From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 26 May 1900. Price 1d.

LITTLEBOURNE. THE RELIEF OF MAFEKING.

Upon the receipt of news of the relief of Mefeking, which did not reach this patriotic village until Saturday morning, the villagers were very buy decorating in commemoration of the occasion. A firing party of nine was very quickly got together, and, under a very able Sergeant Major, formed up in Mr. de Trefford's brewery yard and fired 21 volleys, which very soon brought nearly the whole of the pariah together, and alter the firing was does Mr. de Trafford, with his usual good nature, kindly invited anyone to walk into the brewery cellar and drink a bumper to "B. P." which was very heartily responded to. Than a smoking concert was arranged to take place in the large room at the "Anchor" at 8 o'clock in the evening, and notices were posted round, great thanks being due to the usual parishioners who generally undertake to carry out such entertainments, especially Dr. Morris and Mr. H. Holman. The room was filled to overflowing, when Dr. Morris kindly took the chair and Mr. B. Holman acted as accompanist. Letters were read from Mrs. Philips, of Lee Priory, and Mr. S. Hameay, of Howletts, quite failing in with the views of holding a smoking concert for the benefit of the sufferers at Mafeking. Apologies were also sent from Mr. de Trafford and several other gentlemen for being unable to attend. Amongst the very large company present were the Rev. R. A. Westhorpe, Mr. Philps, Mr. S. H. Lound, Mr. J. K. Pembrook, Mr. G. Tomlin Mr. L. S. Gardener, Mr. P. Fetherstone. Mr. G. Smith, Mr. A. Sargeaunt, Mr. S. AIlen, Mr. J. P. Duthoit, Mr. John Dathoit, Mr. J. Mayer, Mr. A, A. Castle, and many others.

The fallowing capital programme was gone through and considering the limited amount of time to arrange the concert the success that attended it speaks well for the musical talent of the village:-

Plano Solo. Mr. H. Holman.

Song. The Anchor's Weighed. Mr. A. Sargeaunt.

Comic song. Mr. Philps.

Song. Round goes the wheel. Mr. J. Mayes.

Song. The ship that never returned. Mr. T. Pilcher. sen.

Comic song. Mr. Gore Tomlin.

Song. Stand by your country. Mr. H. Holman.

Song. Staunch and True. Mr. G Smith.

Comic song. The Whistling Coon. Mr. Philips.

Song. The Bugle Call. Mr. T. Impett.

Song. The tight little island. Mr W. L. Sands.

God save the Queen.

The second comic song by Mr. Philps was exceptionally good, the whistling part being well rendered. During the evening very appropriate speeches were made by the Rev. R. A. Weathorpe, Dr. Morris, Mr. J. K. Pembrook, and Mr. S. B. Lound. Upon the box being sent round, the substantial sum of £8 6s. was collected for the sufferers.

From the Whitstable Times, 8 December, 1900.

SAD SUICIDE OF AN OLD LADY.

The East Kent Coroner (R. M. Mercer, Esq.) held an inquest at the "Anchor," Littlebourne, on Saturday, touching the death of Marianne Ann Smith, a widow, aged 76, who committed suicide.

George Smith, painter, of Littlebourne, identified the body of deceased as that of his mother.

Ann Bambury, of Littlebourne, stated that she had been sleeping in the deceased’s house. The deceased had been suffering from bronchitis for about six weeks. During the past week she had been much better. At 3.15 a.m. on the 1st inst. witness gave her a glass of brandy and milk and then went back to bed, but on getting up at 7 a.m. found her gone. Witness went and looked for her, but could not find her. She went to Mr. Smith’s, her son's, but deceased was not there. Witness went back and seeing a chair placed near a water butt, close to the back door, she looked in and saw the deceased lying there. She got assistance and got the deceased out—some five or ten minutes later. Witness thought it looked as if deceased got in legs first. She had not been quite right in her talk lately. Witness thought she had changed during the last six weeks. Witness never heard the deceased go out, but witness was a little deaf and probably was asleep. Deceased had only her night dress and night cap on.

Dr. Morris, of Littlebourne, deposed that the deceased suffered from bronchitis and general debility. Of late she seemed better. The last week or so deceased was changing mentally—so much so that the previous week he told the relatives that they should provide a permanent nurse or she would have to be sent away. The nurse was actually coming that night. Witness thought it was a case of temporary aberration. She had been thoroughly looked after and no expense considered.

The Coroner summed up and the jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane."

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 13 June 1931.

LITTLEBOURNE. DEATH OF LICENSEE.

The death occurred at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital on Thursday of Mr. W. C. Martin, licensee of the “Anchor,” Littlebourne. He had been at Littlebourne about ten years and had taken a keen interest in the British Legion and other activities of the district. He served throughout the Great War and when he was commissioned he was transferred to The Buffs. The funeral took place at Littlebourne on Saturday afternoon, when those present included members of the British Legion, representatives of the 17/21 Lancers (with which Mr. Martin strved in India). The Buffs. Past and Present Association The Buffs. R.A.O.B., A.O.D., Littlebourne Recreation Club, Birchington C.C., A.O.F., Lesser Stour C.C., and Littlebourne Dart Club.