Chequers 1930 -

Folkestone Herald 16-8-1930

Obituary

The death occurred, on Thursday of last week, of Mr. Walter Scrivens, of the Chequers Inn, Seagate Street. Mr. Scrivens was for 30 years employed on the cross-Channel steamers.

The funeral took place at the Folkestone Cemetery on Tuesday.

Folkestone Express 30-8-1930

Wednesday, August 27^th: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Messrs. G.I. Swoffer and J.H. Blamey, and Col. G.P. Owen.

Mr. Bonniface applied on behalf of Mrs. Kent for a protection order in respect of the Chequers Inn. He said Mr. Scrivens, the holder of the licence, died on August 7^th, and Mrs. Kent had applied for letters of administration. The protection order was granted to the applicant, who was the daughter of Mr. Scrivens.

Note: This does not appear in More Bastions.

 

Folkestone Herald 30-8-1930

Local News

Mrs. Kent, of the Chequers Inn, Seagate Street, made an application at the Folkestone Transfer Sessions for a protection order pending an application for the transfer of the licence.

Mr. B.H. Bonniface, representing Mrs. Kent, said Mrs. Kent was the administratrix of her father`s estate. When everything was settled the matter would be dealt with in the usual way and an application made for the transfer of the licence.

The application was granted.

Note: This does not appear in More Bastions.

Folkestone Express 11-10-1930

Wednesday 8^th October: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Miss A.M. Hunt, Mr. F. Seager, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, and Mr. W. Smith.

The Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. C. Rootes) said Mrs. Kent applied for the transfer of the licence of the Chequers Inn, Seagate Street. There had been before the Bench already an application, which was granted, for a protection order to Mrs. Kent, who was administratrix of the late Mr. Walter Scrivens. In order to transfer the licence to Mr. Richard Williams, she had to have the transfer to herself as administratrix. Them Mr. Williams would make the application for the transfer to himself. It was a formal matter.

Chief Inspector Pittock said he had known the applicant ever since he had been in the Force. He knew of no reason why the licence should not be transferred.

The Magistrates granted the transfers.

Note: No record of Mrs. Kent in More Bastions.

 

Folkestone Herald 11-10-1930

Wednesday, October 8^th: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Miss A.M. Hunt, Mr. F. Seager, and Mr. W. Smith.

Mrs. Florence Jane Kent applied for the transfer of the licence of the Chequers Inn, Seagate Street, Folkestone, from Walter Scrivens, deceased, to herself. She had been granted a protection order some time before.

At the same time, Richard Williams applied for the transfer of the licence from Mrs. Kent to himself.

The applications were granted.

Note: Mrs. Kent does not appear in More Bastions.

Folkestone Express 19-3-1932

Local News

On Saturday the Brigade was called by telephone to a bottle store on the premises of Mr. R. Williams, a licensed victualler, of Seagate Street, at 4.45 p.m., to deal with an outbreak of fire in a loft. Six men with the aid of water from a hydrant and one chemical charge extinguished the flames, the only damage being to the floorboards and a number of bottles.

Folkestone Herald 19-3-1932

Local News

A bottle store attached to the Chequers Inn, Seagate Street. The licensed premises of Mr. R. Williams, was the scene of an outbreak of fire on Sunday afternoon, when damage to the extent of £5 was caused. Floor boards and the loft were burnt, and bottled beer was damaged. The Fire Brigade tender and six men turned out, and the outbreak was extinguished with water and one charge of chemicals. The cause is not known.

Folkestone Herald 27-8-1932

Obituary

We regret to record the death on August 29^th, at 29, Mount Pleasant Road, of Mrs. Kirby, the wife of Mr. George Kirby.

Mrs. Kirby, who was 69 years of age, although not much in the public eye of later years, was well known in other days when her husband was the proprietor of the old coaching inn, The Chequers, Seagate Street, and the Royal George Hotel, Beach Street. Mrs. Kirby possessed a kindly heart and this was often well illustrated when in the cold and wintry days she thought of many an empty cupboard in the poorer quarters of the town. Indeed, she did much good by stealth. Much sympathy is accorded to the husband, who during the time of the Mayoralty of the late Alderman Daniel Baker, was a member of the Folkestone Town Council. Some years ago Mr. and Mrs. Kirby left Folkestone for London, but after residing there for a few years came back to Folkestone.

The funeral took place on August 12^th at the Cheriton Road Cemetery.

Folkestone Herald 1-4-1933

Bankruptcy

The increased beer tax and unemployment at Folkestone Harbour were the chief causes to which, at the East Kent Bankruptcy Court, at Canterbury, on Tuesday, Richard Williams, formerly licensee of the Chequers Inn, Seagate Street, Folkestone, attributed his failure. His liabilities were scheduled at £346 2s., with assets estimated to produce £151 14s., leaving a deficiency of £194 8s.

In the course of his public examination by the Assistant Official Receiver (Mr. C.S. Foulsham), debtor said that for 25 years he was employed as a barman at various public houses in Folkestone. He began business on his own account in October, 1930, when he became tenant of the Chequers Inn. He paid a gross ingoing valuation of £184. His wife advanced him £200 to invest in the business, and he obtained other loans - £25 from his father, £30 from his sister, £20 from his son, and later £20 from his brother. All that money was put into the business, a deposit of £75 being paid to the brewers on going into the business. The loans formed the bulk of the unsecured creditors.

At first, continued debtor, he sold four barrels of beer a week, the average profit being £1 a barrel, so that, he agreed, he made a fair living. Later the trade fell off when the beer tax was increased, and there was unemployment at the harbour.

The Assistant Official Receiver said that from debtor`s statement of affairs, there was in February, 1932, a deficiency of £134. Debtor explained that it had been gradually “creeping on”, and was solely due to trade depression.

The Assistant Official Receiver, quoting from the statement, showed that for the past twelve months the accounts revealed that the turnover was £1,221, on which there was a gross profit of 20 percent, or £244. His expenses were £124, leaving a net trading profit of £120. Against that his household expenses and personal expenses were £156, so that his deficiency was gradually increasing.

In reply to further questions, debtor said that in November, 1932, he suffered a loss through burglary, £15 being taken. He went to the police, but nothing accrued. On January 27^th, 1933, he gave notice to the brewers of his intention to quit the premises. His wife then put in a writ for the £200 she had put into the business.

The Assistant Official Receiver commented that that seemed rather a drastic proceeding and enquired the reason. Debtor said they had a few words over the boys, and she said she was going to have her money before it was lost in the business. He then filed his petition. Debtor said he kept a cash book in which he recorded his takings and expenses, although not all of the latter.

The Registrar (Mr. F.M. Furley) pointed out that debtor had vever had any capital of his own, so he was always insolvent to that extent.

Mr. Foulsham agreed, but said that apart from that debtor was doing fairly well in the business when he started.

Debtor attributed his failure to bad trade, due to unemployment and the increased tax on beer. Men could not afford to buy so much beer, and had not been earning enough to buy it. “Men who used to buy four or five pints a day are not now earning 3s. a week on the habour”, he added. He had not spent money on himself, and he had looked after the business. Debtor said part of the furniture had been bought out of money his wife saved from the housekeeping money. Some had been given her.

The Registrar: I don`t suppose the furniture is worth much, is it?

The Assistant Official Receiver agreed, and said he did not want to carry the matter any further.

In reply to Mr. A.K. Mowll, his solicitor, debtor said his wife helped in the business. The £200 for which she issued the writ was money she had had invested in the Co-Operative Savings Bank, and drew out to put in the business. He agreed he was fortunate in his wife to the extent that she had saved money before he went into the business. There were 10 other houses within 150 yards of the Chequers Inn. He really depended on the labourers and fishermen at the harbour for his trade, and now there were very few employed, and others could not afford to buy beer.

In reply to the Registrar, debtor said when he took the house the times were brighter.

Mr. Mowll said his client did pretty well until the price of beer went up and trade went down. Then he was beaten.

The public examination was closed.

Folkestone Herald 16-3-1957

Local News

A plage hotel, with unique facilities for sea and sun­bathing, will be provided at Sandgate, it was stated at the Folkestone adjourned annual Licensing Meeting on Wednes­day.

The justices granted an ap­plication by the Holborn Trust, Ltd., for the removal of the licence of the demolished Chequers Inn, which stood in Seagate Street, to Beacholme Hotel, The Riviera, Sandgate.

Mr. Worthington Edridge, appearing for- the Holborn Trust, Ltd., owners of the freehold of the hotel, said application was made to the Licensing Planning Committee on May 3td, 1955, and their order was confirmed by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government on August 19^th, 1955. In the original application to the Committee the plans showed that a garage would be con­verted into a bar. The owners of the property had since de­cided that it would be better if the bar was situated in the lounge, which was nearer to the sea and easier of access. Mr. Worthington Edridge said it was intended that there should be two bars, one a pri­vate bar and the other a lounge bar. “The object”, he continued, “is that it should become a plage hotel. The idea is to pro­vide amenities for bathing and and sun bathing for visitors. The premises are ideally situated for that type of project. If this planning removal is granted, these premises will be­come something quite unique on this coast. As far as I know there is no hotel which provides a bar which leads straight on to a lawn, with immediate access from the lawn to the sea. That will be a great amenity to visitors to Folkestone”. Leading to the lawn was a terrace where it was proposed to serve drinks. There would also be ample parking and gar­aging facilities for cars. Mr Worthington Edridge said it was intended that the licence should be transferred to Mr. Richard James Butcher. It was purchased from Messrs. Alfred Leney and Co., who had no ob­jection to the removal.

 

 

 

 

Black Bull 1950s

Folkestone Herald 1-9-1951

Local News

Walter Henry Todd, 32, of no fixed abode, pleaded Guilty at Folkestone on Tuesday to breaking into the Black Bull Hotel oon August 1st and stealing £50 belonging to the licensee, Mr. Cyril Nicholas Jones. Accused also pleaded guilty to stealing £54 10/- from Mr. James Alfred Thompson, of 73, Joyes Road, Folkestone, on Saturday. He was committed for trial at West Kent Quarter Sessions.

D.C. Payne said at 5.25 p.m. on Saturday he saw Todd in Dover Road. He took him to the police station where, in different poc­kets, £50 was found in accused’s possession. Todd then made a statement in which he was alleged to have said that some time after 3 p.m. that day he visited 8, Downs Read in order to get a suit. While he was in the fitting room he saw a jacket. He felt in the pockets and found some money. He took some and left some; he did no know how much he took. Referring to the Black Bull Hotel, Todd said at the begin­ning of August he went to the hotel and opened a door at the back. He went inside and took some money from a handbag and a desk

Cyril Nicholas Jones, licensee of the Black Bull Hotel, said at 3 p.m. on August 1^st there was £50 in the dining room. At the time the doors of the hotel were all locked except the main entrance door. At about 5.20 p.m. he went to his desk and the money was missing.

James Alfred Thompson, 73, Joves Road, Folkestone, an out­fitter, carrying on business at 8, Downs Road, said on the Sat­urday afternoon accused called at his place of business. He gave his name as Todd and an address in Invicta Road. He asked terms for the supply of a ready-made suit. He tried on two suits and one was satis­factory. Todd paid £2 deposit and left about 4 p.m. After Todd had gone witness went to his jacket on a rail in the fitting room and felt for his wallet which should have con­tained £62 10/-. There was only £8 in it.

Folkestone Herald 8-9-1951

Local News

After serving two years in prison for housebreaking Walter Henry Todd, 32-year-old plasterer, of Folkestone, was released on July 14^th. A fort­night later he stole £50 from a Folkestone public house. On Wednesday, at the West Kent Quarter Sessions at Maid­stone, Todd returned to prison to serve a sentence of three years’ corrective training. He pleaded guilty to break­ing into the Black Bull Hotel, Canterbury Road, Folkestone, and stealing £50 belonging to Cyril Nicholas Jones and on August 25^th to stealing £54 10/-, the property of James Arthur Thompson.

Mr. A.L. Stevens, prosecut­ing, stated that when the pub­lic house closed during the afternoon of August 1^st Mr. Jones, the licensee, placed £50

in a desk. About two hours later he discovered that the money had been stolen. On August 25^th, continued Mr. Stevenson, Todd went to a house in Downs Road, Folke­stone, where Mr. Thompson carried on a business as a tailor. Todd said he wanted a ready-made suit and after try­ing one or two suits he paid a deposit of £2 on one of them and left the house. While Todd was trying on the suits Mr. Thompson was twice out of the room, leaving behind his jacket which con­tained £62 10/-. After Todd had left, Mr. Thompson discovered that there was only £8 left in his jacket. A couple of hours later Todd was arrested in Dover Road, Folkestone and although he at first denied the theft, when he was searched he had £50 on him. He then admitted stealing the money and made a state­ment in which he also admit­ted stealing £50 from the hotel.

Det. Const. William Payne stated that Todd had eight pre­vious convictions; he asked for two other offences to be con­sidered.

Sir Frederick Gentle, K.C., deputy chairman, told Todd he was reaching the time of life when he was liable to be sen­tenced to a long term of pre­ventive detention, up to 14 years, if he did not alter his ways.

Todd was ordered to return the £50 found on him to Mr. Thompson.

Folkestone Herald 19-4-1952

Local News

Approval of plans for alterations to the servery at the Black Bull Hotel, was given by Folkestone Licensing Justices on Wednesday.

Folkestone Herald 12-2-1955

Annual Licensing Sessions

A music licence for a radio-gramophone at the Valiant Sailor was granted, and plans for the provision of a store at the Black Bull Hotel approved.

Folkestone Herald 25-2-1956

Local News

A 59 year old credit outfitter, who was said to have told a police officer that he would be 90 next month, was fined £25 and costs at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday, after pleading not guilty to attempting to drive a motor car whilst under the influence of drink or drugs, on February 7^th. Defendant, who was not represented, was Robin George Thomson, of 8, Downs Road, Folkestone.

Mr. R.P. Tunstall, prosecuting, said it was a case in which, because of defendant`s state, had he been successful in driving away he would have been a menace on the road. The fact that he could not drive the car was not due to anything wrong with the car, but to something being wrong with defendant.

Dr. E.S. Pearlman said he examined defendant at Folkestone police station at 1.37 p.m. on February 7^th, and came to the conclusion that he was under the influence of drink or drugs, so as to be incapable of being in control of a car.

P.C. Atkins stated that he was in Dolphins Road in plain clothes at 12.40 p,m, on February 7^th, when he heard the sound of a car being given full acceleration from the direction of the Black Bull Hotel, and he saw Thompson seated in a car in the front drive of the hotel. The sar was stationary, he said. Thompson appeared to be endeavouring to engage the gears, but did not appear to be using the engine at all. Witness came to the conclusion that defendant was under the influence of drink or drugs, and phoned the police station.

P.C. Warner said he arrived at the scene at 12.55 p.m. and saw Thompson in the driving seat of a car. The engine was running and Thompson was trying to engage the gear without success. Witness stated that he asked Thompson “Can I help you? Is there anything I can do?” to which Thompson mumbled a reply which was incoherent. He (witness) switched off the engine, and Thompson got out, but could only stand by supporting himself against the side of the car. Thompson then got back into the car. Witness arrested him, locked the car, and took the ignition key. Thompson said “I am 90 next month”. When charged at the police station Thompson replied “I did pass all the doctor`s tests, or did I?”

P.C. Martin said he saw Thompson in the driving seat of his car at 1 p.m. on February 7^th; he was smoking a cigarette, and his eyes were glazed and staring. Thompson had to be assisted into the police car, and he refused to stoop to pick up a sixpence which had fallen on the ground. At the police station Thompson was very unsteady on his feet and collided with a wall.

P. Sgt. Barnes said he saw Thompson at the police station at 1.30 p.m. on February 7^th, and he asked him if he knew why he was there, but he received only a mumbled reply. Witness told him he would be examined by a doctor, and asked if he had any objection. Thompson replied “Right, but what about my dinner?” Witness stated that he asked Thompson three times if he wanted a doctor or any relative called, on his behalf, but he made no reply. When witness asked him to stand up he made one unsuccessful attempt, and the second time he had to hold the table before he could do so. Thompson was continually smoking cigarettes and was wearing woollen gloves. He burnt holes in the left glove. On his way to the detention room Thompson twice collided with a wall in a short passage.

Giving evidence, defendant said on the day of the alleged offence he drove from Cheriton, and on the Black Bull hill he found the clutch of his car was beginning to fade out, so he pulled off the highway into the forecourt of the Black Bull Hotel. He tried the engine; it was a very cold day, and he thought it was wise to keep the engine warm. After a while he thought he would go home for lunch. He went into the Black Bull for a drink, and came back to the car to warm the engine up again. He revved it and a police officer came up, took his key away, and arrested him. As to driving the car, or attempting to drive it, it was quite out of the question, Thompson added. Had the clutch been in order he would have gone straight home to lunch.

Cross-examined by Mr. Tunstall, Thompson said he made no attempt to drive the car. He did not consider he was under the influence of drink; all he had had was a shandy and a gin. He told the police officer he would be 90 next month “for a bit of fun”.

Thompson produced a pair of what appeared to be fur-backed gauntlet gloves, which he said he was wearing on February 7^th, and pointed out that there were no holes in them.

Mr. Tunstall: The officer said you were wearing woollen gloves.

Thompson, who had seven convictions for minor motoring offences, was fined £25, with £4 17/- doctor’s fees, and £2 2/- advocate’s fee. He was disqualified from driv­ing for a year and his licence was endorsed.

 

 

 

Wonder Tavern 1940 -

Folkestone Herald 4-1-1941

Local News

On Wednesday the licence of the Wonder Inn was transferred from Mrs. Maskell to Mr. A.E. Fullagar, Secretary of Messrs. Fremlins Ltd., of Maidstone.

Note: Not listed in More Bastions.

Folkestone Herald 5-1-1946

Local News

On Christmas day the death occurred of Mr. George William Prior, of 6, Bonsor Road, Folkestone, one of the oldest and best-known licensed victuallers in the district. He was 80. Mr. Prior was born on a farm at Preston, near Dumpton Park, Kent, and was only seven when he began work on a milk round.

He came to Folkestone 51 years ago, and opened a restaurant in Beach Street. Later he acquired the licence of the Wonder Tavern, which was demolished by a land mine in 1940. In 1901 he left the Wonder to take over the licence of the Ship Inn, which he held until 1938, when it was transferred to his son. Altogether Mr. Prior had been in the licensed trade for 42 years, and for some years was Chairman of the Folkestone and District Licensed Victuallers` Association. His hobbies included gardening and rough shooting. Mr. Prior, who had been a widower for 31 years, leaves two sons and two daughters.

The funeral took place at Folkestone Cemetery, Cheriton Road, last Friday.

Folkestone Herald 11-2-1956

Notice

In the County of Kent, Borough of Folkestone

To: The Clerk to the Rating Authority for the Borough of Folkestone in the County of Kent,

The Clerk to the Licensing Justices for the Borough of Folkestone in the County of Kent,

The Chief Constable of Kent,

And to all whom it may concern.

I, Harry Frederick May, now residing at The Lifeboat Inn Folkestone in the County of Kent, Beerhouse Keeper, do hereby give notice that it is my intention to apply at the second session of the General Annual Licensing Meeting for the said Borough, to be holden at the Town Hall, Folkestone, on Wednesday the 29^th day of February 1956 for the grant to me of a Justices Licence authorising me to apply for and hold an Excise Licence to sell by retail any intoxicating liquor which may be sold under a Spirit Retailers (or Publican`s) Licence for consumption either on or off the premises situate at The Lifeboat Inn, North Street, Folkestone aforesaid of which premises Messrs. Mackeson & Company Limited of Brewery, Hythe, in the said County, are the owners of whom I rent them and it is my intention at the hearing of the application for the new licence to offer to surrender the following licences:-

(a) The licence now in suspense relating to the premises known as “The Wellington”, Beach Street, Folkestone, of which premises Messrs. Bushell Watkins & Smith Limited of The Black Eagle Brewery, Westerham is the registered owner.

(b) The licence now in suspense relating to the premises known as “The Wonder Tavern”, Beach Street, Folke­stone, of which premises Messrs. Flint & Co. of 58, Castle Street, Dover is the registered owner.

Given under my hand this 2^nd day of February, 1956.

H. F. May.

Folkestone Herald 3-3-1956

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

The grant of a full licence to the Lifeboat Inn, North Street, and the surrender of the suspended licences of the Wonder Tavern and the Wellington, Beach Street, were agreed at the adjourned Folkestone Licensing Sessions on Wednesday.

Mr. P. Bracher, making the applications, said there appeared to be no objection. There was a beer licence at the Lifeboat Inn, but facilities were wanted to supply all types of alcohol. He said there was a definite demand for it because there were more people living in the area, and because of the summer trade. The matter had been before the Licensing Planning Committee, and no objection was raised by them to the application. Mr. Bracher said the present premises of the Lifeboat Inn were not what the brewers desired. The cottage next door was coming down, and it was the brewers` immediate intention to improve the Lifeboat Inn. Arrangements were made with the Corporation for the acquisition of the property and for the setting back of the road. Plans for the improvement of the premises would come before the Justices for approval in the very near future. He said the premises on the sea side, only partially protected from the weather, were going to be temporarily rebuilt at once. When the cottage came down a wall, with windows in it, would be erected. It would be a comparatively temporary arrangement while plans for the better siting of the house were being prepared. Something had to be done for the comfort of the tenant and the customers as soon as the adjoining cottage was demolished. Mr. Bracher went on to explain that it was proposed that two other licences in suspense should be surrendered. Arrangements and discussions had gone on with the Customs and Excise that the value of the licences should not be paid to the owners of the premises, but be taken by the Customs and Excise in consideration of the additional monopoly value which would be payable in respect of the Lifeboat Inn. The two licences which it was proposed to surrender were in respect of the Wellington and the Wonder Tavern, in Beach Street. Dealing with the figure, Mr. Bracher said if no surrender had been made of any other licence, it was agreed with the Customs and Excise that it should be £600, the additional monopoly value payable on the grant of a full licence in respect of the Lifeboat Inn. After that had been settled the value of the two other licences was agreed at £250 and £350, a total of £600. There was no alteration in the monopoly value payable on the Lifeboat Inn simply because the two other licences were being surrendered to satisfy the payment. He said the owners and holders of the other two licences had authorised him to say they had consented to the surrender.

Harry Frederick May, the licensee of the Lifeboat Inn for eight years, said there was a demand for wines and spirits. Nearby was the W.T.A. Hostel, where there were 140 visitors in the summer. In addition a block of flats had been built in North Street and many visitors used the area in the summer. He said ladies` darts matches were held at the Lifeboat Inn, and the secretary of the team told him there was difficulty in arranging matches with other houses because wines and spirits were not obtainable.