Saturday, 28 June 2014
Valiant Sailor 1930s
Folkestone
Herald 16-5-1931
Felix
Of course we have been reminded if we needed reminding
– of the “sailor” described as “valiant” standing isolated alone on the edge of
the cliff on the Folkestone-Dover Road, and standing all these years four
square to all the winds that blow, and hundreds of feet above the level of the
sea. Of course, I am referring to the famous inn “The Valiant Sailor”, owned by
Mr. A.C. Aird as it was also by his father, the late Mr. W. Aird. Of course
this particular “Sailor” is on the main road to Dover – six miles distant.
Outside the establishment was at one time a toll house or turnpike gate. So
rapid is the flight of time that the present generation can hardly realise that
every horse and vehicle, besides droves of sheep and cattle, were compelled to
pay toll before they could pass through the aforesaid gate or similar gates on
the main roads. A carrier van, and an occasional horsed bus – that was all the
communication that existed in those days, which many of us can recall. And so
it comes about that our “Valiant Sailor” on Dover Hill has witnessed a
revolution. He has seen the old gate abolished, a ten minute motor bus created
between the two towns, whilst hundreds of motor vehicles pass by every day of
the year. Here is progress if you like. I may be perhaps pardoned for
mentioning it, that I made the first journey ever made from Folkestone to Dover
on a motor vehicle named “The Pioneer”. It was driven by Mr. Ernest Salter,
motor engineer, and son of the late Alderman W. Salter, J.P., of Folkestone.
Those of us who braved that journey, especially up Dover Hill, were proud of
ourselves on that day. I often gaze on a photo which depicts the old “Pioneer” on
its way to Dover. I could write a story – an exciting one, too – of an
experience I had on this self-same “Pioneer” as it did a sprint down the famous
Whitfield Hill. Space, however, just now forbids.
I am informed by the present proprietor, Mr. Alfred C.
Aird (whom I have already mentioned) that the old inn alluded to was originally
designated the “Jolly Sailor”. Why its name was altered I cannot tell, and my
friend, Mr. Aird, cannot throw any light on the subject. Certainly there is
something very jolly associated with that word “Jolly”. But from what I can
gather from a volume that I have before me, there were certain people in other
days that did not approve of it. Thus I read; “The use of the word “Jolly” on
the signboards of various inns formerly so common in our now “Merrie England”
is now gradually dying away. Whatever be the opinion on the subject of national
good humour it seems people no longer desire to be advertised as jolly”. Why
object, for instance, to the “Jolly Britisher”, the “Jolly Farmer”, or the
“Jolly Sailor”? What a funny world this is. It would seem then that in the
Merrie England of those other days they had their killjoys with their sour
faces and their canker of envy, malice, and uncharitableness ever gnawing at
their hands. However, when we pause to think, the word “Valiant” is a very fine
one.
Folkestone
Herald 6-6-1931
Felix
With reference to a recent note appearing in this
weekly contribution, and having reference to the approaching visit of H.M.S.
Valiant, I mentioned the fact that the old Valiant Sailor had stood solitary
these many years on the edge of the cliff on the Folkestone-Dover road. I also
stated that the famous wayside hostelry was once known as The Jolly Sailor, but
that its name, for some reason, was altered to the Valiant Sailor. Why, no-one
appears to know. Mr. A.C. Aird, the present proprietor, since my paragraph
appeared, has had an opportunity of looking up the deeds of the property with
the result that he kindly informs me that the designation of the house was
altered from “Jolly” to “Valiant” in 1826. Mr. Aird also states that he is
unable to explain the change in the name. As he truly remarks he has always
found the sailor to be both “Jolly” and “Valiant”, and so either one fits in as
well as the other. However this may be, our old friend declares that the same
spirit prevails in the ranks of the 20th century sailors as it did
in that of their forefathers when ships of war depended entirely on sail rather
than coal and oil, and when navigation, too, depended alone on the compass and
flag signals.
Note: Date for name change is at variance
with More Bastions.
Folkestone
Express 5-12-1931
Local News
A mysterious fire, which resulted in considerable
damage to a motor car and garage, occurred on Friday evening at the Valiant
Sailor Inn at the top of Dover Hill. Mr. A.C. Aird, the owner, had not long
returned from Maidstone in his Austin saloon car, and had taken it into the
garage adjoining the premises. When he left it everything was apparently in
order.
Shortly before nine o`clock, however, the car was
discovered to be on fire, and the Folkestone Fire Brigade were hastily summoned
by telephone. The large motor tender and five men answered the call, and in
view of the serious nature of the fire six men remained standing by at the
Station. The Brigade, however, soon had the blaze under control, and
extinguished it with the aid of chemicals, but not before the body of the car
was extensively burnt and the rafters of the garage charred. The damage is
estimated at over £50.
The cause of the fire is quite unknown, and Mr. Aird is
at a loss to understand how it could have originated. It did not start from the
engine or the chassis, for only the bodywork was damaged, and the owner states
that he had not been smoking on the road from Maidstone and had not had a light
in the car.
Folkestone
Herald 5-12-1931
Local News
Mystery surrounds an outbreak of fire at the Valiant
Sailor Inn on Dover Hill on Friday evening of last week, when a motor car and
garage were extensively damaged.
Mr. A.C. Aird, the proprietor of the premises had
placed his Austin car in a garage adjoining the premises earlier in the
evening, on his return from Maidstone. At about nine o`clock the car was
discovered to be on fire, and a telephone call was immediately put through to
the Folkestone Fire Brigade, and a large motor tender and five men were sent.
The flames gained a strong hold of the car, and the
rafters of the garage were burned before the Brigade extinguished the blaze by
means of chemicals. The body of the car was completely destroyed, and the total
damage is estimated at £50.
Folkestone
Express 31-12-1932
Local News
Burglars were very busy at the Valiant Sailor public
house on the Dover Road just outside the Folkestone boundary early on Wednesday
morning.
Mr. A.C. Aird, the proprietor, did not retire to rest
until nearly one o`clock after seeing that the premises were properly secured.
Nothing was heard during the night to disturb any of the occupants of the
house, but when Mr. Aird got up in the morning and entered his office he found
that the contents of the room had been disarranged.
A sum of about £6 in money which had been placed in the
room the previous night had disappeared.
Entry had been obtained by means of a window which had
been forced.
Folkestone
Herald 31-12-1932
Local News
Mr. A.C. Aird`s residence, the Valiant Sailor, Dover Hill,
was burgled in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
An entry was made into the office by cutting away a
pane of glass and releasing the window catch. A thorough search was made of the
room and £6 in silver and coppers taken.
Mr. Aird told the Herald that he heard nothing during
the night.
London And Paris 1930s
Folkestone
Express 30-7-1932
Obituary
It is with deep regret that we have to record the death
on Monday of Mrs. E.C. Garland, the wife of Mr. C. Garland, of the London and
Paris Hotel, Folkestone, after an illness of several months, and the greatest
sympathy will be felt for Mr. Garland, his son and daughter, and other
relatives in the sad bereavement which has befallen them.
Mrs. Garland was known by a large circle of friends and
she was very highly esteemed and respected.
The funeral took place on Wednesday at the Folkestone
Cemetery.
Folkestone
Herald 6-8-1932
Obituary
We regret to record the death of Mrs. Edith May
Garland, the wife of Mr. Claude Garland, of the London and Paris Hotel,
Folkestone, who died recently after an illness lasting some ten months.
The late Mrs. Garland, was well known in Folkestone,
and great sympathy will be extended to her husband and children in their sad
bereavement. Mr. Claude Garland is the Chairman of the “Ellanpee” Golf Club,
and the Treasurer of the local Licensed Victuallers` Association. Mrs. Garland
took a very great interest in both these organisations, and she was a member of
the Ladies` Licensed Victuallers` Auxiliiary Association.
Mrs. Garland had lived in Folkestone for some 16 years
past, and she was held in high esteem by her many friends.
The funeral took place at the Folkestone Cemetery,
Cheriton Road, on Wednesday last week.
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