Bouverie Arms 1970s - 1990s

Folkestone Gazette 5-2-1975

Local News

Two Folkestone public houses have won tankards in a national inter-pub competition to raise money for muscular dystrophy sufferers. The Martello Hotel raised a total of £300.25 and the Bouverie Arms, £111. A total of 550 houses throughout the country took part and raised £84,000. The winner, from Glasgow, was appropriately named the Muscular Arms. Customers there raised a mammoth £3,100, which was £800 more than their nearest rival. The contest was sponsored by Richard Attenborough.

Folkestone Herald 19-4-1975

Local News

Two men were taken to hospital on Thursday night after a fight in a town centre pub in which a knife was used. Folkestone ambulancemen took them to Kent and Can­terbury Hospital for treat­ment. The injured men later dis­charged themselves against doctor’s advice.

The incident took place at the Bouverie Arms in Cheriton Road. Police went to the pub. The landlady, Mrs. Chris­tine Foster, said yesterday “It was a very small thing. The police had to be called because I understand a knife was used. I was upstairs at the time and did not see what hap­pened”.

Police said that no complaint had been made in con­nection with the incident.

Folkestone Herald 2-8-1975

Local News

Peter Roger Sinclair, aged 27, of Victoria Road, Folkestone, was jailed for a total of 30 months at Maidstone Crown Court on Wed­nesday. He was found guilty of assaulting police constable Bruce Abbott in the execu­tion of his duty aand of assaulting him, causing him actual bodily harm. Sinclair admitted assault­ing Mr. Kenneth Tyrrell, causing actual bodily harm. He was cleared of wound­ing Mr. Tyrrell with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. It had been alleged that Sinclair had stabbed Mr. Tyrrell in the Bouverie Arms public house, Folkestone. The jury also acquitted Sin­clair of wounding Mr. Peter Arthur with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and wounding Mr. Stuart Hibbert with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

It had been alleged that Sinclair stabbed them while in a flat in Alexandra Gar­dens, Folkestone, on April 17. Most of the evidence was given last week when the jury heard about drug taking that went on in Folkestone. It was described by Sin­clair’s defence counsel, Mr. H.M. Boyd, as “the twilight world of the petty criminal drug addict”.

Sinclair, who made a state­ment from the dock, said he had taken drugs at the time he went to the Bouverie Arms. He was confused and mis­took Mr. Tyrrell for another man. There was a scuffle and he thought the man might have been stabbed with a dart. At the flat in Alexandra Gardens afterwards, Sinclair said, Arthur accused him of giving him heroin that was no good and threatened him with a chisel. Hibbert got between them, and the stabbings occurred. Sinclair said he never pro­duced a knife at any time. In an incident with police lie was struck with a trun­cheon.

Called by the defence to give evidence, Mr. Hibbert said on Monday that he was given a fix of tuinal when he went to Mr. Arthur’s flat on April 17. The effect caused him to fall back on to a chair and he passed out. When he came around Sinclair was arguing with Mr. Arthur. He jumped up between them in an attempt to stop them. A fight started and then he felt blood on his coat. He could not remember exactly what happened next, but he knew he had been stabbed. He did not know who did it.

Detective Sergeant John Heap said that Sinclair was released from prison in March of last year following a five-year sentence imposed for assault on a police officer in June, 1970.

Passing sentence, Judge James Scarlett said Sinclair had a bad record for offences of violence. Sinclair was given a 12 months sentence for the assault on Mr. Tyrrell; an 18 months sentence, consecutive, for assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty; and 12 months, concurrent with the 18 months, for the assault causing the officer actual bodily harm.

Folkestone Herald 22-11-1975

Local News

Two men took a sawn-off shotgun to a Folke­stone public house where they tried to sell it to the landlord as an antique, a court was told on Monday. But earlier one of them had tipped off the police who surrounded the pub, the Bouverie Arms, and found the shotgun hidden un­der a jacket, it was alleged at Canterbury Crown Court.

Before the court was 24-year-old Ronald William Har­rison, of Fairview Gardens, Sturry, Canterbury, who pleaded Guilty to possessing a firearm in August and pos­sessing a firearm within five years of release from prison. Harrison also pleaded Guilty to charges of possessing a controlled drug in Canter­bury in March and theft of two bottles of whisky from Sainsbury`s in Folkestone in August.

David Appleby, of Station Road, Lydd, who denied the offences of being in possession of a firearm and possessing one within five years of release from jail, together with a further charge of theft, was granted an adjournment before he stood trial, because his wife, described as an essential witness, was in hospital expecting a baby.

The Recorder, Mr. M.L.N. Chavasse, sentencing Harrison, told him “I accept that you had no connection with that horrible weapon except on the day in question. It is such a dreadful weapon that one cannot overlook your limited degree of possession, but I would have regarded it as quite different if your possession of it had been any greater”.

Harrison, who had appeared before the Courts on a number of previous occasions, was sentenced to three months concurrent on both the shotgun offences. For the theft from Sainsbury`s and possession of one Mandrax tablet he was also sent to prison for three months, to run consecutively to the first, and for two breaches of conditional discharges he was ordered to serve two months concurrently. A suspended sentence of 12 months for offences of dishonesty was brought into effect, making a total of 19 months.

Mr. Harry Turcan, prosecuting, said that the police received a telephone call from a man they were satisfied was Appleby saying that he had seen Harrison in possession of a shotgun. The police went to the Bouverie Arms, where they saw Harrison go in by a side door. The surrounded the pub and a short time later Harrison and Appleby came out and Harrison was concealing a sawn-off shotgun, which was in three parts. Earlier the same day the licensee of the pub had been approached by Appleby, who asked him if he wanted to buy an antique shotgun, and arrangements were made for Appleby to return to the pub with the gun. As soon as they showed it to the licensee he realised what it was and said he was not interested. The prosecution believed that Appleby was the prime mover in the attempt to sell the gun, said Mr. Turcan, and all that Harrison did was to carry it into the pub.

Mr. Edwin Glasgow, defending, saidHarrison seriously believed that the shotgun was an antique gun. For a considerable time Harrison had been addicted to drugs but he was now living with a woman who exerted “a remarkable influence” over him and helped him enormously.

Folkestone Herald 22-5-1976

Local News

A 23-year-old former Folkestone man was jailed for two years at Margate Crown Court on Friday after being convicted of two firearm offences.

David Patrick Appleby, of King Street, Brenzett, denied possessing a sawn-off shotgun on August 23 without a proper certificate and having the weapon within five years of being released from prison. He was jailed for 15 months concurrently for each offence, and a nine month suspended sentence of which he was in breach was brought consecutively into effect.

Mr. C. Hookway, prosecuting, said the double-barrelled gun was of Belgian origin and in working order. The barrel had been shortened to just under 12 inches and the butt shortened to form a pistol grip. “This makes it a very serious offence”, he said. “Sawn-off shotguns should not be in the hands of the general public”. Appleby, with a man called Harrison, spoke to Mr. Peter Buckland, the landlord of the Bouverie Arms public house in Cheriton Road, Folkestone, about lunchtime on August 23. “Appleby asked him if he wanted to buy an antique shotgun and Mr. Buckland told him to return with it that evening at opening time”, said Mr. Hookway. Harrison later returned and asked Mr. Buckland to go to look at the gun in a car park, but he said “No” and closed the door. Ten minutes later both Harrison and Appleby were outside. Appleby told Harrison to close the curtains then produced a plastic carrier bag containing the weapon in two pieces”, said Mr. Hookway. He put it together but Mr. Buckland was not interested. “He said he was not going to buy a gun of that sort”, continued Mr. Hookway. “He called them a taxi, and when they got outside they were stopped by the police”. Ronald Harrison was currently serving a three month sentence for similar offences.

Harrison told the Court he went to Appleby`s flat, then at Marine Crescent, Folkestone, and there he saw the gun which they took to the Bouverie Arms.

Appleby claimed the gun was Harrison`s, and told the Court that when he knew about it he telephoned the police to warn them.

Sergeant William Wharf said “I had a telephone call about 3.30 p.m. at Folkestone police station and recognised the voice as Appleby`s. He said “You know I don`t like shooters. Ronnie Harrison is running around with a sawn-off shotgun in a carrier bag. I don`t want to get involved””.

Appleby told the jury Harrison had first approached him to sell him drugs then asked if he wanted to buy the gun. “I wasn`t interested”, he said. “I telephoned the police and told them about it, then just tagged along with Harri­son. He carried the gun and assembled it but I had nothing to do with it. Up till then I wasn’t expecting to be arrested and was very frustrated when I was”.

Appleby was said to have a number of previous convic­tions.

Folkestone Gazette 4-8-1976

Local News

A labourer was told he had behaved in a disgraceful way after he was found not guilty of assaulting a police officer by Folkestone Magis­trates on Friday. Twenty-six-year-old Michael Bullard, of Montgomery Way, Folkestone, had pleaded Not Guilty. Presiding magistrate Mr. John Bonomy said "We would like to put it on record that you have behaved in a disgraceful way. You could have done a lot more to avoid this inci­dent and the trouble that everyone has been put to. We lay no criticism at all on the police in the way they dealt with this matter. You can consider yourself a very lucky man because you are having your case dis­missed in this manner”.

P.C. Ronald Wright said he went to the Bouverie Arms public house where he was asked to intervene in an inci­dent by the licensee, Mr. George Buckland. P.C. Wright, who told Bul­lard to leave the pub three times, said “A number of men were on the floor and Bullard started accusing the licensee of pushing his friends around. He was using abusive language and waving a fìnger in the licensee’s face. The third time I tried to persuade him by grabbing hold of his left arm. When I did so he twisted and tried to get out of my grip. He swung back and his forearm caught me in the chest”.

Mr. Buckland told the Magistrates that he thought Bullard's action was accidental. “He did not like being manhandled and just pulled away from the police officer”, he said.

Bullard said “I hit the officer by accident as I pulled away”.

Folkestone Herald 23-2-1980

Local News

Window cleaner Leonard White stood in the middle of a busy Folkestone street waving his arms about and shouting obscenities at passers-by. A policeman stopped White going into the Bouverie Arms Hotel, in Cheriton Road, Folkestone, and told him to go home. But White, of Augusta Gardens, Folkestone, refused and swore at the officer. He appeared before Folkestone Magistrates` Court on Tuesday and admitted being drunk and disorderly on Saturday, February 9. He was fined £5.

White, 33, said he had been drinking heavily for about 18 years and needed medical treatment. “I am going to see a doctor for treatment and try to get the help of Alcoholics Anonymous”, he said. “I will do my best to lead a respectable life and not do it again”.

Folkestone Herald 18-4-1981

Local News

Charrington Bass pubs in Folkestone have been hit by a drayman`s strike at the Canterbury depot. Draymen are strijing because of what a spokesman described as an internal dispute. The strike is expected to last until after Easter, and deliveries to three Charrington Bass pubs in Folkestone have been affected.

Mr. Clive Simpson, of the London and Paris said “We are all right at the moment and we will get through Easter, but I don`t know what will happen after that”.

Mr. Michael Wildey, manager of the Bouverie Arms, said “We are well-stocked and will survive Easter, a very busy period”.

South Kent Gazette 17-2-1982

Annual Licensing Sessions

Publicans` applications for transfer agreed by the Bench include: The Black Bull, Folkestone (music and dancing); Bouverie Arms, Folkestone; Honest Lawyer, Folkestone; Old Harbour Crab and Oyster House (extension to cover restaurant area); Royal George, Folkestone. Approval of plans to alter Folkestone`s Pullman Wine Bar was given.

Folkestone Herald 3-1-1986

Local News

Pub landlord David Robinson was let down badly on Saturday after thugs slashed two tyres on his Ford Granada car. The vehicle was parked near Mr. Robinson`s Bouverie Arms pub in Folkestone`s Cheriton Road and damage done will cost £120 to repair.

Folkestone Herald 6-3-1987

Local News

A man had his £500 gold bracelet stolen from him in a pub on Sunday night. Mr. Albert King, of Connaught Road, Folke­stone, was at the Bouverie Arms when two strangers admired his bracelet and offered to buy it from him. Mr. King left the bracelet with the men as he went to the toilet, and when he returned they had disappeared with his jewellery.

Folkestone Herald 28-8-1987

Local News

Vandals caused £40 damage to a window at the Bouverie Arms pub, in Bouverie Road West, Folkestone.

Folkestone Herald 24-6-1988

Local News

Pint-size grandmother Jeanne Robey is clean, well-dressed and politely spoken. Yet she is banned from at least five pubs in Folkestone alone. As soon as she walks into the bar, customers and publicans threaten her, call her names, refuse to serve her, and then demand that she leaves. Her crime? The 5ft 2ins gran works on a P&O cross-Channel ferry.

The 46-year-old grandma was a geriatric nurse for eight years before ac­cepting a job with the ferry company last May when money ran short.

Now, the extra cash in her pocket has meant that Jeanne has to pay heavily in another way. Once a bar assistant and regular in a handful of pubs in Folkestone’s town cen­tre, she is now booted out of those same drinking holes, threatened with vicious beatings and vulgar jibes.

This week, after hearing of her story, the Herald insisted on checking the facts.

On Monday, usually a quiet night, Jeanne and I walked into The Earl Grey in the Old High Street and quietly asked for a drink. Minutes later we were hand-clapped out of the pub. Even before we reached the counter, a young man sitting in the comer got up, and told the landlady “Don’t serve her, she’s a scab”. The landlady then refused to serve us, saying “You’re not welcome in here. I’m on strike and it’s against my morals to serve you”. We left.

At the Portland in Langhome Gardens, landlord Brian Godfrey immediately refus­ed to serve us, saying “Jeanne, you know you’re not allowed in here”. When asked why, he said “She causes too much aggravation”.

But the worst treatment came at the Bouverie Arms at Cheriton Road, Folke­stone. As soon as we walked through the door, a customer sitting near the doorway, yelled “F.... scab” at Jeanne. As we walked towards the bar, he continued swearing and shouted “You’re not allowed in here. Get out”. We were refused drinks at the bar, and as we walked out, a customer threatened “If you come back, I’ll get the whole pub to walk out.” Genuinely afraid, Jeanne left immediate­ly. I then asked the man why he treated Jeanne like that. He said “She’s a scab. She knows she’s not allowed in here. This is not a pub for scabs. If she stays in here, I’ll get the whole pub out. I’ve done it before, and I know they’ll walk out again if I told them. Scabs don’t drink in here”.

Jeanne was convinced we could drink at The Imperial, in Black Bull Road. She’d worked there as a barmaid and had known landlord Mr. Vic Clark as a friend for 20 years. She was wrong. As we walked in, the pub went quiet. The landlord told Jeanne “I can’t serve you. I’m on the line. I’ve got the boys in here”.

Jeanne says she can count another four pubs in Folkestone who have also banned her. Bitter Jeanne said “I have lived in this town all my life. My father had a tobac­conists shop in Tontine Street for over 50 years. Now I am being threatened and always have to watch my back. It is terrible that P&O workers have to be careful where they drink. Surely in this free country, people who want to work should be allowed to without recrimina­tions”, she said.

Folkestone Herald 16-9-1999

Local News

A derelict old pub has become a colourful children`s nursery with one wave of owner Nola Yarney`s magical wand. “I`m known as the Peter Pan of Folkestone”, said Mrs. Yarney, who has been in the nursery business for 37 years. “They think I`m going to stay young forever and just keep going”.

It took slightly longer than a wave to restore the Bouverie Arms to accommodate children from the Millfield Nursery, but it has now been completely transformed. “It was just an empty shell when we started. Now there is everything a child could possibly dream of – it really is a house for children”. With different play areas, sand pits and computer rooms, as well as a pet corner and library, children are not short of stimulation. The nursery opened on Wednesday, and there will be an open evening for parents on Tuesday.

The project ran smoothly until one Saturday three weeks ago, when the original Bouveria Arms sign was stolen. “These signs are worth about £500. We have had to have a new one made of aluminium, which will go up very shortly”, said Mrs. Yarney.

The nursery is for children aged three to five, while an all-day Saturday Club caters for children up to 10. For details contact Mrs. Yarney on 01303 251060.