Thanet Times, Tuesday 25 August, 1964.

Harry Baker of the "Lord Byron."

Genial, friendly and happy-go-lucky 72 year old Harry Baker, licensee of "Lord Byron" public house, Byron Road, Margate, came into this trade somewhat late in life, but like everything else he has tried he has made a success of its.

Harry took over the "Lord Byron" 8 years ago and with the full cooperation of his wife Kitty, he has made it one of the happiest hostelries of it's kind in the borough.

"I could not wish for a better crowd of people. They are what we call the working class type but they have heart's of gold and any call which is is made to help those less fortunate than themselves has they're 100%, support," said Harry.

Quiet drinking during the week, it is always party time at the weekends at the "Lord Byron." This is understandably because Harry is an old time Music Hall artist and still loves to see people entertained.

"It's going back a long way but I was call boy at the London Hippodrome when I was 15 and later for many years I was on the stage as a song and dance man, and as a comedian," he said.

Just before the outbreak of the last war Harry decided to give up the stage and he went into business for a spell before he came to the "Lord Byron" from Hornchurch, Essex.

Harry's wife has also been associated with entertainment but in a slightly different field. Her father was a boxer who trained Bombardier Billy Wells who entered the hotel trade after he had finished boxing.

The "Lord Byron" is 100 years old and I imagine the ghosts of past years look with envy upon the success it is enjoying today under Harry Baker's guidance.

East Kent Times and Mail, Wednesday 1 November 1967.

Pint-sized horse.

In these difficult days the idea of travelling to the pub on horseback is not a new one, but the difference here is that this pony just can't keep out of his local, the "Lord Byron" in Margate.

If he's trotting by with his owner, 16 year old Cheryl Wagstaff of Milton Square, Margate, and the doors are opened in he goes to visit mine hosts, Harry and Katie Baker.

There's no stopping him and the regulars have grown used to him since his first call 18 months ago.

In fairness it must be said that although Blaze king is often tempted with a pint of beer he usually declines in favour of the biscuits the landlord keeps under the counter.

East Kent Times and Mail, Wednesday 2 October 1968.

Farewell to Harry and Kitty.

Sixty years ago Mr. Harry Baker took his first job as call boy at the London Hippodrome. On October 16 he officially retires as landlord of the "Lord Byron" public house, Byron Avenue, Margate, where he has been popular mine host, along with his charming wife Kitty, for the last 12 years.

During that time Harry and Katie have made many friends in the street which some like to call "Coronation Street," and on Monday night about 100 customers gathered in the pub for a social evening and a bid the couple farewell.

Up to the beginning of WWI Harry and his brother were popular song and dance acts titled the Baker Brothers, and they were very popular around the music halls of those days.

Harry and Kitty, along with several of their regulars have done much to brighten the lives of the old people in the immediate area by arranging social evenings and outings for them.

And on Monday night it was the turn of the clients to do their bit. A short speech by Mr. Jack Booth told of the great friendship always shown by Mr. and Mrs. Baker to everyone and of the big gap which would be created by the departure.

Then Mr. John Mahoney presented them with a transistor radio and a painting depicting a familiar Kentish country scene.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker are going to live at Cranham, Essex. Watching the proceedings with obviously mixed feelings was their daughter Josie whose husband, Mr. Ron Holding, is the licensee of the "Northumberland Bars," Palm Bay.

As one customer was heard to remark With Josie at the Northumberland there will still be a little love Mum and Dad left behind in Margate.

Thanet Times, Tuesday 24 June 1975.

Change the British pub' plea.

While members of the British Resorts' Association, called at the annual conference in Torquay for revised licensing laws to help tourism, Thanet publicans made it clear they did not want to see a change in the character of the British pub, which they believe was a unique institution.

President of Thanet's Licensed Victuallers Association, Mr. John Barlow, of the "Rising Sun," Ramsgate, said they would welcome more flexibility in opening hours.

He did not want to see the hours extended, but, in common with a majority of publicans, we welcome greater freedom to be able to open his house at the time seeing you his customers with welcome it.

A continental system of twenty-four hours a day opening was out of the question, he said, with high staff costs that would be involved.
"If we were allowed to open the hours the customers wanted, it would be more acceptable to us and the customers," he said.

They were already open 9 1/2 hours a day with another 5 1/2 hours taken up with cellar work and paperwork.

"I don't want more hours, just greater flexibility," he stated.

Vice-president Mr. Gordon Coker, of the "Lord Byron," Margate, agreed he would like to see more flexible licensing hours, but added. "I would not like to see round-the-clock opening and tables outside with cups of coffee. It would ruin the atmosphere of the British pub.

"Overseas tourists come here and think our pubs are marvellous. They have nothing like it themselves," he stated.

At the British Resorts' Association annual summer meeting, Mr. Tony Boswell, chairman of Eastbourne tourism and Leisure Services committee, said. "As new Europeans we ought to have reasonable European laws.

The Association's Vice-Chairman, Cllr. Rayman Jacobs, of Blackpool, claimed that continental licensing laws were more socially acceptable.

"We seem to have the old-fashioned idea that alcohol is a demon to be locked away at certain hours," he said.