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58 Canterbury Road / Bridge Street
Folkestone
Above photo, 1965, by Martin Easdown. |
Above photograph kindly supplied by Jan Pedersen, 1978, the "Royal
Standard" is shown on the left. |
Above photo, date unknown by Steve Schmid. |
Above photo, circa 1990, kindly sent by Philip Dymott. |
 Above photograph by Paul Skelton, 5 July 2009.
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Above sign by Paul Skelton, 5 July 2009. |
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Awaiting reverse picture of Whitbread sign.
 
Above card issued March 1953. Sign series 4 number 43. |
Above photo kindly sent by Phil Nicholson, 29 November, 2012. Looking
ever more dilapidated. |
Above photo kindly taken and sent by Jan Pedersen, June 2020. |
Any further information or indeed photographs would be appreciated.
Please email me at the address below.
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Canterbury Journal 13 September 1851.
At the Annual Licensing Day there were three applications for new
licenses, viz., James Gaby Breach for a license to sell spirits &c.,
at the refreshment room on the harbour; Thomas Spicer for the "Two
Bells," Bridge Street, Canterbury Road; Thos. Taylor for the
"Darlington Arms," Shellons Lane. Mr. Eves, of the
"Black Bull,"
attended, and objected to a license being granted to Thomas Spicer
as unnecessary and injurious to his business; he handed in a
memorial signed by the incumbent, churchwardens, and Lord Radnor's
agent (Mr. Hinton) &c.
The Magistrates having consulted, the Mayor, in giving their
decision, stated that it had been the invariable custom here to
grant licenses to all applicants, without reference to the necessity
for them, a course he objected to, but as the majority of the
Magistrates present were in favour of the applicant his license
would be granted, as well as the other two.
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Southeastern Gazette 29 August 1854.
Local News.
Petty Sessions: Before W. Major, S. Mackie, J, Kelcey, and W. Bateman,
Esqs.
Alice Hobday, a prostitute, was charged with breaking into the house of
Peter Penfold, 4, Bridge Street, Folkestone, and stealing three dresses,
a shawl, a pair of gloves, a green fall, and 30 farthings, from a box in
the house.
Maria Henzen deposed that she left her lodgings, at 4, Bridge-street, on
the day of the races, at 2 p.m., and returned at 2 o’clock the next
morning, when she missed from a box on the mantel piece some farthings,
and several articles from her bed-room. The dresses and shawl produced
were her property.
William White, landlord of the Two Bells, Bridge Street, deposed that he
saw the prisoner in a meadow looking over the fence at the back of the
house, at about 8 p.m. on the 17th inst.; in about an hour he saw the
prisoner pass with a bundle in her possession.
Police-constable Edward Barry apprehended the prisoner in a field about
a mile from the town, with a bundle in her possession; she acknowledged
having stolen them from Penfold’s house.
Committed for trial.
Note: Date for White is at variance with More Bastions.
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Dover Chronicle 2 September 1854.
Petty Sessions: Alice Hobday was charged with breaking into the
house of Peter Penfold, 4, Bridge Street, Folkestone, and stealing
three dresses, a shawl, a pair of gloves, a green fall and 30
farthings from a box in the house. Maria Henzen deposed that she
left her lodgings at 4, Bridge Street, on the day of the races at 2
p.m., and returned at two o'clock the next morning, when she missed
from a box on the mantel-piece some farthings, and several articles
from her bedroom. The dresses and shawl produced were her property.
William White, landlord of the Two Bells, Bridge Street, deposed
that he saw the prisoner in a meadow, looking over the fence at the
back of the house, at about 8 p.m., on the 17th inst.; in about an
hour he saw the prisoner pass with a bundle in her possession.
Police constable Edward Barry apprehended the prisoner in a field
about a mile from the town, with the bundle in her possession; she
acknowledged having stolen them from Penfold's house.
Committed for trial.
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Canterbury Journal 2 September 1854.
Petty Sessions: Alice Hobday was charged with breaking into the
house of Peter Penfold, 4, Bridge Street, Folkestone, and stealing
three dresses, a shawl, a pair of gloves, a green fall and 30
farthings from a box in the house. Maria Henzen deposed that she
left her lodgings at 4, Bridge Street, on the day of the races at 2
p.m., and returned at two o'clock the next morning, when she missed
from a box on the mantel-piece some farthings, and several articles
from her bedroom. The dresses and shawl produced were her property.
William White, landlord of the "Two Bells," Bridge Street, deposed
that he saw the prisoner in a meadow, looking over the fence at the
back of the house, at about 8 p.m., on the 17th inst.; in about an
hour he saw the prisoner pass with a bundle in her possession.
Police constable Edward Barry apprehended the prisoner in a field
about a mile from the town, with the bundle in her possession; she
acknowledged having stolen them from Penfold's house.
Committed for trial.
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Southeastern Gazette 24 October 1854.
Quarter Sessions.—These sessions were held on Monday, before James John
Lonsdale, Esq.
Alice Hobday pleaded guilty to an indictment charging her with breaking
open, and stealing, from the dwelling-house of Peter Penfold, one silk
dress, value 20s., 1 coburg dress, value 1s., and a shawl, value 5s.,
the property of Maria Kenyon. The prisoner, at the suggestion of the
Recorder, withdrew her plea of guilty, and pleaded not guilty.
Maria Kenyon deposed that on the 17th August last she left her home,
having shut all the windows, and, on her return, between two and three
o’clock the next morning, the articles named in the indictment, which
were hanging up behind the door in the bed-room, were gone. She left
Edward Page in the house; he was a lodger. When she returned she found
the back window open; the windows were so low that any one could get
into the house from the ground.
Edward Page, musician, deposed that he was left in the house, but went
out a few minutes after the last witness. Not feeling well, he returned
home, and got in through the front window—no, the back window. He went
out again, and returned with Peter Penfold, but did not recollect which
way he went in, though it was by the door. Was sober; had been playing
at the Bird-in-Hand; it was bout three o’clock in the morning.
William White, landlord of the Two Bells public-house, two doors from
Peter Penfold’s house, deposed that on the 17th August he saw the
prisoner at the back of his house, between 8 and 9 o’clock in the
evening; it was not quite dark. Saw her get over the gate at the back of
the house, and then go round to the front of it. Shortly afterwards saw
the prisoner pass with a bundle.
Edward Barry, police-constable, apprehended the prisoner about a mile
from the town on the Cheriton Road. She had a bundle of clothes. Witness
asked her where she got it from, and she said, “From Peter Penfold’s,”
and that she was very sorry for what she had done.
The Recorder, in summing up, said that he adopted the course of
examination of the witnesses, doubting whether the act of braking into
the house could be sustained , thought that it could not, and should
direct them to acquit her of the graver charge and find her guilty of
larceny.
The jury returned a verdict accordingly.
There was a second indictment against the prisoner for obtaining, by
false pretences, on the the 19th August, nine pair of shoes and boots,
value 18s., of Mr. George Francis, of Sandgate.
From the evidence of the prosecutor it appeared that the prisoner
obtained the goods, stating that they were for her sister, who was in
service at Sandgate. As she did not return them, he informed the police.
James Steer, Superintendent of police, stated that vhen the prisoner was
brought to the station-house, three pair of shoes were found in the
dress which had been stolen from Peter Penfold, the prosecutor in the
last case.
The prisoner, in her defence, stated that she did not intend to steal
the shoes, but to go the next day and pay for a pair.
The jury, after some consideration, found her guilty.
The Recorder, in a feeling address to the prisoner (who was but 16 years
of age), sentenced her to twelve months’ imprisonment for the first
offence, the first fortnight solitary, and six months' for the second
offence, the last fortnight solitary.
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Dover Telegraph 15 December 1855.
Petty Sessions, Wednesday: Before the Mayor, W. Major, J. Kelcey,
and G. Kennicott Esqs.
Charles Hazeltine, a labourer, was placed at the bar on a charge of
stealing a pair of stockings, value 1s 6d, from the "Two Bells" public
house, Bridge Street, the property of Daniel Dawn. It appeared that
the prisoner had been lodging at the house, and left on the morning
of the 6th inst. After his departure the stockings were missed; but
a prompt search was instituted, and the prisoner traced as far as
Bridge, near Canterbury, where he was found with the stolen
stockings on his feet, and brought back to Folkestone. In reply to
the Bench, the prisoner chose to be tried at once, and had the
audacity to plead Not Guilty. One month's imprisonment and hard
labour.
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From the Folkestone Chronicle 15 December 1855.
Wednesday December 12th :- Before James
Tolputt esq., Mayor, James Kelcey esq., William Major esq., and G.
Kennicott esq.
Charles Hazeltine, who had been remanded from Friday last, was brought
up on a charge of stealing a pair of stockings, value 1s 6d, the
property of Daniel Down. It appeared that the prosecutor had lodged for
some time at the house of Mr. White, the "Two Bells," in Bridge Street,
and that on the nights of Tuesday and Wednesday week, prisoner (who
stated that he was working at Shorncliffe Camp) lodged there, and slept
in the same bed with the prosecutor. On Thursday morning prosecutor got
up first and went to his work, leaving the prisoner in his bed, who said
that he should sleep a little longer. At that time a pair of stockings
of the prosecutor's were hanging on a rail at the foot of the bed. About
8 o'clock Mr. White, the landlord, got up, and on going into
prosecutor's room, prosecutor, prisoner, as well as the stockings were
gone. The prisoner had not paid for his lodgings. Mr. White immediately
took the road to Canterbury, calling at the roadside houses by the way;
and on getting to the "Lion" public house, at Bridge, he found the
prisoner, procured a parish constable, and the missing stockings were
found upon the prisoner, who at once admitted that he had taken them.
Prisoner was now asked if he consented to have the case decided
summarily by the magistrates, under the New Criminal Justice Act, and
replying in the affirmative, the depositions were taken, on which,
having been called upon, he pleaded not guilty, but was convicted, and
sentenced to one month's imprisonment and hard labour in the house of
correction.
This is the second case which has been decided summarily under the new
act since the last Quarter Sessions, which but for that act must have
been committed for trial. There is consequently every probability of our
ensuing court of Quarter Sessions being a “Maiden” one.
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Kentish Gazette 18 December 1855.
Charles Hazeltine, a labourer, was had before the magistrates on
Wednesday, charged with stealing a pair of stockings from the Two BeIls
public-house, the property of Daniel Down. The prisoner had been lodging
at the house, and after his departure the stockings were missed; he was
traced as far as Bridge, near Canterbury, where he was found with the
stolen stockings on his feet, and taken back to Folkestone. One month's
imprisonment and hard labour.
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Southeastern Gazette 18 December 1855.
Local News.
Monday: Before James Tolputt Esq.
Charles Hazeltine was convicted under the New Criminal Justices Act,
with stealing a pair of stockings from Mr. White, Five Bells (sic),
Canterbury Road, Folkestone, and sentenced to 1 month's hard labour.
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Folkestone Chronicle 6 April 1861.
Quarter Sessions, Wednesday April 3rd:- Before J.J. Lonsdale Esq.
Edward Harris was indicted for stealing, on the 19th day of
February, 1861, 11 pieces of lead and 2 pieces of solder, of the
value of 13s., the goods and chattels of the South Eastern Railway
Company, he being a servant of the said company.
Mr. Biron appeared for the prosecution, the prisoner being defended
by Mr. Minter.
Mr. Biron said:- Gentlemen of the jury, the prisoner in this case is
charged with stealing lead, from a plumber's shop, at the upper
station of the South Eastern Railway Company, he then being a
servant of the company. The short facts the witnesses to be brought
before them would prove were the following: That the lead, on the
16th February, was safe in the shop that the prisoner had access to;
that on the 2nd March the prisoner sold lead, afterwards identified
as that which was in the shop, and that on his apprehension he
denied knowing the person to whom he had sold it, the place where he
lived, or that he had ever sold any lead at all.
The learned counsel then called Edward Allen, who being sworn,
deposed he was a plumber in the employ of the South Eastern Railway
Company, that there was a shop at the upper railway station, that
witness worked in the shop, that when not there it was generally
kept locked, though sometimes left open; that prisoner was a servant
of the company, and had occasionally to go to the shop for stores,
that the lead produced was safe in the shop on the 16th of February;
identified piece of 1¼ in. piping, and a lump of solder, as also
some cuttings of lead, and the end of a urinal pipe – the piece of
pipe when in the shop was not beaten together as it now appeared,
identified it by its general appearance, and from clay which still
adhered to it, from being used as a suction pipe in a brick field
near the upper railway station.
The witness was then cross-examined by Mr. Minter, who did not
succeed in shaking his testimony, the witness in answer to a
question having positively sworn to the lump of solder produced,
from the peculiarity of its form, he having run it himself on a flag
stone, and also from having used it as a weight in the shop to hold
something down he was cutting.
William Peel, examined by Mr. Biron: Knew the prisoner at the bar,
who came to his shop about ten minutes before seven on the evening
of the 2nd March, and produced the lead; it weighed 44 lbs., and
witness after enquiry if he came honestly by it, gave him 4s. 7d.
for it, being at the rate of 1¼d. per lb. Did not know that any of
it was solder.
Cross-examined by Mr. Minter: Prisoner told me he came honestly by
it. Did not say he picked it up, he said it was kicking about; the
original depositions were then put in by request of Mr. Minter, and
referred to, but nothing material appeared in them.
By the Recorder: Did not think it suspicious that so much lead was
in the possession of the prisoner; gave the market price for it as
far as he knew, but he had not much learning; did not know the
difference between the lead and the solder. The Recorder then asked
witness why he kept such a shop if he did not, adding that he was
afraid he (witness) was very little better than a receiver of stolen
property, to pretend that he did not know the difference between
lead and solder. A silver mug might be brought to him and he would
buy it as metal, and pretend he did not know any difference between
it and metal; the Recorder then advised him to be very cautious how
he acted, or he would some day find himself in the dock instead of
the witness box, as he was even then almost in the position of a man
who had received stolen goods; the Recorder added “You may go down
now”, and the witness hastily left the box.
Ingram Swain, examined by Mr. Biron: Was a police constable. From
information received he, on the 5th March, went to the shop of the
last witness with the witness Allen, who identified some lead
produced, which Peel said he had purchased of a person whose name he
gave, and whom he described. Witness afterwards apprehended prisoner
on the pier, who on being told the charge against him denied he had
ever been to Peel's shop, said he did not know him, nor where
Darlington Place was, and that he had ever sold any lead to Peel.
This closed the case.
Mr. Minter, for the prisoner, made a most powerful appeal, calling
upon them to discharge from their minds anything which the Recorder
might have said to the witness Peel, as that did not affect his
client; that the witness might be mistaken in the lead, the swearing
of which Mr. Minter characterised as bold and reckless on the part
of the witness Allen, and that if they had the least doubt they
would give the prisoner the benefit of it.
Mr. Minter then called witnesses to character.
Mr. White, who deposed he was landlord of the "Two Bells," Bridge
Street, had known the prisoner for five years, that he had lived in
his house for two years, and that he used to leave him in charge of
his bar and till and never missed anything.
Henry Castle also deposed that he knew prisoner for three years, and
knew nothing against his character during the whole time.
The Recorder in summing up said the first real point for their
consideration was the proof of the property being that of the South
Eastern Railway Company; the witness Allen had positively sworn to
it, to the piece of pipe produced, and as far as the solder was
concerned he gave strong evidence; that he had poured it on a flag
stone, and had afterwards used it as a weight; he identified the
small piece of pipe too from having a hole in it. The Recorder
commented on the remainder of the evidence, and concluded by calling
upon the jury, if they had reasonable doubt of the prisoner's guilt
to give him the benefit of it.
The jury then retired, and after a short absence returned into Court
and gave a verdict of Guilty.
The Recorder then, in suitable terms, addressed the prisoner, and
sentenced him to six months' hard labour.
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Folkestone Observer 3 October 1863.
Wednesday September 30th:- Before Captain Kennicott R.N., J. Tolputt and
A.M. Leith Esqs.
Helen Townsend was charged with stealing a blanket, a sheet, and sixteen
bedroom towels.
Mary Ann White, wife of the landlord of the Two Bells, said the prisoner
engaged a furnished room for herself and her husband, a man named Sinick,
on the 26th of July. On Saturday night the 19th instant she told
prisoner in the presence of her husband, and in the presence of her own
husband, that she had taken one of the sheets from her bed. She at first
denied it, but afterwards admitted that she had taken it. Prisoner and
her husband said that they were going to Hastings in the morning, and
witness said she should fetch her back. They went out before witness was
up on Sunday morning. The sheet was missed by her on Saturday afternoon
about three o'clock and she had not since seen it. On Monday morning she
missed a towel from prisoner's room, fifteen towels from a chest on the
landing, and a blanket from the front bedroom. Prisoner sometimes went
into the front bedroom to scrub it out. She pawned some things before,
and witness had to get them out. Prisoner promised to pay the cost of
redeeming these things, but had not done so. Witness went to Hastings
yesterday, and caused prisoner to be apprehended and brought here.
Prisoner owed 17s. 10d. for rent &c. The value of the sheet was 10s. and
of the towels and blanket, 10s.
William White, landlord of the Two Bells, said that on Saturday his wife
charged prisoner with cutting up the sheet and making a shift of it. She
admitted she had done so, and that she then had the shift on. Her
husband said he would see the bill paid if witness would let her go. On
Monday witness's wife missed other things, and he then sent to Hastings
to have prisoner arrested.
The magistrates sent the prisoner to Dover jail for a month's hard
labour.
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Folkestone Observer 3 June 1865.
Wednesday May 31st:- Before Captain Kennicott R.N. and J. Tolputt Esq.
Thomas Godden, a mariner, was charged with having on the 27th instant
assaulted assaulted James Godden.
Mr. Minter appeared for the defendant.
Complainant said he was a labourer, residing in Folkestone. About 12
o'clock on Saturday night last he was opposite the Wheatsheaf – he had
just left the Two Bells at the bottom of Bridge Street – when two men
said to him “What do you think of our mate?”. He asked what they meant;
when the prisoner and another man rushed out and kicked him about the
face and head, making the marks he then had between his eyes. His ear
was put into two.
Cross-examined by Mr. Minter: Never spoke to defendant. Had a quarrel
with him five weeks before. Saw a fight between two workmen and
defendant. Told defendant he would fight him. Was not drunk when he left
the Two Bells. Defendant rushed out of the Two Bells and knocked him
down. Did not square up to defendant before he struck him. Did not
return the blows and kicks.
Mr. Minter said the man undoubtedly had received some blows. Wherever
there was a brickyard there were plenty of men addicted to fighting, and
two men, Thompson and White, had been trying to induce the defendant to
fight, and they succeeded. The complainant worked in the brickyard, and
said he did not mind having a round with the defendant, and on this
Saturday night repeated it, squared up too, and they had a fight, and
because he got the worst of it he brought the case before the
magistrates.
Clement Gosby, a labourer in the brickyard, said he was in Bridge Street
on Saturday night. He went into White's at the Two Bells and saw the
defendant. He went up to the Wheatsheaf and the defendant followed him,
and tried to kick up a row with him. Could not say that complainant was
drunk. He stood there and saw the defendant come out and square up to
the complainant, and said he would knock him down. Complainant squared
up and struck defendant, and he squared up and hit complainant in the
forehead and then on the ear. He did not see defendant kick complainant.
He did not see defendant rush out of the house. He had had two or three
pints of beer and was sober at the time.
The magistrates said it appeared to be an aggravated case on the part of
the complainant, and they should dismiss the case.
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Folkestone Chronicle 27 October 1866.
Wednesday October 24th: Before the Mayor, Captain Kennicott R.N., J.
Tolputt and R. W. Boarer Esqs.
Temporary license was granted to Louis Furminger for the Two Bells.
Note: Date for Furminger is at odds with that given in More Bastions.
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Folkestone Chronicle 24 December 1870.
Wednesday, December 21st: Before W. Bateman Esq., and Ald. Tolputt.
Sydney Hammond was summoned for assaulting Louis Furminger.
Complainant, who is a publican residing in Bridge Street, said that
between seven and eight n the pervious Friday evening defendant came in
his house with two females. There was a horse in his stables belonging
to one of the women, and she accused defendant of stealing some corn
from the stables. Some conversation ensued with respect to the stables,
and he refused to remove the horse. The woman then abused him, and he
told her he would not have such language in his place. The biggest woman
struck him, and all three abused him in the most scandalous manner.
Defendant came up to him and pushed his fist in his face and threatened
him. He was the worse for liquor. He sent for the police. Defendant
constantly threatened him, and even when he was sober frequently abused
him.
The Bench fined defendant 5s. and 10s. costs.
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Folkestone Express 24 December 1870.
Wednesday, December 21st: Before W. Bateman and J. Tolputt Esqs.
Sidney Hammon was summoned for assaulting Mr. Louis Furminger, the
landlord of the Two Bells public house, Canterbury Road.
The plaintiff said: Between seven and eight o'clock on Friday night last
the defendant came to my house with two females. A horse belonging to
one of the females was in a stable which I let to the defendant. She
accused him of stealing the corn, and wanted me to remove the horse into
that part of the stable belonging to myself. I told her I should do no
such thing and they all commenced to bully me. The tallest of the two
females struck me two or three times in the face, and also struck my
housekeeper. Defendant also stood over me with his clenched fist and
threatened to knock my brains out.
The defendant made a rambling defence.
He was fined 5s. and 10s. costs, which was paid.
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Folkestone Chronicle 8 April 1871.
Tuesday, April 4th: Before The Mayor, J. Kelcey and R.W. Boarer Esqs.
Louis Furminger, landlord of the Two Bells public house, was charged
with keeping his house open during illegal hours on the 2nd of April
last.
P.C. Smith said he was on duty on Saturday last between one and two
o'clock in the neighbourhood of defendant's house. About half past one
o'clock he heard a man, who he saw come from defendant's house, say
“Here's a Bobby. I shall go back and tell old Furminger”. He followed
the man, and went through the back-way door, which he found open. He
found five men in the tap room, who were ready for starting. There was a
jug and a glass on the table with beer in them. Defendant said he went
to bed about twenty minutes to one o'clock, and called James Hands as
his witness, who said the house was not open at the late hour the police
constable had sworn to.
The Bench considered the offence proved, and fined defendant £1, 11s.
costs, or fourteen days' imprisonment.
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Folkestone Express 8 April 1871.
Wednesday, April 5th: Before R.W. Boarer and C.H. Dashwood Esqs.
Louis Furminger, of the Two Bells Inn, Canterbury Road, was summoned for
having his house open at half past one on Saturday night.
P.C. Smith deposed to visiting the house and finding some people there.
The Bench fined defendant 20s. and 11s. costs.
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Folkestone Chronicle 22 April 1871.
Saturday, 15th April: Before W.C. Scott Esq.
Martha James v Louis Furminger: This was a claim for 14s. 2d. for ginger
beer supplied, and judgement was given for the amount claimed.
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Folkestone Express 22 April 1871.
County Court.
Saturday, April 15th: Before W.C. Scott Esq.
M. Jones and Son, ginger beer merchants &c. v Louis Furminger, publican:
The sum due was 14s. 2d., the balance of account.
Defendant disputed a portion of the account relating to the non-return
of ginger beer bottles.
His Honour gave judgement for plaintiff for the full amount claimed.
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Folkestone Express 29 April 1871.
Transfer of License.
The license of the Two Bells Inn was transferred on Saturday last from
Mr. Louis Furminger to Mr. George Prebble.
Note: No mention of this transfer in More Bastions.
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Folkestone Express 20 May 1876.
Local News.
On Thursday last a report was circulated in Folkestone to the effect
that Mr. Sinden, the landlord of the Two Bells Inn, had committed
suicide. We are requested to contradict this statement. Mr. Sinden has
for some time been in a weak state of health, but on enquiry we learnt
that there was no grounds for the report alluded to.
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Folkestone Express 25 October 1879.
Wednesday, October 22nd: Before The Mayor, Aldermen Caister and
Sherwood, Captain Carter, General Cannon, and W.J. Jeffreason Esq.
James Dungate, remanded from Tuesday on a charge of stealing money from
a till at the Two Bells Inn, Canterbury Road, was again brought up.
No prosecutor appeared and the prisoner was discharged.
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Folkestone Express 17 May 1884.
Saturday, May 10th: Before The Mayor, Captain Carter, Alderman Sherwood
and J. Fitness Esqs.
Stephen Smith was summoned for selling beer to be drunk on the premises,
on the 6th March, without having a license to sell.
Mr. Jones, the Acting Supervisor of Inland Revenue, appeared to
prosecute, and Mr. Minter defended.
Patrick Joseph Stanton, Inland Revenue Officer of Folkestone district,
said the defendant held an off license to sell beer. On the 6th March,
about half past nine, he called at Mr. Smith's house, and found there in
the front room Wm. Lester. He was standing at the counter. He asked for
Mr. Smith, and asked how he could account for Mr. Lester being on his
premises drinking beer. He said he knew nothing about it, and he hoped
witness would take no notice of it. He told him it was a very serious
thing and he should report it. He did not go the next day and tell Smith
what he intended to do, but Smith, on the following day, called and
expressed his sorrow, and hoped witness would say no more about it. He
replied that it was a very serious thing, and must go forward. He then
said he would rather have given £50 than it should have occurred, as he
was in hopes of getting a full license for the house later on and it
might mitigate against that. He also said he would give witness £5 if he
would say nothing about it. He told Smith he was not to be bribed, and
that that was an offence in itself.
Cross-examined: The shop is a general shop, and his wife was serving. He
sent Lester there, so that he might drop in and trap him. It was
necessary to do so. There was not another man in the shop at the time he
went in. There was one who went out.
Re-examined: I had never seen Lester before that evening.
William Lester, a painter, living at 78, New Bridge Street said he went
to Smith's house on the evening of the 6th March, at half past nine. He
called for a pint of beer. Mrs. Smith served him. He gave her 6d., and
received 4d. out. The defendant was not in the shop. He drank the beer
in the shop. He was not there more than ten minutes. Smith went round
the same evening and asked if he would say he had half the beer in the
house, and half out. He had never been supplied with beer in the house
before except supper beer. When he went in there was a glass in front of
a man named Kennett. He saw him drink the contents – ale or beer.
Cross-examined by Mr. Minter: How much money did Mr. Stanton give you to
go into the place? – Sixpence.
How much money were you to have for going to trap this man? – Nothing.
Then you pocketed 4d., and guzzled the beer? (Laughter) – That is it. I
had a pint of beer, and paid for it out of the 6d.
You kept the 4d.? – Of course I did.
You know what you went there for, of course? – No, I did not.
Did you know what you received the 6d. for? – No.
Where did you receive the 6d.? – In the Two Bells.
Is that Burchett's? – Yes.
When you received the 6d., what did Mr. Stanton tell you to go and do
with it? – He told me I could go and get a pint of beer up at Smith's.
Then what do you mean by saying you did not know what you were to do
with it? – Well, he did not exactly tell me.
Did he tell you to take care to drink the beer on the premises? – He did
not say anything about it.
Did he tell you to bring the beer outside or drink it on the premises? –
He did not tell me to drink it inside. It did not matter to me where I
had it. I had it inside.
You wish the magistrates to believe you don't know what the 4d. was for?
– I don't know. It was my money. I don't know what the officer gave it
to me for.
You say there was a man named Kennett in there? - Yes.
When you got your beer, did Mrs. Smith tell you to take it outside? –
No.
You are in the habit of getting your supper beer there? – Yes.
Re-examined: Did Mr. Stanton tell you why he sent you there? – Yes,
because Smith was selling beer on the premises.
Mr. Minter: Smith summoned you to the County Court for breaking his
ladder, didn't he? – Yes.
And you had to pay for it? – Yes.
Edwin George Burchett, landlord of the Two Bells, was called to prove a
conversation he had had with the officer about Smith's house, but the
Magistrates' Clerk told the supervisor it was not evidence.
Mr. Jones said he wanted to show that it was from complaints made that
this man was sent up.
Mr. Bradley said the magistrates could only hear evidence, and that was
not evidence.
Mr. Jones then claimed the right to reply, but was told he could not.
Mr. Minter addressed the Bench for the defendant, pointing out that the
prosecution did not come before them with clean hands. It did not want
much perception to see that the case had arisen from the jealousy of Mr.
Burchett, a rival landlord, who no doubt looked on the defendant as
antagonistic to him in his trade, inasmuch as he sold beer for supper,
and so on. The case rested solely on the evidence of that worthless
character, Lester, who had lied backwards and forwards, whom it was
admitted had been sent on purpose to entrap Smith, but who had told the
Bench that he did not know what he went for.
He called Richard Kennett, a carter, living at 48, Sidney Street, who
said he dealt at Smith's shop for bread and vegetables, and was there
when Lester went in. It was false to say he took up a glass of ale or
beer. He did not touch a glass of any description. He heard Lester call
for a pint of beer. Mrs. Smith said “Where is your jug?”. He said “I
haven't got one”. She said “All my cans and jugs are out. I'll lend you
a glass to take it home”. She drew the pint of beer and gave it to him.
He started drinking it directly. Mrs. Smith told him he mustn't drink it
there – he must take it home.
Cross-examined: I went for bread and vegetables. I did not ask Lester if
there was a police officer outside. Mrs. Smith did not call her husband
to put him out.
Mr. Jones frequently interrupted Mr. Minter during his speech, evidently
being stung by his caustic remarks.
Mr. Bradley told Mr. Jones that he ought to know how to conduct the
case.
Mr. Jones: I think I do know.
Mr. Bradley: You have been most irregular.
Mr. Jones: The counsel for the defendant has been most irregular in his
remarks. (Laughter)
The Bench considered the case proved, and fined the defendant £5,
including costs.
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Folkestone News 17 May 1884.
Saturday, May 10th: Before The Mayor, Capt. Fletcher, Alderman Sherwood,
and J. Fitness Esq.
Stephen Smith, a beer seller, of Folkestone, was charged by the Inland
Revenue authorities with unlawfully selling a pint of beer, he having
only an off licence, on May 6th. Mr. Jones, Supervisor of Inland
Revenue, Dover district, prosecuted, and Mr. Minter defended.
Mr. Jones, in his opening remarks, said the case was brought forward in
consequence of complaints that had been made of defendant selling beer
to be drunk on his premises.
Patrick Joseph Stanton, an officer in the Inland Revenue, said he called
at defendant's shop on the 6th, and found a man named Wm. Lester there
drinking a pint of beer. Witness asked for Mr. Smith and then questioned
him as to how it was he accounted for the fact of this man drinking beer
on the premises. Defendant said he knew nothing about it and hoped no
notice would be taken of it. Witness told him it was a serious thing and
he should report it, and should take the next day or two to think over
it. He did not, as he said he should, go down the next day and tell Mr.
Smith, and the latter came up to him, expressed his regret at the
affair, said it should not occur again, and hoped that the officer would
not think anything more about it. Witness told him that after
consideration he thought it was a very serious thing, and ought to go
forward. Defendant then said that he would rather have paid £50 than
have it occur, as he was anxious to get a full licence later on, and was
afraid this would injure his prospect of so doing. Witness told him he
could not help that, and that he should report the case. He then said he
would rather give witness a £5 note to say nothing about it. Witness
replied that he was not to be bribed, as that was an offence in itself.
In cross-examination witness said he had never taken money from
defendant.
Wm. Lester, of 73, New Bridge Street, said that on 6th March at half
past nine he went into defendant's to call for a pint of beer. It was
served to him and he changed 6d. and got 4d. out. Mr. Smith was not
there. That was all he had; he drank it there. Smith came to him
afterwards, and asked him whether he could not say he drunk half inside
and half outside. A man named Kennett was there with a glass with some
beer in it.
By My. Minter: Mr. Stanton gave him the 6d. to go and get the beer with.
He was not to have anything for going. It was given to him in the Two
Bells and Mr. Burchett was present at the time.
Mr. Minter: Did he (Mr. Stanton) tell you to take care you were to drink
the pint of beer on the premises?
Witness: He told me to go and get a pint of beer, and didn't say about
being careful.
Mr. Minter: Then why did you drink it inside instead of out on the
pavement?
Witness: I don't know.
Mr. Minter: Why did you drink it inside? Do you mean to state that you
did not know why you went up there to get a pint of beer?
Witness: I don't know anything more about it.
Mr. Minter: You knew how to keep the 4d. in your pocket. Do you know
what that was for?
Witness: No. It's your own money if you have it given to you, I suppose.
Mr. Minter: The defendant, I believe, summoned you at the County Court
for breaking his ladder?
Witness: Yes, that's right.
Mr. Jones explained that this case was instituted before the summons was
issued.
Mr. Minter then addressed the Court at great length in support of the
defence, and characterised the proceeding of the Revenue authority as
constituting an unfair snare on the occasion, in employing a man who
customarily went to the house to get beer to take away. It was
unfortunate that in this case the man's wife could not be permitted to
give evidence.
A witness named Kennett, a carpenter, said he dealt at Smith's shop for
bread and vegetables. He was in there on the evening in question. It was
false that he drank or bought any ale there or touched a glass of any
description. When Lester came in, he asked for a pint of beer, and Mrs.
Smith said “Where is your jug?” He replied that he had not got one. She
said all her cans and jugs were out, and she would lend him a glass to
take it home in. She drew the beer in a pint glass. Directly he got it
in his hand he commenced drinking it. She told him he must not drink it
there, but take it home.
Cross-examined by Mr. Jones: He went to pay an account. Mr. Smith
ordered the man out twice. He did not see him leave the house.
The Mayor said that the magistrates considered the case proved, and
fined defendant £5.
The prosecution asked for their costs to be allowed.
The Bench decided that this could not be done.
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Southeastern Gazette 28 July 1884.
Local News.
On Tuesday a serious accident happened to a youth, the son of Mr.
Burchett, of the Two Bells Inn, Canterbury Road. He was driving his
father’s horse and cart, when the animal bolted, and when opposite
Walton Terrace, it fell. The youth was thrown out, and the cart went
over him. His collar-bone was broken, and he sustained other serious
injuries, but he is now progressing towards recovery.
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Folkestone Express 20 April 1889.
Saturday, April 13th: Before J. Hoad, J. Holden, J. Pledge, and J.
Fitness Esq.
Alfred Court, a lad of about 17, was charged with having assaulted
Arthur Burchett.
Complainant said he was thirteen years of age, and lived with his father
at the Two Bells, Canterbury Road. On Wednesday he was leaving school
and going home. When near Mr. Glasscock's house the defendant threw a
stone at him. It hit him on the eyelid and cut it. He did not speak to
defendant, but ran home.
Sidney West said he left school with Burchett. When they met defendant
he said “Hello, Hacker”. Defendant then threw a stone and they both ran
away. Burchett got behind a cart, and defendant threw a stone over it,
and it struck him in the eye.
Defendant said the boys were continually teasing him. He admitted
throwing the stone, but not with any intention of hurting Burchett.
The Bench imposed a fine of 2s. 6d. and 10s. costs, or seven days'
imprisonment.
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Folkestone Chronicle 25 October 1890.
Wednesday, October 22nd: Before Major H.W. Poole, Surgeon General
Gilbourne, J. Brooke and W.G. Herbert Esqs.
George Thomas McLean was summoned for being disorderly at the Two Bells
on Saturday evening.
Edward George Burchett, the landlord of the Two Bells said the defendant
came in the worse for liquor, and as he refused to serve him he was very
disorderly. He used obscene language and refused to quit the premises.
Defendant, who pleaded Guilty, was fined 5s. and 9s. costs.
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Folkestone Chronicle 24 June 1893.
Wednesday, June 21st: Before Colonel De Crespigny and Mr. W. Wightwick.
George Burchett, landlord of the Two Bells, Canterbury Road, was
summoned for using an unstamped pint glass for the sale of beer on the
16th June.
In this case it transpired that the glass had been stamped on the bottom
by the maker with the word “pint”, but it had not the necessary
verifying stamp of the Inspector.
The defendant, who said he bought stamped glasses in order to protect
himself, was fined 6d. and 10s. costs.
The Inspector said he gave notice to the publicans in the town nearly
three months ago that it would be enforced, and some had complied with
the requirements.
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Folkestone Express 24 June 1893.
Wednesday, June 21st: Before Colonel De Crespigny and W. Wightwick Esqs.
George Burchett was summoned for selling beer in a glass not marked. He
pleaded Not Guilty.
Evidence of the use of the glass having been given, defendant produced
the glass, and it was marked at the bottom “pint” – the maker's mark.
The Inspector said the defendant told him the glass was marked and he
did not intend to have it stamped, and defendant denied it.
Defendant said the manufacturers were at fault. He bought the glasses to
be safe under the Act. He thought he was doing what was right.
Mr. Major said he had given every publican notice three months ago that
the Act would be enforced.
Defendant was fined 6d. and 10s. costs.
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Folkestone Herald 24 June 1893.
Police Court Notes.
On Wednesday morning the sitting Justices, Col. De Crespigny and Mr.
Wightwick, were engaged in the Borough Court in adjudicating upon a
number of charges instituted by Inspector T.C. Major under the Weights
and Measures Act.
George Burchett, of the Two Bells, Canterbury Road, was summoned for a
like offence, at Folkestone, on 16th June.
Evidence of a similar character was given by the same witnesses as in
the last case. Mr. Major added that when he told the defendant he must
take away the glass in which the beer was served, defendant became cross
and said he never allowed anybody to take anything away from his house,
except a policeman. He asked witness for his authority, which he
produced to the defendant, and he then took the glass away. The glass
was not stamped as required by the Weights and Measures Act, and it was
not marked as required by the recent regulation of the Board of Trade,
and the denomination on the bottom of the glass was insufficient; it
must be marked on the side.
Mr. Wightwick: Have all been told this is necessary?
Mr. Major: Yes.
Mr. Wightwick: What did Mr. Burchett say?
Mr. Major: That he did not intend to have it done.
Defendant said he told the Inspector the glasses were manufactured to
meet the requirements of the Weights and Measures Act. It was stamped
“Pint” on the bottom, and what more was wanted than this? Mr. Major came
into his house with bounce and ....
The Deputy Clerk said they could not have this. By the 29th Sect. of the
Act the measures must be verified and stamped by an Inspector working
under the Act.
Defendant said if Mr. Major had come round in a proper way they would
have avoided all this bother.
Mr. Wightwick said defendant was supposed to know the law; he was
supposed to have read every Act of Parliament.
Mr. Major said three months ago every precaution was taken to warn the
publicans that this Act would be enforced, and since then several had
complied with it's requirements.
The Bench fined the defendant 6d., and costs 10s. Paid.
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Folkestone Visitors' List 28 June 1893.
Police Court Notes.
“You are supposed to know the law” said the Magistrates to a defendant
at the court on Wednesday, but he would be a wise one who could carry in
his head one thousandth part of all the crotchety rules and regulations
known by the comprehensive term of law as laid down in our statute
books.
The defendant was Richard Knott, landlord of the Brewery Tap, in Tontine
Street, and the Magistrates were Col. De Crespigny and Mr. W. Wightwick.
The former had to appear before the latter for using an unstamped pint
glass.
Defendant said he had used them for the last twenty years, and he was
not aware they were bound to be stamped.
This drew forth from the Bench the dictum with which this par started.
As this was the first offence since the passing of the Act in 1872,
defendant was let off with a fine of 6d. and 10s. costs.
Geo. Burchett, landlord of the Two Bells, Canterbury Road, had a similar
experience.
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Folkestone Up To Date 29 June 1893.
Hall Of Justice.
Wednesday, June 21st: Before Justices De Crespigny and W. Wightwick.
Two licensed victuallers were charged with selling pints of beer in
glasses which were not marked by the inspector. This is the first
prosecution of the kind which has taken place in Folkestone for 21
years.
The defendants pleaded ignorance of the technicalities of the law, and
were informed by Mr. Justice Wightwick that it was their duty to read
every Act of Parliament. One of the accused replied that were he to do
so he would be unable to carry on his ordinary business.
In justice to the accused we are pleased to state that there no question
but that the glasses held their full measure.
Mr. Justice Col. De Crespigny informed the accused that they would be
let off lightly, viz., 6d. and costs.
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Folkestone Express 4 August 1900.
Wednesday, August 1st: Before Capt. Carter, W. Wightwick, J. Fitness, J.
Pledge, C.J. Pursey and W.G. Herbert Esqs.
A. Burchett was granted a transfer of his father's licence for the Two
Bells Inn.
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Folkestone Herald 4 August 1900.
Folkestone Police Court.
On Wednesday, the licence of the Two Bells was transferred from Mr.
Edward George Brickett to Mr. Arthur Brickett.
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Folkestone Herald 20 November 1915.
Tuesday, November 16th: Before Lieut. Col. R.J. Fynmore, Mr. J.J. Giles,
Mr. H.C. Kirke, and Alderman A.E. Pepper.
The Justices granted a temporary transfer of the Two Bells, Canterbury
Road, from Mr. Arthur Burchett to Mr. Albert Butler, of Ramsgate.
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Folkestone Express 27 November 1915.
Local News.
At a sitting of the Folkestone Bench on Wednesday, before E.T. Ward
Esq., and other Magistrates, the licence of the Two Bells Inn was
transferred from Mr. A. Birchett to Mr. Albert Butler.
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Folkestone Herald 27 November 1915.
Wednesday, November 24th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Lieut. Col. R.J. Fynmore,
Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. R.J. Linton, Councillor G. Boyd, Councillor W.J.
Harrison, Mr. E.T. Morrison, and Col. G.P. Owen.
The Magistrates sanctioned the transfer of the Two Bells from Mr. A.
Burchett to Mr. Albert Butler.
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Folkestone Express 4 May 1935.
Local News.
At the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday the Magistrates granted a
protection licence to Mr. H.B. Dry, who had formerly held a licence at
Whitstable for eight and a half years, to sell at the Two Bells,
Canterbury Road, the outgoing tenant being Mr. Butler.
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Folkestone Express 1 June 1935.
Local News.
At the Folkestone Police Court on Wednesday the Magistrates transferred
the licence of the Two Bells, Canterbury Road, Folkestone, from Mr.
Albert Butler to Mr. Henry William Dry.
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Folkestone Express 18 April 1936.
Local News.
On Wednesday at the Folkestone Police Court, Mr. Wilton, architect for
the owners of the Two Bells public house, Canterbury Road, applied for
permission to carry out alterations on the licensed premises. He
produced the necessary plans, and explained that they were asking for
permission to pull down the stable building and erect model lavatories.
They also asked that they should be allowed to take out the awll between
the public bar and the private bar and modernise the interior
altogether. The removal of the stables would allow for a draw-in of four
motor cars.
The Chairman of the Bench (Mr. R.G. Wood): What you suggest is an
improvement on the present building?
Mr. Wilton: Yes.
The Chairman said the Magistrates approved of the alteration and they
thought they were very good.
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Folkestone Herald 10 July 1937.
Local News.
Two men were fined £1 each at, the Folkestone Police Court yesterday for
assaulting the licensee of a public house. The defendants were Alec
Standing, 9a, Rita Place, and George Standing, 46, Bridge Street. They
pleaded not guilty.
Prosecuting, Mr. B. H. Bonniface said the complainant was Henry Win.
Drye, the licensee of the Two Bells Inn, Canterbury Road. The licensees
of public houses had enough difficulties to contend with in the carrying
out of their duties without being the subject of such an assault as he
alleged happened in this case.
Complainant said he was the. licensee of the Two Bells, Canterbury Road,
and last Saturday night about 10.10 to 10.15 the two defendants came
into the house and they were served with one pint of beer each.
After leaving the bar at 10.30 p.m. in an orderly manner he saw one of
the defendants in the convenience. He told him to clear out and not to
come there again. Alec Standing then pressed him against the door, but
after a struggle complainant got the door open. Alec’s brother then came
along and got hold of witness by both arms. Alec said “Are you accusing
me of all of it?” and he replied that he was not. There were no further
words when Alec struck him three times in the face, twice on the eye.
Complainant appeared in court with a shield over the left eye.
Continuing, Drye said his daughter opened the door behind him and George
Standing pulled his brother out.
Miss Phyllis Drye, the daughter of the licensee, said she saw two men
holding her father against the door and hitting him. When she opened the
door George let go of her father and pulled Alec outside.
P.C. Hall said when he was talking to complainant George Standing came
along and he said that his brother had not left his house all the
evening.
Alec Standing told the Magistrates complainant started pushing him
about. He admitted that he lost his temper and struck Drye. He was sorry
for it afterwards.
“We find you guilty of an aggravated assault”, said the Chairman (Dr.
W.W. Nuttall). “Publicans must be protected against such persons as you
and you will be fined £1 each”.
Alec Standing said he was a married man and asked for a month to pay the
fine. The Magistrates allowed him 14 days.
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Folkestone Express 17 July 1937.
Local News.
Two brothers were each fined £1 at Folkestone Police Court on Friday for
assaulting Henry William Drye, the licensee of the Two Bells, Canterbury
Road.
They were Alec Standing, of 9, Rita Place, and George Standing, of 46,
Bridge Street, and they both pleaded not guilty.
The magistrates were Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Alderman Mrs. Gore, Alderman G.
Gurr, Mrs. Saunders and Dr. F. Wolverson.
Mr. B.H. Bonniface, who appeared for the complainant, said the
magistrates would appreciate that licensed victuallers had enough
difficulty in carrying on their trade without being the subject of an
assault, as he alleged happened the previous Saturday night. The two
defendants went into the Two Bells shortly after ten o’clock. They were
perfectly sober, and remained until half past ten, when they went
towards the convenience. The defendant Alec misbehaved himself, and the
complainant told them to leave the premises and not return again. The
two men went into the porch of the premises and George caught Mr. Drye’s
arms and Alec struck him four blows.
The complainant said he was the licensee of the Two Bells, in Canterbury
Road. On Saturday night the two defendants came into the house at about
10.15 p.m. In his opinion they were sober. At 10.30 p.m. they left the
bar in an orderly fashion. He looked through the glass door and saw one
of the defendants misbehaving in a lobby of the convenience. He went out
and told them he did not want them in his house while he was there. The
defendant Alec pressed his arms in the door. They went into the porch
and George Standing came along and pressed him against the door of the
public bar. He caught hold of him by both arms, and Alec said "Are you
accusing me of this?” Complainant replied “I am accusing you of what I
saw”. Alec then struck him three blows in the face.
Phyllis Drye, daughter of the complainant, said she heard a scuffle in
the porch and saw two men holding her father against the glass door. His
head was being banged against the door. She ran out and saw the
defendant George let go of her father and take hold of Alec.
P.C. Hall said he went to the Two Bells and saw the complainant. His
left eye was discoloured and appeared to be closing. The left side of
his face was swollen in two places and puffed up. While he was talking
to Mr. Drye the defendant, George, came along. He told him of the
complaint, and he said “No, not me”. He said his brother had not left
the house all the evening.
Alec Standing told the Magistrates that the complainant kept pushing him
about, and he lost his temper and struck Drye. He was sorry afterwards.
The Chairman said they found the defendants guilty of an aggravated
assault. Publicans had to be protected from such people and the
defendants would be fined £1.
Alec Standing, who said he was a married man, was granted 14 days in
which to pay the fine.
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Folkestone Herald 28 March 1953.
Local News.
A protection order was made by Folkestone Magistrates on Tuesday:
Charles Henry Welling, of 82, Rosebury Avenue, Tottenham, in respect of
the Two Bells, Canterbury Road.
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Folkestone Gazette 28 July 1954.
Local News.
The licensees of the Two Bells and the Royal Standard, Canterbury Road,
Folkestone, were granted an extension from 10.30 p.m. to 11 p.m. from
August 6th to 14th, with the exception of Sunday, at Folkestone
Magistrates’ Court yesterday. The application was made because of the
fair to be staged during the week on the Canterbury Road Recreation
Ground. Chief Inspector L.A. Hadlow said the extension was granted last
year because of the Coronation and the two licensees found it so
advantageous during the week of the fair that they had decided to make
application this year. The police, he said, had no objection.
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Folkestone Herald 20 August 1955.
Local News.
At Folkestone Transfer Sessions on Wednesday the Magistrates granted an
application for permission to carry out alterations at the Two Bells
public house in Canterbury Road. It is proposed to build a new kitchen
with a living room above and turn the old kitchen into a large saloon
bar.
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Folkestone Herald 3 March 1956.
Local News.
An anonymous telephone call led police to question a Dover man about the
theft of £25 from a Folkestone public house, it was stated at Folkestone
Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
Before the Court was Bernard Wilfred Henley, 30 year old plasterer, of
16, The Linces, Dover, who pleaded Not Guilty to stealing the money,
belonging to Charles Henry Wellings, of the Two Bells, Canterbury Road,
Folkestone, on December 2nd. Henley, married with two children, was
found Guilty. He was put on probation for two years and ordered to pay
£7 13/10 costs. When the accused asked for time to pay the costs, a
prosecution witness, Mr. D.M. Jolliffe, manager of Lloyd's Bank,
Buckland, said he would waive his claim to expenses amounting to £1 6/-.
Henley was given two months to pay the balance of £6 5/10.
Mr. R.P. Tunstall, prosecuting, said on the date of the offence, and for
some time before, structural alterations were being carried out at the
public house. It was significant that Henley was one of the men engaged
on the work. Mr. Wellings put a box containing £25 belonging to the dart
club in his bedroom. Henley knew it was there because he swept debris
away from just inside the door. Mr. Tunstall alleged that there was
necessity for the accused man to commit the offence because he had an
overdraft of some £80 at the bank. More significant still, Henley called
on Mr. And Mrs. Hopper, of 7, Shrubbery Cottages, Dover, on November
30th, and told Mrs. Hopper that he knew of a box with some money in it
at the place where he was working and he was going to have some of it.
On the evening of the day the offence was committed Henley appeared to
be flush with money. He paid 17/6 for a taxi to St. Margaret's Bay. The
taxi driver noticed there was £6 to £10 in Henley's wallet. Mr. Tunstall
said when Henley was seen by the police he denied ever taking the money.
D.C. Crane said on December 3rd he went to the Two Bells public house,
where he saw a number of workmen, including the accused. He told Henley
he was making enquiries about the £25, and that an anonymous phone call
had been received on December 2nd to the effect that the person
responsible was a workman living at Dover. Accused denied knowing
anything about the money. He said he had a bit of an overdraft but was
not hard up. The police officer said he saw Henley again on December 7th
and told him he had reason to believe he took the money. The accused
replied “I don't know how you can say that”. When he saw the accused on
December 20th he told him that two days before the money was stolen he
(Henley) had told Mrs. Hopper that he was going to have some. “That is
more of Hopper's lies”, replied Henley, who maintained that his
conscience was clear.
Henley, giving evidence, said in 1950 he went into business on his own
as a contracting plasterer. In 1954 he ceased the business because his
overdraft at the bank was so big. Since then he had been reducing the
overdraft. On December 2nd he was in no graver financial circumstances
than he had been for the previous year or 18 months. The money the taxi
driver saw in his wallet was his wages.
Mr. H. Gardener-Wheeler, for the accused, submitted that the evidence
for the prosecution was most highly and unsatisfactorily circumstantial.
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Folkestone Herald 13 February 1960.
Annual Licensing Sessions.
The Magistrates granted a music licence to Mr. C.H. Welling, of the Two
Bells, Canterbury Road, after he had said he had had a piano and a juke
box recently installed. Mr. Welling said there was a need for it in the
area, and it was his duty to please the customers.
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Folkestone Herald 25 August 1962.
Local News.
The licensee of a Folkestone public house told Folkestone Magistrates on
Tuesday that he found his public bar on August Bank Holiday Monday in a
state of chaos after he had heard the sound of breaking glass. “There
was blood and beer all over the place”, said Charles Henry Welling, of
the Two Bells, 58, Canterbury Road.
Before the Court, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous
bodily harm, was 23-year-old John Donoghue, of 65, Somerset Road,
Folkestone, who was alleged to have rammed a broken tumbler into the
face of 25-year-old Derek Farbrace, of 26, Linden Crescent, Folkestone,
after an argument. Donoghue was sent for trial at Kent Assizes at
Maidstone on December 15th, and was allowed bail of £20 in his own
recognisance. He pleaded Not Guilty and reserved his defence.
Mr. R. McVarish, prosecuting, said the argument between the two young
men had started because those in Donoghue's party wanted to play the
piano and those in Farbrace's party preferred to play the juke-box.
Farbrace told the Court that he went alone to the Two Bells on August
6th at about 1.30 p.m. There was a juke-box in the public bar, which he
decided to play. He joined some friends, and put a shilling in the
juke-box, pressing the button at approximately the same time as someone
started to play the piano. While he was talking to another man Donoghue
came over and an argument started. “I said if he had any grievance
against me the best way was to come outside, but Donoghue said he had no
intention of fighting”, witness said. “A few more words were said, and
the next thing I remember was him hitting me with a glass”.
Dr. Doreen Aucott, Casualty Officer at the Royal Victoria Hospital,
Folkestone, said Farbrace was treated at 2.15 p.m. that day. “He had a
cut between the corner of his left eye and his nose. He had to have one
stitch inserted for the cut at the side of his left eye, and a plaster
put across”, Dr. Aucott stated.
Noah Gatehouse, 91, Wood Avenue, Folkestone, said he was in the public
bar when he heard a remark by one of four men round the piano. The
juke-box had made the most noise and was drowning the piano's sound. The
accused had gone over to Farbrace, who was by the juke-box, and he
thought he heard Farbrace say “Come outside”. “I saw defendant pick up a
glass from a table and break it on the corner of the table”, witness
said. “Then he jabbed Farbrac's face with it. I jumped up just as
Donoghue was going in a second time, but I cannot say whether he had the
glass on that occasion. Then I approached the two men and put my arm
round Donoghue's throat, pulling him away from Farbrace”.
After describing the condition in which he had found his public bar on
coming in from the saloon, Mr. Welling said the injured man was
supporting himself against the fireplace. “I spoke to the efendant in
the entrance lobby to the public bar, and asked him who was causing all
the trouble, but I did not understand his reply”, witness said. He
continued that he spoke to Donoghue again about 25 yards away from the
public house. “I asked him what the meaning of all this trouble was, and
what was the idea of making a scene in my house. I asked him why he did
not fight with his fists outside”, witness said. Defendant retorted “I
didn't want to fight. He's a bigger fellow than me”. Describing Donoghue
as “definitely keyed-up at the time”, Mr. Welling said he had been
abusive and arrogant.
Walter William Amor, of 11, Canterbury Road, Folkestone, said Donoghue
too the glass from the table where he (witness) was sitting. He alleged
Donoghue lunged it into Farbrace's face. “The glass split open, and the
next thing I saw was blood”, witness stated. He continued that Donoghue
took up another glass from the mantelpiece, and threw it at Farbrace,
hitting him. Donoghue then lifted up a chair above his head, but he
(witness) held it back.
D.C. Denis Titley said that after Donoghue had made a statement to him
on August 11th, he was charged and cautioned. Donoghue replied “What
about Farbrace? Will he be summoned?”
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Folkestone Gazette 12 December 1962.
Local News.
A dispute concerning the playing of a piano and a juke-box, followed by
the use of broken glasses, in the Two Bells public house at Folkestone
last August Bank Holiday Monday, had a sequel at the Sussex Assizes at
Lewes on Thursday and Friday.
In the dock was John Donoghue (24), a welder's mate, of Somerset Road,
Cheriton. He pleaded Not Guilty to wounding Derek Phillip Farbrace, of
Linden Crescent, Folkestone, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm,
or to maim, disfigure or disable him. After a two-day trial the jury
found Donoghue Not Guilty on this charge, but Guilty of the lesser
offence of unlawful wounding.
“I entirely agree with the verdict,” said Mr. Justice Nield. “The use of
glass in such circumstances is very grave, but I shall not pass a prison.
The judge imposed a fine of £50, allowing Donoghue six months in which
to pay, or in default, six months’ imprisonment.
Opening for the prosecution, Mr. Michael Gale said the incident which
had led to the case, occurred in the Two Bells public house at
Folkestone on about 2 p.m. last August Bank Holiday Monday. The public
house was crowded, and with the idea of attracting customers, the
licensee had provided both a juke-box and a piano in the public bar. On
the afternoon in question, Mr. Farbrace placed 1/- in the juke-box and
then a young man, who had been standing with some others, started to
play the piano. It was suggested that the juke-box was drowning the
sound of the piano. A young man named Tommy Gibson offered Mr. Farbrace
sixpence, saying that the boys had clubbed together to enable him to
play the juke-box, and Mr. Farbrace told him he did not think that was
very funny. The accused then crossed the bar, and started an argument
with Mr. Farbrace. Suddenly the accused was struck in the face with a
glass, and this occurred twice.
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Folkestone Herald 4 October 1969.
Local News.
A Folkestone Corporation workman got a shock when he put his head in a
hole which mysteriously appeared in Canterbury Road on Thursday.
For above the noise of the traffic he could hear an ominous ticking
sound. Hastily police were told that there might be a bomb hidden in the
hole. An inspection was made and barriers were erected. An Army
bomb-disposal squad was called. But meanwhile the corporation worker who
first heard the ticking had become a puzzled man. He could still hear
the noise . . . but he was standing a few feet away from the hole.
He looked up - and saw the inn sign of the Two Bells public house
swinging gently in the wind, and making a metallic ticking noise as it
did so . . . almost like a time bomb. A routine inspection was made by
the bomb disposal squad, but all they found down the hole was earth. A
corporation official said the hole was probably caused through some kind
of sewer subsidence.
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Folkestone Herald 23 October 1971.
Local News.
Courteous, distinguished and impeccably dressed, Mr. Charles Welling
could be mistaken for a retired Army officer. But the crowd which packed
the bars at the Two Bells, Canterbury Road, Folkestone, on Monday night
was there to give Mr. Welling and his wife, Gladys, a triumphant
send-off after 18 years as tenants of the pub.
Sixty-seven-year-old Mr. Welling moved to the Two Bells from London,
where he had spent seven years as a carpet layer and planner. Early this
year he slipped a disc in his spine and feels the time has come for him
and Gladys, to retire to their home in Walton Manor Close. “I wanted to
leave in the same way as I came - standing up”, he grinned.
Why does Mr. Welling think the Two Bells has been so popular since he's
been in charge? “I think it’s because I’ve always respected my
customers, and they’ve respected me”, he said. “That's the secret – and
they're a wonderful crowd. We've all had a whale of a time here”.
A couple, who might be called Mr. Welling's protégés, travelled from
Hythe for the celebration. Three years ago he taught all the intricacies
of the licensed trade to Cyril and Jessie Webb. Cyril was shown how to
cope with the cellar, while Jessie worked behind the bar. They now run
the Star Inn, at Hythe.
As the evening neared its climax, Charles and Gladys nearly collapsed
under the weight of the gifts pressed on them by the assembled throng.
They included a tea and coffee set from the Ladies' Auxiliary, three
vases, a sun-ray lamp, a tea trolley, and a Teasmade “from the boys and
girls of the public bar”. And Gladys replied with a cry of “Drinks all
round on the house!” Mr. Welling intends to pop into the Two Bells every
now and then. But, as a member of Folkestone Park Bowls Club for 12
years, he wants to spend most of his spare time improving his game.
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Folkestone Herald 19 July 1975.
Local News.
Two cross-Channel ferry stewards raised £61 towards the cost of a
pacemaker machine for a boy in Southampton hospital by a sponsored run
from Dover to Folkestone on Tuesday.
The Townsend Thoresen stewards, Robert Beazley, aged 31, of Calgary
Crescent, Folkestone, and Derek Shopland, 29, of Dover, decided to make
a special effort to help the fund to buy the machine for Simon Waite,
the son of an officer on the cross-Channel ferries They ran from Dover
Town Hall to the Two Bells public house in Canterbury Road, Folkestone,
in 50 minutes, and raised £61.24 towards the target of £3,000.
Robert said afterwards “We thought we would do our bit towards the fund
by organising our own sponsored run”.
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Folkestone Gazette 26 January 1977.
Local News.
Rebel landlord Ken Champion has hit out at Folkestone colleagues
threatening to take action against brewers, Whitbread Fremlins. The 40
Whitbread tenant-licensees in Folkestone, Sandgate and Hawkinge plan to
refuse to sell wines, spirits and minerals marketed by the company. The
sanctions will start if the brewers do not agree to consult tenants
before price increases.
Mr. Champion, landlord of the Two Bells, in Canterbury Road, Folkestone,
said last week “Sanctions are a lot of rubbish. I don’t agree with them.
What difference does it make if you are forewarned about price
increases?” But Mr. Champion added he would impose sanctions if asked
to.
Angry pub tenants, fuming over two drinks price rises in January, are
meeting Whitbreads on Tuesday. If agreement over prices and
re-assessment of the present renting system is not reached, the
sanctions will be imposed. Other sanctions include delays in paying
brewery bills, using cheques rather than direct debit. Arrears will be
paid quarterly instead of weekly to hit the company’s balance books.
Mr. Vic Batten chairman of the Folkestone Whitbread Tenants’
Association, and landlord of the Jubilee Inn on The Stade, said “Every
time a new increase is imposed, pubs lose customers”.
A spokesman for Whitbread said price increases were still behind
inflation. “Duty is the main factor in the soaring costs”, he added.
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South Kent Gazette 3 May 1978.
Local News.
Police collected an unwanted passenger from a Folkestone public house on
Thursday. For a man they asked to leave the Two Bells, in Canterbury
Road, did – and climbed straight into the unattended police vehicle.
At Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Harry Queen of Spring
Terrace, Folkestone, admitted being drunk and disorderly.
Police Inspector Ron Young said Queen climbed into the police Dormobile
and asked to be taken home. When he was told to get out Queen offered to
fight the officers and was arrested after ignoring three warnings to go
home. The inspector said Queen has “an impressive list of previous
convictions”. He added “He has a serious drinking problem. An alcoholic
on his own admission, it has ruined his life. He has been for treatment
on several occasions but it doesn’t seem to help”.
Queen told the court “I bumped into my son. I hadn’t seen him for quite
a while and I don’t know what happened after that”.
He was ordered to pay a fine of £15 or spend one day in prison.
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Folkestone Herald 4 August 1979.
Local News.
A pub card game for high stakes ended in a punch-up when the loser
refused to settle his debts on the spot.
Seaman Frank Gockelen bet a gold ring worth £150 in a final attempt to
clear his £310 debt with Kenneth Champion, landlord of the Two Bells
public house, Canterbury Road, Folkestone. But he lost the game of
three-card brag and then refused to part with the ring, a court heard on
Tuesday. And a fight broke out involving the two men and part-time
barman Keith Watkinson, of Elm Road, Folkestone. As a result, Champion,
51, and Watkinson, 27, were charged with causing actual bodily harm to
Gockelen. Both pleaded Not Guilty. At Folkestone Magistrates Court,
Champion was acquitted. Watkinson, a welder with British Rail, was
convicted and fined for the assault.
Gockelen, who lives in Canterbury Road, said that he went to the Two
Bells at lunchtime on March 7. Sometime after 2 p.m. he started to play
cards with Champion, whom he knew very well. They played and drank,
watched by Watkinson, until about 6 p.m., when the fight occurred.
“I lost all the money I had on me at the time, so I said I would put my
ring up for a wager. I had no intention of parting with the ring that
afternoon”, he said. “When I lost the hand, I picked up the ring and
told Champion I would pay what I owed, together with a previous debt, by
the end of the year”. He said that Watkinson tried to grab the ring as
he sat at the table. He resisted and blows started raining down upon
him.
But Champion claimed that Gockelen stood up and faced him after taking
the ring from the table. The next thing I knew I fell backwards over a
table. I think I overbalanced avoiding a blow. When I got up Frank and
Keith were grappling on the floor”, he said.
Watkinson told the court that Gockelen had aimed a blow at Champion, but
missed and hit him instead. “Then I had a set-to with Frank”, he said.
Both Champion and Watkinson agreed that the scrap finished with the
barman sitting on Gockelen demanding the ring. Each time he refused,
Watkinson punched him in the face.
"I told Keith “That’s enough”. Then I dragged Frank by his jacket to the
inner door of the bar. I left him there and Keith kicked him out”,
Champion told the court.
However Gockelen told a different story "I don't know who hit me but I
was being kicked and punched in the body and head”, he said. "I dragged
myself outside the pub. Keith was still kicking merrily. I was calling
for help and passers-by were telling Keith to leave me alone. The next
thing I knew, the police had arrived”, Gockelen said. Because of the
beating, his jacket was badly ripped and stomach wall broken resulting
in a large hernia, he told the court. A doctor's report listed Gockelens
injuries as a badly swollen lip and cuts to his head, hands, ribs and
knees.
In evidence, the defendants said that Gockelen’s jacket was torn as he
was dragged to the door.
Watkinson said the man still refused to leave and had to be thrown out.
“In Canterbury Road we had another set to”, Watkinson said. “But it was
no more than two or three punches”.
Eye-witness, Mr. Clive Wire, of Joyes Road, said he saw Gockelen flat
out on the pavement being kicked by both defendants.
They denied kicking Gockelen at all. “No way will I kick anybody. I have
never kicked a dog, let alone Frank”, Champion said.
But Mr. Wire claimed that if he had not phoned the police Watkinson
would have kicked Gockelen to death. By the time police arrived the
fight had stopped.
Mrs. Barbara Friend, of Denmark Street, said she saw Watkinson kicking
Gockelen in the head and punching him as Champion watched from the pub
doorway. She said: “I called out “Leave him alone you bloody great
bully, you'll kill him”, but he just threatened me”.
After the police arrived, Gockelen tried to kick Watkinson, Gockelen
told the court. Watkinson tried to kick him. This was the only blow
aimed by him during the argument, the seaman said.
Defending, Mr. Edward Ellis said that the defendants had used no more
force than was reasonable in evicting Gockelen from the premises.
Prosecuting, Mr. Michael Batt said Gockelen did not throw the first
punch and even if he had, unreasonable force was used.
Doubt as to the extent of his involvement in the fight was the reason
Magistrates gave for Champion’s acquittal.
Convicted on the assault charge, Watkinson was fined £120 with £43.40
costs.
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South Kent Gazette 26 November 1980.
Local News.
A pub landlord and his wife are hopping from port to port. No, they have
not gone from ruby to tawny, but from Liverpool to Folkestone.
Ron and Dolly Mercer have given up their pub in Liverpool's dock area to
take over the Two Bells, in Canterbury Road. But the Scousers are no
strangers to the town. Ron has one brother in Folkestone, another in
Dover, and a sister in West Kent. It was on a holiday to Folkestone
earlier this year that they heard about a vacancy at the Two Bells,
following the retirement of Ken and Edna Champion. Ron, 46, has been a
pub manager for the past 16 years and saw Liverpool's dockland decline.
“Our customers were mainly dockers and seamen. We had every nationality
under the sun”, he said. “We're not sorry we made the change. We had a
very good time there and a successful pub, but already we are finding
the people here so friendly. There's a different sort of attitude to
life”.
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South Kent Gazette 24 February 1982.
Local News.
Darts players from a Folkestone pub came out tops at the weekend when
they aimed to help handicapped youngsters. Regulars at the Two Bells,
Canterbury Road, scored a bullseye with Parkfield School, Folkestone, by
staging a 24- hour sponsored marathon. Backed up with camp beds for the
very tired, a television and plenty of support from other customers, the
pub’s darts team raised money for Parkfield, which caters for physically
and mentally-handicapped youngsters. One of the Parkfield pupils,
13-year-old Tony, went along on Saturday lunchtime to throw the first
dart.
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South Kent Gazette 7 April 1982.
Local News.
Within hours of being released from Canterbury Prison, 21-year-old
Edward Caine was back in trouble. Jailed last November for making hoax
bomb warning calls, Caine was freed on January 20. That evening he went
to celebrate in the Two Bells pub, Canterbury Road, Folkestone. There he
had a row with his girlfriend, Folkestone Magistrates heard last
Tuesday. He walked away upset and when outside No. 4, Black Bull Road
tripped over. This made Caine so angry he kicked the nearest thing – a
window of Santa's Bazaar. Five days later Caine and an accomplice stole
5 C.B. radios from Folkestone Motor Spares, Canterbury Road, in a
smash-and-grab raid. He was arrested four days following and admitted
offences of criminal damage and burglary, Inspector Tony Ralph told the
Court.
Miss Diane Wray, representing Caine, said her client's crimes must be
set against a very upsetting background. “There is an underlying current
of drinking troubles. As soon as he gets free, and the moment he gets
near alcohol, problems arise”. Miss Wray said on the night of the
burglary Caine had a fair bit to drink. During the break-in Caine cut
his hand on the smashed shop window. Afterwards the radios, worth £540,
were hidden under a bush. But the radios disappeared – and so did
Caine's colleague. She said Caine had a new girlfriend who is helping
him keep out of trouble and he has broken with all his old contacts. “If
you send him back inside a lot of what he has tried to do in the past
few weeks simply goes by the board”, she told Magistrates.
Caine, of Marshall Street, Folkestone, was jailed for six months on each
charge, but the sentences were suspended for two years. He was ordered
to pay compensation totalling £644.
“The public must think we are as soft as we can be, but we are trying to
lean over backwards to give you another chance”, presiding Magistrate,
Mr. George Hyde, told Caine.
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Folkestone Herald 17 December 1982.
Local News.
Regulars of the Two Bells pub in Canterbury Road, Folkestone, raised
£240 for handicapped children with a 24 hour darts marathon. The money
bought three go-karts and two bicycles for the youngsters of Parkfield
Special School in Park Farm Road, Folkestone. They were officially
handed over on Monday night at the school.
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Folkestone Herald 21 October 1983.
Local News.
Publican Ron Mercer is a walking testament to the miracles of modern
medicine. Three weeks ago his chances of living were slim, but now he
has been given a new lease of life. Surgeons at a London hospital spent
six hours on a major operation to bypass his heart with a vein from his
left leg. Normally people have one or two bypasses but Ron's heart was
so badly damaged it needed four. He has a foot-long scar on his chest
and another running the full length of his leg, with 150 stitches on the
outside and more inside.
The 49-year-old landlord of the Two Bells pub, Canterbury Road,
Folkestone, had no sign of heart problems a year ago. But after his last
birthday he was bugged with heart attacks and angina. He has been in and
out of the William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, seven times. “The Ashford
Hospital kept me alive for 12 months and pushed me into having the
operation”, Ron said. Within hours of coming round from the anaesthetic
at St. Thomas's Hospital, Westminster, he was joking with nurses and
doctors. Only three days after the operation he was on his feet and
raring to get back to the William Harvey to convalesce. “I promised
myself I would walk back into the William Harvey and when I got there I
burst into tears like a little baby”.
He has returned home with a promise to get fit and back to work behind
the bar before the spring. By the time he goes back to St. Thomas’s in
January for check-ups he expects to be walking two miles a day. “That’s
something I owe them, to make this new heart work as best I can”. The
operation cost about £25,000 and Ron says you would not get much change
from £75,000 after paying for all the care and treatment he has had over
the past year. “If I had been in America I probably would have ended up
dying because I couldn't afford treatment. Whatever the weather is like
when I wake up it's beautiful I thank God for a new morning because
every day I live now is a bonus”.
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Folkestone Herald 18 July 1986.
Local News.
A pub landlady deserted by her husband faces eviction and nowhere to go
with just her cat Sooty and pet parrot Polly for company. And she feels
bitter at the treatment handed out from the brewery.
Publican’s wife Dorothy Mercer of the Two Bells, Canterbury Road,
Folkestone, was left to carry the can when husband Ron walked out two
years ago. Liverpool born Dorothy, 55, nursed her sick husband before
and after his massive open heart operation. Ron recovered from the
ordeal and now lives in Cheriton. Believing the pub licence would he
transferred to her, Dorothy carried on with business as normal. But then
the brewery giants Whitbreads told her she must go. Now she lives in
constant fear of a knock on the door from bailiffs. And she explained
how the housing allocation system has backfired, making a council home
impossible in the near future. “Ron and I were on the housing list years
ago, as a precaution. But when I went to enquire about it recently they
said there would be no problem. Now Ï have been told that as I am
officially single the same rules do not apply. At least I have the
support of the customers - they feel I have been treated shabbily”.
Whitbread’s area manager was on holiday this week, but spokesman Mr
Brian Birchall told the Herald “We try to be as sympathetic as possible,
bearing in mind the previous service of the tenant. But I am not able to
comment fully on this particular case because I’m not fully aware of all
the facts”, said Mr Birchall.
Last month Whitbreads obtained a possession order for the Two Bells in
the County Court at Folkestone.
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Folkestone Herald 30 September 1988.
Local News.
A pub landlord has quit the trade after nearly ten years because the new
drinking laws had him over a barrel.
Within a month, Brian Harrington said his regular customers at The Two
Bells, Folkestone changed and the bar became crowded with rowdy, drunken
labourers. People took advantage of the new laws, using the extended
hours for all-day drinking sessions. And with the brewery, Whitbread, on
his back to stay open longer, keeping order became increasingly
difficult, said Mr. Harrington. It became so bad that Brian and Barbara
Harrington left the Canterbury Road pub without a new job to go to. Mr.
Harrington, uncertain of his future, said he will never go back into the
pub trade. “The pub was really changing. Instead of people using the
longer hours to have a quick drink at 4 o’clock, they were using it for
all-day drinking sessions. Our customers started to change once they had
a few drinks and instead of people you knew, the pub became filled with
strangers. Folkestone has more of a problem with that than anywhere
because of the Channel Tunnel workers. No-one really caused trouble, but
you’d get people in there who’d been drinking for hours and by the time
a regular popped in for a drink at 6.30, he would be sober and everyone
else would be on a different level. It was very off- putting and used to
drive customers away”. Mr. Harrington added “It was so difficult to keep
order. At one time, when the landlord said “cut it out”, that was it.
Now, they don’t take any notice. Anyway, there’s always another pub
round the corner. We had orginally planned to stay at the pub. But it
was just a build-up of these things that forced us out. It is a great
pity, but I am sure other publicans have experienced this”.
Brian and Barbara are planning to rest for a few months and then start
looking for a new job - away from pub bars.
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Folkestone Herald 1 February 1991.
Local News.
A leather coat containing a Visa card and cheque card was stolen from
the Two Bells pub in Canterbury Road, Folkestone, on Monday. It belongs
to Pamela Irving, of Folkestone. |
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Folkestone Herald 21 May 1998.
Toby Jugs.
You know how it is. The pungent smell of exotic smoke fills the air;
people with thick accents party day and night; and no-one seems to have
heard of sun-tan cream. But enough about regulars at the Two Bells in
Canterbury Road.
Seriously, though, as summer holidays are taken and tourists flock to
Shepway, Jugs asked the punters in the Bells what they made of all the
strangers in town.
Landlord Duncan Bown sighed “I just wish they'd come up here a bit more.
I love absolutely everyone. Black, white, pink – it doesn't matter”.
Robin James, who was sitting at a table by the bar, is the boffin of the
pub. He was thinking globally. “It doesn't matter where the visitors
come from. There's all this talk about foreigners, but we're all
Europeans”. (Except, of course, all those who aren't Europeans – Jugs).
Ches Jackson is another who wishes there were more visitors in the town,
and endorses our new niche in Europe. “I love the French market that
comes to town. Everyone likes shopping there, and the smell of the
cheese is wonderful”.
It wasn't so much the smell of cheese that Dave Alacton spoke on. More
the whiff of garlic. “But I AM a Northerner”, he smiled.
Two visitors from London weren't taking any xenophobia. Victoria
Philipson had nothing but good to say about our coastal people. “It's
lovely. We love the beaches and the shops. I've just spent £11 in the
High Street”. Mum Michelle said “We're spending our money in the shops
and looked at a pair of shoes”.
So, when you see the queues at the stalls of the French market, you'll
realise the battle against “foreigners” is all but over.
P.S. Landlord Duncan Bown has run the Two Bells for only a year, but has
already made it one of the friendliest boozers Jugs has so far visited.
Keep it up, Duncan.
Note: No mention of Bown in More Bastions.
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Folkestone Herald 27 August 1998.
Local News.
Three Folkestone watering holes have new owners after the sale of more
than 250 pubs owned by brewing giant Whitbread.
The Royal Standard and the Two Bells, both on Canterbury Road, and the
Brewery Tap at Tontine Street have been sold to Avebury Taverns.
Martin Foulkes, landlord of the Brewery tap, believes the new ownership
could have positive effects. He said “No changes are going to be made to
the pub for three months, but then Avebury Taverns are talking about
introducing some new beers”.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Oliver Leonard, 19 June 2023.
Two Bells pub in Folkestone, covered in graffiti and empty since 2005, could
finally be torn down.
A historic former pub which has sat empty for almost 20 years and
deteriorated into a graffiti-strewn eyesore could finally be torn down
and turned into flats.
Plans have been re-submitted to demolish the Two Bells in Canterbury
Road, Folkestone, and turn the site into a “high-quality purpose-built
apartment building containing 12 dwellings”.
The Two Bells in Canterbury Road, Folkestone, has become a
graffiti-covered eyesore.
More of the graffiti on the Two Bells pub in Folkestone.
More of the graffiti on the Two Bells pub in Folkestone.
Some of those working and living nearby have welcomed plans to get rid
of the unsightly “mess” – but others fear the extra homes could cause
parking chaos.
Just a few doors down from the derelict pub building, the owner of the
Little Fish And Chips shop, Hassan Bingol, said: “It can be quiet down
this road, so it will be very good for business.
“The old building is a mess so I would definitely rather it be flats.”
But Sharon Lee, who has lived on the street for 30 years, says parking
is already a massive issue and 12 new properties will only make things
worse.
She said: “The apartments are only going to increase the traffic. |
LICENSEE LIST
FAGG Jacob 1841-55
SPICER Thomas 1851 (age 60 in 1851 )
FAGG Susannah 1855
WHITE William 1855-66
 
FURMINGER Louis 1865-71 (age 57 in 1871)
PREBBLE George 1871
SINDEN Charles 1871-80
From Royal Oak (1)
BURCHETT George 1871-1900
BURCHETT Edwin Geo 1882-99+
  
BURCHETT George 1871-1900
BURCHETT Arthur 1900-15
  
BUTLER Albert 1915-35
 
DRYE Harry 1935-37
REEVES William Edward 1937-48
SPENCER Henry 1948-53
WELLING Charles & Gladys 1953-71
CHAMPION Kenneth 1971-80
MERCER Ronald 1980-86
HARRINGTON Harrington 1986-88
LAWTON Stuart 1988-89
STOKES David 1989-91
JONES Bryan & Sandra 1991-92
FRANKLIN Andrew (Also "Royal Standard")
& FLISHER Jane 1992-97 1995-96
BROWN Susan 1997-98
BROWN Duncan 1998
UDEN John & LARGE Richard 1998-99
BURFITT James 1999
SMART Ian & Louise and BRODERICK Martin 1999-2000
BRADSHAW Lee & COOPER Nichola 2000-01
MARRIOTT Mervin 2001-04+
http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/twobells.html
From Melville's Directory 1858
From the Post Office Directory 1874
From the Post Office Directory 1882
From the Post Office Directory 1891
From the Kelly's Directory 1899
From the Post Office Directory 1903
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
From the Post Office Directory 1913
From the Post Office Directory 1922
From the Kelly's Directory 1934
From the Post Office Directory 1938
From the Folkestone Chronicle
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