South Kent Gazette
10-9-1980
Local News
Tempers frayed at a meeting of pub landlords. Two
members stormed out at the end of the Licensed Victuallers-
Association meeting at the Swan Inn, Sellindge, on Wednesday afternoon amid
scenes described as “chaotic” and “farcical”.
Host Mr. Bill Corne, landlord of the Swan, told the Herald
and Gazette “I had to shout at one member to shut him up. He was drunk when he
arrived at the meeting. I threatened to cancel the meeting and sling them all
out”.
And Mr. Chas Croft, landlord of the Gate Inn, Hythe, said “As the most
junior person present, I was rather embarrassed to see my elders and betters
behave in the way they did”. He said the two men wanted the LVA to
do things which are impossibilities. “They were unfortunately very inebriated
and shouting at the same time. The members didn’t discuss anything relevant and
made a load of fools of themselves. It was a typical farce”.
After the meeting Mr Brian Adams, landlord of the White Lion in
Cheriton, resigned from the L.V.A. committee for what he later described as
“purely personal reasons which I don’t really want to discuss”.
However, L.V.A. chairman Mr John Mees, of Botolph’s Bridge, Hythe,
denied there had been a row
Several other landlords declined to comment and Mr John Barrington,
landlord of the Castle Inn, Folkestone, who also is believed to have resigned
from the L.V.A. after the meeting, was unavailable for comment.
South Kent Gazette
18-11-1981
Local News
A pub in Cheriton has been branded as “pretty scruffy”
and advised not to open until the place is cleaned up. The White Lion pub, in
Cheriton High Street, was inspected by a Shepway District Council health
officer on Friday. The following day the pub was shut for business and a sign
stating “Closed until further notice” had been placed in a front window. “It
was a general inspection and the officer found the place pretty scruffy”, said
Mr. John Button, Shepway`s Environmental Health Manager. It was suggested that
until equipment and fittings could be thoroughly cleansed the pub should not
open for business, Mr. Button added.
Pub landlord, Mr. Bryan Adams, is believed to be away on holiday at the moment and a relief publican is looking after the
place.
In a letter to the
occupier of the pub it was “intimated” that if the place was not cleaned legal
action would be taken under the public health act, Mr Button said. It is basically food and hygiene facilities relating to the
kitchen and bars which are causing concern. The
health officer will visit the pub again today to see what progress has been made. He gave the pub two working days to clean
up.
The Gazette was unable
to get hold of the relief landlord for comments before going to press and on
Monday a spokesman for Whitbread Fremlins Ltd said the company knew nothing
about the matter.
Folkestone Herald
20-11-1981
Local News
A pub shut because it was a potential health hazard
reopened on Wednesday after the landlord cut short his holiday in Spain. Mr.
Bryan Adams returned to the White Lion, Cheriton High Street, after Shepway
District Council health officials advised the relief publican to close last
Friday until the premises were cleaned up.
A council spokesman told the Herald and Gazette that following discussions with Mr Adams on Wednesday morning, no
objections were raised to the pub reopening to customers. Officials
recommended several improvements which could be made to the White Lion’s
general basic cleanliness and will re-inspect the premises in about a
fortnight.
Mr Adams said later
there is nothing to worry about regarding conditions at the pub. “My local customers will agree that I have always kept up high
standards. The pub was not in a state, officials just raised a few points regarding
part of the premises which were not being used. These
things do happen and the relief landlord knew nothing about it. I was the only
one who was able to sort this problem out. The are quite happy now”.
Mr. Adams flew back
from Torremolinos on the first available flight after hearing about the
situation, cutting short his holiday after only four days.
South Kent Gazette
3-2-1982
Local News
The landlord at the centre of a dirty kitchen row is
almost certain to quit. But rumours that Brian Adams, of the White Lion,
Cheriton, is being thrown out by the brewery, Whitbread Fremlin Ltd., were
strongly denied on Monday. A spokesman said he understands Mr. Adams has asked
to leave and has apparently got another business in Spain.
The pub was shut for a few days last November after being
inspected by one of Shepway District Council`s health officers. The place was
cleaned up and as far as the Council is concerned the incident is now closed.
When the Herald and Gazette telephoned the pub on Monday, two men, who both
refused to give their names, said Mr. Adams is away on holiday in Spain. They
are running the pub while Mr. Adams is away. “It is doing marvellously well”,
said one of the men.
Shepway`s Environmental Health manager, Mr. John Button,
said his department was satisfied, after work carried out in November, that the
premises were up to “a reasonable standard”.
When Mr. Adams moved into the pub in 1979 he said he was
determined to get rid of its bad image and make it a really good entertainment
centre.
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| Photo from Folkestone Herald |
Folkestone Herald
10-7-1987
Local News
Barry Chamberlain, popular guv`nor at Cheriton`s White Lion pub, did not
need asking twice when invited to take part in a charity banger race at Coombe
Valley Circuit, Dover. The White Lion has sponsored local driver Dermot Walsh
for several years, and on Sunday Barry lined up with more than twenty other
licensees from all over Kent and London, helping to raise over £2,000 for bone
marrow research at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
“It was good fun”, said Barry on Monday. “I came nowhere, of course, but
the place was crowded and everyone had a good day. I promise I`ll do better
next year!”
The annual event was started in memory of Ian Saunders, a junior banger
racing champion from Canterbury, who died of leukaemia at the age of 16.
Folkestone Herald
1-7-1988
Local News
Twenty-first birthday celebrations for Patrick Dunn ended
in bloodshed when he was savagely attacked with a pool cue in a pub. Patrick,
from Cheriton High Street, was playing pool with three men he met last Saturday
night in the White Lion in Cheriton. He was suddenly set upon by one of the
players and beaten repeatedly over the head with a cue. The trio then picked up
their coats and walked out, leaving Mr. Dunn covered in blood on the pub floor.
A barmaid at the White Lion said “It all happened so
quickly. We`d never seen the three men before and they ran out after the
attack. The one who had been hit was very badly hurt”.
Patrick was drinking from a pint glass when he was
attacked and this was smashed into his face by the cue. He was rushed to the
William Harvey Hospital with serious head and facial injuries.
“It was a violent and unprovoked attack”, said Folkestone
C.I.D. “He could have been killed. We`d like to hear from anyone who witnessed
it”.
One of the men was described as about 35, 5ft 7ins and
stockily built. He was unshaven and had short black hair. He was wearing a blue
and white striped shirt. Another was 5ft 8ins of medium build. He had fair
collar length hair and a white shirt with a collar.
Anyone with information should contact Detective Trevor
Smith of Folkestone C.I.D.
Folkestone Herald
15-7-1988
Local News
Thirsty summer drinkers in Shepway will have
to wait for all-day pub openings because of a Whitehall glitch. The Government has been forced to delay the controversial new licensing
laws until September 1. This has been
caused by a technical problem at the Home Office which means present “last
orders” for another two months. Then pubs
will be able to serve alcohol from 11a.m. to 11p.m. all week. But not all Shepway landlords reckon it will be worth the bother.
Horace Brickell from the East Cliff Tavern
said “It’s a great idea for some pubs, but for the ones in restricted areas,
like us, it’s not much good.
Where we are placed, it won’t make any difference and it will be a waste
of time staying open”.
William Taylor, landlord of the
Pullman Wine Bar and chairman of the Folkestone and District Licensed Victuallers
Association, said "There is some confusion, but no-one is forced to stay
open. They will be able to choose the hours that suit them.” Mr. Taylor said there were mixed feelings about the changes. “Pubs in busy areas are welcoming them but small, rural or out-of-the-way
places are indifferent. Personally,
I’m in favour. I think it will give flexibility to the licensee and the public. I don’t
think it will cause more drunkenness because people only have a certain amount
of money to spend each week. And I don’t mind the extra hours
involved because we will get extra staff which will help the dole queue”.
Barry Chamberlain from the White Lion in
Cheriton agrees. He said “I
think it’s about time change was made. Pubs will become much more suitable for
families, and will be more like restaurants. We will try to stay open all day. We are just about to redecorate the pub with the new freedom in mind”.
Michael Norris from the East Kent Arms told us
“I’ve accepted that the new laws are coming, although I have mixed feelings about them. I think it’s a shame we are not being allowed to stay open later at night
rather than all afternoon. Of course we
will be making full use of the new hours and will try to serve food all day.
It’s all right for us because we are so centrally placed”.
Eileen Lewis from The Guildhall in The Bayle
summed up the feelings of most landlords when she said “If I’m making money,
I’ll stay open”. She added
“It’s all right for more central pubs, but I can’t see us staying open in
winter. The brewery has asked us to give it a
three-month trial period. Like other pubs, we’ll just have to feel our way when
the change comes”.
Folkestone Herald
26-8-1988
Local News
Pubs in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh will continue
with the time-honoured cry “Time, please” despite the big shake-up in pub hours
this week.
Some will “test the beer” with all-day opening, but most landlords
contacted by the Herald felt there wasn’t the demand, and that they would be
out-of-pocket if they had to pay staff to man empty bars.
Martin Foulkes, landlord of the Clarendon, Tontine
Street, Folkestone, said “I run a night pub really. I do not have enough customers
during the day to keep it open. It just would not make sense. On Fridays and
Saturdays I might stay open in the afternoon; it depends on how many people we have in”.
At the Guildhall, The Bayle, Folkestone, landlady Eileen Lewis said “I am
waiting to see how it goes. I might stay open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday,
but only if we are busy”.
The White Lion, Cheriton, is going to be open all day, every day except
Tuesdays and Sundays. “There are plenty of workers who finish their shifts in
the afternoon who will come here for a drink”, said the landlord.
Kent’s biggest brewery, Shepherd Neame,
welcomed tie change. Chairman Robert Neame said “It is a victory for common sense.
The new laws provide licensees with an opportunity to improve their trading”.
Folkestone Herald
17-3-1989
Advertising Feature
The old White Lion pub in Cheriton has opened with a new
name and a new look. It is now called Banjo`s and puts much more prominence on
food. There are regular bands and plenty of good beer.
Landlord Barry Chamberlain said “We have been closed for
six weeks. Basically there`s been a complete change at the pub. There is a
restaurant at the back of the pub now and one double-size bar”. He says he
hopes to push the food more as an attraction. “We serve traditional English
food and can boast a wide range on offer. It`s quality food at reasonable
prices. Sunday night will be band night, when we will be having the best bands
you can find in the area”, said Mr. Chamberlain.
The pub is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with the
restaurant cooking good food practically all the time. Barry and wife Lyn
always extend a warm welcome to their customers, and the White Lion has been a
popular place for many years. Now under it`s new name it is set to stay just as
successful – if not much better. So why not pop along to the end of Cheriton
high Street if you fancy some decent food and drink?
Folkestone Herald
25-8-1994
Local News
Live music will go on being played at a pub despite
complaints from neighbours. Four of them told Shepway District Council they
were fed up with the noise from bands playing at the White Lion pub, Cheriton.
Licensing officers, who visited the inn several times, said
noise was very loud inside the building and on nearby streets. But landlord
Tony Leeves appealed for permission to keep live bands at the pub, saying it
was historically known for such entertainment. Bands were vital for attracting
customers, he added.
Entertainments licensing committee members asked how Mr.
Leeves could reduce noise escaping from the pub. Shifting the performance
stage, building a small entrance foyer and secondary glazing were among
possibilities. Mr. Leeves explained. He had asked environmental health officers
for help.
Peter Wells, Assistant Director of Health, recognised
steps the landlord had taken to find out how he could improve things and said
if he carried out alterations and closely monitored noise neighbours should not
suffer unreasonable disturbance. The committee renewed the licence for six
months instead of the usual year.
Folkestone Herald
29-12-1994
Local News
A youth who persistently committed offences while on bail
has been given nine months in a young offenders` institution. Scott Keeler, 18,
was finally kept in custody after he and an accomplice were trapped in a pub
cellar they intended to steal from.
Keeler, of Wood Avenue, Folkestone, admitted theft,
aggravated vehicle taking, burglary and driving without insurance. He asked for
five other offences to be taken into consideration.
Maureen O`Connor, prosecuting, said a number of vehicles
were broken into in Deal on March 14 and items were stolen. Property worth £300
was also stolen from a shed. Keeler was later arrested with two other youths
and then granted bail. In June he took a car from Linden Crescent, Folkestone.
Police followed at speeds up to 60 m.p.h., and eventually caught him in Green
Lane, where he had crashed into a wall and written the car off. Again he was
bailed and more offences were committed. On September 4 he and three others
stole five bottles of alcohol from a supermarket. When interviewed, Keeler said
“We just thought we would have a laugh and a couple of bottles”. When released
on bail for the final time he and another youth broke into the White Lion pub
at Cheriton. The landlord was woken by the burglar alarm and on seeing that the
cellar hatch was open closed it and put beer kegs on top, trapping the thieves
inside. They were tyhen arrested.
Johnathan Higgs, defending, said it must have been a
surprise to Keeler when he was finally refused bail. He had been in custody for
three months and no longer felt he was leading a clever way of life.
Noting that Keeler committed the offences to impress his
friends, Judge Michael Nelligan said they were so serious that only a custodial
sentence could be passed.
Folkestone Herald 2-2-1995
Local News
Plans to extend pub opening hours on Sundays have failed
to cheer local landlords. “No thanks” was the reply from most Shepway publicans
asked about the controversial move.
Prime Minister John Major wants to scrap the law that forces
pubs to close between 3 and 7 p.m., leaving them free to open from noon until
10.30 p.m.
But many hard-working pub owners are already calling time
on the idea, saying their extra time off on Sundays was “sacrosanct”.
Tony Leeves, owner of the White Lion, in Cheriton High
Street, said “With most publicans Sunday afternoons are the only time they get
to sit down and have a normal lunch, with an extra hour to relax. My Sunday
afternoons are sacrosanct and I like being able to relax for an extra hour and enjoy
my Sunday roast and Yorkshire pudding”. Mr. Leeves already works from 8 a.m. to
11 p.m. every day except Sundays, and he says he will probably not open for the
extra hours. “If the business is to be had I`m all for going out and getting
it, but people only have so much money to spend”, he added. “If you divide that
amount by hours, it just means less money is spent per hour”.
Landlord James Hawkings said his regulars at The Happy
Frenchman, in Christ Church Road, Folkestone, thought little of the proposal.
“Most men come out for a drink at Sunday lunchtime, but have to get back to
their wives for their lunch afterwards”. He intends to stay shut between 3 and
7 p.m. and does not believe trade will suffer as a result. Pubs benefitting
from the longer hours would be those in the countryside selling meals, and
those on the seafront, he said.
A Home Office official said the Government hoped to
change the law by the end of the year. The proposals include letting
off-licences sell alcohol from 10 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.. And supermarkets could do
the same for six continuous hours on Sundays.
Folkestone Herald
16-2-1995
Local News
A pub landlord has promised to cut down the noise from
his live music nights. Neighbours of the White Lion in Cheriton High Street
complained last year about the noise coming from the building when bands played
there. Shepway Council renewed landlord Tony Leeves` indoor entertainment
licence for six months and have monitored the situation since. Now they have
said he can go on holding the Thursday and Friday night events for another six
months at least. But members of the licensing sub-committee said he must try to
have a porch built in front of the pub – work Mr. Leeves said the owner of the
building was prepared to undertake. But he added “I do feel this has been blown
out of all proportion by one complainant whose complaint has not been
justified”.
The main protestor is a woman living in Risborough Lane
but Mr. Leeves said she exaggerated how badly the noise penetrated her home.
“In her first letter she said she could hear the music above the sound of the
TV, but I`ve spoken to several noise consultants and they say that`s
impossible”.
Senior licensing officer, John McEwan, visited the woman
in her home and said the music could be heard indoors with a window open, but
not with the window shut. No meter readings of noise levels in the house were
taken, and Mr. Leeves said he believed these were necessary if the complaint
were to be justified. Since the last licence renewal he has secured windows so
they cannot be opened on music nights and has carried out sound insulation of
the stage area. But the licensing sub-committee was most concerned about noise
escaping when customers opened doors on entering and leaving. This would be
reduced if a porch was built. Police told the Council before the latest meeting
it had received several complaints about noise from the White Lion, but later
said this was an error on their part and there had actually been no such complaints.
The sub-committee said if more neighbours complained an
officer would take readings of noise levels as evidence.
Folkestone Herald
17-10-1996
Local News
Some God-fearing folk have found a new venue in which to
celebrate their faith. Last week the Herald reported that a branch of the
Christian Community Church had started to meet every week – in a pub. And, on
Sunday, more than 30 of the Church members met before opening time at the White
Lion, Cheriton. However, the worshippers stress that although they are turning
an ale house into a house of God, they have not swapped bread and wine for
snacks and beer.
Ally Kay, 35, who runs the Church with his wife, Nicky,
also 35, said “All Churches have a responsibility to reach out to the
community. People who wouldn`t normally go to Church feel comfortable in a pub.
We felt it was the right way to worship. It`s a nice pub and we are welcomed by
the staff”.
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| Photo from Folkestone Herald |
Folkestone Herald
14-8-1997
Advertising Feature
All kinds of changes have been underway at the White
Lion.
Landlady Ruth Smith has undertaken an extensive
refurbishment to create the perfect setting for special occasions and a warm
welcome whether you pop in for a drink, enjoy a meal or stay the night. There
are four double bedrooms available. Ruth, who has owned the White Lion for the
last three months, has worked in the trade for 40 years, owning or managing
various pubs, night clubs and restaurants, including The Hotel Tresillian in
Margate, Sam`s Nightclub in Portsmouth, and The Station Bar in Helensburgh,
Scotland.
The White Lion was originally a hotel, and is remembered
for a visit by King George V, who stayed there for a night on his way back to
London after First World War victory.
Ruth Smith is known for producing cakes for special
occasions, especially for the beautiful wedding cakes which are made to order.
To complement this, the White Lion offers a function room for up to 100 people
to cater for events such as parties, weddings and christenings. Bookings are
already being taken for Christmas outings and parties.
The White Lion has a restaurant, seating up to 36 people,
which features Sunday Lunch for just £3.95. Needless to say, you should book in
advance, as it is extremely popular. On a livelier note, there is karaoke every
Tuesday night, and happy hours every Tuesday evening between 6 and 8 p.m.
An extra feature is tucked away at the rear of the pub,
where there is a very popular cafe with easy parking facilities. It serves a
full English breakfast from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at just £2.40, or a Jumbo
Breakfast for £3. There is a full menu available, which is added to by daily
specials.
Folkestone Herald
18-6-1998
Maidstone Crown court
A man who had gone along to a pub karaoke evening was
kicked unconscious by wedding party thugs who had spilled out of a private
function room into the bar.
Alastair Walker, prosecuting, told how, from being
irritating, their behaviour developed into something far worse as everyone
gathered outside at closing time waiting for lifts. It was then, he said, that
John Newland, who had gone along for an evening out at the White Lion, Cheriton
High Street, Folkestone, was asked by the groom “Did you call my missus a
w****r?” “This was a question which was unfounded and designed to provoke
trouble”, said Mr. Walker. A bottle was smashed over his head and he was
surrounded by wedding party guests, who set about punching and kicking him. An
attempt to make a break for it was thwarted when he was tripped up and again
kicked as he fell to the ground.
Richard Norris, 20, of Joyes Road, Folkestone, Roy
Jackson, 20, of Manorfield, Singleton, Ashford, and his brother, John Jackson,
23, of Cambridge Gardens, Folkestone all pleaded Not Guilty to malicious
wounding on November 6, 1996, when they appeared at Maidstone Crown Court.
Mr. Walker said the attack only ended when someone called
out that the police were coming, but, despite this, Roy Jackson, who had left with
the others, returned to carry out what he called “an act of gratuitous
violence”, jumping on Mr. Newland, who at that stage was down and almost out.
He regained consciousness hours later after being taken to the William Harvey
Hospital, where he had to have six stitches for a cut above his right eye, and
was found to be badly bruised.
Mr. Newland told the Court that the attack had been
completely unprovoked and how, after the bottle was smashed over his head, he
was punched and kicked. He remembered being pushed against the pub wall, when
his only recollection was of a flurry of boots and shoes kicking out at him.
Mr. Walker said it was the Crown`s claim that the three
defendants were among those to surround and kick Mr. Newland, although conceded
it was probably not one of them who smashed the bottle over his head.
The trial continues.
Folkestone Herald
25-6-1998
Maidstone Crown Court
Three thugs who attacked and beat a man in a pub where
they were attending a wedding reception have been jailed.
John Newland was beaten senseless while attending a
karaoke evening at the White Lion, in Cheriton high Street, in November, 1996.
A trial heard how Mr. Newland was surrounded by drunken
guests from a wedding party being held on the premises. A bottle was smashed
over his head, he was punched and kicked and when he tried to make a break for
it he was tripped and again kicked as he fell to the ground. He woke up in
hospital after being knocked unconscious.
Appearing at Maidstone Crown Court, John Jackson, 23, of
Cambridge Gardens, Folkestone, admitted affray and assault causing actual
bodily harm, and was jailed for a total of six months.
His younger brother, Roy Jackson, 20, of Manorfield,
Singleton, Ashford, was sentenced to a total of 12 months in a young offender
institution for malicious wounding and a public order offence.
Richard Norris, 20, of Joyes Road, Folkestone, was
convicted of wounding Mr. Newland and was sent to a young offender institution
for six months.
Mr. Newland told the Court the attack had been completely
unprovoked. He remembered being pushed against the pub wall and then his only
recollection was a flurry of boots and shoes kicking out at him. He needed six
stitches to a cut over his right eye.
Alistair Walker, prosecuting, told the jury that the
three defendants were among those to surround and kick Mr. Newland, although it
was probably not one of them who smashed the bottle over his head.
Counsel for all three defendants, who had denied the
offences, said they agreed that their behaviour had been unacceptable and
inappropriate. All of them had undergone a complete change in lifestyle since
the offence and all were now in stable relationships.
But Assistant Recorder Peter Wallis said the offences
were so serious that only custody was appropriate.
Folkestone Herald
16-7-1998
Toby Jugs
Has anyone been to the White Lion, Cheriton, recently?
Does it exist? The number in the Yellow Pages doesn`t work and it is not listed
in directory inquiries. Instead Jugs got through to a middle-aged lady. “Is
that the pub?”, Jugs asked. “Wish it was!”, came the reply. Please call us,
landlord, wherever you are!
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