From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 24 September, 1859.

REMANDED CHARGE OF BURGLARY

Thomas Taylor, William Wren, Charles Cotter, and Richard Peel, the privates of the 32nd regiment remanded from the preceding Saturday on the double charge of breaking into the dwelling-house of Mr. Barton, surgeon, of Hammond Place, and stealing therefrom several valuable articles, including an ornamental time-piece and a plated inkstand; and of stealing a watch, a pair of trousers, and a silk dress, from the "Red Lion" public house, Charlton Green, the property of the landlord; were again brought up.

The following evidence was now adduced:-

Police-sergeant Gedds, examined - The four prisoners were handed over to my custody on Friday last, about 2 p.m., by the witness Bradford and some other coast-guardsmen, on suspicion of being connected with robbery. Bradford at the same time gave me the pieces of a clock and the portion of silk dress produced. The pieces of clock were tied up in a piece of the lining of a dress. The prisoners were brought to the station-house by the coast-guardsman. The charge was taken down by the superintendent and read over to the prisoners, who declined to say nothing. On searching the prisoners I found in Cotter's pocket some lucifer matches. Between three of four o'clock the same afternoon I went to Mr. Barton's and saw the drawing-room. The room was in order then. I examined the windows, particularly that near the front door, and the balcony adjoining it. I noticed footmarks on the edge of the stone flooring of the balcony outside the railing. Inside the balcony, on the window-sill,  found a half burnt lucifer-match, which I now produce and which corresponds in character with some of the matches I found on prisoner Cotter. The balcony is about ten feet from the ground and overhangs the area. Over the front door is a coping, on which I also observed footmarks. On one side of the door there is a wall which divides the house from a garden, and it would be quite possible for a man to get on this wall and from that to the top of the porch, whence he might step to the balcony of the nearest window of the drawing-room.

Sergeant Back examined - In consequence of information I proceeded on Wednesday last, about half-past eight in the morning, to Mr. Barton's, No. 7, Hammond Place, and went upstairs into the drawing-room with the two maid-servants (witness Smith and the cook). Sergeant Back then described the appearance of the room, his description corresponding to the statement already given by witness Smith. He then said - I also noticed some lucifer matches amongst the flower-pots on the balcony. Several of the flower-pots I likewise noticed were upset and lying on their sides, and some of the paint appeared to have been recently rubbed off the corner of the balcony nearest the front door. On the coping of the door there also appeared marks as if from a shoe with nails in it. Mr. Barton on the same morning gave me the clock case I now produce. I have tried the pieces of the clock produced by Sergeant Geddes and I find they fit it.

Police-constable Thomas S. Barton - I was on duty at the corner of Cambridge Terrace on the morning of Wednesday last the 14th inst., and at about half-past two o'clock I saw the four prisoners go past me from Camden Crescent, as of coming from the direct of Hammond Place. They went down Northampton Street. The prisoner Taylor was walking about two yards in from of the other three men, who were together behind him. I afterwards, in the afternoon of Friday last, went to the beach near the South-Eastern Railway viaduct and there found the pieces of a clock I now produce, which correspond with the other pieces already produced by Sergeant Geddes.

The prisoner, having been cautioned, said they were going to bathe on Wednesday last when they found the piece of silk dress which had been produced. They all declared that they knew nothing about the time-piece.

They were then committed for trial on the first charge at the next Maidstone assizes.

Additional evidence was afterwards taken with respect to the robbery at the "Red Lion," including the following:-

Thomas Robbins, watchmaker, residing at Buckland, examined - On Wednesday last, between the hours of three and five in the afternoon, the prisoner Taylor brought to my shop a watch. It was an old watch and I had seen many times and had frequently repaired for Mr. Thomas Horn, of the "Red Lion" public house, Charlton Green. Taylor, who was alone, asked me to buy the watch. Having looked at it I told him I would have nothing to do with it. I asked him of whom he had got it, and he said he had given twenty-five shillings for it, but that he had forgotten the name of the man of whom he had bought it. I told him I would not buy it at any price, and he then left the door. I took one of the papers out of the back of the watch and saw Horn's name at the back of it. The value of the watch is about 16s.

From the evidence of Mr. James Long, pawnbroker, it appeared there was reason to suspect the prisoner had been concerned in an offer of the trousers to pledge at his shop. They had been offered by a "navvy," who had evidently been sent by the prisoners.

The apprehension of the prisoners on the second charge having been proved, and each of them having denied any knowledge of the robbery.

They were committed for trial upon this charge at the next borough quarter sessions.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 24 September, 1859.

BURGLARY BY SOLDIERS

Thomas Taylor, William Wren, Charles Cotter, and Richard Peel, privates belonging to the 32nd regiment, were charged with entering the dwelling-house of Mr. Barton, surgeon, 7 Hammond Place, on the night of Tuesday, and stealing therefrom sundry articles, including an ornamental time-piece and a plated ink-stand. The same prisoners were also charged with stealing a watch, a pair of trousers, and a silk dress, from the "Red Lion," Charlton Green, the property of the landlord, Thomas Horn, on he following day.

In the first case the robbery had been committed under very daring circumstances, the articles having been stolen from an upstairs-room overlooking the street, and the thieves having managed to effect an entry by climbing up the columns supporting the door-porch and so gaining a small balcony with which the room connected. The window, it appears, was not fastened, owing to some defect in the sash-line, but it was quite closed at the bottom, and was open at the top only by a few inches, so that a forcible entry must have been effected. The investigations of the depredators were confined to the room in question, the door being fastened on the outside, an their communication with the remainder of the house, except by risking more noise than they felt prudent to make, being thus prevented. Everything considered in the room in the shape of box or drawer was forced open, and several articles of value, including those above mentioned, carried off.

In the second case, four soldiers, including the prisoner Taylor, went to the house of the prosecutor and there sat drinking for about two hours, and after their departure it was discovered that the articles mentioned in the second charge were missing. The following evidence was addressed at this examination:-

Uriah Bradford, a commissioned boatman in the coastguard service, examined - Yesterday morning, about ten o'clock, I was on duty on the beach near to the viaduct between the South-Eastern Railway terminus and Shakespeare's Cliff, when I saw the four prisoners. They were sitting on the beach, about one-third of the distance between Shakespeare's Cliff and the railway terminus. I passed them in the course of my duty about ten yards from the spot at which they were sitting. They appeared to be very busily engaged, but I cannot say what they were doing. I returned again about forty minutes past twelve o'clock and the prisoners were still there. As I passed them I observed them fill something with beach and throw it into the water. I was in a boat with some other boatmen; and on landing about forty yards from them they came up and offered to help us haul the boat up. After doing so I noticed part of a silk dress floating past the stern of our boat. One of out boatmen got it out of the water with a boat-hook, and having called to another boatman named Barton I took him to the spot where I had noticed the soldiers sitting. We noticed that the beach had been recently disturbed to a considerable extent, and that a quantity of thread and cotton was lying about near to the spot. Barton and I then raked among the beach, and about a foot beneath the surface we found some portions of a clock wrapped in the lining of a dress. The four prisoners then came towards us, on observing which I motioned them to stand still, and said I should take them as my prisoners. They asked what for, and I told them they would learn by and bye, and would have to make answer elsewhere. I then called for assistance. As the prisoners were being secured one of them dropped from under his coat a piece of silk which I now produce. I also produce the fragments of the time-piece I an Barton found concealed in the beach.

By Taylor - I did not see you drop anything. I did not say you did. When I first saw you you were busy with the rest.

Wren and Peel both asked the witness whether he saw them have anything in their possession, to which he replied in he negative. Cotter said he had no questions to ask.

Sarah Ann Horn, wife of Thomas Horn, the landlord of the "Red Lion" public-house, Charlton Green - On Wednesday last, about two o'clock in the afternoon, four soldiers came into my house. I recognised Taylor as one of the four, but I cannot say whether the other prisoners were the three other men. There were all "red coats," but I cannot recollect whether their facings were alike or not. On entering, one of the men came to the bar and asked for a pot of beer, with which I served him. Having paid for it he took it to the rest, who were sitting in the tap-room. The same man came to the bar a second time, in about an hour, and asked for another pot of beer.  offered to take the beer in, but he said he would take it himself. Between the first and second pots, I had occasion to go into the tap-room to take some beer to a couple of countrymen who had come in. The soldiers were there, but I did not observe them sufficiently to identify them. I was not a moment in the room, for I was a little timid in consequence of what I had overheard one of them say, viz., that there was a fire-place in the room, but no poker. They remained in the house about two hours, during the whole of which, to the best of my belief, they kept in the tap-room. No persons but the countrymen entered the room during the time they were there, and the countrymen remained only for about five minutes. During the greater part of the time the soldiers were there I was engaged in the back room and in the wash-house, neither of which commands a view of the staircase. While I was so engaged any person might have left the room in which the soldiers were and have gone up stairs without my knowledge. About two hours after the soldiers had left I went up stairs, when I missed my watch from a chair on which I had left it hanging when last in the room. I also missed from a drawer  in the same room a pair of black cloth trousers belonging to my husband. I had seen them in  the drawer a fortnight before. I subsequently discovered that a silk dress belonging to me was missing from the same room. The pieces of silk produced by the witness Bradford formed part of it, and the pieces of calico produced by the same witness is part of the lining. On the four soldiers leaving the house Taylor and another said "Good afternoon." I did not notice whether they had a bundle, but as they were going out I saw one of them stoop.

Sarah Smith, servant to Mr. Barton, 7, Hammond Place - On Tuesday night last, when we went to bed, Mr. and Mrs. Barton were out. The only persons in the house were myself and the cook, Mary Ann Gibbs. The latch of the front door was down, but the door was not otherwise fastened. The lower part of the house was fastened securely. There are two windows in the drawing-room. I shut and hasped one of them. The other, which is the nearest to the front floor, would not close. The upper part of the sash would not go quite up to the top owing to some defect in the sash-lines, but the lower sash was shut down. I locked the drawing-room door on the outside. I heard no noise during the night. I sleep in the back attic, and the drawing-room, which is on the first floor, faces the street. In the morning, on coming down stairs about 8 o'clock, I went into the drawing-room as usual, when I found that the room was in disorder. A papier-mâché tea-caddy had been forced open. It had been left locked and standing on a corner table, from which it had been removed. The drawer of the table was also forced open. The tea-caddy appeared to have been opened with some instruments, a large piece being broken out of the back. The floor was strewn with tea and sugar, and some fragments of a newspaper were lying about as if a newspaper had been torn up to wrap the tea in. I noticed upon the floor the ashes of paper and the ends of lucifer matches. I also noticed that a plated inkstand and a time-piece were missing from the room. I identified some of the pieces as part of the time-piece. There was also missing a flat case containing two brass compasses, and a photographic likeness, also in a case. I then went to the window nearest the front door and I found it open about three or four inches at the bottom and the blind blowing out of it. I then went to inform Mr. Barton, who soon afterwards came down, and a police-constable having been sent for Mr. Barton examined the drawing-room with him (Sergeant Back). If I went into the drawing-room in the interim I did not touch anything. Every box in the room had been turned out and ransacked. There is a balcony in front of both drawing-room windows.

By Taylor - I do not remember having seen you about the premises.

Cotter and Peel asked the same question, and received a similar reply.

Wren declined to question the witness.

Upon the application of Superintendent Coran, the prisoners were then remanded until Tuesday on both charges.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 24 December, 1869.

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF REGIMENTAL NECESSARIES

George Riley was brought up on remand, charged with having in his possession one pair of regimental boots and one pair of regimental trousers without being able to give a satisfactory account of the same.

Charles Stewart, colour-sergeant in the 1st Battallion of the 10th Regiment, the depot of which is stationed at Shorncliff, said: A man named James Riley has recently belonged to my regiment. He joined on the 9th inst., and absented himself on the 14th. He is now returned as a deserter. The articles produced are part of his regimental necessities. They have his regimental number on them, and they also bear the regimental mark. I have seen the prisoner in company with the man who has deserted. I saw him either ion the 10th or the 11th inst. at the Camp, and asked him who he was, thinking he might be a recruit, when he told me he was the brother of James Riley. The value of the articles is about 16s.

Police-constable Ash: On Wednesday evening last, in consequence of information received, I went to the “Red Lion,” public-house, in St. James's Street, where I found the prisoner. I asked him about a pair of boots he had offered for sale. He said they were on his feet, and that I might look at them. I did so, and found them to be regimental boots. I found that he also had on a pair of regimental trousers. They were worn under his others. Those produced are the same. I asked him how he had come into possession of the articles, and he said he had found them in a field near Caple. He has since admitted that his brother gave them to him. The account he gave not being satisfactory, I took him into custody, and communicated with the military authorities at Shorncliff.

The prisoner now said that the boots and trousers were given to him by his brother; and, from a long story he told the Magistrates, he appeared to have been privy to his brother's desertion. His brother, he said, did not give him the things in his hand, but told him the place where they might be found, in a field near Caple.

The Magistrates considered the case fully proved, and fined the prisoner treble the value of the goods in addition to a penalty of 20s. and costs 10s. The penalty in the whole amounted to £3 18s. In default of payment, one month's imprisonment.

The man went to prison.

The Bench ordered that the articles found in the prisoner's possession should be given up to the sergeant.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 12 August, 1881. 1d.

The Dover and Canterbury Bowling Clubs played at the “Red Lion Inn,” Charlton, on Wednesday, 16 each side. There was fine weather and a good company. Score: Dover 109, Canterbury 69, being a decided victory for the home team.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 20 July, 1883. 1d.

The return match of bowls between the old established Club of the "Red Lion Inn," and a scratch team of gentlemen who frequent the "Wellington" Green, Biggin-street, was played at the latter place on Wednesday afternoon. The green was in splendid condition, and the surrounding walls were covered with flags and flowers. The game was a well contested one, and resulted as follows:- The "Wellington" Green Team 112, and the "Red Lion" Club 100. The two teams then adjourned to the house and were provided with an excellent knife and fork tea by the proprietor, Mr. Ralph.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 21 October, 1887. Price 1d.

SERIOUS CHARGE

Alfred Hollands, manager of the “Red Lion Inn,” Charlton Green, was charged on the information of Robert Brisley with indecently assaulting Amelia Brisley, a girl aged 12 years.

Mr. M. Mowll appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Minter, of Folkestone, for the defence.

Amelia Brisley said: I live at 26, Bartholomew Street with my father and mother and was 12 years of age on June 12th, 1887. I know the defendant and he has a little girl named Rose. She is three years of age. I have been in the habit of going to fetch her for school. I know Harriett Scarff, and she lives in the same house as I do with her mother and father. I recollect last Wednesday week, October 5th, when I went for a row along with Mr. Hollands, Harriett Scarff, Kate kemp, and Ross Hollands. We started from Mr. Kemp's garden in his boat. I met Mr. Hollands at his house the “Red Lion,” Charlton Green. We rowed down to the bridge near Charlton Church, and there the defendant sent Harriett Scarff to his house. There was then left in the boat, Ross Hollands, myself, Katie kemp, and the defendant. We rowed up the river and then back again, and the defendant sent Harriett Scarff for some matches and afterwards for a tin. When she was gone he made an indecent remark to me. When she came back we rowed up to Mr. Kemp's garden and then Harriett Scarff and Katie Kemp were sent to buy some almonds. Hollands, after they were gone, rowed under the stone bridge at Cherry Tree Lane. (Witness here described the assault). After the assault, Mr. Hollands rowed down the river, and I said I wanted to get out, but he would not let me. He let Harriett Scarff get in the boat and then he got out and over a wall. When he came back we rowed to Mannering's Mill. Afterwards, when we got back to Mr. Kemp's garden, I got out and defendant then told me to be sure and tell no one what had taken place. He has since made indecent remarks to me. I afterwards told Harriett Scarff and my mother.

The witness was cross-examined at some length by Mr. Minter, but she in substance adhered to what she had previously said.

Other evidence having been called, the defendant was committed for trial at the Dover Quarter Sessions, bail being accepted himself £100 and two sureties £50 each.

Mrs. Brisley was then charged with assaulting Mr. Holland, and he having been sworn stated that she kicked him on a truss that he was wearing, and said that she would ruin him for life. She also drew a pair of long scissors and threatened him.

She was convicted of the assault, and fined 5s. without costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 7 August, 1896.

FIRE AT CHARLTON GREEN

On Tuesday evening, about 6.30, it was discovered that a quantity of woodwork in a workshop belonging to Messrs. Warren and Son, stonemasons and builders, at Frith Road, Dover had caught alight, and also a wash-house at the back of the “Red Lion Inn” was burning under the eves. The hose reel was sent for, and Superintendent Sanders and Police Constable Spinner, Cadman, and Coney were soon on the spot, and in a short time the fire was extinguished, and a heavy shower of rain assisted in putting things out of danger. It is supposed that the fire originated from a boy having gone into the workshop to light a cigar, and having thrown the match away carelessly among the shavings. A large quantity of window frames and woodwork for building belonging to Mr. Warren was, we regret to say, entirely destroyed.

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

BURGLARY

On Saturday night a burglary was committed at the "Red Lion," Charlton Green. An entrance was effected through a window and the bar ransacked. There was not much in the till, and the burglars had to content themselves with some bottles of spirits and some tobacco. They also committed some damage by wasting liquor in the bar.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 1 February, 1924. Price 1½d.

TRAGIC DEATH OF A DOVER WOMAN

A very sad tragedy was investigated by the East Kent Coroner (Mr. Rutley Mowll), at the “Royal Oak Inn,” Folkestone Road, on Tuesday afternoon, when he held an inquest on the body of Mary Ann Philadelphia Datlen, wife of Thomas Stephen Datlen, of the “Red Lion Inn,” Charlton Green, Dover, whose body was found lying in a ditch about three quarters of the way down the cliff opposite the “Royal Oak Inn” on Monday afternoon, her handbag, containing a note, “Don't worry; by brain gave way,” being found at the top of the cliff. Throughout Sunday night a fruitless search was made along the cliffs on both sides of Dover.

Mr. Mann was chosen as foreman of the Jury.

Percival Thomas Datlen, 43, Clarendon Road, Dover, son of the deceased, gave evidence of identification. His mother was 58 years of age. He last saw her alive at about 10.45 on Saturday night, when she seemed worried, as she had done for the last two or three months, because she was not recovering her strength from an operation which she had some time ago as quickly as she would have liked. He had ascertained that she was last seen alive by Edward Igglesden, an engine driver, on Sunday afternoon about 4.40, when she was in the Market Square. Witness identified the handbag and writing of the note. Deceased left her home between 3 and 3.30 on Sunday and said she was going for a walk. His father offered to go with her, but as he was so poorly the deceased urged him to stop at home. She said she would call on her daughter at 5, Park Street, but did not. He knew of no reason why she should come to that way, and she was not in a very fit condition to walk. He had made enquiries from all the ‘bus drivers, but had not been able to find out if she took a ‘bus. Witness's father was too unwell to attend.

The Coroner said that he need hardly tell Mr. Datlen how sorry they were for him and his family.

Albert William Bridges, of the “Martello Hotel,” Dover Road, Folkestone, said that at about 4 o'clock on Monday afternoon he was walking through the Warren with his dog shooting. When coming up the footpath from the “Royal Oak Inn” from the bottom, a movement of his dog called his attention to something. He went across to his dog, and found the body lying in a dyke under the cliff, about three quarters of the way down. He reported the matter to the Police. He did not move the body at all.

P.C. Luckhurst, K.C.C., stationed at Seabrook, said that on Monday he was sent with other officers to the spot and arrived about 5.45, and with the last witness went down the cliff. He was shown where the body lay. He saw the body and found that life was extinct. The body was fully clothed and was still warm. Deceased was lying on her back in a ditch and had dragged through a lot of brambles, which had evidently stopped her going further down the cliff. He got her up the cliff, with the aid of others, on a stretcher which they had brought with them. He searched the top of the cliff, and found the handbag (produced) lying on the footpath which runs along the top of the cliff, about 14ft. from the edge. The handbag was lying directly above the position of the body below. There were also five small footprints leading to the edge of the cliff from the footpath. He examined the handbag, and found it contained money, a letter and an envelope containing her husband's address. He also found on top a note. There was no pencil on the body or in the purse. Witness said that they had been unable to ascertain the nature of any of her movements after 4.30 on Sunday afternoon.

Mr. Datlen said that he reported to the Police that his mother was missing at about 7 o'clock on Sunday evening. They searched all Sunday night, he going along the cliffs towards Kingsdown and his uncle taking the ‘bus to Hythe, which place Mrs. Datlen used to frequent in the summer, but could find nothing of her. The piece of paper on which the note was written was not the same as that in the writing pads she used at home. Deceased was in the habit of carrying a pencil in her handbag.

The Coroner said that it seemed curious that the deceased could not be traced, as she must have called in somewhere to write her note, as she had no pencil with her. He suggested that she might have called at the “Royal Oak”; but the landlord, on being called, said he had seen nothing of the deceased.

P.C. Luckhurst said that when he found the body it was quite limp. It seemed that she had not been dead long.

The Coroner said that he gathered from one of the private letters in the bag that she had a sister at Hythe, or some relations there.

Mr. Datlen said that they had no relations there, and the letter (the handwriting of which he did not recognise) did not seem to belong to her.

Dr. E. E. Elliot said that he had examined the body just previous to the inquest. Deceased's neck was broken, and the left wrist and both legs were broken. The neck having been broken, death must have been instantaneous, and must have taken place within six hours of the finding of the body, as it was warm. Deceased had been a patient of witness's for about thirty years, and he last saw her alive about three weeks ago. She then seemed to think that she should have got on better than she did after the operation, which took place in September last at St. Thomas's Private Home, London. He pointed out to her that, owing to the gravity of the operation, it would be a long time before she recovered. She was really making a remarkably good recovery.

The Coroner said that it looked a clear case of suicide. Footprints were found to the edge of the cliff, and her handbag was left at the spot above, with her husband's address inside, so as to facilitate communication.

The Jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind.

Dover Express 2nd June 1944.

VALUE OF GOOD CHARACTER.

At the Dover Police Court on Friday before Messrs. G. Golding, W. G. Jeffery and C. Byford and Mrs. Binge.

William Blundell, a seaman on a motor minesweeper, was charged with stealing a bicycle, value £3, the property of Robert Jeffries, from outside the “Red Lion”, Charlton Green on 6th May.

Defendant pleaded guilty.

Supt. Saddleton said that, at 9.40 p.m. on 6th May, Mr. Jeffries left his cycle outside the public house and returned about 20 minutes later. It was missing and, the next day, he saw a 14 years old lad with it. The boy said that his father bought it from a sailor for 10s. Enquiries were made and defendant was seen on 20th May and said “I have a faint recollection about a bicycle, but I was drunk at the time”.

An officer said that defendant had an excellent service record and this was his first offence either in the service or as a civilian.

Fined £1, the Chairman said that the defendant was being dealt with leniently in view of his good character.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 6 June, 1952.

With his usual energy Mr. Durrant sends up the first wood.

BEER & SKITTLES

Another Charlton Green Enterprise

Expected to be particularly popular with West Country People, a skittle alley was opened on Whit-Monday by the towns uncrowned Soccer King, Fred Durrant, in the grounds of the "Red Lion", Charlton Green.

Hoping to popularise the game in this area is the licensee, Mr. L. R. Latcham who came froth Somerset some years ago. Before the war there were three rinks for bowls behind the house, and since they were destroyed during the war the regulars have been pleading for the return of the game.

Realising that the cost of laying the green was prohibitive, Mr. Latcham nostalgically remembered the skittle alleys back home, and had one built where the old rinks were.

Introducing Mr. Fred Durrant, Dover F.C's. popular player-Manager, Mr. Latcham recalled that the town had just seen a particularly good year for sports, and said he could think of no one who was better qualified to have a hand in the opening of the town's latest sporting venture.

Before cutting the tape stretched across the entry of the bowling alley, Mr. Durrant thanked the crowd of spectators, who he said were typical of those thousands of local people who, week after week gave their support to the Town football club.

An impromptu challenge match with Mr. H. A. Carr, Chairman of Dover F.C. Supporters' Association, Fred lost by 8 shots to 6.

The first game after the official opening was between four Somerset men, now living at Elvington, and four local men--and much to the fifty odd onlookers' surprise, it was the Dover men that won 71 to 54.

With the claim that it is the only alley this side of London, Mr. Latcham says that he will keep it for the locals three nights a week, while on the other nights he hopes to allow other clubs that might start up to play there.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 10 September, 1954.

SKITTLES CHAMPIONS

The Red Lion team, which after stern competition, have become first winners of the Dover & District Skittles league. Standing: J. King, E. Kelly, E. Clark, J. Bailey, and F. Lee. Sitting: D. Mackingtosh, L. Latchem (licensee), G. Morris, N. Leech and G. Graham.

From the Dover Express 24 January 1992.

Publican Alf Bentley: "Leases are as ill-conceived as the poll tax."

Publicans are prepared to lose their jobs and homes rather than sign new leases they say could double their rents.

Half the publicans in Dover being offered these contracts and two-thirds in Shepway are rebelling, say the local branches of the Licensed Victuallers' Association.

"It's like signing a suicide pact, and I won't do it," says Rick Abbott, who runs the Cricketers in River.

He added: "I have a wife and three children and we would lose our home, but we would be ruined if I signed."

Big breweries, with more than 2,000 pubs in the country, are selling pubs or offering 20-year-leases because the Monopolies and Mergers Commission is restricting how many they can have.

Alf Bentley, landlord at the Red Lion in Charlton Green, Dover (above), said: "This is as ill-conceived as the poll tax. What use is a 20-year lease to me when I am 60? The breweries are also driving out experienced landlords and replacing them with people who were probably bakers before."

Lost customers.

Leslie Carpenter, of Carpenter's in The Stade, Folkestone, said: "My own rent will only go up by a third but I couldn't even manage that. I am prepared to lose my pub rather than accept.

"It's hard enough to survive with the recession. We've just lost more customers through the Sealink redundancies."

The LVA says the increase would further damage pubs because landlords would have to put up their prices to try to survive. They say the cost of  pint is now pushing £2.

Only last week Barry Musk walked out of the pub where he had been a tennant for four years, the Red Cow on Foord Road, Folkestone. He now manages a free house, the Impoerial, in Black Bull Road.

He said: "Signing would have meant my rent going up from £12,000 a year to £20,000 which would have ruined me. I was lucky because I found another pub without that kind of expence.

All four pubs are owned by Whitbread. A spokesman said the company was willing to negotiate with landlords if they could not afford new rents.

"The LVA claims that rents will double but I dispute that. Our own survey sows that overall rents have increased by just 45%," he added.

Whitbread says the government legislation has put it and other brewers in a dilemma. The new Landlord and Tennant Act gives publicans security of tenure, yet monopolies commission says brewers must get rid of pubs.

From the Dover Express, 15 May, 2014. By Phil Hayes.

Landlord dies just days after retiring.

‘Generous’ Keith Thomas ran the Red Lion for 12 years.

THE devastated wife of popular pub landlord Keith Thomas has paid tribute to her husband, who died just days after retiring.

Jan Thomas told how they had been planning to go travelling together after handing over the keys to the "Red Lion," which they ran for 12 years.

But just three days after quitting the Charlton Green pub on April 25, Mr Thomas was taken to hospital complaining of a bad back.

He died, aged 55, a week later.

Mrs Thomas, of Granville Street, told the Express: “It was very sudden, completely out of the blue. He hadn’t been ill at all. I couldn’t believe it. We were due to go on holiday in a week and very much looking forward to our retirement together.”

She described Mr Thomas - father of Gary, 34, from a previous marriage - as “a friend to everyone”.

She said: “Keith was the best. He liked a laugh and a joke. He was very witty. He would always come back with one-liners. He’ll be very much missed. I’ll take each day as it comes.”

Generous.

One of Mr Thomas’s former regulars, Simon Spore, described him as “very generous”.

Mr Spore, who now lives in Greece, said: “When we had our leaving do we were going to fund food and things like that. But Keith said, ‘I’ll pay for that’.

“He looked after his regulars.”

Another local, Stephen Davies, said the "Red Lion" was “like a village pub in the town” under Mr Thomas’s ownership.

The funeral is to be held at Charlton Church, St Alphege Road, at 1pm tomorrow (Friday).

Mr Davies added: “Keith was so well-liked. I can imagine his funeral will be absolutely packed solid.” The wake is being held at Dover Rugby Club.