Dover Express, Friday 20 December 1901.

St. Margaret's festivities.

The manageress of the "St. Margaret’a Bay Hotel" was granted an extension till midnight on Dec. 26th, for a private supper.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 June, 1937.

PLANS APPROVED

Plans for internal alterations to the "Bay Hotel," St. Margaret's, were approved at the County Petty Sessions, Dover, on Thursday.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 18 February, 1938. Price 1½d.

ST. MARGARET'S HOTEL APPLICATION

Mr. P. A. G. Aldington, on behalf of the “St. Margaret's Bay Hotel,” said that the licensee wished to take advantage of Section 3 of the Licensing Act, 1921, which allowed him to serve drinks with meals for an hour extra after normal closing hours. He had to satisfy the Magistrates on two points; firstly that the premises where structurally adapted for it and that there was such a place in existence or that there was a place intended to be used for that purpose.

Mr. Vernon Shone produced a ground plan of the hotel, and said that the room proposed to be used was 100ft by 45ft. The public bar, which would be closed at the usual hour, was situated at the other end of the hotel, and there was no communication between that and the room.

Arthur George Burnham, Manager of the Hotel, said that they had been using the room for late suppers, and it would be desirable to serve drinks with the suppers.

The Chairman said that although the building compiled with all the requirements under the Section, the Magistrates did not think that the second part of it had been sufficiently proved and therefore, the application would be refused.

Mr. Aldington said that the words, “used or intended to be used,” raised a question of intention. Surely they could not be judges of what peoples intentions were. They said they were going to use it for that purpose.

The Chairman said that the question must arise whether sufficient people demanded it, and they had no proof there was a great demand for it at present.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 8 July, 1938.

St. Margaret's Dances.

Mr. P. A. G. Aldington, on behalf of the St. Margaret's Bay Hotel, applied for extensions on 23rd July, 30th July, 6th August, 13th August, 20th August and 27th August, to midnight for diner dances, and on 1st August to 1 a.m. for a gala dance. Mr. Aldington said that the Hotel wished to take advantage of the very short season they had.

Subt. Webb said that he considered they should stop before midnight.

The Chairman said that they had been considering the matter, and decided that a fresh application should be made for the last three dates. As regards 23rd and 30th July and 6th August, extensions would be granted to 11.45 p.m., and on August 1st, to 12.30 p.m.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 5 August, 1938. Price 1½d.

LICENCE EXTENSIONS

Extensions until 11.45 p.m. on August 13th, 20th and 27th were granted to the “Bay Hotel,” St. Margaret's Bay, for dances.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 2 September, 1938.

Extensions until 11.45 p.m. were granted to the "St. Margaret's Bay Hotel" for dances on 3rd and 10th September.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 7 October, 1938.

ST. MARGARET'S HOTEL SCENE

PROPRIETOR'S ASSAULT ON SECRETARY.

At the Wingham Petty Sessions at Dover on Thursday.

Housain Suleman, proprietor of the St. Margaret's Bay Hotel, St. Margaret's was summoned by Norman Henry Birsall, for assaulting and beating him on September 10th.

Mr. B. H. Waddy appeared for defendant who pleaded not guilty.

Sir Shirley Worthington-Evans prosecuted, said that plaintiff was a man against whom nothing could possibly be said. All he could tell the Bench about the defendant was that he was a Parsee and Proprietor of the Bay Hotel.

Mr. Waddy: I shall ask you to prove that. It is very insulting to a gentleman who happens to be a Mohammedan.

Sir Shirley Worthington-Evans: I am sorry if that is wrong. I said it on instructions.

Mr. Waddy: I thought so.

Sir Shirley said he apologised if he was wrong. The facts were that defendant had employed plaintiff as a secretary for a period of two months, but discharged him before the expiry of that period. When plaintiff asked him about it defendant promised to give him a week's money in lieu of notice, but when he got his cheque it was only for his salary to that date. Mr. Suleman got annoyed when plaintiff spoke to him about it again, and plaintiff said that he would leave, saying that he had been accustomed to working with gentlemen. Plaintiff left the hotel, but, unfortunately, he was persuaded by friends to go to the hotel that evening. Sir Shirley went on to detail the events leading up to the assault, and added that it was unprovoked, entirely unjustified, violent and cowardly attack, cowardly because plaintiff had no idea that an attack was coming. Birsall was a powerful man, and had he been looking, these blows could not have been delivered without him having an opportunity of striking back.

Norman Henry Birsall said that he was English, and served with the New Zealand Forces. He had, since the war, spent much of his time in the Argentine and the Dominions. He was engaged by defendant for two months as secretary and host. At the end of that period the engagement was terminable by either party. He started on 18th August, and on 8th September he received notice terminating his engagement on 12th September. Witness saw defendant on 9th September, and after a friendly discussion in which defendant said the winter was coming and he had to cut down staff, defendant agreed to pay witness' wages in full. On 10th September he received a cheque for his wages up to that day. Witness went to defendant's house, adjoining the hotel, and told him he had not been paid up according to the agreement. Defendant said, "I am not a benevolent Society." Witness said, "I am used to dealing with gentlemen." Defendant said, "Do you think I am not a gentleman?" Witness said, "Yes," and left the hotel with his baggage. That night, witness had some friends coming to stay at a cottage belonging to defendant. They persuaded him to go to the hotel in the evening, and they arrived at about 10.45 p.m. Defendant was drinking in the bar at the time, and appeared to have drunk a good deal. Witness spoke to some friends, and they went to the lavatory. Whilst there, Mr. Parkyn, an employee of the hotel, came along and said, "Mr. Suleman wishes you to leave the hotel." Witness said, "I don't wish to leave until I see Mr. Suleman." Witness followed Mr. Parkyn into he passage, and there they met Suleman, who said, "You'll get out or I will chuck you out." Witness was surprised and said, "I have friends here. What have I done that I should leave?" Suleman said, "I don't want you or your friends, you can all get out." Suleman was very flushed, and had lost his temper. Witness asked why defendant wanted him to leave, and defendant said, "Because you said I am not a gentleman. Why do you say that?" Witness said, "because of your treatment of white women." Then Mr. Parkyn drew away his attention, and defendant struck him three blows. Witness was knocked out, and when he came to he was on the floor. He received treatment by a doctor, and was taken home. He had since received treatment from Dr. Molesworth. He had to see a specialist about ear trouble as a result of blows, and had been told that he might get complete hearing back in two months.

In reply to Mr. Waddy, witness said that when at the hotel he was paid £3, and was on two months' trial.

Did you tell the manageress on the 9th September that you were going to leave on the following day? - Yes, I told her I would get the stores before I went.

Did Mr. Suleman say that if you stayed until the following Monday you would receive an extra week's wages? - Yes.

And you did not stay? - No.

Then you told him he was not a gentleman? - Yes.

Do you think that is proper? - Yes.

Did you say, "The stories I have heard about you are true? - I said, "I have heard a lot of stories about you, and up until now I have been inclined not to believe them. I have come here to help you, and have done so, but this is strange treatment after that."

Did you say, "You are depending on local trade here. They are my friends, and I will see they don't come"? - I did not.

If Parkyn says you had been drinking and were making a disturbance, will that be true? - No.

You asked for a brand of tobacco you knew was not stocked, and when told it was not thee you said, "What a place!"? - No.

Did you say you were not in the hotel that night to cause trouble? - I do.

Did you say to Suleman, "You are a black man!"? - No.

Did you say, "You are not fit to associate with white people!"? - No.

Did you say, "You are a nigger!"? - No.

Did you say, "I don't like the way you treat women"? - No, I said I don't like your treatment of white women."

Isn't that a filthy thing to say to a man of another race? - Not if it is true.

Did he ask you what you meant by it, and you said, "You pester them"? - Yes.

Did you mention, out loud, the name of the woman? - I will not say I mentioned it out loud, but I did mention a name.

Did you say, "She had to leave the hotel before her stay was finished because you pestered her? - I did, it happened to be true.

When you came round, did you say, "Let me get at that black swine and I will kill him"? - I don't remember anything like that.

You realise that to call a Mohammedan a swine in the wickedest thing a man can do? - Yes.

Major Hornsby, of Plimstock, St. Margaret's Bay, said that he was a friend of complainant, and a member of the party who went to the bay Hotel. Birsell was then perfectly sober. Birsell was rather reluctant to go to the hotel, but witness persuaded him to accompany the party. Witness did not know what had happened, only that he had left the hotel. That evening, complainant did nothing that was offensive or provocative at the hotel. Witness heard a row in the passage, and going there he saw Birsall on the ground, his face covered in blood.

In reply to Mr. Waddy, witness said that he heard none of the conversation leading up to the blows.

Lieut-Cmdr. George Stanley Percy Wood, R.N. one of the party with complainant, also gave evidence that Birsall was sober, and when it was suggested he should go with them to the hotel, said that he would rather not. At the hotel Birsall did nothing of which anyone could take offence.

Miss Moira Kate Vera Kelly, St. Margarat's Bay, another member of the party gave similar evidence.

Dr. T. H. Molesworth, of St. Margaret's said that he was called to attend plaintiff on the morning of September 11th. He found Mr. Birsall rather shocked, and he was suffering from bruises to the face and a painful ear. In witness' opinion plaintiff had received at least four blows, one on the forehead, one on the nose, one on the left cheek, and his painful ear might have been the result of another blow. Mr. Birsall also had a black eye. The blows must have been fairly forceful, and he thought they were from a fist of a man who wore a ring. His hearing was damaged, but he anticipated that it would return in time.

Mr. Waddy asked Dr. Molesworth to examine defendant's hands and say whether he could find any sign that he had ever won a ring.

Dr. Molesworth said that he could see no sign of it.

Further questioned by Mr. Waddy, Dr. Molesworth said that some of the injuries might have been caused by plaintiff's fall.

Mrs. Hornsby, wife of Major Hornsby, said that there was a party at her house on the Saturday evening, when someone suggested they should go to the Bay Hotel. Mr. Birsall was reluctant to go. He was completely sober, and she saw him do nothing provocative or improper at the hotel.

Cross-examined by Mr. Waddy, witness said that she did not hear Mr. Birsall say anything about Mr. Suleman's treatment of white women or mention a lady's name.

Mr. Waddy said that he was well aware that he had no technical defence to the charge of assault because defendant did not dispute the fact that he struck Mr. Birsall two blows. But although insults, however gross, did not afford legal justification for blows, such provocation by words must be taken into consideration when the magistrates were dealing with the case. From plaintiff's own evidence defendant was grossly provoked. He suggested that the magistrates should either bind over both parties or dismiss the summons under the Probation of Offenders Act. Mr. Suleman was a man of the highest character and was one of the Justices' Licensees.

Defendant, who affirmed, said that he was a Mohammedan, and came from Bombay. He was the managing director of the Bay Hotel and director of the Elms Vale Estate Co. Ltd. When he engaged Birsall he understood that he was on trial for two months, but that the employment was terminable at any time by either party. On the night in question, his barman, Humphries, made a complaint about him, so he instructed Mr. Parkyn to tell Birsall to leave immediately. When told he would not go, witness went along ad said, "If you don't go I will put you out." Birsall replied, "You are not fit to mix with white people, and I don't like the way you handle white women, you pester them." Witness asked who he pestered, and Birsall mentioned a name. He called witness a "black man" and witness gave him two blows. A few people came to the passage, and Dr. Bellamy picked Birsall up. Birsall then said, "Let me get at the black man." Witness added that the word "nigger" was very offensive. His character had never been assailed before.

Sir Shirley Worthington-Evans: Is it right that a day or two before this Mr. Birsall had reported the barman to you for failing to carry out some instructions? - Yes.

Did you see the complainant in the bar earlier? - Yes, about fifteen minutes earlier.

Did you speak to him then? - I thought it better to send Mr. Parkyn.

James Parkyn, 146a, Elms Vale Road, Dover, formerly secretary and a director of the St. Margaret's Bay Hotel, Ltd. said that on the evening in question he saw Birsall in the bar. He looked rather flushed. Suelman gave him certain instructions of which he went to Birsall, who was in the lavatory. When he spoke to Birsall he said, "You are a satellite of his." he refused to go, so witness went for Suleman. Suleman arrived, and Birsall said, " Do you wish me to leave?" Suleman replied, "I wish you to leave immediately." Birsall said, "I told you some truths this morning and I am going to tell them to you again. You are no gentleman, and you are not fit to associate with white people." Birsall then said something about a "nigger," and added, "I strongly object to the way you treat women." Suleman said, " What do you mean?" Birsall then said that he pestered then and Suleman asked, "Who?" Birsall then mentioned a name, and Suleman, said "That's enough," struck two blows, and Birsall sank to the ground.

In reply to Sir Shirley Worthington-Evans, witness said that he ceased to be a director of the hotel on 20th September.

Sir Shirley: Then the person who struck your name out of the list (showing a piece of the hotel's note paper) on the 8th September, had prophetic powers? - I was still a director and secretary then.

In reply to further questions, witness said that when blows were struck Birsall was looking at Suleman.

Dr. E. Bellamy, of Barham, gave evidence that on the evening in question he attended the dance at the hotel with his wife. He heard the disturbance, and gave assistance to Mr. Birsall, and then took him to the "Green Man," where he (Birsall) was staying. Birsall had three grazes or cuts on his face - or above the forehead, one on the nose, and one on the left cheek.

Mrs. Kate Elizabeth Gilder, manageress at the Bay Hotel, said that she saw Birsall at the hotel on the morning of September 10th, and then he said he was leaving the hotel, but said he was going there that evening with some friends. She told him not to go, and eventually he said he would not. She saw two blows struck by Suleman, but heard none of the conversation. When Birsall was being picked up he said, "Let me get at him, I'll kill him."

Sir Shirley: Would I be right in describing Mr. Suleman as a man with a quick temper? - Yes, that would be right.

Frequently displayed? - No, I would not say that.

Reginald Thomas Allin Dalton, of Little Bridge Farm, Barham, said that he was at the hotel when he heard the commotion, and going to the passage, he saw Birsall on the floor. He heard Birsall tell Suleman that he was not a white man nor a gentleman and that he did not like his treatment of white women.

John Patrick Humphries, 209, Lynx Road, Mitcham, formerly barman at the Bay Hotel, and now at Grosvenor House Hotel, London, said that Birsall came to the bar and asked for a tin of tobacco. When told that none was stocked Birsall said, "What kind of bar do you call this?" Birsall then spoke to the waiter, who was busy at the time, so when Mr. Suleman came round witness spoke to him about the matter. Witness later heard a commotion in the passage, and went there. Birsall was just being picked up, and witness heard him say, "Let me get at the dirty swine."

Sir Shirley: Had you been reported to Mr. Suleman a few days before the incident? - Not to my knowledge.

Had you been reprimanded by Birsall about the temperature of the beer?  - No.

Robert Murray Williamson, of Couladon, secretary and director of the Southern Counties Building Society, gave evidence of character, and said that he had known defendant privately and in business for about two years, and had always found him a perfect gentleman in his treatment of both sexes.

After considering the case in private for about fifteen minutes the Chairman said they found defendant guilty, and realised that he was provoked considerably, but he was no stranger to this country and the words purported to have been used against him as on a Mohammedan gentleman just arriving in this country, so they did not consider the assault was justified.

Fined £3, and ordered to pay ten guineas costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 25 November, 1938. Price 1½d.

EXTENSIONS

The “St. Margaret's Bay Hotel” were granted extensions till 11.45 p.m. for dances on 24th December, 26th December and 27th December.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 17 February, 1939. Price 1½d.

WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS

An application for a supper extension of one hour each evening was granted to the new licensee of the "St. Margaret's Bay Hotel" was granted.

Mr. P. A. G. Aldington applied for an extension of time from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on March 17th, for a St. Patrick's Night dance at the "St. Margaret's Bay Hotel."  he said the general public would be excluded from the public bar after the usual closing hours.

The extension was granted.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 19 May 1939.

The Skal Club of London - an organisation of the responsible members of the travel, transport and hotel industries - recently chose St. Margaret's Bay for one of their periodical gatherings and on Saturday, May 6th, held a banquet at the St. Margaret's Bay Hotel.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 24 November 1939.

The Bay Hotel Co., St. Margaret's Bay, were summoned for non-payment of £156 1s. 2d. rates. An order was made for payment in fourteen days.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 1 December 1939.

St. Margaret's Cliff fall and Storm Damage.

Heavy seas and a fall of cliff did considerable damage on the se front at St. Margaret's on Monday. The cliff fall occurred behind the Bay Hotel and the chalk, estimated at 800 tons, crashed through the bar window, completely smashing the scullery and blocking up the back entrants of the hotel.

The Manager, Mr. N Barnard, and members of the staff were clearing shingle away from the front of the hotel when the fall occurred, at about 3 p.m. Mr. Barnard actually saw the cliff face give way and slide down onto the back of the hotel with a faint swishing noise. When he and the staff went to investigate they were met by a cloud of dust coming through the hotel. They found the bar window burst in and chalk piled high on the floor. The weight of the chalk smashed the scullery roof and brought down a huge iron girder. The room was full of debris and buried under the chalk were two refrigerators, a washing machine, a potato peeler and an ice-cream plant .A considerable quantity of chalk also fell into the swimming pool. Fortunately, no one was hurt, although for some time the hotel cat was not seen. Later, however, it turned up covered in chalk.

The fall of cliff revealed, 20 or 30ft. up the face, the opening of a cave the existence of which had been forgotten. It has been revealed, however, that at one time there was a water tank in the cave before a main supply was laid to the Bay.

The rough sea in the morning was one of the worst in living memory. Huge waves broke against the sea wall sending spray right over the Bay Hotel, piling beach on the hotel forecourt and breaking away three substantial brick flower pots. Further West, the heavy seas tore down about 12yds. of the sea wall and undermined and broke up a hard tennis court by the said of the "Follies." All along the front fences and hedges were damaged by the waves and the water caused the garden in front of "Beachcroft" to sink about 2ft. A considerable amount of beach was deposited on the road, causing several vehicles to get stuck, and the water left a tidal mark of leaves and debris on the lawns of the Bay Hotel. The small wooden jetty in front of the hotel was wrecked and several boards were torn from the already dilapidated groins.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 1 December 1939.

Newton Barnard, manager of the St. Margaret's Bay Hotel was summoned for allowing light to show from the hotel at 9.10 p.m. on 2nd November.

Defendant pleaded not guilty.

Special Constable R. T. Jones said that he was with Special Constable Laslett when he saw light from the Bay Hotel reflected on the cliffs at the rear. The light coming from the roof of the scullery. He had spoken to defendant previously about light showing from the rear.

Special Constable Laslett gave similar report.

Defendant said that he checked up on the lights every quarter of an hour. There had been a disastrous fall of cliffs, and some wood work he had over the skylight of the scullery had been knocked down. As a result of the cliff fall the scullery had been demolished.

Sergt Wood K.C.C. stationed at St. Margaret's said the lights had been showing from the hotel on several occasions.

The Chairman said that defendant would be fined £3, and if there were any further offences he would be fined a great deal more. The bench congratulated the Special Constables on doing their duty very well.

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

The Bay Hotel held held a very successful dance on Boxing Night when over 100 people were present and spent a very happy evening, and were overjoyed at the appearance of Eddie Carroll, who consented to play for them. The sale of a basket of fruit realised £1 7s. 6d., which amount is being forwarded to the Royal Victoria Hospital. This was the second dance held since the severe fall of cliff, previously reported in these columns, which temporarily suspended business. The management announce that arrangements have been made to receive visitors and and accommodate guests, also that there will be a New Year's Eve Dance held on Saturday next, when the management will be glad to welcome all.

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

BIG HOTEL FIRE AT ST. MARGARET'S.

The biggest fire in the Dover District since the King's Hall fire at the end of 1938 took place on Sunday evening, when the unoccupied St. Mary's Bay Hotel was found to be on fire about 6.30 p.m. There was a heavy fog, and the building, being both boarded up and at some distance from any occupied premises, it is impossible to say how long it was alight before being noticed. Attention was at first drawn to the spot by there being a much denser fog in that direction. As soon as the outbreak was discovered the St. Margaret's N.F.S. fire engine was promptly on the scene, and did good work, but te east wind quickly fanned the blaze, and by the time reinforcements of the N.F.S. promptly sent out from Dover, had arrived the blaze might well have been thought uncontrollable. Five pumps of the N.F.S. attacked the fire with vigour, both water from the hydrants and the sea being made good use of, and at times probably two or three thousand gallons a minute was being turned on to the fire. In getting hose pipes into the sea and in other ways valuable help was given by the military. The newest portion of the hotel is a tall building backing onto the cliff, the premises having been considerably enlarged before the war, when several storeys were added. The fire was driven by the wind along the top storey of the hotel, and access was very difficult, firemen having to clamber over roofs and climb balconies close to blazing woodwork amid great heat in order to get hoses to the back part of the top storey. Despite these handicaps the splendid work of the N.F.S. succeeded in stopping the fire completely within four hours, and a large part of the structure was saved sufficiently to be repairable and providing valuable salvage in the way of baths and the wash basin fittings, with which each bedroom was fitted. many rooms were completely gutted and the old west wing was almost completely destroyed.

 It was about ten years ago that the Bay Hotel was taken over by a company, in which Mr. Suleman was a principle. The accommodation was increased from 40 to 100 bedrooms, fitted with running water in the modern style. The additions were on luxury lines, and included a large ballroom and open air swimming pool. Inside the hotel was completely re-furnished in modern style, and the place was widely advertised both as a summer and winter resort. The hotel was founded about 50 years ago, under the name of "Lanzarote." Mr. J. Harris Stone, the first Chairman of St. Mary's Parish Council at the time, was interested in making the most of the charms of St. Margaret's Bay, and he financed the first of the long series of improvements to the hotel re-naming the "St. Margaret's Bay Hotel. 

Dover Express 16th August 1940.

St. MARGARET'S HOTEL CLOSING.

An application for the temporary closing of the Granville Hotel, St. Margaret's was granted.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 23 September, 1955.

BAY HOTEL PLANS REFUSED.

Proposals to build a new hotel at St. Margaret's Bay have been put before Dover Rural Council. but the Council's Public Health Committee is recommending their rejection.

The application has been made by Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Morris, whose proposal is to build a private hotel, with restaurant, of the site of the former Excelsior, in the Bay or an adjoining site.

The Council's plans sub-committee recommended to a meeting of the Public health Committee on Tuesday that the plans should be refused as they did not conform with the proposed  development of the bay.