From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 14 September 1867. Price 1d.

STURRY. APPLICATION FOR LICENSES

At the annual licensing day for the Home division of the County of Kent, held at Canterbury on Saturday last, Mr. Furley, on behalf of Richard Addley, applied for a license, for the "Rose,” adjoining the railway station.

Mr. Farley said he appeared for the owner and tenant of the “Rose” public-house, to apply for a license. He held in his hand a photograph of the premises, showing their exact situation. The application would no doubt be opposed by some of the neighbouring publicans, on the ground that there were quite enough licensed houses in Sturry already. He would not attempt to deny that, but his application was based on the fact that the house would afford & considerable amount of accommodation to passengers, owing to its contiguity with the railway station. Under the beer license Act, publicans were compelled to close their houses at ten o'clock, and there was a train due at Sturry, at quarter to ten, which was, however, generally late. If then there were any passengers for Sturry on a wet night they would have no shelter, as his client's house would be closed; whereas if a spirit license were granted the house might be kept open much later. Mr. Furley then handed a memorial to the Bench, as to tho applicant's character, which was signed by a number of persons, including Colonel Cox, and Dr. Jameson.

Mr. Delasaux said he was instructed to oppose the application. If his friend's client was so humane as to want to keep his house open for the shelter of railway passengers of course he could do so without selling any beer or spirits. The chairman said that the Magistrates had decided to decline granting the license.

A man named Evan Llowarch then applied for a license for the “Swan,” but his application was refused.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 13 September 1879.

APPLICATION FOR A SPIRIT LICENSE REFUSED.

Mr. Till applied on behalf of James Adley, landlord of the "Rose" beer-house, Sturry, for a spirit license.

Mr. Lewis opposed the application on behalf of Mr. Jezard. landlord of a neighbouring public house. ("Swan.")

Mr. Till stated that the “Rose" was situated on the high road between Canterbury and Ramsgate and indeed, the Isle of Thanet generally. It stood a few yards from the Sturry railway station and was the first public reached on entering the village from the direction of the railway. The nearest fully licensed house to it was the "Swan Inn," and that was fifty yards away. The applicant would tell the Bench that he was frequently asked for spirits by people going into the village. Mr. Till handed to the Bench a memorial signed by several influential inhabitants of the locality in support of the application and speaking very highly of the character of the applicant. With regard to the house itself it was eminently fit for a full license, being in fact the best house in the place.

Mr. Till then called James Adley, who stated that the rent of the house was £19, and it was about ten or fifteen yards from the railway station. He had had frequent applications for spirits by travellers. His father carried on the house for twelve years.

Cross-examined by Mr. Lewis.:- There were two or three fully licensed houses within half-a-mile, and there were five altogether in the village. Twelve years ago a spirit license was applied for and refused. The rent of £19 included the forge, which if let by itself would fetch £5, but not £7 or £8.

Mr. Lewis, addressing the Bench in opposition to the granting of the license, said the magistrates very properly required licensed houses to be kept up to the mark, and were also very strict, and properly so, as to the carrying out of the provisions of the Licensing Act. Therefore he believed the Bench would not be inclined to do anything that would be likely, by taking away some of the trade of the present fully licensed houses, to induce landlords to resort to illegal practices in order to get a living out of their houses. He urged that the applicant in this instance had not made out a case showing the need for another fully licensed house in Sturry, and asked the magistrates not to grant the application.

The Chairman said the Bench considered the wants of the public were amply supplied by the existing houses, and therefore they refused the application.

This concluded the licensing session.

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

THE ROSE, STURRY.

The Magistrates objected to the renewal of this licence on the ground that the house was not required.

Mr. Rutley Mowll appeared on behalf of the licensee and also of the owners, Messrs. Geo. Beer and Co., of Canterbury.

Superintendent Jacobs said the tenant of the “Rose” was Mr. Burton. It was a beer house with a wine licence. The rent was £19 a year which also included a blacksmith’s forge. The assessment was £25. A general road side trade was done, and the tenant was a blacksmith and worked at the shop adjoining. The house was well conducted. The nearest house was the “Swan,” which was eighty yards away. The other houses were the “Sportsman,” the “Red Lion,” the “Welsh Harp,” and the “Leopards Head.”

In reply to Mr. Mowll, witness believed the principal part of the tradesman of Sturry frequented the “Rose.” Mr. Burton was a desirable tenant, but witness considered the house was not required as there were too many licensed houses in Sturry Street. The “Rose” was used by people going by the railway. The present tenant had been at the house for ten years and had conducted it well. He was a very good landlord and a hard working man.

Mr. Mowll—By the way the house is conducted would you call it a model country public house?

Superintendent Jacobs—It is well conducted, but you can hardly call it a country house with all these other houses there.

Well, the metropolitan city of Sturry (Laughter.) Does the bell ringing club meet at the “Rose?”

Yes, I believe so. I know the tenant takes an important part in it.

And the Sturry Cricket Club?

Yes, he takes an interest in that.

He is vice-captain of that?

Yes.

And the Buffaloes lodge seems to hold meetings there?

Yes.

The “Rose Inn” seems to be an important place in the village?

Yes.

Albert William Southam, stationmaster of Sturry, who attended under instructions from the Superintendent of the Railway Company, gave evidence in support of the licence being renewed. He said the “Rose Inn” was convenient for passengers as they could wait there until the trains were signalled.

Mr. Mowll addressed the Magistrates upon the desirability of the licence being renewed, and in the course of his remarks pointed out that the “Rose Inn” acted as a refreshment room for the station.