From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 1 February, 1867.

REMANDED CHARGES

Joseph Bell and Bartholomew James, privates in the 70th Regiment, and Andrew Shaw, a trumpeter belonging to the 13th Brigade Royal Artillery, were again placed at the bar on the charge of robbery and violence brief particulars of which have already been given.

Mr. Lewis now appeared for the prisoner Bell.

Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Powell: I live at St. Margaret's, where I keep a little shop. I recognise the prisoners as three young men who came into my shop of Friday afternoon, between two and three o'clock. They purchased half a loaf of bread and a piece of cheese, and afterwards left the shop. When they came into the shop a whole Dutch cheese was standing on the counter, and immediately they had left I missed it. After the prisoner left my shop I saw them go into the "Hope" public-house, which is a very little way off. The value of the cheese is 2s. 6d. I informed my husband of the circumstance as soon as he entered the house - in about a quarter of an hour after the occurrence.

By the prisoner James: I cannot say which of you took the cheese. None of you returned to the shop.

John Chapman: I live at Swingate, in the parish of Guston, and am a bricklayer. I saw the prisoner Bell on the turnpike road, near Swingate, coming from the direction of Westcliff and St. Margaret's with a cheese under his arm. He was alone, and was walking at a brisk rate towards Dover. Mr. Powell shortly afterwards came up, and told me a cheese had been stolen from his shop. I thereupon pursued the prisoner, who, on seeing that I was following him, ran away. He fell down while crossing a field, and I saw the cheese roll from under his coat. He got up and ran away, and I shortly afterwards caught him, and conveyed him to the "Swingate Inn," where he was taken in charge by the parish constable. I picked up the cheese and gave it to the constable.

By Mr. Lewis: The prisoner (Bell) was not in liquor.

Mr. Lewis: What made him fall down in the field?

Witness: I don't know, it was heavy running.

Cross-examination continued: The field was not far from the spot where I first saw the prisoner. I took him about a hundred yards from the place where he dropped the cheese. The cheese produced is the same.

Thomas Powell, the husband of the first witness: On Friday afternoon, in consequence of what was told me by my wife, I went after three soldiers, overtook them on the road between Westcliff and Swingate. I saw a young woman coming towards them, and as soon as they got to her they "tackled" her. They dragged her into a field. As I passed them the young woman was crying out for assistance. I did not stop them to assist her, as I knew there was other help at hand. I should have stopped if I had not known that. About ten minutes afterwards I saw Bell coming along the road. I told the last witness (John Chapman), and he ran after him and detained him. I saw Bell drop the cheese from under his coat. He was afterwards handed over to the parish constable. The two other men ran away across a field.

By the Bench: The cheese, I am sure, is my property. I asked the prisoner where he had got the cheese, and he said it belonged to "a man in the country." (Laughter.)

William Marsh, parish constable of Westcliff: I was at the parish church about three on Friday afternoon last, when I saw the prisoner pass. They were going towards Swingate. A few minutes afterwards Pascall came to me, and in consequence of what he told me I followed the prisoners. When I arrived at Swingate Bell was in custody of Chapman and Powell. I handcuffed the prisoner, and brought him towards Dover, but on our getting near the Castle Fort, he made his escape. I went in search of him at the barracks, and there saw the two other prisoners, who were placed in confinement for the night in consequence of my representations that they had been concerned in robbing a shop in St. Margaret's and in stopping a young woman on the road between that place and Dover. I saw the other prisoner in Snargate Street on Saturday evening, and he was then apprehended.

This was the whole of the evidence in the charge of felony; but the Magistrates determined to her the testimony of the other case before giving their decision.

The following witnesses were then examined:-

Alice Batcheller, a respectable-looking young woman, said: I am a single woman, and reside at 10, Model Cottages, Dover. On Friady afternoon last, shortly after three o'clock, I was on my way from Dover to St. Margaret's, when I met the three prisoners. I was going to St. Margaret's to make enquiries about a situation. I was walking along a path which crossed a ploughed field, when the prisoners came up to me. I am sure of their identity. They all kissed me. Two of them (Shaw and Bell) threw me down and put their hands up my clothes as far as they could. They knelt upon me, put their hands over my face, and made my nose bleed. I had one of my hands closed, and they forced it open to see what I had in it. It contained only my glove. I had a silver thimble in my pocket, and that is missing. In a little time Bell ran away, and Shaw said to James "He's got her brooch." While the men were maltreating me the witness Powell passed me. I could not call out, as the prisoners had their hands over my mouth. After Bell ran away the other two men made their escape. Very soon afterwards a man came to my assistance, and I told him what had been done to me. I also told the parish constable, and Mrs. George, a woman living in St. Margaret's whom I know.

By Mr. Lewis; I have not seen the brooch since I did not look about the field for it, - I was too much frightened.

By James: Shaw and Bell put their hands up my petticoats. You placed your hand over my mouth, and made my nose bleed. You did not pick me up. I was on the path when you met me, and you dragged me into the field. I cannot say how far I was dragged into the field, but not far. I could not call out because your hands were over my mouth. I did not say on Saturday that the reason I did not holloa was because I could not see any one who could come to my assistance. I asked you to let me go, and one of you replied "There's no fear of that."

By Shaw: I am positive as to your identity.

The parish constable Marsh said he found the prosecutrix in the field she had described, cleaning the mud from her dress. She was standing about half a rod from the path. She told him three soldiers had been interrupting her. She said they had torn her clothes and had stolen her brooch. He observed some blood on her face. She appeared greatly agitated and distressed. Another man was upon the spot, and witness left her in his charge and pursued bell, whom he apprehended.

The witness Powell was also called and he repeated portions of the evidence he had already given. He saw the three prisoners seize hold of the prosecutrix and drag her into the field. He saw the soldiers pulling her about, but did not see her upon the ground. He had the parties in view four or five minutes. He heard the prosecutrix keep telling the soldiers to leave her alone and let her go. The prosecutrix seemed much afraid. Witness went forward and sent a man to the girl's protection.

By James: The reason I did not stop to protect the prosecutrix myself was because I was going after a policeman. I did not look at you and laugh.

This being the whole of the evidence, the Magistrates in reply to Mr. Lewis, said they had resolved to commit the prisoner for trial on both charges.

The prisoners who had no defence to make, were fully committed to trial at the East Kent Sessions.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 18 April, 1902. Price 1d.

ASSAULT AT ST. MARGARET'S

John Aldridge, a hawker, of bridge Street, Dover, was summoned for assaulting Morris Drew, landlord of the "Hope Inn," St. Margaret's , on the 29th ult. Mr. Rutley Mowll appeared for the complainant. The evidence was to the effect that the man was drunk, he having had 19 pints of beer during the day. The defendant was fined 40/- and 25/- costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 17 August, 1906. Price 1d.

LICENSING

An occasional licence was granted to Mr. Drew of the “Hope Inn,” St. Margaret's, for the annual sports at Reach Court Meadow.

From the Dover Express. 1909.

Big Fire at St. Margaret's.

Hope Inn Burnt Out.

This afternoon at about 2.30, the Hope Inn St. Margaret's, kept by Mr. Morris Drew, caught fire. The St. Margaret's brigade was quickly on the spot but the flames continued to gain and there is little chance of the house being saved. The Dover brigade was telegraphed for and left promptly at 3.20 in charge of Inspector Scutt. A message received from St. Margaret's at 3.30, states that the local brigade has now completely got the fire under. The house is particularly gutted although the roof, which is burnt through, has not fallen in. The St. Margaret's brigade used the double standpipe for the first time and it proved very useful. The adjoining cottage was in danger for some time and is damaged by water. The cause of the fire has not yet been properly ascertained, but it is stated that Mr. Drew, who is by himself in the house today, his wife and family being away on a visit, upset a lamp in the linen room. The journey of the Dover Fire Brigade will be useless one under the circumstances, but they cannot be recalled.

Information kindly supplied by Joyce Banks.

The St. Margarets Fire. 1909.

It is estimated that quite £250 worth of damage was done to the Hope Inn, St. Margaret's, by the fire, which occurred there last Friday afternoon. It appears that Mr. Morris Drew, the landlord, was engaged about 2.15 in the afternoon in replenishing the lamps and, filling the one in the bar, replaced it upon the hook in the ceiling. He went into the taproom and shortly afterwards heard an explosion. On returning to the bar he found the place filled with smoke and the woodwork round by the fireplace, which is behind the counter, well alight. The hook in the ceiling had pulled right out, the lamp being smashed in its fall, and, it is surmised, as it had not been lighted that the paraffin splashed into the fire and caught alight. The chimney, which was one of the old fashioned sort, was boarded round with match-boarding and this being very dry readily burst into flames. Mr. Drew raised the alarm, informing Mr. L. Newman of Dora Cottage who, together with Mr. Hogbin obtained the hose reel from Mr. Clayson's house opposite. Other willing helpers soon on the spot included Mr. Atwood, Mr. E. Atwood, Mr. Doubleday and Mr. Houghties. The bar window facing the Morley House was smashed and a strong stream of water directed on the flames. Meanwhile, Mr. Clayson, captain of the St. Margaret's Fire Brigade, who was working at West Cliffe, was sent for and the other members of the brigade were quickly assembled. The double standpipe was put on in place of the other and proved very serviceable, a good supply of water being directed into the bar and into the upper part of the house through the window. A large quantity of spirits on shelves in the bar and behind the chimney fell prey to the flames causing the fire to burn even more fiercely. The flames spread right through to the next floor, extensively damaging the front bedroom which was just over the bar, the back attic and finally burning through the roof making a large hole. The floor of a small box room was also burnt through. Much damage was also done in the house by water, particularly in the living room, where a glare could be seen.

Some difficulty was experienced by the firemen in locating the fire in the upper part of the building owing to the dense and suffocating smoke and the way in which the flames worked up by the side and behind the chimney. During the progress of the fire Mr. Drew thought of his canary which was hanging in the living room and breaking the window pane succeeded in pulling the cage through. Later, Mr. Drew climbed into the window of an upstairs room by means of a ladder and secured a box containing money and other valuables. The fire was ultimately got under at about 4.15. The Dover Fire Brigade, which had been sent for, arrived just before four o'clock but their services were not required. The St. Margaret's Fire Brigade consists of the following:- Messrs. T. Clayson (captain), E. Drew, Gillings, T. Clayson, E. Clayson, C. Wickaden, A. Kenway and I. Pay. Although business is still being carried on, a bar made in the taproom which escaped damage, Mr. and Mrs. Drew have been obliged to take apartments close by.

The property and furniture are insured in the Guardian Office (agent Messrs. Worsfold and Hayward, Dover).

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 29 September 1939.

The "Hope" Inn, St. Margaret's, was granted an occasional license for stock sales at Reach Court Farm, St. Margaret's, on 5th October.

From the Dover Express. 17 April, 1970.

Inn takes a beating.

Several square feet of flooring was damaged by fire at the "Hope Inn," St Margaret's, on Sunday night. The blaze was caused by hot coal from a domestic fire setting fire to an armchair.

Fireman had to cut away part of the floor to ensure that the fire was out. The armchair was also damaged.

From the Dover Express. 2 October, 1970.

Retiring soon.

What most attracts you to your local? The beer? A game of darts or dominoes? The blond on the bar?

Well, whatever your reason one of the main features that enhance the atmosphere of a pub is a chat with a friendly landlord.

So you can appreciate many people in St. Margaret's will miss the friendship of Mr. Jim Mills who in November will be retiring as landlord of the "Hope Inn," St Margaret's after 33 years behind the bar.

"And I've enjoyed every minute of it," says Mr. Mills.

Seventy two year old Mr. Mills first met his wife Lill in a pub in Portsmouth where she was a barmaid.

"I think it was love at first sight for both of us," recalls Mr. Mills.

Now Mr. and Mrs. Mills have five children, ten grand children and two great grand children.

"How has pub life altered since he became licensee of the "Hope Inn," all those years ago.

"The most memorable change has been in prices. When I first started you could get a drink and a great meal for about six pence," said Mr. Mills.

Charrington the brewers are arranging a farewell get together for Mr. Mills and his wife in November. There should be quite a few residents of St. Margaret's wanting to say "thank you" to them.

"Cheers from us, Mr. and Mrs. Mills."

From the Dover Express, 5 March 2015.

Plans for inn.

How the owners of the now-closed Hope Inn hope to convert the 18th century listed property is revealed in a planning application.

Sam Buckley seeks to convert the former pub into two dwellings while proposing to put up four residential units within the grounds where there used to be car parking and a beer garden.