From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 11 May, 1867. Price 1d.

HERNE BAY.

On Tuesday last the sixth anniversary supper of the Herne Bay Working Man's Mutual Investment and Loan Society took place at the Club House, the “Rodney Head Inn,” North-street, when about thirty of the members sat down to a most sumptuous repast, served up in first-class style by the host, Mr, S. Stonham. After supper, the order of the evening being harmony, Mr. T. Stonham was called to the chair, the vice-chair being taken by Mr. W. Gipson, jun. Some first-rate songs were sung by Mr. J. Shearing in his usual comic style, also some very amusing songs by Mr. William. Gipson and other members of the Club. The respected chairman of the Society, Mr. J. Stonham, sen., gave the toast of the evening, “Success to the Herne Bay Loan Society,” and the Secretary, Mr. J. T. Stonham, responded, speaking at some length on the working and prosperity or the Club since its formation. His statement gave general satisfaction to all-present. Some more songs then followed, and, a pleasant evening haying been spent, the company separated.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 8 June 1867. Price 1d.

The license of the “Rodney's Head,” Herne was transferred from Samuel Stonham to Thomas Pratt.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 23 March 1878.

Herne Bay. A publican in trouble.

Essex William Offen was summoned for keeping his licensed premises open during prohibited hours, at Herne Bay, on the 9th March. Mr. Till defended.

The defendant is the landlord of the "Rodney's Head" public-house, Herne Bay, and about 20 minutes past 11 o'clock on the night of the day named. P.S. Knowlden saw a man named Water Whiddett knock at the defendant's door. The defendant came to the door and asked who was their. Whiddett answered "Bandy. All right." The defendant then opened the door and Whiddett asked for half a pint of rum, and went into the house, the landlord fastening the door. About 2 or 3 minutes afterwards Offen opened the door, and the police sergeant then went into the house. He asked Whiddett what he had in his pocket and he replied "Nothing." The sergeant, however, took a bottle containing spirits out of his left hand trouser pocket. He told the landlord it was not right to have a customer in his house after closing hours, and he answered that the man had done odd jobs for him frequently, and that was why he served him; but denied that any money past. Knowlden intimated that he should report the matter, and the defendant said "I would sooner give £5 than that you should make a case of it."

Mr. Till, in defence, said the man was frequently engaged by the defendant to do various jobs for him, and he usually paid him in drink instead of him money. On the day in question Whiddett had done some work for his client, who, in payment, gave him the spirits found on him. He therefore contended Whiddett was a servant within the meaning of the Act. He called the defendant Whiddett in support of his this defence, but they were three or four discrepancies in the evidences.

The Bench were not satisfied that the man Whiddett was in the capacity of a servant to the defendant, and find Offen 10s. and 13s. costs.

Whiddett was then charged with being on the premises during prohibited hours, and was fined 2s and 3s costs.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, July 1879.

HERNE BAY.—ASSAULT BY A PUBLICAN.

Essex William Offen, landlord of the "Rodney’s Head" public-house. at Herne Bay, was summoned for assaulting Charles George Palmer, also of Herne Bay.

Complainant stated that on the evening of Thursday evening week he was in the defendant’s house. Offen wanted him to pay some money he owed him, but witness told him he had not received his wages, and could not pay him. Defendant then began to grumble, and witness asked him how it was that he could not pay his debts at Ashford, whereupon defendant struck him a violent blow in the eye, blackening it.

Defendant stated to the magistrates that complainant provoked him by asking him why he did not pay his bills at Ashford, and he struck him in the eye.

Fined 2s. 6d. and 12s. 6d. costs.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 2 March 1907.

THE RODNEY’S HEAD, HERNE BAY.

The Magistrates also objected to this house.

Mr. Mercer appeared on behalf of the owners, Messrs. Flint and Co., of Canterbury.

Superintendent Jacobs said this house was situated in North Street and was kept by Mr. Benjamin Vennell. The rent was £24 a year, the rates £12 15s., and the assessment £40. The tenant was an ex-policeman, and the house was well-conducted. The “Rose and Crown” was thirty yards away. Other houses in the vicinity were the “Prince of Wales” and the “Rose” in Mortimer Street. The trade of the “Rodney’s Head” was very fair.

Mr. Mercer—The house is in the custody of an ex-policeman. You have confidence in him, have you not?

Superintendent Jacobs—Yes, I was stationed with him when he joined the force.

You never make a fortune in your department, do you ?

Well, fortunes are few and far between.

Mr. Mercer said this man, a very reliable man, had £179 19d. at stake. He asked the witness if the house was wanted.

“I should say it was wanted in this particular neighbourhood," replied the superintendent.

It was stated that there was a good bottle and jug trade, and the average trade for the last three years was 186 barrels and 213 gallons of spirits.

In his address to the Bench, Mr. Mercer spoke to the high character of the tenant. Proceeding, he said Herne Bay was a summer town, one of the most attractive places in the north of Kent, and if these facilities were going to be taken away was the town going to be benefited? In the summer the population was increased from 15,000 to 20,000, and where could they find a quieter, better-behaved town. The houses did not tend to crime, nor were they offensive in any shape or form.