Our job is to sell drinks. A fair proportion of my customers are drivers, and in the nine years I have been here I have found they are generally responsible people. On the odd occasion, when you know your customer, it’s O.K. to say “Give me your keys—you’d better take a taxi home”. But how can you say that to a perfect stranger?”

Mr. Alec Wales, of the Lon­don and Paris, near the Har­bour, who is chairman of Folkestone, Hythe and Dis­trict Licensed Victuallers’ Association, put most of the blame on restaurants. “You cannot hold a pub­lican responsible for what customers drink”, he declared. “I don’t allow anyone who is obviously drunk in my house, but when they can get served at a restaurant, what can you do? I certainly don`t think the majority of drunks come from pubs”.

At Folkestone Brewster Sessions on Wednesday Supt. Coats worth reiterated his opinion. “Licensees, particularly those whose premises attract what is known as the motor car trade, have a vital contribution to pay in regard to safety on the roads”, he said. The police are the first to realise in a town such as Folkestone that all persons do not obtain their liquor in licensed premises. But, as responsible citi­zens, licensees can exert a great influence on their cus­tomers by always bearing in mind the effect which alcohol taken in excess might have on drivers of a motor vehicle”.

The last word came from Mrs. Maud Lewis, licensee of the Guildhall Hotel, chairman of the Women’s Auxiliary of the local L.V.A. After Brewster Sessions she told the Herald “We all try to do our stuff. If we think customers have had enough we tell them so. Irrespective of whether they`re driving or not, I`m firm with them on the question of drink”.

Folkestone Herald 24-7-1965

Local News

Some three years ago Mr. Ronnie Letts, of the Globe Hotel, The Bayle, Folkestone, revealed an unexpected flair for organisation. It was suggested that an annual darts competition should be arranged for Cancer Relief (as apart from research) and he undertook the task of running it. It proved an instantaneous success, and in each of the last two years a very useful sum has been realised through the co-operation of other licensed houses within the area.

Next Thursday, commencing at 7.30 p.m., the semi-finals and final of this year`s competition will take place at St. George`s Hall at the rear of the Roman Catholic Church. A fitting venue, because the project has the interest and active support of Father C.J. Walmsley, priest-in-charge at the church.

The semi-finalists are Plough Inn A (holders of the loving cup held annually by the winners), Cherrypickers Inn B, Star and Garter Inn A (holders of the runners-up shield) and Richmond Inn A. There should be some excellent sport, and, still more important, a generous addition to the funds of the very worthy cause for which the competition is held.