From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 30 July, 1861.

DEAL COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS.

Wednesday:- (Before George Hughes, Esq., and Capt. Douglas.)

BURGLARY.

William Flynn was brought up on the charge of burglariously entering the dwelling house of Thomas Friend, at Ringwould.

Thomas Friend deposed: I keep the “King William” public-house at Ringwould. I was the last person up on Sunday night, the 21st instant. I went to bed at about 121 o'clock. I fastened up the house, and saw all safe. I heard no noise during the night, but about four o'clock on the morning of the 22nd, I was called up by a person named John Wellard, who was a lodger in my house. He had got up to go to his work and found both the doors open; also the cellar window or flap, the staple of which had been cut with a chisel or knife. The doors had been unfastened from the inside. I am quite certain thr cellar flap was fastened over night. On looking about the premises, and searching the drawers and cupboards, I missed a quantity of property, consisting of four table cloths, two shawls, two aprons, three quarters a pound of tobacco, half a dozen black handled knives, four forks, two odd knives, tea, sugar, a quantity of copper money (amongst which were a number of farthings), some wearing apparel, &c., the whole of which were taken on the night in question.. The copper money was in two cups in a cupboard, which had been broken open. I value the loss at 40s.

John Wellard deposed; I am a lodger at Mr. Friend's, at the “King William,” in Ringwould. On Monday morning, the 22nd instant, I got up about four o'clock to go to my work. I found the back and front doors both open, and also the cellar flap. I then called Mr. Friend, being the first up in the morning.

Julia Friend deposed: I am the daughter of Thomas Friend, and live at home. The beads and brooch now produced are my property; they were seen last by me on Friday afternoon, the 19th instant. They were in the lower room, on the mantle-piece. I missed them first on Tuesday afternoon. I value the articles at 1s.

James O'Smotherly sworn: I am a sergeant in the 1st Battalion of the 7th Fusiliers, stationed at Walmer. On the 22nd instant, I was Sergeant of the Battalion Guard, when the prisoner was brought in by an escort, at half-past ten at night. I searched and found on him the articles now produced. The copper money, including twenty-six farthings, in all 4s. 5½d. I delivered the articles named to Police-constable George Ralph, on the 23rd inst.

George Ralph, Kent County Police, sworn: I took possession of the property from the last witness. I had heard of a robbery at Ringwould, and in consequence, shewed the brooch and beads to Julia Friend, who identified them immediately, and said she could swear to them. I than took the prisoner into custody, and when I charged him with the robbery he said it was all right, he knew all about it. As I was conveying him to the station, he said that he could tell me where all the things were, only he should wait.

Colour-sergeant O. Halley sworn: I am Colour-sergeant in the company to which the prisoner belongs. I know him to have been absent without leave from the night of the 19th, until the morning of the 23rd. he was under stoppages, and received 1d per day; had been so five days previous to his absence.

The prisoner made no defence, and was committed for trial at the Maidstone assizes.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 3 August, 1861.

BURGLARY AT RINGWOULD.

William Finn, a soldier was indicted for burglary. Mr. Rosier conducted the case for the prosecution. A public-house called the “King William,” situated at Ringwould, is kept by a man of the name of Thomas Friend, who, on the night of Sunday, the 22nd of July, fastened up his house previous to retiring to rest. On getting g up early the next morning he found that the cellar flaps had been forced and the house entered. A number of things, including a large quantity of coppers, had been stolen. On Sunday , the 23rd, the prisoner was taken to the guardroom of his regiment, at Walmer, for having been absent without leave, and on being searched, a brooch and some beads (part of the stolen property) were found upon him, together with 4s. 5½d. in coppers. When afterwards charged by police-constable Ralph with committing the burglary, he replied, “It's all right; I know about it.” He afterwards confessed to Sergeant Parker where he had put the remainder of the articles, which were found in a wheat field at the spot indicated by the accused.
Guilty – One year's hard labour.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 1 November, 1895.

INQUEST AT RINGWOULD

An inquest was held at the “King William Inn,” Ringwould, on Monday afternoon, before the Coroner for Dover, Mr. S. Payn, on the body of a man, name unknown, which was found in a ploughed field, at Ringwould, on the previous Saturday.

Thos. Fittall stated that he was a farm bailiff at Ripple Court. About four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, he was going across Little Sutton Field, when he saw a man's felt hat by the side of the hedge. Close to the hat he saw a man lying face downwards, in a ploughed furrow, about half a rod from the road, his face being buried in the mud. He was dead, and his limbs were stiff. Witness proceeded to Ringwould to inform the Police, and on his way he met Colonel Sladen's son, who went for the Mongeham Police. There were no marks on the ground. The ground was flattened in the furrow where the deceased was lying as if he had crawled. Witness had never seen him before.

Dr. Davey deposed to examining the body. There were no marks of violence upon it. The body was fairly well nourished, but the stomach appeared empty. Deceased was a fairly muscular man and appeared to be about 70 years of age. It was his opinion that the deceased died from exposure, having had a fit of syncope.

Police Constable Adams, stationed at Ringwould, stated that he had viewed the body lying at the barn, and recognised it as that of a man whom he had seen on the previous Monday evening in the village at about half-past six o'clock. He was not drunk, and walked all right, but he appeared to be suffering from delirium tremens. He should say he was from 60 to 65 years of age.

The Coroner briefly summed up the evidence, and the Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the doctor's opinion.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 21 September, 1906.

RINGWOULD HARVEST SUPPER.

The annual harvest supper was held at the “King William Hotel,” Ringwould, on Saturday evening last, and proved a great success. An excellent repast was provided by the hostess, to which full justice was done. The supper was followed by a musical evening with Gunner Palmer, R.G.A., as pianist. Br. Davison kindly consented to take the chair, and several local singers were called, and met with a hearty reception. Miss Hollett sang a military song with great effect, and the daughter of the host and hostess, Miss Griffin, rendered “My Irish Molly,” which was received with great applause. Br. Davison spoke on the successful harvest, and proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the host and hostess, which was seconded by Mr. Cresswell, and provoked a short speech from the host. An extension till 11 had been obtained, and the evening proved a great success.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 13 September, 1907.

GIRL'S DEATH AT RINGWOULD.

SUDDEN ENDING OF A HOLIDAY.

The County Coroner, Mr. R. M. Mercer, on Saturday, held an inquest at the Ripple Mansion Hall, into the death of Judeth Elizabeth Belsey Nash, a domestic servant, whose home is at Ripple Cottages, immediately opposite the place where the inquest was held. Nash returned home on a holiday on the Monday, and suddenly became ill on Wednesday, while walking out with a friend. Mr. A. J. Staines was foreman of the jury.

The following evidence was given:-

Mrs. Juila Elizabeth Jordan, the mother of the deceased, said her daughter was 21 years old, and was a domestic servant. On Monday September 2nd, she returned home on a holiday, and she then appeared to be in good health. On the Wednesday evening she left home between 5 and 6 o'clock to walk to Kingsdown. Shortly before 9 o'clock witness was summoned to the “King William” public house, Ringwould, and she there found her daughter on the couch in the sitting-room, unconscious. She at once took her home in a cab, and she never regained consciousness, and died the same night at 1.15 in her presence.

Sarah C. R. Hawkins, living at Ripple Cottages, with the last witness, said she went with the deceased to Kingsdown and was with her when she became ill. They left home between 6 and 6, and after having tea at Kingsdown. They walked along the sea front to Walmer. They reached Ringwould again soon after 8 o'clock, and after talking to two friends for a few minutes, went with them to the King William,” and each had a glass of stout. The deceased drank about half of hers, remarked that her head ached, and immediately fell forward against a partition. She did not speak afterwards, and was unconscious till she died, in witness's presence.

Dr. Thomas W. Smith, practising at Walmer, gave the result of a post mortem examination on the body, which was well nourished and bore no marks of violence or signs of disease. There was a clot of blood on the brain, caused by disease of the blood vessels. The blood vessels all over the body were diseased, and the least exertion would cause haemorrhage on the brain. It was really a kind of apoplexy. He had examined the contents of the stomach very carefully, but found nothing wrong.

The jury at once returned a verdict of death from natural causes.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 1 October 1909.

LICENSE EXTENSION.

The landlord of the “King William IV,” Ringwould, was granted an extension of time on October 2nd, the occasion being a harvest supper.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 8 February 1918.

Mr. J. H. Monings of Ringwould, said that he wished to object to the renewal of the licenses of the “Lord Nelson,” and the “King William IV,” at Ringwould. They had two or three public-houses to a population of 200.

The Magistrates' Clerk said that it would be necessary for notice to be given.

It was decided that all the existing licenses should be renewed with the exception of these two at Ringwould and that their renewal would be considered on March 1st at the Adjourned Sessions, and, in the meantime Mr. Monings could give notice of objection.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 8 March, 1918.

ADJOURNED LICENSING SESSIONS

The adjourned licensing sessions were held at the Town Hall on Friday last before Sir William Crundall ( in the Chair), Messrs. W. J. Barnes, H. F. Edwin, C. J. Sellena, F. W. Prescott, H. Hobday, F. G. Wright, Edward Chitty, C. E. Beaufoy, A. Clark, W. N. Atkins, W. J. Palmer and Dr. C. Wood.

Mr. J. H. Monins attended and objected to the renewal of the licence of the "King William," Ringwould. He said that he served notice on the tenant, Mr. Ash, and on Mr. Alfred Leney. He objected to the renewal on the grounds of redundancy. There were three licensed houses in the village of Ringwould, and the population was under 200.

Inspector Paramour, K.C.C. said that he had visited the premises. Its annual rental was £19 15s, including two cottages let at £10 8s. The rateable value was £15 gross. There were two small bars, a tap room, a sitting-room and private bar combined, a kitchen and three bedrooms. There was a small shop attached not now used. The landlord now worked as a cab driver. Sixty yards distant was the "Five Bells," and the "Lord Nelson" was on the opposite side. The population of Ringwould was 200, and 130 were adults.

By Mr. Leney: The house was well conducted, and had had a clean sheet for the past twenty years.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 9 August 1918.

TWO RINGWOULD PUBLIC HOUSES TO CLOSE.

At a meeting of the East Kent Compensation Authority held last week at Canterbury, Lord Harris presiding in the following cases, which had been referred by the Dover Licensing Sessions. The owners and tenants agreed to the houses being transferred for compensation: “Lord Nelson,” Ringwould, fully licensed, licensee James G. Taylor; owners Messrs. Thompson of Walmer; and “King William,” Ringwould, fully licensed, licensee George H. Ash of Rochester, registered owners, Messrs Alfred Leney and Co. Ltd, of Phoenix Brewery, Dover.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 22 November, 1918.

EAST KENT COMPENSATION AUTHORITY

A supplemental meeting of the East Kent Compensation Authority to apportion the compensation between owners and tenants of licensed houses which are being closed, was held at the Sessions House, Canterbury, on November 11th. Allocations were made as follows:- "Lord Nelson," Ringwould, £484. The whole of the allocation went to the owners, Thompson and Sons Ltd., Walmer, the house being under management; "King William," Ringwould, £744- £650 to the owners, Alfred Leney and Co., Ltd., Castle Street, Dover, and £94 to the tenant, George Herbert Ash.