From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 8 February, 1878

PUBLIC HOUSE OFFENCE

William Tritton, licensed victualler, was summoned for that he did, on the 20th ult., open certain licensed premises, to wit, the “Black Horse Inn,” in the parish of Swingfield, for the sale of intoxicating liquors during prohibited hours, and Charles and Henry Hogben, labourers, were summoned for being on the said premises, they not being bona fide travellers nor servants in the house.

Mr. Worsfold Mowll appeared for the defendants.

Instructing-constable Jessop, of the K.C.C., said: On Sunday, 20th last month, I was on duty in the parish of Swingfield, and watched the “Black Horse Inn,” kept by defendant Tritton. I saw three men come out at a quarter past eleven. The door was open, and I walked into the back kitchen where I saw the two defendants standing. I saw Mr. Tritton coming from the direction of the bar with a quart pot in his hand and about a pint of beer in it. He gave it to Charles Hogben who put down two pence, which Mr. Triton picked up and put into his pocket. I was in plain clothes but told Mr. Tritton who I was and that I should report the case. The defendant drank the beer.

By Mr. Mowll: I had some beer, but not the first pull. I was a bona fide traveller also. I afterwards paid Hogben for the beer I had because he complained that he did not have the beer he paid for. I do not know as a fact that he had had a license for thirty-two years. During the four years I have been in that parish he has never been summoned before the magistrates.

The Superintendent said it was in consequence of receiving complaints from people in the neighbourhood that he sent Jessop to watch the house. The house stood in a very open spot, with a view of half a mile all round, and he knew it was no use therefore setting a constable in police clothes to watch, so he told Jessop to go in plain clothes. From what he had learned the defendant had kept the house over 30 years, but had been cautioned once or twice latterly, only as he seemed to have been yielding to temptation.

Mr. Mowll, in defence, submitted that defendant had been in the house and held the license of it for over 32 years. During which time no complaint had been made. The other two defendants, one of whom was formerly in Mr. Tritton's employ, went to look at Mr. Tritton's stock, and were actually in the yard at the time the constable came in at the door. They went into the house and called for some beer, and Mr. Tritton committed the indiscretion of supplying them. The constable then made himself known, and very properly, in order to satisfy himself that the liquor was, tasted it, but his taste like the north countryman's, absorbed the whole of it – (laughter) – and the men went without any altogether. Hogben subsequently asked the constable for the money which he very fairly paid. Tritton possessed the oldest license held under the Bench, and he submitted that a small fine in each case would meet the ends of justice.

The Bench inflicted Tritton a fine of 10s., and 9s. 6d. costs, which were paid, and 1s. 9d. 6d. each in the other two defendants, a month being allowed for them to pay it in.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 6 January, 1893.

THEFT

At the County Police Court, Dover, on Saturday, before T. V. Brown Esq., George Norman, Maurice Roche, and George Brand, all of Folkestone, were charged with stealing, on the 30th December, one bottle of sherry, three wine glasses, three-quarters of a pound of tea, and a pair of shears, the property of Olive Tritton.

From the evidence of Robert Tritton, William Taylor, and Instructing-constable Ross, it appeared that on the afternoon of December 30th, the three prisoners went to the "Black Horse" public-house, Swingfield, kept by the prosecutrix, and after their departure the articles mentioned in the charge were missing, having been taken from the bar. Robert Tritton gave information to the police, and the prisoners were traced to the "White Horse" public house, Hawkinge, where the bottle of wine and glass were found upon Norman, two glasses and a quarter-pound packet of tea on Brand. Nothing was found on Roche. The pair of shears and the half-pound packet of tea were found in the house, near where Norman and brand were sitting.

The prisoners were committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions, to be held at Canterbury on Tuesday.

Dover Express 22nd September 1916

Dover County Petty Sessions 21st September 1916.

A temporary transfer of the licence of the “Black Horse”, Swingfield, was granted to Mr. Hart. The licence had been held by the brewers. Mr. Hart has held licences for 19 years and 15 years.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 17 August, 1923. Price 1½d.

LICENSING BUSINESS

Mr. A Burchett, the licensee of the "Black Horse," Swingfield, was granted an extension for the annual lamb sale on August 17th (this Friday).

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 7 September, 1923. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

The licensee of the "Black Horse," Swingfield, was granted an extension for a sheep sale on September 19th.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 January, 1924. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

Plans were submitted for alterations to the "Black Horse," Swingfield, to bring the premises up to date, including enlargement of the bar parlour and alterations to the bars; and these were approved.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 July, 1924. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

Mr. Bushell of the "Black Horse," Swingfield, was granted an extension for a farm sale on August 20th.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 20 March, 1925. Price 1½d.

EXTENSION

Mr. Burchett, of the "Black Horse," Swingfield, was granted an extension for a teg and bullock sale on Friday.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 18 September, 1925. Price 1½d.

NO LIGHT

John Edward Batten, driver for the International Stores, was fined 5s. for not illuminating his number plate. A second charge was dismissed for leaving the vehicle at the “Black Horse,” Swingfield, with the engine running.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 September, 1931. Price 1½d.

EXTENSION

Extensions were granted to the "Black Horse," Swingfield, for September 23rd for a sheep and bullock sale, from 2.30 to 5.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 20 August, 1937.

SALES AT SWINGFIELD

The licence of the "Black Horse," Swingfield, was granted extensions from 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on August 20th, for a sheep and bullock sale.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 19 August, 1938.

Licensing Extensions.

The licensee of the "Black Horse," Swingfield, was granted extensions from 2.30 to 5 p.m. on August 19th and September 21st, for stock sales.

Dover Express 17 April 1942.

RECORD WINGHAM SESSIONS.

The only business at the Wingham Petty Sessions, at Wingham, on Thursday, was the granting of an extension from 2.30 - 5 p.m on 29th April to the "Black Horse," Swingfield, for a stock sale.