From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 3 May, 1878

WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS

These monthly sessions were held at the “Red Lion Inn,” Wingham on Thursday last, before J. Henderson, Esq., (in the chair), W. H. James, Esq., M.P., C. J. Plumptre, Esq., G. E. Toomer, Esq., J. J. Harvey, Esq., F. Phillips, Esq., and Major Dyson.

SANITORY PROSECUTION

Mr. George Regis, of Denton, was summoned for allowing a nuisance to exist at the rear of two cottages owned by him, so as to be injurious to the public health.

The prosecutor was instituted by the district sanitary authorities, for whom Mr. Carder, solicitor, of Dover, appeared.

Evidence was adduced, showing that there was a pit containing objectionable matter in close proximity to the property in question, and an order to remove the nuisance was made.

THE EFFECTS OF DRINK

George Coombs and James Sutton were charged with assaulting and robbing David Claringbould and Thomas browning on the highway leading from Wingham to Ash. The prosecutors had been drinking in a public-house in Wingham, and on leaving took a bottle of beer away with them. They rested on the homeward journey when the two defendants rushed from a hedge upon them, knocking them about, and took possession of the bottle of beer. The Bench, dismissed the charge of felony, but for the assault, which was a bad one, ordered each of the men to undergo two months hard labour in St. Augustine’s Gaol.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 19 September, 1884. Price 1d.

LICENSING SESSIONS

The annual licensing sessions were taken in the Town Hall, on Thursday. There was a serious complaint against Mr. Orgar of the “Red Lion,” Wingham, which was adjourned from the Sessions, held at Wingham, on the 14th September, for further consideration. It appears from the evidence that there was some singing upstairs about 8 o’clock on Sunday evening. Mr. Mercer of Canterbury appeared on behalf of Mr. Orgar, and said that he was sorry for what had happened. Mr. Mercer stated that he had a witness to prove that there was no disturbance, but the singing was from hymn books, which he had asked for an hour before the policeman came in. Mr. mercer proved very plainly that there was no disturbance, only the singing upstairs which he said should not occur again.

The Magistrates renewed the license.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 21 August, 1891. Price 1d.

LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ OUTING

The Dover Licenses Victuallers’ and their friends had their annual drive in the country on Monday. Leaving the Market Place, Dover, in a number of carriages which were added to on the way, they drove through Eastry and Ash to the “Lion Inn,” Wingham, where an excellent spread was put on the tables by Mrs. Hobbs. Mr. Alderman Birch, of Dover, occupied the chair, supported by Mr. Wiggins, Mr. Elms, and Mr. Arnold.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 22 February, 1895. Price 1d.

LICENSING BUSINESS

Permission was granted to the landlady of the "Lion," Wingham, to keep open after eleven on the occasion of the annual Volunteer Smoking Concert.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 8 November, 1907.

LICENSING BUSINESS

J. W. Clarke of the "Red Lion," Wingham, was granted an occasional licence to sell at Waterlock Farm, Stourmouth, from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on November 8th, on the occasion of a farm sale.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 19 January, 1912.

LICENCE ALTERATION

An application was made by J. W. Clark, of the "Red Lion," Wingham, for permission to sell at a farm sale at Great Mongeham on January24th. Mr. Edward Chitty objected, as there were several public houses adjoining. It was pointed out that the proposal was to supply a lunch in arrangement with the auctioneers, and the application was granted.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 17 January, 1913. Price 1d.

LICENSING

Extensions of one hour were granted to Mr. Clark, of the “Red Lion,” Wingham, on Friday, January 31st; and to Mr. Cullen, of the “Charity,” Woodnesborough, on the 21st inst., on the occasion of Conservative Association smoking concerts.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 7 November, 1913. Price 1d.

LICENSE

The licence of the "Red Lion," Wingham was granted an extension from 10 to 11 p.m. on November 14th, for the annual smoking concert of the Conservative Association.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 9 May, 1914. Price 1d.

OCCASIONAL LICENSE

The licensee of the "Red Lion," Wingham, was granted an occasional licence to sell refreshments at a stock sale at Reed Farm, Kingston, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., on May 14th.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 December, 1914. Price 1d.

SPECIAL CONSTABLES

An application was granted to the licensee of the "Red Lion," Wingham, for one hour's extension for a dinner of the special constables of the Wingham division.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 2 November, 1923. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

An occasional licence was granted to Mr. Burton, of the "Red Lion," Wingham, at the sale by auction of the Wingham Colliery plant on November 20th.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 16 May, 1924. Price 1½d.

LICENSING BUSINESS

Plans of alterations to the "Lion," Wingham, were approved. The licensee could not be present as he is seriously ill suffering from blood poisoning.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 3 October, 1924. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

The "Red Lion," Wingham, was granted an occasional licence for a ploughing match at Wingham on November 6th.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 August, 1933. Price 1½d.

FIRE BRIGADE DINNER

The licence of the "Red Lion," Wingham, was granted an extension until 10.30 p.m. on December 30th, the occasion of the Fire Brigade Dinner.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 11 October, 1935. Price 1½d.

EXTENSION

The licensee of the "Red Lion," Wingham was granted an extension from 10 to 11 p.m. on November 13th for a British Legion dinner and concert.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 7 August, 1936.

LICENCE EXTENSIONS

An extension was granted at the "Red Lion," Wingham, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on August 8th, for a wedding reception.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 15 January, 1937.

An extension was granted at the "Red Lion," Wingham, to 11 p.m. on January 20th for the annual dinner and concert of the Deal and District Coursing Club.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 12 Mach, 1937.

The licensee of the "Red Lion," Wingham, was granted an extension on March 18th for an East Kent Cricketers' dinner.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 7 January 1938. Price 1½d.

An extension was granted to the "Red Lion," Wingham till 10.30 p.m. on 12th January, for a dinner and concert organised by Tapley's Motor Coy.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 13 January 1939.

The license of the "Red Lion," Wingham, was granted an extension until 11 p.m., on January 20th, for a social dance organised by the St. John Ambulance  A.R.P.

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

The "Red Lion," Wingham, was granted an occasional license for stock sales at Wingham Court, on 4th October.

From the Dover Express, 25 April, 1980.

THE, Dover contingent of the Ancient Order of Druids, a friendly society with two lodges in the town in the 1920s - Lodge, 491, which met at the Prince of Orange," New Street, and Lodge 38, which held meetings at the Oddfellows headquarters in Pencester Road - pictured in the yard of the Red Lion at Wingham.

They met in Wingham in the early 1920s when a bid was made by Frank Aubrey Dunford, - pictured fifth from right in the second row, to set up a village branch.

Mr Dunford, who lived, at Waterlock Nursery, Wingham, was the father of Mr Bob Dunford, of Crabble Hill, whose wife, Sylvia, brought the picture to the Dover Express office.

"I wonder how many of those in the picture are I still alive," says Mr Dunford."

From the Dover Express, Friday, 1 January, 1971.

NEW LANDLORD IS NO STRANGER TO KENT

When the wind whistles in from the North sea at Richborough you realise that there's precious little between you and Siberia.

But this does not deter Mr. Jim Betts (above) and his wife Ivy who have just moved in to the "Red Lion" public house.

This has the distinction of being the only pub under the sign of the Wingham and Sandwich magistrates on the left bank of the river Stour.

It seems a long way from home for Worcestershire born Jim who has worked for over 30 years with oil companies starting with the old Russian Oil Products company a tax that often had turn chased off garage forecourts in pre war days.

But it's not so strange when you know that his wife was born Ivy Shilling in primrose Road, Dover and that Jim spent his war years serving in minesweepers based on Dover.