Railway Hotel 1960s

Folkestone Gazette 6-9-1967

Local News

A skittle alley was opened in Folkestone on Friday at the Railway Hotel in Coolinge Lane, and already regulars are queueing up for a place in the team. The alley was built at a cost of £100 by the licensee, Mr. Alan Kyte, his father-in- law, Mr. Bert Lazell, and Mr. Harry Waddel, the barman at the pub. It took about four months to complete. Nearly 70 feet of concrete had to be laid, with the correct camber, and cover at each end of the alley erected. The nine skittles and three solid rubber balls cost nearly £20 and are specially designed. But it seems a worthwhile investment. Mr. Kyte, who invited two teams from Dover, where there is a skittle league already established, said “Everybody seems to be interested and if other pubs in Folkestone would take up the idea, we might be able to form a league. Although I do not know a great deal about the game, I would be willing to help anybody who wanted to build their own alley. The game is not so simple as it looks, but it is a lot of fun. I have still got to make one or two slight alterations before the alley is really complete, but from the response I have had from the regulars, it looks like being a success”.