From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 23 July, 1869.

ALLEGED ROBBERY FROM A PUBLIC HOUSE

Elizabeth Neame, a respectably dressed woman  belonging to Folkestone, was charged with stealing, on the previous Saturday, from the "Hare and Hounds" public-house, Maxton, a pair of children's shoes, the property of the landlord, William Brazier.

Jane brazier, the wife of William brazier, said her husband kept the "Hare and Hounds" public-house, at Maxton. On the previous Saturday morning, at half-past five, the prisoner came in and had some beer, remaining in the house for about half an hour. She (witness) had left in the tap-room on the previous night a pair of boots belonging to her daughter, she was about nine years of age; and on her going into the room, about nine o'clock on Saturday morning, she missed them. She supposed the prisoner, who had been in the tap-room, had taken them from off the stove, where they were place on the previous evening.

Police-constable Snowden, of the Kent County Constabulary, stationed at Hougham, deposed to taking the prisoner into custody. He desired that a remand might be granted so as to produce further evidence in support of the charge.

The Magistrates remanded the further hearing of the case till Monday next.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 1 January, 1904. Price 1d.

XMAS FESTIVITY FOLLY

Thomas Green was charged with stealing from outside the “Hare and Hounds” public house , Folkestone Road, a horse, cart, and harness, with 24 rabbit skins and 80 oranges, value £15.

Joseph Davis said: I live at Primrose Union Road in a big van. I am a licensed hawker, and have a horse and cart. On Saturday the horse and cart was standing in the road outside the “Hare and Hounds.” There were two dozen rabbit skins and 80 oranges in the cart. I went into the “Hare and Hounds” about 3.30, leaving the horse outside, there being no one in it. Almost directly afterwards I saw through the window the horse and cart going down the road, the prisoner driving it. I ran down after it, and jumped on a tramcar, and told the driver that the man had stolen my horse and cart and asked him to try and catch it up. But the horse and cart was soon lost to sight. At the Folkestone Road bridge a Constable said that he had not seen it. I then went back to see if he had turned up the Elms Vale Road. I made enquiries to various people, but could not hear of the cart. I then came to the Police Station and gave information. About two hours later I received information from the Police that it had been found, and I saw it outside the tram shed at Buckland. The prisoner was there, and I asked him why he had taken it. He said that it was a joke, and he could not stop the mare. I did not see the prisoner before I went into the “Hare and Hounds,” and I do not know him. The value of the horse, cart, etc., is £15.

The prisoner, in cross-examination, asked when the prosecutor picked him up?

Witness said that he did not think he saw him on that day.

Prisoner: I saw you in the “Royal Oak” on the same day?

No you did not.

The Magistrates' Clerk: Were you in the “Royal Oak?"

Yes, I was there about one o'clock. Several people were in there at the time, and he might have been.

Prisoner: I rode down with the prosecutor as far as this public house?

Witness: No.

The Magistrates' Clerk: Did you give anyone a lift?

Yes, but this is not the man.

Do you know this man?

No.

The Prisoner: I was drunk in the act of doing it when I took the horse and cart.

The Magistrates' Clerk: Are you quite sure this is not the same man? How does he know all about it if he is not?

Witness: I do not think he is.

Will you swear he is not the man?

Well, I should say not.

Were you sober?

Yes – well, I was not drunk.

You were not drunk and you were not sober? (Laughter.)

Yes.

Inspector Baker said that on Saturday afternoon shortly after four the prisoner drove up to the top of Bridge Street in a horse and cart. He got out of the cart and was about to enter the “Falcon.” Seeing that he had had enough to drink, I said, “I think you have had enough; you had better take your horse and cart away.” He said, “All right, master,” and got into the cart and drove away towards Buckland. I saw there was something covered up in the cart. I came to the Police Station, and saw the last witness giving information as to the loss of a horse and cart. I then went in pursuit of the prisoner. When I got to the “Three Cups,” Crabble Hill, I found the horse and cart standing outside. I went inside, and found the prisoner drinking a glass of beer. I said, “Come along, I want you.” He came outside, and I said, “Is this your horse and cart?” he said, “No, not mine.” I said, “What are you doing with it then?” he said, “The man told me to drive on ahead and he would overtake me.” I told him to get into the cart, and I drove him to the car shed, where I saw the prosecutor with three of his friends. The prosecutor said to the prisoner, “What did you take my horse and cart away for?” The prisoner said, “I thought I would like a drive.” I brought he prisoner to the Police Station, and the prosecutor drove the horse and cart there. On the way to the Police Station the prisoner said “I have made a pretty good mess of it. I suppose I shall not get any more than three months.” When he was charged at the Police Station he said that he had been drinking with the other men. Davis denied it, and said that he was a stranger to him. Davis was not drunk.

The prisoner said he did not remember saying anything about three months to the Inspector.

The Magistrates said they did not think that man had any intention of stealing the cart, and he would be discharged on the payment of 3/- to the prosecutor for his attendance.

Dover Express, Friday 9 November 1923.

SOLDIERS RAID PUBLIC HOUSE.

At the Dover Police Copurt on Tuesday, before Messrs. W. B. Brett and T. Francis.

Private Lewis Lawson and Private Robert Moody, of the Green Howards, were charged with breaking and entering the "Hare and Hounds Inn," Folkestone Road, and stealing a bottle of whiskey, a pair of field glasses, a bottle of ginger wine, a large number of packets of cigarettes, 14 cigars and a tin containing biscuits, valued £3 12s. 2d.

Alexander William Crawford, the licensee, said that on Saturday he closed his house, a beer house, at 10:30 p.m. and went to bed just after 11:30, when he left everything secure. He heard nothing during the night, but when he got up at 7:45 the next morning he found the front door open. On pulling up the blinds he found the bar window open about 3 inches. This window was level with the road, and he had fastened the catch the night before. He found the bar had been disturbed, and on going into the bar parlour found the door and the window open and the blind up. This was also level with the road. He found two soldiers' belts on the table. He missed the cigarettes, cigars and biscuits from the bar, also the ginger wine. The bottle of whiskey he missed from the living room, but the field glasses, in the back sitting room, he did not miss until Sunday afternoon. He identified the articles produced as his property and valued them at £3 12s. 2d. He charged the prisoners at the Dover Police Station on Monday night.

Detective Sergeant Greenland said that at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday he went to the "Hare and Hounds Inn" and saw the last witness, who told him that the premises had been entered during the night and told him the articles missing. Witness examined the premises and found an entrance had been made by forcing the catch of the bow window back with some instruments, as there were marks on the window and paint scrapings on the window ledge. The two belts were handed to him, and in consequence of the markings on then he went to the Citadel Barracks and made enquiries. He found the two prisoners, of the Green Howards, had been absentees since Friday night. He went in search of them until 19 on Monday night.

P. C. Moore said that at 11:20 p.m. on Monday night he was in Biggin Street when he saw the two prisoners standing at the top of Pencester Road. Lawson approached him and said "We are the chaps who broke into those two pubs." Witness knew that the "Hare and Hounds Inn" and the "Plough Inn," Hougham, had been broken into, and he told the prisoners he would take them to the Police Station. On arrival there Moody handed him the fill classes from underneath his great coat, saying "I got these at the "Hare and Hounds."" Witness searched him and found a quantity of cigarettes on Lawson and cigarettes and matches on Moody. A knife found on Moody bore marks of having been used to force a window. "The cigarettes," they said, "had come from the pubs."

Chief Constable Green at this point asked for a remand until Thursday, when, no doubt, he said, a further charge would be preferred against them.

Prisoners were then remanded until Thursday.

On Thursday, before the same Magistrates, Mr. Crawford identified a biscuit tin (containing four packets of biscuits) and the empty whiskey bottle as his property. These have been recovered since Tuesday.

Prisoners had nothing to say to the first charge, and the second charge was then taken.

Prisoners were charged with breaking into the "Plough Inn," Hougham between 11:20 on November 4th and 5.30 on November 5th and stealing two boxes of Players and Woodbine cigarettes, 1lb Shag, 1/2lb Navy Cut, 2lb Irish Roll, a bottle of cherry brandy, a two gallon jar of ginger beer, a tin of biscuits, an oil lamp, a bottle of ale and a bottle of cider, and 1lb box of chocolates and ten boxes of matches, valued in all £4 10s.

Henry John Pilcher, licensee of the "Plough Inn," said that on Sunday he securely locked the front door at 10 p.m. and about 11:20, before going to bed, went round and found everything safe. He heard a little noise during the night but thought nothing of it, as it was not very loud, and he was not really disturbed during the night. At 5:30 a.m. when he got up, he found the front door open and the front window nearest the road open at the top. He looked around and saw that the tobacco was missing. It was in a package that had not been opened. He also missed the other articles mentioned in the charge. The lamp was kept in the cellar, and his daughter missed that. All the stuff had been found, or what was left of it. He believed Moody had been into the "Plough" several times, as he seemed to recognise him.
Moody:- I have never been there before.

Detective Constable Belsey, K.C.C., Seabrook, said that on Monday, in consequence of the report, he went to the "Plough." He examined the premises and found on the window of the taproom three new marks at the bottom of the sash and a mark on the brass catch. On Tuesday he searched a field near the Old Dover Road, Hougham (towards Lydden Spout,) and in a hollow he found the articles mentioned in the charge. The biscuit tin was covered over with hay, but the other articles were in the open. It was about a mile and a half from the "Plough." Witness was present at the Dover Police Station when the prisoners were charged by Mr. Pilcher, and they made no reply. Witness also found the biscuit tin and the whiskey bottle from the "Hare and Hounds" with the other articles at Ayecliffe.

Prisoners had nothing to say to the second charge, and were committed for trial at the Assizes, Maidstone, on both offences.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 17 July, 1936.

TROOPS LEAVE FOR MANOEUVRES.

On Wednesday morning the troops of the 12th Infantry Brigade, from Dover, left on their march to Crowborough, in Sussex, where they will take part in the Army manoeuvres next week. As they went along the Folkestone Road, just past the Hare and Hounds they marched past Brigadier M Kemp-Welch, M.C. who is shortly giving up the command of the Garrison.

 Above photo:- A Company of the 2nd Batt. The Devonshire regiment marching past.

Below photo:- The 2nd Bat. of the Seaforth Highlanders.

From the Dover Express and east Kent News, Friday 9 December, 1938.

At the Dover Licensing Sessions on Friday the Magistrates approved plans for alterations of the "Hare and Hound," Maxton, were approved.

Dover Express 8th June 1945.

TOWN PORT & GARRISON.

The engagement is announced between Doris, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Lewis, “Hare and Hounds”, Maxton, and Seaman C. Lusher RN of Norwich.

Dover Express 9th August 1946.

LOCAL WEDDINGS. SMN. C.LUSHER—MISS D. LEWIS.

The wedding took place on July 27th at St. Martin’s Church, Dover, between Miss Doris Lewis, second daughter of Mr. & Mrs. A. S. Lewis of the “Hare & Hounds”, Maxton and Smn. C. Lusher (RN), second son of Mrs. and the late Mr. C. Lusher, of Norwich. The Rev. E. C. Galpin officiated with Mrs. Haines at the organ. The bride, who was given away by her father, was attired in a white lace gown over satin slip, embroidered veil, held in place by a halo of net and pearls, silver shoes and carried a shower bouquet of red roses. The bridesmaids were the Misses Gladys and Betty Lewis (bride’s sisters) who wore dresses of mauve taffeta and headdresses to match and Miss Doreen Lusher (bridegroom’s sister) and Miss Peggy Waite (friend) who wore blue satin dresses with headdresses of feathers and veil to match. Mrs. A. Lewis (bride’s sister-in-law), the matron of honour, was dressed in blue satin with headdress to match. All the bridesmaids carried bouquets of sweet-peas, roses and fern. The best man was SPO Alf Lewis (RN) (bride’s brother). A reception was held at Eaves Hall, where more than 100 guests were present. The honeymoon was spent at Tilbury, the bride travelling in a pale blue suit with black accessories. Mr. & Mrs. C. Lusher were the recipients of many presents, including a reading lamp from the customers of the “Hare & Hounds” and a dinner service from members of the dart club.

Dover Express 9th May 1947.

Town, Port & Garrison.

The engagement is announced between Betty, youngest daughter of Mr.& Mrs. Lewis, “Hare & Hounds”, Dover, and Donald, only son of Mr. & Mrs. Roberts of London.

From the Dover Express, 10 February 2005.

TWO pub patrons with a penchant for pickled eggs took part in an eating contest last week to raise money for charity.

Gary Stokes and Mick Goodwin, regulars of the Hare and Hounds in Maxton, ate 18 pickled eggs each in an hour.

Landlady Debbie Payne said: "Gary and Mick raised £568, and with another pub competition, the total was £989. We're going to top it up to £1,000 and donate it to the tsunami fund."

From the Dover Express by Adam Westgarth and Rhys Griffiths, 7 June 2007.

Counting cost of ban on smokers.

PUBS in Folkestone and Dover are spending tens of thousands of pounds to accommodate smokers ahead of the ban next month.

Smoking is to be banned in all workplaces in England, including all pubs, from Sunday, July 1 and landlords and breweries are counting the cost of kitting out their gardens and open spaces.

In Dover, the Hare & Hounds in Maxton is the subject of a £10,000 refit while the Old Endeavour in London Road is investing £9,000 and the Lord Nelson in Flying Horse Lane is spending £12,000.

Chrissie Coomer, landlady at the Hare & Hounds, (above), is not a fan of the ban.

She said: "I'm not happy because 90 per cent of my customers are smokers.

"My customers are not pleased either, one told me he will never drink outside his house again because he can't smoke."

'Fag ends will litter streets'

ANTI-rubbish campaigners say they fear the country's pavements outside pubs and clubs will be littered with cigarette ends once the smoking ban comes into force.

Keep Britain Tidy already estimates 80 per cent of the country's pavements are strewn with cigarette butts, with that set to soar after July 1.

The launch of a new campaign aims to reduce the number of butts smokers leave in their wake which costs taxpayers nationally more than £20 million to clean up each year.

Keep Britain Tidy fears the ban on smoking in public places, due to take effect on July 1, is likely to ignite the problem further.

The charity wants smokers to help keep the streets tidy by binning their stubbed-out cigarettes.

Louise Arnold, Keep Britain Tidy's executive director said: "It would be foolish to think that when people have to smoke outside, they won't drop their cigarette ends on the floor."

From the Dover Express, 9 August 2007.

New look: Stephen Lowrie and Chrissie Coomer of the Hare and Hounds in Folkestone Road. DOAJ010807Hare-3

Hare and Hounds goes back to country image.

TWO publicans have done their best to ensure the smoking ban does not cost them trade by spending £3,000 to refurbish their business.

Chrissie Coomer, 55, and partner Stephen Lowrie, 56, of the Hare and Hounds in Folkestone Road, closed the pub for several days last month for renovation.

The couple thought it vital to give the premises a makeover.

Miss Coomer said: "We've taken it back to the country cottage pub it used to be.

"A lot of customers' might feel bad about having to smoke outside, but we want everyone to view this as a fresh start."

The pub has a new carpet, curtains and furniture as well as a smoking area.

Miss Coomer said she was still unsure how the ban on lighting up in public houses would affect her business.

She said: "I would like to see a return on our investment. I hope it will be good for the business with those people who did not like the smoky atmosphere in pubs before now inclined to come out for a drink."

From the Dover Express, 13 September 2007.

Pub partners win beer award.

TWO Dover publicans have been celebrating after their boozer won a top gong for its beer.

Watering hole the Hare and Hounds in Folkestone Road is run by Chrissie Coomer, 55, and partner Stephen Lowrie, 56.

After a £3,000 refurbishment in the wake of the smoking ban, the pub has now been given a Master of Beer status. This means its ales are of a particularly high quality.

Miss Coomer said: "This is fantastic news as we always strive to provide good quality drinks to our customers."

She said she is also keen for people to join the darts and skittles teams.