3rd July, 2015: Folkestone Herald Results from 1986 Added.
I will be taking a short break now while I gather a lot more research material - mostly pre-1850. It all takes time and then has to be read through and articles transcribed. All I can say for now is that patience will pay off, because a previously unknown Folkestone pub will appear in the police reports in the mid 1850s. Who knows what other gems may be unearthed? For sure, the licensee lists will be amended. Anyway, posting will be resumed at the beginning of September. If you`ve any information that hasn`t appeared on the site, please feel free to mail me at the address given at the start of the Blog.
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.
If you`ve enjoyed your visit here, why not buy me a pint, using the button at the end of the "Labels" section?
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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Friday 3 July 2015
Old Harbour Crab And Oyster House, Harbour Street 1982 - 1989
Licensees
Gordon Knight and Patrick Harris 1981 1982
Michael Daniels and Richard Levison 1982 1982
Richard Levison and David Block 1982 1986
John Hill and Robert Collins 1986 1989 Reverted to Harbour Inn
Gordon Knight and Patrick Harris 1981 1982
Michael Daniels and Richard Levison 1982 1982
Richard Levison and David Block 1982 1986
John Hill and Robert Collins 1986 1989 Reverted to Harbour Inn
South Kent Gazette
2-9-1981
Local News
Plans to knock together two pubs in a £100,000 facelift
have been approved by Shepway District Council. Brewers Whitbread want to turn
the True Briton and Harbour pubs in Folkestone into one, with a small bar and
restaurant upstairs. Downstairs there will be a large open bar in fisherman
style serving locally caught seafood. The scheme`s designers have also got a pat on the back from Shepway’s design architect. Both
pubs are of different ages, architectural styles and proportions. To combine
the facades well was a “considerable problem” but has been achieved with some
success. Building work on the pubs is expected to begin shortly and Whitbread
hopes to have the new single pub open in December.
Folkestone Herald
12-2-1982
Local News
Work of joining neighbouring pubs together in a £120,000
conversion to produce a building in keeping with the old harbour area of
Folkestone has almost been completed. The Harbour Crab and Oyster House,
formerly the Harbour Hotel and True Briton, in Harbour Street, reopens to the
public next Friday, February 19.
Old customers may recognise the exterior, now clad in
dark weatherboarding, but inside the design theme has captured the interior of
a harbour warehouse and ships` chandlers at the turn of the 19th
century.
Roy Pepperrell, Whitbread Fremlins design manager, who
planned the alterations, said “The idea was to provide something to match the
area, and it seems to have come through well. Folkestone`s planners have
congratulated us on the design and the Chamber of Commerce has expressed its
appreciation of a development sympathetic to the old harbour area, which they
feel has increased tourist potential”.
Bar customers will be able to purchase seafood snacks,
and in the Fish Basket Grill, 54 customers can be seated for cooked fish meals
with seafood salads and steak dishes. Fish will be bought daily from local
catches, and lobsters crabs and oysters will be on the menu, with draught ale
from handpumps and popular wines.
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
26-2-1982
Local News
A Trumpet fanfare heralded the opening of a new pub
restaurant at Folkestone Harbour on Friday. Colour Sergeant Jon Yates and Corporal Jan
Zawada, of the Royal School of Music at Deal, provided the musical welcome for the first customers. Brewers Whitbread Fremlins have spent
£120,000 converting two pubs, the True Briton and the Harbour Inn, into the
Harbour Crab and Oyster House. Builders and staff had worked until late into the previous night putting
the finishing touches to the revamped building. Top brewery officials, including managing director
John Kidson, local dignitaries and business people attended a special opening
lunch.
Welcoming the guests retail trade director Alan
Wyman said “As you are probably all aware this particular part of Folkestone,
which has got a number of attractive features, has been somewhat neglected in
the past. My company felt that, in view of the standard of amenities in the rest
of the town, it was about time somebody started to do something in the
harbour.” Mr. Wyman said he hoped the venture has helped even if only in a small
way, to alleviate the local unemployment situation. Harbourmaster Jim Ewing took part in
the opening ceremony by unfurling naval signal flags representing the word
harbour.
The new pub and restaurant, which specialises in
seafood, is employing 21 staff, 17 of whom have fulltime jobs. Both managers Mike and Lynda Daniells
are from Folkestone and previously managed the Royal Oak at Newingreen. It is possible that if the place, the
third of its type to be opened in Kent, is a big success, more staff will be
taken on.
Folkestone Herald
24-12-1982
Local News
Pub managers Mike and Lynda Daniells returned from
holiday to find they were unemployed. Whitbread Breweries Ltd. had sacked them
without any prior warning. And they were barred from entering the Harbour Crab
and Oyster House, which they had been running since it opened.
Last Thursday an industrial tribunal upheld the Daniells`
claim for unfair dismissal after hearing only evidence from Whitbread. The
couple were awarded compensation totalling £3,300.
In an interview with The Herald on Monday, Mr. Daniells said “They said it was a clear
cut case of unfair dismissal without even hearing our side of the story”. Mr.
and Mrs. Daniells moved into the Folkestone pub and seafood restaurant in
February. Previously they ran the Royal Oak Motel in Newingreen, also owned by
Whitbread. “The Crab was something of an experiment for Whitbread, with a bar
downstairs and a seafood restaurant upstairs”, said Mr. Daniells. “It soon
became apparent to us that it wasn`t working. Young people drinking downstairs
would not go up to eat, and those who came to the restaurant would get up there
as fast as they could”. A long and detailed letter expressing the Daniells`
views was sent to the company and relations between the managers and Whitbread
went from bad to worse. Stock taking on October 8 showed £400-worth of stock was
missing. “We wanted to put the matter in the hands of the police, but Whitbread
refused to let us”, said Mr. Daniells. “We left for a holiday on October 8 and
when we returned on the 25th we found a letter telling us we were
dismissed”. Whitbread was in breach of its grievance procedure which states
verbal and written warnings must be issued before dismissal is considered, he
said.
The tribunal result delighted the couple, who felt their reputation had
been tainted by the events. “The man acting for Whitbread made it clear the company
was not accusing us of taking the money, but felt it was our fault it was
missing, Mr. Daniells said. They lived at the pub, so the sackings made them
homeless as well as unemployed. Now they are living with Mr Daniells’ parents
at Downside, Folkestone, and he is making every effort to get another job. “The
whole thing was so petty. It was obvious they wanted to get rid of us and used
the stock-taking business as an excuse”.
A spokesman for Whitbread refused to comment.
Folkestone Herald
14-1-1983
Local News
Burglars raided the Crab and Oyster bar in Harbour
Street, Folkestone, on Tuesday and got away with a haul of spirits and cigars
worth £300.
South Kent Gazette
16-3-1983
Local News
Part-time worker Duncan Cousins hid in a pub cellar until
it had closed and then stole cash and goods worth £242. At Folkestone
Magistrates` Court Cousins, 18, of King`s Road, Cheriton, admitted the burglary
at the town`s Crab and Oyster pub near the town`s harbour.
Inspector Peter Hopkins, prosecuting, said Cousins, who
was employed as a porter at the pub, sat at the bar drinking until he could slip
into the cellar unnoticed. Hours after the pub closed Cousins let an accomplice
in.
Cousins also admitted theft of petrol from three
unattended cars in February.
Timothy Champion, 19, of Fleming Way, Folkestone, also
admitted the offence. Champion said the petrol was for Cousins`s car.
Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Ruth Tuff, said it was “an
extremely foolish escapade” and gave Champion a conditional discharge for two
years.
Cousins said he committed the burglary because he wanted
money for his motorbike.
Mrs. Tuff said the Bench was considering a custodial
sentence for him. She advised Cousins to get legal advice and adjourned the
case until March 29 for reports.
Folkestone Herald
8-4-1983
Local News
A man who burgled the pub where he worked was given a
three month suspended prison sentence on Tuesday. Duncan Cousins broke open cigarette and fruit
machines at the Harbour Crab and Oyster House, Folkestone, stealing cash and
goods worth £535.60. And he refused to name an accomplice known to have been
involved, the town`s Magistrates were told.
Eighteen-year-old Cousins, of King`s Road, Cheriton,
admitted stealing the goods and money, which belong to Whitbread Fremlins Ltd.
He also admitted stealing petrol worth £3.38 and asked for two similar offences
to be taken into consideration.
Inspector Bill Wharf said Cousins, who was a porter at
the public house and restaurant, had a night off duty on November 9. He went
drinking at his workplace and when a convenient moment arose slipped through a
staff door and hid in the cellar. Some hours after closing he returned to the
bar and let a friend into the building. They broke open the machines and made
off. The following morning he turned up for work and denied any knowledge of
the theft. Police were called and after forensic tests Cousins admitted the
offence. Between February 19 and 21 he was stopped by police at the wheel of a
car. Both he and a friend smelt of petrol and police found a can and a length
of rubber tubing in the car. Cousins was arrested and admitted stealing petrol
from a car.
Mrs. Susan Watler, for Cousins, said he is due to start a
new job as floor walker at the Rotunda Amusements. Acting the way he did cost
him his job, for which he had good prospects, she said. He had been a porter
for almost two years. For his own reasons he did not wish to involve anyone
else in this matter.
Cousins was given a three month jail sentence for each
offence, suspended for two years and to run concurrently. He was also ordered
to pay £546 compensation.
Folkestone Herald
24-10-1986
Local News
Customers at the Crab and Oyster public house
in Folkestone had a quiet evening’s drink disrupted when a firework rocket
smashed through the bar window on Monday evening, causing £35 worth of damage. A
handful of customers were in the Harbour Street bar at 7.30 pm last Monday when
a firework rocket exploded through the window, showering
customers with glass as it landed at the bar. The Crab and Oyster`s manageress,
Mrs. Sandra Harrod, said “We were very lucky that no one was hurt. Two people
had been sitting right next to the window, but 1 had moved tables shortly
before the rocket explosion”. She added “It was early evening, so luckily there were not that many
people in the bar. It could have been much more serious”.
Two youths were seen sitting opposite the pub
with fireworks. One boy was described as aged about 17. He was wearing a black and white
striped jumper and grey trousers.
Prince Albert 1970s - 1980s
Folkestone Herald 13-2-1971
Annual Licensing Sessions
Police
are keeping an extra careful eye on some pubs in Folkestone - particularly
those popular among young people. This was revealed by Chief Superintendent W.
Pullinger in his report to the annual meeting of the
town’s Licensing Justices, on Wednesday.
He said that during 1970 licensed premises had
been generally well-conducted. But he went on “As in most towns, certain
premises require additional police supervision to ensure that the liquor
licensing laws are not abused. This is sometimes due to slackness on the part
of the licensee, or to popular premises attracting large numbers of young
people”.
Mr. P.J. Baden-Fuller, the Chairman of the
Justices, appreciated the difficulties licensees faced with young people. He
said the Justices hoped that those licensees concerned would try to enforce the
liquor laws, but added “It is so difficult to tell the ages of young people
sometimes”.
Later, The Herald spoke to landlords of
Folkestone pubs that are popular with youngsters – only to find they did not
think they had a problem. Several of them agreed with Mr. Baden-Fuller that it was difficult to
tell the ages ot some young customers. The answer to a difficult situation
was, they agreed, firmness and rigidly following the maxim “If in doubt, don’t
serve”.
At the Shakespeare, in Guildhall Street, Mr. Ron Balsom, the landlord,
said “I have spent many years in London as a licensee, and the young people
here are a lot different. I find them very reasonable and very well behaved.
They certainly do not cause me any headaches”.
Mr. Alan White, landlord of the Prince Albert in Rendezvous Street, said
“There is an occasional problem caused by young soldiers from Shorncliffe
wanting a drink. You know who they are and you just have to handle the
situation firmly. Trouble is caused when youngsters unused to alcohol have a
few drinks and get a bit het up. A landlord has a duty to regular customers,
and must make sure that kind of situation does not arise”.
At the West Cliff Shades, Christ Church Road, a spokesman said there
were no problems worth mentioning, though there had been occasional instances
of vandalism.
At the British Lion, in The Bayle, Mr. Gerry Hourahane said “It is
difficult to judge ages, particularly those of foreigners. But if you ask them
what year they were born they usually answer correctly without thinking”.
Another aspect of Chief Superintendent Pullinger`s report to the
Justices was that hotels and restaurants are catering more for Continental
visitors. The number of restricted licences granted to hotels, restaurants and
other premises had increased, he reported. “This is no doubt due to more people
requiring intoxicants for consumption with their meals, particularly in
Folkestone, where the number of Continental visitors, especially day visitors
from France and Belgium, continues to increase.
The report showed that 19 cases of drunkenness were dealt with by the
police in 1970, compared with 16 in 1969, an increase “which does not reflect
on licensed premises”. Fourteen cases of motorists unfit to drive through drink
were also dealt with by the police – two fewer than in 1969. There are now 177 licensed premises in
Folkestone. The police had no objections to any licences being renewed.
Folkestone Herald 15-5-1971
Local News
When 1,400 continentals visit Folkestone next Thursday
the doors of local pubs will be open to them all afternoon. On Tuesday local
Magistrates decided in favour of a second application to allow 17 pubs to
remain open especially for the visitors. They had vetoed a previous
application. The second made by publicans was amended to allow for a half-hour
break at 5.30 p.m. before their premises opened for the evening session.
Mr. J. Medlicott, for the publicans, told the Magistrates
that the visitors were delegates attending a conference in Bruges. One of its
highlights was to be a visit to England. He referred to a letter received by
Folkestone Corporation from the British Tourist Authority supporting the
publicans` application. The visit – by Dutch, Swiss, Belgians and Germans – was
a special occasion, not just a shopping expedition, said Mr. Medlicott. It had
been arranged by a Bruges tourist organisation which had particularly asked
that pubs should be open in the afternoon.
Police Inspector R. Sanders made no formal objection to
the application – but doubted whether the visit was a special occasion.
The Chairman of Folkestone Chamber of Trade, Mr. Alan
Stephenson, said later “The cross-Channel visitors` committee of this Chamber
is very pleased that this has been seen as a special occasion by the Justices. When one is reminded that this
extension is no more than happens in many market towns every week of the year,
it seems a fair request, especially as Folkestone’s image abroad could be much
influenced by the original decision not to allow the pubs to open”.
The pubs which will stay
open are; Jubilee, Ship, Oddfellows, Royal George, London and Paris, True
Briton, Harbour Inn, Princess Royal, Clarendon, Brewery Tap, Earl Grey, Prince
Albert, George, Globe, East Kent Arms,
Guildhall and Shakespeare.
South Kent Gazette
2-2-1983
Local News
Licensee Alan White was blessing the wonders of low
alcohol lager this week after being told that he had just been offered a free
holiday in Denmark. For Alan, who has run the Prince Albert Hotel in Rendezvous
Street for the past 19 years, has won first prize in a competition run by a
leading brewery.
In order to win Alan, who is 62, had to complete a
spot-the-difference contest and then extol the virtues of the low-alcohol lager
Danish Light in less than 30 words. His winning entry was: Enjoy your evening
drinking, You know you`ll be all right, For it`s quite safe to drink and drive,
If you stick to Danish Light.
Folkestone Herald 12-9-1986
Local News
A ship’s badge from the former H.M.S. Folkestone
may leave the town if a local buyer is not found. Landlord Alan White - who displays the solid-brass badge in the Prince
Albert pub in Rendezvous Street - wants it kept on public display in the area
after he retires in October. Originally it
was in the Ship in Sandgate. When the landlord, George Warden, moved on, Mr.
White bought the badge for £250. Since then it has adorned the wall of the bar
in the Prince Albert, bringing good luck to regulars and staff. But Mr. White wants to sell it to someone who will keep it in the public
eye when he leaves the area. “I don’t want
any more than I paid for it”, he said, “but I will take it with me if no one
comes forward”. And charity could benefit from the sale. If the badge goes for
more than £250, the surplus will be given to the blind in Kent. The badge was
taken from the sixth H.M.S. Folkestone, which operated as a convoy ship during
the last war. It was broken up in 1948. The first ship to bear the name was
built in 1704, and served with the Royal Navy until 1727. Bids for the badge
should go to Alan White at the Prince Albert.
Folkestone Herald
19-9-1986
Local News
Three possible buyers have responded to an S.O.S. by pub
landlord Alan White to keep a unique ship`s badge in Folkestone. Mr. White –
landlord of the Prince Albert pub in Rendezvous Street – is selling the badge
from the former H.M.S. Folkestone when he retires in October. It now hangs on
the bar wall. But he wants the buyer to keep the badge on public display in the town -
otherwise he will take it with him when he goes. The three bidders came forward
after the Herald reported the badge was on sale last week. Mr White wants at
least what he paid for it - £250. Anything over that sum will go to the Kent
blind. “I can guarantee at least some money will go
to charity if I can find the right buyer”, he said. The bidders are said to be
people with a keen interest in maritime history. The Folkestone was the sixth
ship of that name to serve with the Royal Navy. It was broken up in 1948.
Enquiries about the badge should go to Alan
White at the Prince Albert.
Folkestone Herald
10-10-1986
Local News
Another royal port of call has been found for the ship’s badge from the
last H.M.S. Folkestone. The Prince of Wales pub in Guildhall
Street succeeds the Prince Albert in Rendezvous Street as home for the solid
brass plaque. It had been in danger of leaving the Shepway area - where it has
been on public display for over 30 years.
Alan White, retiring landlord of the Albert where the badge has spent
the last 22 years, wanted to sell it to a local buyer. But only
on condition that it would be kept in the public eye when he and his wife Kay
left Rendezvous Street. Otherwise it went with him into safe keeping. His S.O.S. in the Herald was answered by a concerned regular, who wants
to stay anonymous. He bought the badge for £250, and donated it to the Prince
of Wales where he also enjoys a pint.
Landlord Kevin Atkins - “Yorkie” to his
friends - has pledged to keep the maritime relic in Folkestone. “I will carry on the same tradition as Alan”, he said at Thursday night’s
presentation by Mayor Kelland Bowden. “The badge will stay in Folkestone when I
move on”. Mr Bowden told the packed Prince Albert that
he remembered the ship’s badge when it hung on the bar wall at the Ship in
Sandgate over 30 years ago. He also had the pleasant task of presenting £100 to
the Kent Blind ¡ation’s Dave Garrod collected by customers at the Albert.
Alan and Kay White retired after 22½ years behind the bar of the
Rendezvous Street pub at the end of last week. What would
they remember most from over two decades of serving drinks? “Our
friends in Folkestone”, said Mr. White, “and that includes our fellow licensees”.
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