Memories from the pubs in and around Folkestone, with contemporary newspaper reports.
Thanks And Acknowledgements
My thanks go to Kent Libraries and Archives - Folkestone Library and also to the archive of the Folkestone Herald. For articles from the Folkestone Observer, my thanks go to the Kent Messenger Group. Southeastern Gazette articles are from UKPress Online, and Kentish Gazette articles are from the British Newspaper Archive. See links below.
Paul Skelton`s great site for research on pubs in Kent is also linked
Other sites which may be of interest are the Folkestone and District Local History Society, the Kent History Forum, Christine Warren`s fascinating site, Folkestone Then And Now, and Step Short, where I originally found the photo of the bomb-damaged former Langton`s Brewery, links also below.
Paul Skelton`s great site for research on pubs in Kent is also linked
Other sites which may be of interest are the Folkestone and District Local History Society, the Kent History Forum, Christine Warren`s fascinating site, Folkestone Then And Now, and Step Short, where I originally found the photo of the bomb-damaged former Langton`s Brewery, links also below.
Welcome
Welcome to Even More Tales From The Tap Room.
Core dates and information on licensees tenure are taken from Martin Easdown and Eamonn Rooney`s two fine books on the pubs of Folkestone, Tales From The Tap Room and More Tales From The Tap Room - unfortunately now out of print. Dates for the tenure of licensees are taken from the very limited editions called Bastions Of The Bar and More Bastions Of The Bar, which were given free to very early purchasers of the books.
Easiest navigation of the site is by clicking on the PAGE of the pub you are looking for and following the links to the different sub-pages. Using the LABELS is, I`m afraid, not at all user-friendly.
Contrast Note
Whilst the above-mentioned books and supplements represent an enormous amount of research over many years, it is almost inevitable that further research will throw up some differences to the published works. Where these have been found, I have noted them. This is not intended to detract in any way from previous research, but merely to indicate that (possible) new information is available.
Contribute
If you have any anecdotes or photographs of the pubs featured in this Blog and would like to share them, please mail me at: jancpedersen@googlemail.com.
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If you`ve enjoyed your visit here, why not buy me a pint, using the button at the end of the "Labels" section?
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Saturday, 28 February 2015
Updates
28th February, 2015: Folkestone Gazetter Reports 1965 - 1969 Added
White Lion (2) 1960s
Folkestone Gazette
14-3-1962
Townsman`s Diary
Mrs. Faith Goldsack, of 21, Chilham Road, Cheriton,
writes to tell me that before the existing White Lion building at Cheriton
there was another. “It was owned by my late husband`s grandfather, Henry
Baldock”, writes Mrs. Goldsack, who states that there was a statue of a white
lion in front of the inn. “I believe the statue is still in the possession of
one of the family”, she continues. For many years Mrs. Goldsack had a
photograph of the old inn, but it was loaned to someone and not returned. “My late husband asked for it several times, and just
before he died in August, 1957, he said he would have liked to have had the
picture back. I would also like to have it for my son and his family”, adds
Mrs. Goldsack.
Should the person who
has the picture see this note perhaps they will be good enough to return it to
Mrs. Goldsack.
Folkestone Herald
3-11-1962
Local News
An intruder, who smashed a window at the back of the
White Lion Hotel, Cheriton, on Wednesday afternoon, stole £13 from the till in
the private bar.
Folkestone Gazette
21-11-1962
Local News
Said to have broken into a Cheriton public house and
stolen £11 12/6, Michael Lynch, of Milton Barracks, Gravesend, was sent for
trial by Folkestone Magistrates on Friday to Folkestone Quarter Sessions in
January.
Lynch, who was remanded in custody, told the Court “If I
was given the opportunity I would like to pay all this money back. I an very
sorry all this has happened”.
Mr. Norman Franks, prosecuting, said that on the
afternoon of October 31st the White Lion Hotel, Cheriton, was
locked, but left unoccupied. At 6.05 p.m. Mrs. Irene Poole, who was looking
after the hotel while the licensee, Mr. Reginald Peters, her brother, was away,
returned and found that a window at the back of the bar had been smashed and
glass scattered all over the floor. It was later found that money totalling £11
12/6 was missing. Lynch was interviewed subsequently by D.C. Brian Fowler. At
first he denied knowing anything about the offence, but later admitted that he
did. D.C. Fowler said that Lynch made a statement to him, saying that he broke
a window at the White Lion Hotel at about 2.45 p.m. on October 31st.
Inside he took money from the till and also 5/- in halfpennies from a shelf.
When he got outside he threw the halfpennies away. He gave £9 to his wife for
housekeeping and spent the rest himself.
Folkestone Gazette
12-2-1964
Local News
First attempt to build up a pile of pennies at the White
Lion, Cheriton, resulted in £11 5/- being obtained for the British Empire
Cancer Campaign. The pile was knocked over by Ald. Wilfred Harris on Friday
evening.
Photo from Folkestone Gazette |
Folkestone Herald 3-4-1965
Local News
Mr. William (Billy) Banks retired as barman at the
London and Paris Hotel, Folkestone, on Wednesday. He had been there for the
past nine years.
The customers contributed to a parting gift and presented
him with an electric razor on his last night at the bar. The landlord, Mr. A. Wells, gave him £10, and his wife presented him with £5.
Mr. Banks, who is 68,
has been a barman for 45 years. Before going to the London and Paris he worked at
the White Lion, Cheriton, and the Swan Hotel, Hythe. Mr. Banks lives with his
sister in Radnor Park Crescent, Folkestone.
Folkestone Gazette
1-2-1967
Local News
Mrs. A. Peters, wife of the landlord of the White Lion
Hotel, Cheriton, pushed over £12 5s. in pennies last Tuesday. The money went to
the British Empire Cancer Campaign for Research.
Photo from Folkestone Gazette |
Folkestone Herald 14-9-1968
Obituary
Mr. Herbert Joseph Samway, former landlord of the White Lion Hotel, Cheriton,
for 22 years, died recently after a long illness. Bert
Samway, as he was known by his wide circle of friends and acquaintances, had
lived with his wife at Dunromin, Teddars Leas, Etchinghill, since his retirement
18 years ago. He was 76.
Mr. Samway was born in Maidstone, and began his career there as a
watchmaker and jeweller. He transferred to the licensed trade in
1928, when he took his first public house, the Fleur-de-Lis, in Sandgate. After
10 years there, during which time he became a founder member of the Sandgate Branch
of the British Legion, and was a member of the Castle Lodge of Freemasons, Mr.
Samway moved to the White Lion, where he and his wife stayed until 1950, when
Mr. Samway retired. Mr. Samway was a Knight of the Royal
Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes.
Three years after joining the Royal Naval Air Service in 1916 he was
married at Maidstone. Representatives of the British Legion
and many other friends and villagers attended the funeral at Lympne Parish
Church on Monday.
Folkestone Gazette
26-11-1969
Local News
Thieves knocked a hole through a brick wall at the White
Lion at Cheriton in the early hours of yesterday morning – while the licensee,
Mr. R.B. Peters, slept soundly upstairs. They stole cash, cigarettes and
spirits worth up to £200. They broke in through a window at the rear of the
premises and then knocked a hole through an inside wall to get to the bars.
Said Mr. Peters “I didn`t hear a thing. I keep a dog, which must have barked,
but even that did not wake me”.
General Licensing Notes 1960s
Folkestone Herald
13-2-1960
Annual Licensing Sessions
Eight more persons were convicted for drunkenness during last year than
in 1958, Superintendent J. Kierons, “J” Division, said in his report, presented
at the annual Folkestone Licensing Sessions on Wednesday.
Two of the 21 persons
proceeded against for drunkenness were charged with being in charge of motor
vehicles whilst under the influence of
drink. The total number of premises licensed for the sale of
intoxicating liquor was 122, one for every 370 persons. There were 41 registered clubs in the Borough, two having
been struck off since they ceased to exist. Fifteen occasional licences were
granted, and 2,664 extensions of hours, against 31 and 2,013 in 1958.
Superintendent Keirons said there were 82 premises in the Borough which had
music and dancing licences, an increase of two. A total of 375 visits had been
made by police to licensed premises, and, in addition, others holding music and
dancing licences were visited. It was found that they were generally well
conducted. There were four suspended licences held, these being the Alexandra
Tavern, Bridge Street, The Wheatsheaf, Bridge Street, The Swan, Dover Road and
the Royal Pavilion Hotel. These were either destroyed or badly damaged by enemy
action during the war. The Royal Pavilion Hotel, he concluded, which was held
by a Government Department until December, 1954, had not yet been re-opened.
Chairman of the
Magistrates (Ald. N.O. Baker) first welcomed Superintendent Keirons to
Folkestone, it being his first appearance in open Court. “The report you have
just read portrays a very satisfactory state of affairs, which is due to a
large extent to the proficiency of your officers and personnel”, the Chairman
said. “We trust that the good relations between yourselves and the general
public will remain for many years to come.” Speaking to the licensees, Ald.
Baker said “I say once again how grateful we are to you for your
contribution in making this good report possible”. He attributed the slight
increase in cases of drunkenness to the intensive season experienced last year,
and said it was only a temporary matter. Licensees had maintained the standard
for some years of keeping Folkestone to the fore as a very law-abiding place.
The drunkenness, he said, must not be taken as a blot on their copy-books.
Those offences had a very good result of keeping the licensees on their toes to
do better next year. “I am sure that the public of Folkestone has every reason
to be proud of you, and we appreciate that you keep a lot of incidents from
happening by the tactful manner in which you deal with the difficulties that
arise on occasion. I hope that the next year will be no exception, and that we
may all meet again and find that this slight increase has been wiped out”, the
Chairman concluded.
Ald. Baker announced
that all the licences would be renewed.
Folkestone Gazette
23-3-1960
Local News
Folkestone Magistrates yesterday refused to grant an
application by Mr. Norman Franks, on behalf of the Licensed Vicutallers` Association,
for extensions of licensing hours at Whitsun. Mr. Franks said he would be away
when he would normally make the application.
The Chairman (Alderman N.O. Baker) said the application
would not be granted because too long a time would elapse before the extensions
became effective. He
advised Mr. Pranks to make a further application at a later date. The following
Easter extensions were granted: April 14th, 10.30 to 11.00 p.m.; 16th,
10.30 to 11.00; 17th, 10.00 to 10.30; 18th, 10.30 to 11.00.
Folkestone Herald
12-11-1960
Local News
Public houses in Folkestone will stay open until 11 p.m.
on Friday, December 23rd, Christmas Eve, and Boxing Day this year.
On Ne Year`s Eve they will be open until 12.15 a.m. on January 1st.
These extensions of permitted licensing hours were
granted by the Folkestone Justices on Tuesday.
Folkestone Herald
11-2-1961
Annual Licensing Sessions
Convictions for
drunkenness in Folkestone during the past year totalled 22, one more than in the
previous year, Folkestone Justices were told at the annual Brewster Sessions at
the Town Hall on Wednesday.
In his annual report,
Superintendent J. Kierons, of Folkestone, said that six of the drink offences
were in respect of people who were charged with being in charge of motor
vehicles while under the influence of drink or drugs to such an extent as to be
incapable of having proper control over them. He said that the total number of
premises in the borough licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor was 123,
one for every 367 persons, based on the population figure arrived at in the
1951 Census. Of these 86 were run on publicans` licences and 32 were run on
types of off licences. Supt. Kierons stated: “These figures differ from 1960 in
that the Highcliffe Hotel was granted a publican`s licence. The Prince of Wales
and the Star and Garter were granted full licences, having previously held beer
and wine licences. The licence of the Royal Pavilion Hotel, Folkestone Harbour,
was taken out of suspension. The cider licence in respect of 21a, Marshall
Street was not renewed. There were eight transfers in respect of licensed
premises in 1960”. The Superintendent said that 378 visits were made by the
police to licensed premises during the year under review; in addition, other
premises holding music and dancing licences were also visited. It was found
that these premises were generally well-conducted. The total number of registered clubs within the
borough was 42. One club did not reregister, but two additional clubs were
registered. During the year 11 occasional licences and 1,899 extensions of
permitted hours were granted. Of these 173 were in respect of registered clubs.
The figures compared with 15 occasional licences and 2,664 extensions of hours
in 1959.
The Chairman, Mr. F.J. Baden Fuller, stated “We are very pleased to hear
such a satisfactory and clear report. It seems that the licensees have
conducted themselves in a satisfactory manner”. Commenting that the Justices
were delighted to hear that there had been no contravention of the licensing
laws, Mr. Fuller told the assembled licensees “We now have much pleasure in
saying that all your licences will be renewed”.
Folkestone Herald
11-3-1961
Local News
Folkestone Justices
on Wednesday granted the following extensions of licensing hours for all public
houses in the borough during the forthcoming holiday periods: Easter:
Thursday, March 30th; Saturday, April 1st; Monday, April
3rd: 10.30 to 11 p.m. Sunday, April 2nd: 10 p.m. to 10.30
p.m. Whitsun: Friday, May 12th; Saturday, May 13th;
Monday, May 15th; 10.30 to 11 p.m. Sunday, May 14th: 10
p.m. to 10.30 p.m.
Folkestone Herald
17-2-1962
Annual Licensing Sessions
Drinking hours in
licensed premises in Folkestone are to be extended as from March 1st.
Licensees will be able to open half-an-hour earlier each weekday morning, and
close half- an-hour later on Friday and Saturday evenings. Details of the new
opening times are: Monday to Thursday (inclusive), 10 a.m. – 2.30 p.m. and 6
p.m. to 10.30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 11
p.m. These times were approved by the Folkestone Justices at the Folkestone
Brewster Sessions on Wednesday, on the application of Mr. Norman Franks,
representing the Folkestone Licensed Victuallers` Association. Also from March
onwards licensed houses can stay open on Sundays for an extra half-an-hour
until 10.30 p.m. under the provisions of the 1961 Licensing Act. The new times
for Sunday will therefore be: 12 noon – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.
Mr. Franks told the
Justices “From time to time the Licensed Victuallers have come and offered
their views as to the requirements of the public, and their views have in
general been accepted and have been generally helpful to you in understanding
the requirements of the borough and the people in it. I do suggest there can be
no better evidence of the requirements of the borough than the evidence of the
Licensed Victuallers”.
The only opposition to
the application was contained in a letter to the Court from a woman resident of
Cheriton Road. She stated there was already far too much noise late at night,
not only in the road in which she lived, but in many other parts of the town.
She complained of “drunken brawling”, particularly by Irishmen and soldiers. "To grant a further extension would
be like heaping coals on the fire”, her letter added.
The Chairman, Mr. P.V. Gurr, stated “The magistrates feel
that the publicans know the reasonable requirements of their customers, and we
agree to the application”.
Supt. J. Kierans, presenting his annual report to
the Justices, said that 37 people were convicted in Folkestone last year for
offences of drunkenness, an increase of 15 on the total for 1960. Four of them were for driving or being in
charge of motor vehicles while under the influence of drink, a decrease of two
on the 1960 figure. Two dozen of those convicted had been drunk and disorderly,
and nine drunk and incapable. Among those convicted, local residents numbered
23, vagrants three, and servicemen four. Supt Keirans said that the number of
places licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor in the borough was 126, one
for every 358 persons (based on the population for the 1951 Census). This total
included 90 premises holding publican`s licences and two which were licensed
for the sale of wines, sweets and cider on the premises. There were 33
off-licensed premises, including 16 shops where other goods were sold. There
was also one restaurant licence. “These figures differ from 1960 in that
off-licences were granted in respect of the premises at 135, Church Road,
Cheriton, and 1a, Hollands Avenue”, Supt. Keirans continued. “Publican`s on
licences were granted to the Hotel Ambassador, Wyndhams Hotel. White House
Hotel and the Corner House Hotel. The Military Tavern, which had previously
held a beer and wine licence, was granted a full publican`s licence. The
licence for the George III was not renewed”. Continuing his report, Supt.
Keirans said there were 15 transfers in respect of licensed premises during
1961, and 14 occasional licences and 2,044 extensions of hours were granted.
That compared with 11 occasional licences and 1,899 extensions of hours in
1960. The total number of registered clubs within the borough was 43. There
were 84 premises licensed for music and/or dancing, 27 of which had licences
for the use of wireless only. Supt. Keirans added “Three hundred and ninety one
visits were made by the police during the year under review, and in addition
other premises holding music and dancing licences were also visited. It was
found they were generally well-conducted”.
Thanking Supt. Keirans for his very informative
report, the Chairman, Mr. P.V. Gurr, commented “The Bench are, of course,
worried at the increase in drunkenness shown. Although we understand this is
unfortunately a general feature over the whole country, Folkestone, with an
increase of 15 convictions to a total of 37, shows up very badly compared with
some of the adjoining districts. Dover, for instance, reported 13 cases, which
was a decrease of eight compared with the previous year. Canterbury, with seven
cases, comes out with only half the previous year`s total. Margate reported 18
in the year, which was a decrease of eight. Running a licensed house offers
great difficulties at times, but we ask licensees to watch this position very
closely, and so enable us to get back to the more reasonable figures”, the
Chairman continued. “In the case of some licensed houses we are aware that the
lay-out does not permit the best supervision of all parts, and we assure you
that plans for any alterations submitted to us which show an improvement in
this direction will receive our most careful consideration. We note that 391
visits of inspection were paid by the police during the year, and we are sure
licensees will give close attention to any suggestions they may make during
these visits. Last year the new Licensing Act was passed, and this does not
encourage more intensive drinking as some people seem to think, but rather
wipes out many anomalies of the previous Acts, some of which, in the interests
of common sense, were undoubtedly bypassed in certain cases when opportunity
offered”. Mr. Gurr expressed the appreciation of the Justices for the help
received during the year from the Superintendent and his officers, from Mr.
R.S. Sidle, the Justices` Clerk, and his assistant, and from the solicitors who
dealt with licensing cases. He added “At the same time I am sure you will share
our deep regret at the passing of Mr. Orris, after having been assistant to the
Clerk for some 40 years. He was always so very knowledgeable and helpful to all
he met in the course of his work. Mr. Winchester has now been promoted to this
position”. Mr. Gurr concluded “All licences will be renewed by the Justices”.
Folkestone Herald 16-2-1963
Annual Licensing Sessions
Convictions for
drunkenness in Folkestone in 1962 totalled 27, a decrease of 10 compared with
the 1961 figure. But even so it compared unfavourably with the records of
neighbouring towns - 12 at Dover, 12 at Canterbury, and 15 at Ashford.
At Folkestone
Brewster Sessions on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Justices, Mr. P.V. Gurr,
asked the assembled licensees to watch this aspect carefully throughout the
coming year. He pointed out that the figure of 27 covered only those who had
been convicted. “You will all be aware”, he added, “that there are a large
number of other drunks who manage to find their own way home safely”.
In his annual report
to the Justices, Supt. W.M. Peck, of Folkestone Police, said that three of the
27 convictions were for driving or being in charge of motor vehicles while
under the influence of drink. This was a decrease of one on the comparable
figure for 1961. He said that the total number of premises in the town licensed
for the sale of intoxicating liquor was 156, approximately one for every 283
persons, based on the population recorded in the 1961 Census. These included 91
publicans` licences, 32 off-licences, 11 residential licences, eight restaurant
licences, nine residential and restaurant licences, and three licensed clubs.
These figures differed from those of 1961 in that a publican`s licence was
granted to the Lismore Hotel, and the off-licence of the Foord Road Tavern was
not renewed. In addition, 11 residential licences, seven restaurant licences
and nine combined residential and restaurant licences were granted. Three clubs
were granted Justices` on-licences. Three premises, the Queen`s Hotel, Majestic
Hotel and Royal Kent Hotel were vacant and not being used as licensed premises.
The total number of registered clubs within the borough was 31. Two new clubs
were registered and 14 clubs did not re-register. So far as music and dancing
licences were concerned, a total of 47 premises were involved. This showed a
decrease of 37 on the 1961 figures, 38 licences not being renewed and one new
licence being granted. During the year there were 11 transfers in respect of
licensed premises, and 35 occasional licences and 879 extensions of hours were
granted. The latter figures compared with 14 occasional licences and 2,044
extensions in 1961. Police made 377 visits to licensed premises during the
year, and in addition other premises holding music and dancing licences ewre
also visited. It was found that hey were generally well-conducted.
Thanking Supt. Peck
for his report, Mr. Gurr said “I think we shall all regard this as very
satisfactory”. He said that Folkestone`s average of 283 people per licence
compared with 429 at Ashford and 258 at Canterbury. Mr. Gurr continued
“Concerning the substantial decrease in the number of extensions of hours
granted during the year, this, of course, is mainly the result of the general
extension of licensing hours, and the fact that the previous block applications
for holidays were not necessary to be made. With regard to the police visits to
licensed premises during the year, licence holders will realise that these
visits are not for snooping purposes, but with a view to assisting the licence
holders in their operations. I am sure any suggestions made by police when they
call on these periodic visits are welcomed and acted on by the licensees. In
the past the General Annual Licensing Meeting has always been a busy occasion
for the granting of new licences, but with the abolition of the Licensing Planning
Committee and the Confirming Authority, and the new statutory provisions
whereby new licences can be granted at Transfer Sessions, the work is now
spread out over the year. The Committee have considered many applications for
new types of licences defined under the 1961 Act, and we are glad to see that
the conditions of these new licences are apparently being observed”.
Continuing, the Chairman said “Magistrates are very glad to have had before
them during the year various plans for alterations to public houses, and have
been pleased to agree to these, particularly in view of the improved
supervision for the licensees, and the provision of indoor toilet accommodation
for ladies and gentlemen. Any further applications making provision of this
type will be favourably considered by the Licensing Committee. During the year
a provisional licence has been granted in respect of premises to be built in
Tile Kiln Lane, where an existing of-licence is to be surrendered, as the way
the Biggins Wood area has built up certainly calls for a development on these
lines, and having this house on the connection between Canterbury Road and
Cheriton will also offer advantages”.
Mr. Gurr ended by
announcing that all existing licences would be renewed.
Folkestone Herald 27-7-1963
Local News
Folkestone Justices on Tuesday granted 70 licensees of
public houses in the town extensions for the August Bank Holiday period.
Applying for the orders of exemption from normal drinking
hours, Mr. Norman Franks, on behalf of the Licensed Victuallers` Association,
asked for the hours to be extended from 11 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Saturday,
August 3rd, from 11.30 a.m. to 12 noon on the Sunday, and from 10.30
p.m. to 11 p.m. on Bank Holiday Monday. He said that except for last year
similar applications had been made in previous years. The licensees did not
apply for extensions over the same period last year because they wanted to
ascertain the effects of the new licensing laws. The majority now felt
that as different areas were not affected in the same way it would be useful
for the administration of their houses, and would fill a real need of the
public, to have the extensions. Referring to the Sunday extension, he said
that trains and coaches from London and other districts arrived in Folkestone
at about 11 a.m. It had been found that it eased the situation generally to
open the public houses at 11.30 a.m.
Chief Inspector F.D. Corke said the police had no objections to the
extensions.
Folkestone Gazette
7-8-1963
Local News
Gambling machines in public houses throughout Folkestone,
Hythe and district have been banned by two of the leading brewers in the area.
Messrs. Mackeson’s Brewery, Hythe, announced last Thursday that they would not
allow fruit machines in their houses. They were immediately followed by
Messrs. Fremlm’s, of Maidstone, who issued instructions to publicans to remove
all gambling machines. The
other prominent brewery with houses in the area, Messrs. Ind Coope, have so far
not given licensees any direction or instruction about “one-armed bandits”. Generally,
the breweries feel that the machines are detrimental to trade, but many
licensees say the sale of beers and spirits has not been affected. They believe the removal of fruit machines will
take away part of their livelihood.
In a letter sent to all licensees of Fremlin
houses, the brewery state in their opinion it is not in the best long term
interests of all concerned too allow gambling machines. Permits had been granted by local
authorities in some areas and not others, which helped to confirm the view that
it would be fairer if the brewery did not allow fruit machines in any houses. Machines were
to be removed without delay.
Cmdr. N.C.M. Findlay, Managing Director of Messrs. Mackeson and Co., explained to The
Gazette yesterday "We have been thinking hard about this question for a
long time, and have come to the conclusion that to allow these machines in
public houses is a retrograde step. They are not wanted by local authorities, the police and, in
many cases, Licensed Victuallers’ Associations. We also feel this decision
will be of considerable relief to many licensees - many have been forced to
have these machines because nearby houses have them”.
The Folkestone and District Licensed Victuallers
Association called an emergency meeting of members yesterday afternoon at the
London and Paris Hotel, Folkestone, to discuss the whole question.
Folkestone Herald 15-2-1964
Annual Licensing Sessions
Drunkenness
in Folkestone decreased last year, as compared with 1962. This was reported by
Superintendent W.M. Peck at the general annual licensing sessions at the Town
Hall on Wednesday “Twenty-two
persons were proceeded against and convicted for offences of drunkenness, a
decrease of five on 1962”, he told the justices. “Six of these were for driving
or being in charge of motor vehicles whilst under the influence of drink, an
increase of three on 1962”.
The Chairman, Mr. F.J. Baden Fuller, thanked the
Superintendent for his report and the work of the police in this regard during
the year.
Addressing the assembly of licensees and
applicants, he said “I am always sorry to hear of any amount of drunkenness. I
know it is very difficult for a licensee to tell a customer about his
condition, but it must be done when it is required. Sometimes a judicious word
to the person`s friends would assist a tactful control of the matter. Another
difficulty concerns the sale of liquor to young people. We know how difficult
it must be to decide whether young people are old enough to be served. But you
all must do your utmost to see that young people under 18 are not served”.
All the licences were renewed. These total 155,
and, according to Supt. Peck`s report, signify one licensed premises for each
248 persons in the borough. Publicans` licences totalled 86. Police made 394
visits to licensed premises during 1963, in addition to visits of inspection of
premises holding music and dancing licences. “It was found that they were
generally well-conducted”, the Superintendent said. Beer “off” licences,
exclusively for beer, wines and spirits number 16, and for shops where other
goods were sold the number was also 16. There was one “off” licence for cider.
Residential licences number 13, and there were 11 restaurant licences in the
borough. Combined residential-restaurant licences totalled nine. There was one
provisional licence on issue, and there were three licensed clubs.
Transfer of licences were granted for the following
applications: Central Hotel, from Mr. C.T. Chapman to Mr. Chapman and Mr. Ian
Allen Lindsay: Foresters Arms, from Mr. W.E. Creasey to Mr. Alfred W. Hammond (Note: This does not appear in More
Bastions): Castle
Inn, from Mrs. Alice V.V. Surtees to Mr. Frederick A. Nicholson.
A licence was granted to Messrs. John Alfred Strath and Dudley Charles
Grey-Wilson in respect of the East Kent Arms. Approval of plans to alter the
interior of the tavern was also granted.
The premises were formerly operated under a protection order granted to
Mrs. I. Moore on the decease of her husband.
Total number of clubs in the borough was now 32, the report stated.
During the last year 20 occasional licences were issued, and 1,121 extensions
of hours were granted. This was a drop of 15 occasional licences over 1962, and
an increase of 242 extensions of hours.
Folkestone Herald 13-2-1965
Annual Licensing Sessions
The number of people charged with being in control
of cars whilst under the influence of drink dropped from seven in 1962 to three
last year, Superintendent Frederick Coatsworth stated at the annual licensing
sessions at Folkestone on Wednesday.
Twenty persons were
charged with drunkenness, a decrease of two on the 1963 figures. The 408 visits by the police to licensed premises
in the area showed that the licensing rules were being strictly observed.
All the licences were renewed.
Folkestone Gazette
30-12-1965
Local News
The New Year will be seen in at dozens of public houses
and hotels in the Folkestone area tomorrow night. Folkestone and District
Licensed Victuallers` Association have been granted licence extensions until
12.15 a.m.
Folkestone Herald 12-2-1966
Annual Licensing Sessions
The number of cases
of drivers unfit to drive through drink trebled last year, it was reported at
the annual licensing meeting at Folkestone on Wednesday.
In his annual report
Chief Superintendent W. Pearce said “This is a position which cannot be
accepted with complacency, and the cooperation of everyone, including
licensees, is necessary to bring about an improvement”. The number of cases rose from three in
1964 to nine last year.
The number of full licences in the district increased by three to 133. One more club had been registered,
bringing the number to 33. The
number of drunks prosecuted was 24, the highest since 1961. Of these two were
females. Half the total was local residents.
The Chief Superintendent said that licensed premises in the borough had
been generally well conducted during the year, but the number of convictions for
drunkenness had remained comparatively high. “Four young persons were prosecuted in respect of
the consumption and supply of intoxicating liquor to persons under 18”, he
said. He added that
licensees must be on guard to prevent this type of offence. Two licensees had been warned by
the police for minor breaches of the licensing laws.
At the meeting the following licence was transferred: The Black Bull
Hotel, Canterbury Road, from Mr. E.E.G. Mansell to Mr. W. R. Scarbrow.
Folkestone Herald 11-2-1967
Annual Licensing Sessions
The incidence of drunkenness in Folkestone last year was the highest for
six years. It reflected shame on the good name of the town, the chairman, Mr.
F.J. Baden Fuller, said at the annual licensing sessions held at Folkestone
Town Hall on Wednesday.
Chief Superintendent L. F. Pearce reported that in 1966 there were 41
cases of drunkenness, compared with 24 in 1965, 20 in 1964 and 22 in 1963. There were also 10 cases of motorists
who were unfit to drive through drink last year, compared with nine the
previous year and only three in 1964.
Mr. Baden Fuller said the position could not be regarded with
complacency. And he added “The task of the licensee is a difficult one and we
appreciate that it is almost impossible for him to vet every person to whom he
sells a drink. Nevertheless, many of the persons charged with drunkenness have
been found by the police in such a condition that it must have been apparent to
the most casual observer that they were drunk. In this type of case we expect the licensee to play his part in trying
to prevent drunkenness. Drunkenness
of the sort that leads to prosecution is offensive to right-minded people and
the figures which we have heard this morning reflect shame on the good name of
Folkestone. Worse than that perhaps is the crime to which drunkenness can and by all
reports frequently does lead. Any person who drives a car in this condition is
a potential killer. Over-indulgence in alcohol weakens the sense of responsibility
and leads to many offences of dishonesty and wilful damage. This is a menace to
us all”. Licensees, Mr. Baden Fuller added, were expected to do their utmost to
help. And he warned that if it came to the Justices` notice that persistent
drunkenness was tolerated in any particular premises they would take a very
serious view of it. He went on to congratulate the “vast majority of publicans who conduct their premises well”.
Superintendent Pearce, in his report, said there were 133 fully licensed
premises in the town, 26 off-licences and other premises, the same numbers as
in 1965. There were
32 registered clubs in Folkestone, three being newly registered during the
year. After giving the number of cases of drunkenness the Superintendent added “The
figures give all those connected with the enforcement of the liquor licensing
law in the borough cause for concern”. The increase of 17 in the case of drunkenness was a situation about
which no one could be complacent.
He went on “The presence of large numbers of holidaymakers in the town
during the summer months cannot be advanced as a reason for this since the
number of non-residents dealt with shown no increase. In this respect I would
urge all licence holders to remember their special responsibilities under the
liquor licensing laws, paying particular attention to drinking by those under
18, having regard to the fact that three of the drunkenness offences were
committed by boys of 16”. The police, he said, sought the co-operation of all
licence holders in trying to reduce the number of cases of unfitness to drive
through drink. He went on “With one or two exceptions the conduct of licensed
premises has been good”.
Folkestone Herald 22-12-1967
Local News
Drinking extensions in Folkestone, Hythe and district over the Christmas
holidays are as follows: Saturday: 11 p.m. to 11.30; Sunday:
10.30-11; Tuesday 10.30-11. Licensing hours on Christmas Day are normal Sunday
times, 12 to 2 and 7 to 10.30. Lunch-time hours remain the same.
Folkestone Herald 17-2-1968
Annual Licensing Sessions
Folkestone and District Licensed Victuallers Association is to hold a special
meeting to discuss a report which this week disclosed that convictions both for
drunkenness and for driving while unfit through drink increased in the town
last year. The drinks
offences figures were given in a police report at the annual Folkestone
licensing sessions on Wednesday. And afterwards the chairman, Mr. F.J. Baden Fuller, warned that the magistrates were not a “rubber stamp”:
Irresponsible publicans could be in danger of losing their licences.
The L.V.A. decided not to
comment on the report until after it has held the special meeting. But on Thursday Mr. John Buckle,
chairman of the L.V.A., said “This is an adverse report. We are
rather disgusted about it”. Mr.
Buckle, licensee of the Swan at Hythe, said the association was to have talks that
day with the Kent Federation of Licensed Victuallers about the report.
In court, Chief Superintendent Ronald Mills said that the figures
should be viewed with great concern. Referring to cases of drunkenness, he said “The current situation is perhaps seen in its true perspective when it
is realised that in just two years, the offences have more than doubled - from 24 convictions in 1965 to 53 in
1967”. There was an increase of 12 over the 1966
figure of 41. Of the 53 people convicted, 47 were men and six were women. But in the previous year only one woman was convicted. The Chief Superintendent told of a case
of a 29-year-old woman who died in November. At the inquest it was made clear that excessive alcohol was in part the
cause of death. “She had taken all her drink in
licensed premises within the
borough”, he added. He went on: “I would urge all licensees in the borough to recognise their
responsibilities in this matter, and would remind them that they commit offences
it they permit drunkenness upon their premises or serve intoxicants to a drunken person”. During the year police were called to disturbances in
licensed premises no fewer than 56 times – more than once a week. Young people
were being attracted to licensed premises in increasing numbers, he said, and
licensees should refuse to serve them drinks if they were in any doubt about their age. Offences of unfitness to drive through
drinks rose from 10 to 12 - the highest figure for six years. At the end of his report the Chief
Superintendent said that, with two or three exceptions, the general conduct of
licensed premises had been good. He had no objection to the renewal of
all the licences. There are 165 licensed premises in the town.
The Chairman described the report as
disappointing. Although the majority of licensees were conducting their business in a
responsible way, it was clear that a few were allowing their premises to become
disorderly and were serving liquor to anyone who demanded it – irrespective of
age or fitness to drink. He warned the “handful of irresponsibles” that they
could lose their licences if they were convicted of an offence. Mr. Baden
Fuller also said that the public houses to which the police were called to settle
disturbances would be closely watched in the coming year. “If no better
report is available next year we may well have to consider refusing renewal
until a more satisfactory licensee can be found”, he stressed. “It must not be
thought that, because for many years at this meeting we have renewed licences without
comment, this court is simply a rubber stamp. It is not. It is responsible for the good
administration of the licensing laws and its powers are considerable”. Mr. Baden
Fuller said that although he had used stern words it did not detract from the fact
that, generally speaking, the standard of licensed premises in the borough was
very high. He hoped that during the coming year licensees would do all they
could to make impossible a state of affairs that had to be commented on so
unfavourably this year.
Folkestone Herald 24-2-1968
Local News
Folkestone and District Licensed Victuallers` Association
is seeking a meeting with a Kent police chief to discuss a police report which
last week revealed a shock increase in drinks offences in the town.
The report, presented by Chief Superintendent Ronald
Mills at the annual Folkestone Licensing Sessions, indicated that cases of
drunkenness and of driving while unfit through drink rose last year.
The Chairman, Mr. F.J. Baden Fuller, warned that
irresponsible licensees could be in danger of losing their licences. He said
that although most licensees conducted their businesses in a responsible way,
it was clear that a few were allowing their premises to become disorderly and
were serving liquor to anyone who demanded it – irrespective of age of fitness
to drink.
The L.V.A. reacted quickly to what it termed “an adverse
report”. The next day the matter was brought to the attention of the Kent
Federation of Licensed Victuallers, who referred it back to the local branch.
At a special meeting on Monday the L.V.A. decided to ask Chief Superintendent
Mills if he would receive a deputation from the Association to discuss the
report.
Said Mr. John Buckle, the Association Chairman “We want
to clarify some points on our behalf and establish some liaison between the
Association and the police to assist them in the future. We would also like to
be given a copy of the report a few days before the Sessions in future so that
should it be adverse we could arrange to be legally represented. We were Guilty
before we went to Court this year. One thing we are angry about is that
everybody thinks publicans alone are to blame. They do not think about the
off-licences, restaurants and clubs. A man could easily buy drink from an
off-licence and take it somewhere and get drunk. We think that different
figures should be drawn up for each category”.
Folkestone Gazette
24-12-1968
Local News
Public houses in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh will open at 11 o’clock in
Wednesday morning, instead of the usual Christmas Day time of 12 noon.
Mr. C.J. Buckle,
chairman of the Folkestone and District Licensed Victuallers’ Association,
said “We successfully applied for this extension so that people can have a
drink on Christmas Day and still have plenty of time to get home for lunch. A lot of landlords may decide to shut at 1 p.m. instead of
2 p.m. on Wednesday so they can get their lunch", he added.
On Wednesday evening
those pubs which open will do so from 7.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Drinking hours today and Boxing Day have been extended by
half-an-hour in the evenings, from 10.30 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Folkestone Herald 15-2-1969
Local News
Publicans were congratulated at Folkestone’s annual
licensing sessions on Wednesday for helping to keep down drunkeness in the
town. Last year they were warned that if they acted irresponsibly they could be in danger of losing their
licences.
Chairman of
the Licensing Justices, Mr. F.J. Baden Fuller said “I find it extremely
pleasant, after last year, to come here this morning and congratulate you on a
fine effort in 1968, and to wish you an equally successful 1969”.
In his
report, Chief Superintendent Ronald Mills said only 27 offences of drunkenness
were dealt with by police last year. There had been 53 in 1967. Chief
Superintendent Mills said “After the disappointing report which I submitted
last year it is indeed pleasing for me to be able to inform you that a more
satisfactory situation is reflected in respect of the year under review”.
However, his report showed that offences of being unfit to drive through drink
had increased from 12 to 23. “It is reasonable to assume that the increase
results from the new Alcotest procedure. But, of course, these figures can
leave no room for complacency. The increased police supervision during the year
has apparently been welcomed by licensees. With one or two exceptions the
conduct of premises in the town has been good. During the year two persons
under the age of 18 years were dealt with by the Magistrates` Court in respect
of drunkenness. But the source of their supply is not known. Undoubtedly some
underage drinking does take place in licensed premises, and we shall continue
to pay attention to this matter during the coming year”.
Mr. Baden Fuller, who issued the warning to publicans last year, said “I have always thought that all licensees
conduct their businesses in a responsible manner. I also appreciate that if you have to deal with
a large number of customers it can become difficult to give the supervision you
would wish. You will note that offences of unfitness to drive through drink
show an increase, but this often seems to result from celebration parties
which are not necessarily held on licensed premises”.
Folkestone Herald 29-3-1969
Local News
More drinking time over Easter at public houses in Folkestone was granted
by Folkestone Licensing Justices on Tuesday. The extensions are outside the normal drinking
hours. They are from
11 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Saturday, April 5; 11 a.m. to 12 noon on the Sunday
and from 10.30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Easter Monday.
Folkestone Gazette
21-5-1969
Local News
An application for extensions of drinking hours on all public holidays
and other occasions for the rest of the year was turned down by Folkestone
magistrates on Friday.
The application was made by Mr. Norman Franks on behalf of Folkestone
Licensed Victuallers’ Association. He said it was becoming increasingly popular with
other Courts in Kent to grant extensions for the year at one hearing. It saved time, correspondence
and expense. Mr. Franks applied for extensions
at Whitsun, late summer bank holiday, Christmas and on Sunday mornings in July
and August. He said that on the Sundays
coaches from London started to arrive in Folkestone from about 11 a.m. “Licensees feel it would be an added facility if bars in the
town were open at this time", he said.
The chairman of the
magistrates, Mr. F.J. Baden Fuller, would not allow the Sunday extensions
because he felt that in law they would not be considered “special” occasions. He would not look beyond the Whitsun holiday because he
felt that applications for extensions should be heard nearer the time.
And Magistrates
Clerk, Mr. David Bushnell, pointed out “Once an application has been granted I
know of no means whereby it can be withdrawn”.
Extensions agreed for
the Whitsun holiday weekend are: Friday,
11 to 11.30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 to 11.45 p.m.; Sunday 11 to 12 noon; and Monday,
10.30 to 11 p.m.
Folkestone Herald 19-12-1969
Local News
Licensing hours have been extended
for three days in Christmas week. On Christmas Eve public
houses will be open for an extra hour and a quarter, until 11.45 p.m. The Christmas
Day extension is at mid-day, when public houses will be open from
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. And on Boxing Day drinking time will be
extended by an hour until 11.30 p.m. On New Year’s Eve public
houses will open at 6 p.m. and close at 12.15 a.m. - a two and a quarter hour
extension.
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