Folkestone Herald 2-5-1970
Stroller
One thing leads to another. My reference recently to the mini-display
of old documents and photographs of the wine trade in Folkestone before and
after the turn of the century has prompted a townsman to let me see some more
interesting papers and early photographs of Folkestone.
In particular, they reveal that 100 years ago there
was a Railway Inn in Beach Street, not many steps from the Tram Road and the
Fishmarket. No doubt it took its name from the nearby railway, linking the old
Junction station with Folkestone Harbour. The licensee, James Hart, one of a well-known Folkestone
family, paid Thomas Ash, “common brewers of the City and County of Canterbury”,
a yearly rental of £15. In those days £15 was £15. One of the conditions of the
tenancy was that Mr. Hart should “bear and pay all rates and taxes whatsoever,
with the exception of the land and property tax, chargeable in respect of the
said premises”. Twenty-nine years later the licence was transferred from father
to son, Arthur James Hart. At that time the licensee paid a publican`s licence
of £14 5s. 3d. to the Inland Revenue for the privilege of carrying on business.
There`s no doubt that the Beach Street of those
days was almost the hub of Folkestone`s business life. There were other inns, notably
Horlock’s Royal George Hotel (almost destroyed in the last war). Its immediate
proximity to the railway and harbour was described as being “peculiarly
adapted to the convenience of the continental tourist . . . with extensive
and beautiful views of the sea and the coast of France”.
For all the faults of our civic
fathers, they cannot be blamed for the disappearance of Beach Street and
adjacent narrow, picturesque streets with their little shops. The Luftwaffe did
the deed in the later part of 1940. The instrument-in-chief was a land mine.
For those who knew old Folkestone well and never failed to be charmed by a
stroll through the narrow, cobbled thoroughfares, that particular piece of
Blitzkreig is still hard to forgive.
The Railway Inn had disappeared
before 1914, also the Blue Anchor at the entrance to The Stade. There were,
however, plenty of other drinking and eating-houses in the closely-knit huddle
of byways and highways.
For a number of details I have to
thank Mr. Bill Hart, one of the senior members of the printing staff at the
Folkestone offices of Messrs. F.J. Parsons (Kent Newspapers) Ltd. His father
was Mr. Arthur James Hart, who became licensee of the Railway Inn in 1899. Mr.
Arthur Hart`s brother, Albert, was long associated with Folkestone Football
Club before and after the First World War, and will still be remembered by some
older townsmen. He was also a Folkestone Councillor, builder and Kent football
legislator.
Folkestone Herald 15-5-1971
Local News
When 1,400 continentals visit Folkestone next Thursday
the doors of local pubs will be open to them all afternoon. On Tuesday local
Magistrates decided in favour of a second application to allow 17 pubs to
remain open especially for the visitors. They had vetoed a previous
application. The second made by publicans was amended to allow for a half-hour
break at 5.30 p.m. before their premises opened for the evening session.
Mr. J. Medlicott, for the publicans, told the Magistrates
that the visitors were delegates attending a conference in Bruges. One of its
highlights was to be a visit to England. He referred to a letter received by
Folkestone Corporation from the British Tourist Authority supporting the
publicans` application. The visit – by Dutch, Swiss, Belgians and Germans – was
a special occasion, not just a shopping expedition, said Mr. Medlicott. It had
been arranged by a Bruges tourist organisation which had particularly asked
that pubs should be open in the afternoon.
Police Inspector R. Sanders made no formal objection to
the application – but doubted whether the visit was a special occasion.
The Chairman of Folkestone Chamber of Trade, Mr. Alan
Stephenson, said later “The cross-Channel visitors` committee of this Chamber
is very pleased that this has been seen as a special occasion by the Justices. When one is reminded that this
extension is no more than happens in many market towns every week of the year,
it seems a fair request, especially as Folkestone’s image abroad could be much
influenced by the original decision not to allow the pubs to open”.
The pubs which will stay
open are; Jubilee, Ship, Oddfellows, Royal George, London and Paris, True
Briton, Harbour Inn, Princess Royal, Clarendon, Brewery Tap, Earl Grey, Prince
Albert, George, Globe, East Kent Arms,
Guildhall and Shakespeare.
South Kent Gazette
19-9-1979
Local News
Thieves who broke into the Royal George pub at
Folkestone harbour on Friday night made off with £65 in cash after forcing
open a fruit machine and a juke box.
Folkestone Herald
10-11-1979
Canterbury Crown Court
A teenager who attacked another man with a flick knife and tried to mug
him was jailed for three years on Friday.
Eighteen-year-old
Allan Glass slashed Mr. Frederick McMorran across the head during a scuffle in
Folkestone on August 2. He
laid in wait in Harbour Way, and at 9.30 p.m. Glass jumped out in front of Mr.
McMorran, Canterbury Crown Court heard on Friday. Glass, of no fixed address, admitted assault with intent to
rob.
Mr. Anthony Webb,
prosecuting, said Mr. McMorran was at a family party at the Royal George pub,
and had decided to fetch two of his sons from a nearby club. Glass confronted him as he turned into Harbour Way. He
flicked the knife open and demanded Mr. McMorran's wallet. “Mr. McMorran grabbed Glass's wrists and pushed him to the ground.
But another man, Brian Flynn, a friend of the defendant,
appeared and shouted, causing Mr. McMorran to lose his grip”, Mr. Webb said.
Glass slashed the man's head, but was caught soon
after by two members of the party and was arrested. Glass told police he had
intended to mug someone.
Mr Charles George,
for Glass, said he had a bad record and it would be unrealistic to suggest any
penalty other than prison. “He came to Folkestone
and fell in with Flynn, an older man with a far worse criminal record, and fell
under his influence. That day, they had been
drinking almost constantly, and although this is no defence, it is something to
bear in mind. Also in his past there are no incidents
of violence so this offence was out of character. When he comes out of prison he hopes to get a catering job
and agrees with his probation officer that he would be better living in a
hostel. He also hopes to get some qualifications while inside”.
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