Folkestone Herald 25 September 1897.

Police Court Report.

On Wednesday – Mr. Fitness presiding – a temporary authority was granted to Mr. Patrick Parrett, of the West Cliff Shades.

Note: This does not appear in More Bastions.

Folkestone Herald 9 October 1897.

Police Court Report.

On Saturday an application was made by Mr. Schultz for a temporary authority for the West Cliff Tavern for the brewers, while he was yet managing the Paris Hotel, which he was going to leave.

Superintendent Taylor stated that the applicant was a highly respectable man, but he considered both houses required a responsible manager. The Bench, the Mayor not taking part in this, thought the application was premature, but the applicant could renew it when the coast was clear.

Folkestone Herald 11 December 1897.

Local News.

The following licence was transferred on Wednesday at the sitting of the Folkestone Justices: West Cliff Shades to Mr. Schultz.

Folkestone Herald 16 May 1903.

Wednesday, May 13th: Before Lieut Colonels Fynmore and Westropp.

The following temporary transfer of licence was granted: The West Cliff Shades from Frederick Schutz to Walter Barker.

Folkestone Herald 30 May 1903.

Wednesday, May 27th: Before Mr. W. Wightwick, Alderman T.J. Vaughan, Lieut. Colonels Westropp, Hamilton, and Fynmore, Messrs. W.G. Herbert, J. Pledge, and G.I. Swoffer.

The following temporary transfer was confirmed by the Bench: West Cliff Shades, from Mr. F. Schultz to Mr. W.H. Park (sic).

Folkestone Herald 3 October 1903.

Inquest.

Yesterday afternoon the Borough Coroner, Mr. G.W. Haines, conducted an inquiry at the Town Hall respecting the circumstances attending the death of John Doherty, an out-porter.

Francis Baker, barman at the West Cliff Shades, identified the body as that of John Doherty. The deceased had said lately that he was 65 years of age. He had no home, and slept where he could. Doherty was an old soldier, having served in several campaigns. He was the possessor of several medals. Witness had never known him draw a pension, although he had been in the Queen's Bays, 4th Hussars, and the “Buffs” Militia. Very often witness had supplied Doherty with a meal. On Thursday, about a quarter past one, he came to the Shades, and said that he was hungry. Witness replied that if he kept himself quiet he should have a dinner. He was quite sober, but was inclined to be noisy. He had two-pennyworth of rum, but he did not drink it. Half an hour later witness gave him a dinner, consisting of some cabbage, potatoes, liver and bacon, and the deceased went into another room to eat it. Ten minutes afterwards witness was called to the yard by a man named Johnson, who said “There is something the matter with Jimmy. I do not like the look of him”. Witness went into the yard and saw the old porter lying there quite still. A doctor was sent for. Subsequently witness ascertained that Doherty had not eaten much of the repast.

Thomas Johnson, a bathchair man, of 14, Church Street, said he knew the deceased well. On Thursday, witness was having his food in the “Shades”, when deceased came into the room and sat at the same table. He had a hot dinner. Before he had finished the meal he left the room, and witness next saw him lying in the yard.

Thomas Heath, a stableman, living at Clifton Mews, said that he knew Doherty by sight. Witness was in the West Cliff Shades the previous day, and going out into the yard, he saw the deceased lying on the ground. He was on his side, and witness, thinking that he was in a fit, turned him on his back. There was no gurgling or choking sound. His lips were blue, and his mouth was wide open.

Mr. Yunge Bateman said he examined the man and saw a large piece of partially masticated meat in the thorax. Two policemen, under witness's instruction, tried artificial respiration, but the heart did not beat. Death was due to suffocation caused by choking.

A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony.

Folkestone Herald 15 February 1913.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

Wednesday, February 12th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Major Leggett, Mr. W.G. Herbert, Mr. J. Stainer, and Mr. G. Boyd.

Application was made on behalf of the Ashford Breweries for sanction to certain interior alterations at the West Cliff Shades for the provision of two bedrooms. It was stated that the plans had been filed with the Clerk, and were in order.

The Chairman remarked that the Bench had seen the plans, but they would like to see the premises before they consented to the alterations. Therefore they would visit the premises, and the matter would come up again at the transfer sessions.

Folkestone Herald 3 January 1914.

Saturday, December 27th: Before The Mayor, Mr. J. Stainer, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Councillor Mr. W.J. Harrison, and Councillor C.E. Mumford.

John Harrison was charged with begging. He pleaded Not Guilty.

P.C. Bourne said that at about 6.30 the previous evening he saw prisoner in the Sandgate Road, near Christ Church. He was accosting foor passengers, and witness saw him receive money from three. He then went into the West Cliff public house. Half an hour later, witness again saw him in Sandgate Road, near the same place, accosting foot passengers. Harrison received money from a young man, and asked two ladies for something towards a night's lodging. When searched at the police station, prisoner was found to have a few packets of lavender and one or two post cards on him.

The Chief Constable said he knew prisoner to be a perfect bully. In December, 1911, he committed a most violent and unprovoked assault upon a gentleman who refused to assist him, for which he was committed for fourteen days. There was also a conviction against him at Dover for being drunk and assaulting the police.

The Chairman said that men such as prisoner were a curse to the neighbourhood. The Lower and Upper Sandgate Road were infested by them. The Bench wanted to get rid of them. Prisoner would be sentenced to one month's hard labour.

Folkestone Herald 1 November 1919.

Thursday, October 24th: Before Col. G.P. Owen, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Mr. L.G.A. Collins and Mr. E. Condy.

Robert Wilson was charged on demand with obtaining money on false pretences from W.W. Muddle Ltd., of 26, Bouverie Road West.

The Chief Constable said that there were now two additional charges against the defendant.

Mr. Walter William Muddle, managing director of Muddle Ltd., grocers, stated that on October 4th defendant asked him to cash a cheque for £10, saying that he had some money due to him from some land and the cheque was from one of the trustees. Witness gave him £5 on account, and later paid the cheque into his bank. The cheque was drawn on Barclays Bank, London, and was signed “J.D. Lewis”. Later the cheque was returned to him marked “No Account”. He saw defendant, who promised to pay him the money, but he had never received it. On the 16th instant he took out a warrant for the man's arrest.

Mr. Walter Herbert Barker, of the West Cliff Shades, said he had known defendant as a customer for about 7 or 8 weeks. On the 6th instant defendant asked him to cash a cheque for £5 5s., drawn on Lloyd's Bank, Holborn Circus, signed “J.D. Lewis”. Witness gave him £2 on account, and paid the cheque into his account. On the following Tuesday it was returned marked “No Account”.

Miss Nancy Stay, fruiterer and greengrocer, of 26, Guildhall Street, said defendant had had some business transactions with her. On the 9th October she cashed a cheque for £5 10s. for him. It was drawn on Lloyd's Bank, Holborn Circus, and was signed “J.D. Lewis”. She paid the cheque into her bank, but on the following Monday it was returned to her marked “No Account”.

Mr. George Collier, control clerk at the Hotel Metropole, said defendant first came to them on 6th July, 1919. On the 6th instant he was away owing to illness, but he came back on the following Wednesday and asked for time off. He went away and never returned.

Mr. Percival Johnston, cashier at Lloyd's Bank, Holborn Circus, said that they had no customer by the name of J.D. Lewis or any account in that name.

Mr. Peter Rayner, clerk at Barclay's Bank, Victoria Street, London, said that they had no customer of the name of J.D. Lewis or any account bearing that name.

Defendant was committed for trial at the next Quarter Sessions.

Folkestone Herald 10 January 1920.

Quarter Sessions.

Monday, January 5th: Before Sir Lewis Coward.

Robert Wilson, aged 48, a clerk, was indicted for obtaining £5 by false pretences from Walter William Muddle, also £2 from William Hubert Barker, and £5 10s. from Nancy Stay, in October. Prisoner pleaded Guilty to all three counts.

Mr. E.A. Whetton, who appeared for the Crown, said Wilson went to Mr. William Muddle and asked him to cash a cheque for him, which was signed by “J.D. Lewis”. Prisoner made a statement that through the railway strike he was unable to get some money through. He presented similarly signed cheques to the two other prosecutors. The accused had been employed at an hotel as an entry clerk.

Detective Sergeant Squires, C Division, Metropolitan Police, stated that at Marlborough Street Police Court on August 24th, 1918, prisoner was sentenced to six months for obtaining £3 10s. by a worthless cheque. There were five other convictions against him. One was at Marlborough Street Police Court on December 6th, 1910, when he was given three months for stealing money. He then got six months at Devon Assizes on 30th October, 1912, for stealing and false pretences. He was before the Magistrates at Clerkenwell in 1913 for fraud, and on 9th June, 1914, he got 12 months at the County of London Sessions. He received six months at Clerkenwell also for stealing. In the Devon case it was stated that he had been employed at an hotel, and witness believed he had been going round the country working at different hotels. His people, he understood, were quite well-to-do.

The control clerk at an hotel said prisoner entered their employ on July 16th last. The management, he understood, had a good reference from an hotel at Dover.

The Recorder, in passing sentence of 12 months' hard labour, warned the accused that if he came before any court again he would be put away for some time. They were very clever frauds. The record before him would justify any judge in sending him to penal servitude.

Folkestone Herald 4 August 1923.

Local News.

At the Folkestone Petty Sessions on Tuesday, Mr. W.J. Barker, of the West Cliff Shades, applied for a licence to sell at the Cheerful Sparrows' Fete on the Leas Sports Ground on Wednesday and Thursday, 8th and 9th inst., from 2.30 till 10.30.

The Magistrates' Clerk (Mr. J. Andrew) stated that the Act of Parliament provided that permission should not be granted for later than 10 p.m., unless for the purpose of a public dinner or ball.

Mr. F. Seager (Secretary of the Cheerful Sparrows) amended the application for permission to sell till 10 p.m., and the Justices gave their sanction.

Folkestone Herald 20 January 1934.

Obituary.

Much regret was expressed on Friday of last week when it became known that Mr. Walter Herbert Barker had passed away at his residence in Christ Church Road after a sudden seizure, from which he never rallied.

The late Mr. Barker, who was 58 years of age, was a son of the late Mr. R. Barker, of Windfarthing (Norfolk), and had resided in Folkestone for over 30 years.

He was widely known amongst a large section – visitors and residents alike – as lessee of the West Cliff Shades. Mr. Barker's one desire was to keep up the tone of the Shades, and this he did to a marked degree.

Mr. Barker was a much respected member of the local Licensed Victuallers' Association, and used his quiet but nonetheless useful influence in upholding the dignity of the trade.

The late Mr. Barker was gifted by nature with a sunny disposition. He was courteous and affable, not only to his customers, but to all – be they rich or poor – with whom he was brought into contact. There is a volume contained in the words “A Perfect English Gentleman” – the late Mr. Barker was that.

He leaves a widow and three children (two sons and one daughter), and to them much sympathy is extended. It is of interest to note that Mr. L. Barker, a brother, is the proprietor of the Prince Albert Hotel, Rendezvous Street, and was for several years a member of the House of Commons Police.

The funeral took place on Tuesday at Golder's Green Crematorium.

Folkestone Herald 10 February 1934.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

Mr. Dallas Brett applied on behalf of Mrs. Barker, the widow of the late Mr. W.H. Barker, of the West Cliff Shades, and applied for a transfer of the licence to herself. Mrs. Barker, he said, had already been accepted as the new tenant by the brewers, and she also had a number of references, which were submitted.

The Chief Constable said the references were perfectly satisfactory. Continuing, he said it was not desirable that a woman should hold a public house licence, but he had taken the trouble to investigate the application of Mrs. Barker, and found she was protected by her son, and he understood that he was going to devote more time to the licensed business, and less to his own.

The transfer was granted.

Folkestone Herald 5 August 1939.

Local News.

There was a sequel to police observations on the West Cliff Shades public house, Christ Church Road, Folkestone, at Folkestone Petty Sessions yesterday, when William Henry Wood, of 5, Ingles Mews, Folkestone was summoned for on July 12th and certain other dates using the premises for the purpose of betting. Walter Aubrey Edward Hill, of 51, St. Michael's Street, Folkestone, was summoned for on the same dates aiding and abetting Wood. Mr. Lloyd Bunce appeared for Wood. Both defendants pleaded Guilty.

Mr. B.H. Bonniface, who prosecuted, said Hill was a barman at the West Cliff Shades. On four successive days, July 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th, P.C. Welch kept observation in these premises in the bar itself. During those days betting was going on openly in the bar, Hill taking bets and putting them in a drawer. The licensee was not there, Hill being in sole charge at the time. When the other defendant came in on each day he look the betting slips and the money away with him.

P C. Welch said he kept observation in the public bar of the West Cliff Shades from 12.15 p.m. to 2.15 p.m. on July 12th.

Hill was there the whole time, and there were about 15 men present. He saw one man go up to Hill, hand him a piece of paper and money over the counter, which Hill put in a drawer. He later saw another man write something on a piece of paper and hand it with money to Hill. He saw Wood visit the premises with another man. Hill handed Wood something. He again kept observation from 11.40 a.m. to 2.10 p.m. on July 13th. He saw various people write out slips and with money hand them to Hill. Wood came into the premises about 1 p.m. with the same man as the day before. Wood stood talking to Hill, who then went to a drawer, took out a small blue paper bag and handed it to Wood, who put it in his pocket. About 1.10 p.m. a man present went to Wood and placed a small piece of paper with a coin in his hand. Another man did the same thing shortly after. On July 14th slips and money were again passed over to Hill. Wood later came into the premises and stood talking to Hill. Hill went to a drawer underneath the counter, took out another blue paper bag and handed it over to Wood, who then put it into his pocket.

Inspector J. Rowe said about 1.25 p.m. on July 15th he entered the premises by virtue of a warrant. Hill was behind the bar and Wood was on the customers' side of the counter. In Wood's possession he found a blue bag containing two betting slips on which were written the names of four horses running that day at Sandown Park. He also had in his possession 18s. 5½d., ten other slips and a number of "Football Naps".

Mr. Lloyd Bunce said Wood was not a bookie or engaged in the betting business; he was a chauffeur. He was asked by friends “to put something on" for them. Having received the slips he handed them on to another party who in turn passed them on to a bookmaker. He took these bets as a favour for some friends, not realising that he was breaking the law in any way.

Continuing, Mr Lloyd Bunce said Wood, who was a man of good character, was an "Old Contemptible'.' He was in the front line trenches from September 8th, 1914, and served until the end of the war. He was three times mentioned in dispatches and he received the Military Medal for bravery in the field. He also had the Meritorious Service Medal and the Mons Star.

Hill said he was very sorry for what had happened; it would never happen again.

The Magistrates fined each defendant £1, and ordered Wood to pay £2 4s. 9d. costs and Hill costs amounting to £2.

Folkestone Herald 6 July 1940.

Local News.

A considerable amount of licensing business was transacted at the Folkestone Police Court on Wednesday.

Mr. O. Isard-Davies asked for the transfer of the licence of the West Cliff Shades, Christ Church Road, from the executors of the late Mrs. D.A. Barker to a son of the deceased licensee, Mr. H.W. Barker.

The Magistrates consented.

Note: Executors do not appear in More Bastions.

Folkestone Herald 13 February 1943.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

The conduct of licensed premises and the public using them was praised by the Chief Constable (Mr. R.C.M. Jenkins) at Folkestone’s annual Licensing Sessions on Wednesday.

Mr. Barker, of the West Cliff Shades, applied for a music licence in respect of a wireless installation, which he said would be used for relaying news broadcasts at his house.

After the licence had been granted, the Chief Constable mentioned that the question arose as to whether a licence was required for a wireless set which, although not on the licensed part of the premises, was in the house and was operated loud enough for customers to hear.

Strictly speaking he thought a licence was required in such cases. He mentioned it to give other licensees an opportunity to make a similar application under such circumstances.

Folkestone Herald 6 May 1944.

Local News.

Summonses for selling 5.000 cigarettes without a licence were heard at Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday against George Charles Clarke, of Terminus Street, Brighton, and Edgar George Butler, of Christ Church Road, Folkestone. Each defendant was fined £1 with a guinea costs.

Mr. G.P. Medlicott represented Clarke and Mr. B.H. Bonniface appeared for Butler. Defendants pleaded Guilty.

Mr. Robert Stevens, prosecuting for the Customs and Excise, stated that defendants were liable to a penalty not exceeding £100. On February 20th, continued Mr. Stevens, D. Const. Welch saw Butler, a taxi driver, at the West Cliff Shades public house and as a result of what he said the police officer saw Clarke, a N.A.A.F.I manager. Butler had stated that he had obtained the cigarettes from Clarke and that they had been sold to Mr Drury, steward of the Folkestone Club. A tobacco licence, said Mr. Stevens, cost only 5/3, but, as the Magistrates would appreciate in this case, it was a wholesale fraud on the troops. A man like Clarke, in charge of a N.A.A.F.I., should be above anything of this kind. Although the amount of the licence was not large, unless a very firm and strong line were taken by inflicting a substantial penalty other people would be encouraged to defraud the troops and the public in this way.

Mr. Medlicott said he could not agree with the comments of the prosecuting solicitor; his remarks were far more germaine to another charge which had been disposed of, both attendants being found Not Guilty. There were ample cigarettes at this N.A.A.F.l. for the troops, therefore it could not be suggested that the troops had been robbed of them. Clarke had no idea whatever that he was committing any offence against the revenue by selling these cigarettes. He pleaded Guilty to a technical offence. Defendant was now out of work and he asked the Magistrates to deal as leniently as possible with him.

Mr Bonmface said it was a surprise to him to hear that it was an offence to sell a packet of cigarettes off premises which were licensed for their sale. Any one of them might commit a similar offence unknowingly. One might buy a packet of cigarettes and on coming out sell them to a friend who had not any; that would be committing an offence, apparently. The Magistrates knew in this case the sales had been done quite openly. He knew that they ought to know the law; they should all know the law, but he submitted that it was one of those instances in law of which many of them knew nothing.

The Magistrates imposed fines as stated, Clarke being allowed a month in which to pay.

Alderman J.W. Stainer presided, with Mr. P.V. Gurr and Mr. C.A. Wilde.

Folkestone Herald 13 October 1945.

Local News.

The following licence was transferred at a sitting of the Folkestone Magistrates on Wednesday last week: West Cliff Shades, from Mr. Herbert Walter Barker to Mr. Leonard Barker.

Folkestone Herald 28 January 1950.

Local News.

A visit by Corporation Sampling Officers to a Folkestone bar, where it was alleged they were sold spirits which had been watered, was described at Folkestone Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

A summons against Leonard Barker, licensee of the West Cliff Shades Hotel, Folkestone, alleging that he sold watered gin on December 14th was dismissed. Arthur William Pilcher, barman at the West Cliff Shades, was brought before the Court on the application of Barker, it being alleged that he was responsible for the offence under the Food and Drugs Act. He was fined £5 with 25/- costs.

Barker, represented by Miss Dorothy Dix (instructed by Messrs. Haines and Bonniface), and Pilcher pleaded Not Guilty.

It was alleged by the prosecution that the gin purchased in the saloon bar of the West Cliff Shades had 14 parts of added water in 100. Mr. K. Salt, prosecuting, said the Food and Drugs Act provided a standard of the commodity which was required when the purchaser demanded it. There was an express provision in the Act to the effect that no offence was committed if there were at least 65 parts of Proof Spirit in 100. In this case the analyst had come to the conclusion that there were 14 parts in 100 of added water in the gin sampled. Mr. Salt said it was not for the prosecution to say how the added water came in; it was the feeling of the prosecution that the whole circumstances would speak for themselves. “It is hoped that you will bear in mind that this was undoubtedly a genuine purchase, one might say by members of the public, and that members of the public were undoubtedly defrauded”.

Two of the Borough Sampling Officers, who were new to the town and were not known, said Mr. Salt, went to the West Cliff Shades, where they ordered two double gins. Having been served with two doubles they ordered a third. After they had disclosed their identity they sampled the gin they had purchased. The Magistrates would appreciate that in a case where the barman had been joined it was necessary for the defence to prove that the employee exercised due vigilance.

David Prebble, Sampling Officer, said he ordered the gins from the barman, who gave his name as T.K. Hinchcliffe, of Segrave Road, Folkestone. The barman brought the glasses to the bar and he told Hinchcliffe who he was. Hinchcliffe straightaway said he must fetch Mr. Barker. Witness said he told Barker that he had taken a sample of the gin and asked both men whether he could see the bottle from which the gin had been taken. They brought a bottle labelled “Gordon's London Gin, 70 degrees proof”; it was approximately five-eighths full.

Barker, giving evidence, said he had been the licensee of the hotel for the past four years and previously had been a licensee in Folkestone at the Prince Albert and the Railway Bell for about 20 years in all. He had never been convicted of any offence. Prior to becoming a licensee he was a police officer at the Houses of Parliament. Continuing, he said on December 8th, 1949, he received a delivery of certain spirits and other commodities from his brewer, Messrs. Style and Winch. The defendant produced invoices and an excise certificate relating to the delivery. The invoice included a case of 12 bottles of Gordon's gin and showed that the gin was 30 degrees under proof. The bottles were placed in the cellar, the key of which he held. On December 12th he had occasion to fetch some bottles from the cellar, including one bottle of gin which he placed in the saloon bar for sale. Normally a bottle of Gordon's gin would last a week or ten days at that time of the year. Pilcher was on duty on December 12th and 13th as regular barman, but Hinchcliffe was employed as a relief barman. Pilcher had been regular barman at the hotel for over 21 years. Barker said when he took over the hotel Pilcher was recommended to him by the previous licensee, who was his (Barker's) nephew. Until the present case he had had no occasion to complain of the way Pilcher had done his work and conducted the bar. Defendant said he had given instructions to the relief barman on how the bar was to be conducted and told him never to put anything back into bottles. When he received the summons on January 6th he made enquiries among his employees to find out how the gin had become diluted. On January 9th Pilcher came to him and made a statement in which he was alleged to have said that two men came into the bar on December 12th or 13th and had two half pints of beer and then called for two double gins. He then left the bar and when he returned the men said they did not like the gin he had served and asked whether he could change it for two double Booth's. He did so and returned what they had left to the Gordon's bottle. On January 13th Pilcher made a similar statement in writing in which he was alleged to have added “I can only think while I was out of the bar the two men drank the gin and filled the two glasses with water. Gordon's gin looks similar to plain water when in a glass”. Barker said before Pilcher signed the statement he was warned by a solicitor in whose office the statement was made.

Replying to Mr. Salt, defendant said Sampling Officers had never before visited the West Cliff Shades during the four years he had been there. He did not bother to keep the bottle because he thought the gin was all right. Pilcher was off duty when the sample was taken.

Arthur William Pilcher, giving evidence, said he had been barman at the West Cliff Shades for the past 22 years. He was off duty on December 14th. On December 12th or 13th two men came into the bar and he gave them two large gins from the Gordon's bottle. Then he had occasion to go into the yard for a few moments; there was nobody else in the bar. When he returned one of the men asked if they could have Booth's gin as they did not like Gordon's. He took the two gins back and served them with Booth's. He put the contents of the two glasses back into the Gordon's bottle.

Mr. Salt: Why are you so sure it was water you poured back?

Pilcher: I say that because there was water found in it. There was no other way water could have got into the gin.

They may have put water into their gin? – They may have done. I was outside.

Thomas Rufus Hinchcliffe, of 22, Segrave Road, Folkestone, said he was relief barman and was on duty on December 14th. There was only one bottle of Gordon's gin in the bar.

Miss Dix: Did you add any water to that gin during the morning? – No.

Miss Dix said Barker had acted with the utmost honesty towards his suppliers. If Pilcher had not told him what he did Barker might have had no reason to suspect that the gin had not been sold in the condition he had received it. If he could have satisfied the Court that he sold it in the condition received that would have been his defence. He had thrown on one side, however, the defence he could have put forward if he had chosen to suppress the information which Pilcher gave to him. There was only one possible explanation of the way the gin could have been watered and that was the explanation given by Pilcher, who should have known better than to pour it back into the bottle. Referring to the alleged action by the two men, she said it seemed to be a clever way of getting a second gin free. “Mr. Pilcher has taken the responsibility of having been careless”, she continued, “and doing what no barman should do – (a) pouring back in the bottle, and (b) leaving the bar unattended in such circumstances. We say that is the act which caused the contravention of the Act”.

The Magistrates retired to consider their decision and when they returned the Chairman (Eng. Rear-Admiral L.J. Stephens) said they had decided to dismiss the case against Barker, but they found Pilcher Guilty and he would be fined £5 with 25/- costs.

Pilcher was allowed 14 days in which to pay the fine.

Folkestone Herald 15 November 1952.

Local News.

Folkestone Magistrates on Wednesday approved the transfer of licence as follows: West Cliff Shades from Mr. L. Barker to Mr. A.S.W. Chilton.

Folkestone Herald 13 February 1954.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

A music licence for the use of a piano was granted to the licensee of the West Cliff Shades.

Folkestone Herald 16 March 1957.

Adjourned Licensing Sessions.

The licence of the West Cliff Shades, Folkestone, was transferred at the Folkestone adjourned Annual Licensing Sessions on Wednesday, from Mrs. Marie Elizabeth Chilton to Mr. Robert Anderson Kitson, former licensee of the Red Lion, Appledore.

Folkestone Herald 27 January 1968.

Local News.

The licensee of a Folkestone public house, making a search after a water-filled charity collecting box had been taken from his bar, followed a trail of water splashes along Sandgate Road, up Castle Hill Avenue, and into the Majestic Hotel site car park.

There, Mr. Robert Kitson, licensee of West Cliff Shades public house, told Folkestone Magistrates on Tuesday, he saw Frank Morrison squatting by a tree with the water-filled jar in his hands. He appeared to be about to smash it.

Morrison, a private with the 1st Parachute Regiment, stationed at Aldershot, pleaded not guilty to stealing the jar, belonging to the National Kidney Research Fund, and valued with contents at £1.

After hearing the evidence the magistrates dismissed the case.

Mr. Kitson said that when Morrison saw him he dropped the jar in the car park and ran off. He was later stopped outside the Princes Hotel.

P.C. Ivor Chapman said he took Morrison to Folkestone police station, where, after questioning, he said “Yes, I took it, but only in fun. We played rugby with it. We only did it to see if we could get away with it.”

In court Morrison, who said that at the time he had been attending a course at the School of Infantry, Hythe, said he took the jar but did not intend to steal it. “We were going to have a bit of fun with it,” he said. “What we were trying to do was incite the people in the public house to a bit of fun and games, a bit of tomfoolery”. His recollection of the evening was very hazy because he had been drinking. “If I had got away with it, which was never my intention, I would have taken it back”, he added.

Capt. Frances Carter, of the Hythe School of Infantry, said Morrison’s conduct sheet showed he was of exemplary character. He had been a normal, hard-working student while on the course, and the offence with which he was charged seemed to be out of character.

Folkestone Herald 13 February 1971.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

Police are keeping an extra careful eye on some pubs in Folkestone - particularly those popular among young people. This was revealed by Chief Superintendent W. Pullinger in his report to the annual meeting of the town’s Licensing Justices, on Wednesday.

He said that during 1970 licensed premises had been generally well-conducted, But he went on “As in most towns, certain premises require additional police supervision to ensure that the liquor licensing laws are not abused. This is sometimes due to slackness on the part of the licensee, or to popular premises attracting large numbers of young people”.

Mr. P.J. Baden-Fuller, the Chairman of the Justices, appreciated the difficulties licensees faced with young people. He said the Justices hoped that those licensees concerned would try to enforce the liquor laws, but added “It is so difficult to tell the ages of young people sometimes”.

Later, The Herald spoke to landlords of Folkestone pubs that are popular with youngsters – only to find they did not think they had a problem. Several of them agreed with Mr. Baden-Fuller that it was difficult to tell the ages of some young customers. The answer to a difficult situation was, they agreed, firmness and rigidly following the maxim “If in doubt, don’t serve”.

At the Shakespeare, in Guildhall Street, Mr. Ron Balsom, the landlord, said “I have spent many years in London as a licensee, and the young people here are a lot different. I find them very reasonable and very well behaved. They certainly do not cause me any headaches”.

Mr. Alan White, landlord of the Prince Albert in Rendezvous Street, said “There is an occasional problem caused by young soldiers from Shorncliffe wanting a drink. You know who they are and you just have to handle the situation firmly. Trouble is caused when youngsters unused to alcohol have a few drinks and get a bit het up. A landlord has a duty to regular customers, and must make sure that kind of situation does not arise”.

At the West Cliff Shades, Christ Church Road, a spokesman said there were no problems worth mentioning, though there had been occasional instances of vandalism.

At the British Lion, in The Bayle, Mr. Gerry Hourahane said “It is difficult to judge ages, particularly those of foreigners. But if you ask them what year they were born they usually answer correctly without thinking”.

Another aspect of Chief Superintendent Pullinger's report to the Justices was that hotels and restaurants are catering more for Continental visitors. The number of restricted licences granted to hotels, restaurants and other premises had increased, he reported. “This is no doubt due to more people requiring intoxicants for consumption with their meals, particularly in Folkestone, where the number of Continental visitors, especially day visitors from France and Belgium, continues to increase.

The report showed that 19 cases of drunkenness were dealt with by the police in 1970, compared with 16 in 1969, an increase “which does not reflect on licensed premises”. Fourteen cases of motorists unfit to drive through drink were also dealt with by the police – two fewer than in 1969. There are now 177 licensed premises in Folkestone. The police had no objections to any licences being renewed.

Folkestone Herald 24 June 1972.

Local News.

Questions were asked about the effects of alcohol combined with the drug Mandrax when a Folkestone man faced a murder charge at Lewes Crown Court this week. Cyril Alfred Kent, aged 34, of Westbourne Gardens, Folkestone, has pleaded Not Guilty to the murder of Stephen Graham Laye, 19-year-old student, of Sandgate Road, Folkestone.

Mr. Petre Crowder, Q.C., prosecuting, said the killing took place on February 11 this year at about 10 p.m., when there was a power blackout in the Folkestone area. In a fight Laye received a fatal stab wound from a Commando knife in the groin. Another youth, David Webb, received a cut on the arm. From what Kent said afterwards he was pleading self defence.

Mr. John Marriage, for Kent, made a formal admission that David Michael Webb and the youth, Laye, were involved in a fight with Kent, as a result of which Laye died. It was also admitted that, at the time, Kent had a knife with him. Kent suffered a fractured ankle and other injuries.

Miss Lucy Helen Boucher, 15-year-old student, of Milldown Farm, Acrise, said that after going to a party at Wilberforce Road, Sandgate, she and a friend decided to go into Folkestone. At the Westcliff Shades they linked up with four youths and decided to go back to the party.

They were walking in three groups of two and she was in front with David Marsh. Webb and Laye were last. A man passed them, and then there was a scuffle, she said. “I heard some shouting and I heard David Webb swearing. I looked round and saw a man with his fists up. Then a bus came up and we ran on and caught the bus". She denied that Webb and Laye were “spoiling for a fight” that night.

Pathologist Dr. James Cameron said the fatal injury on Laye penetrated the groin in an area where there were no bones. It would not have required great force to inflict. He was questioned by Mr. John Marriage, Q.C., defending, about the combined effects of Mandrax and alcohol. Dr. Cameron said Mandrax should never be taken in conjunction with alcohol, but he knew youngsters took it in that way for kicks. “The majority of people do react violently under the influence of Mandrax and alcohol”, he said. “They would become aggressive and their character somewhat changes. When in the sobering stage many would be unable to realise the degree of aggressiveness they had shown”.

Mr. Marriage said it was known alcohol and Mandrax were found in the dead man’s body. body.

Andrew David Marshall, 18-year-old trainee stock clerk, was walking with Lucy Boucher. He said he had taken two Mandrax tablets and some drink at the Odeon Bar and the Westcliff Shades. He was “not very clear” about the events of the night. Answering Mr. Marriage he said Laye had sold him the Mandrax for 15p each after Laye and Webb had gone to the C.I.U. club. He drank a pint of bitter to wash the tablets down.

Mr. Marriage said Kent claimed he was attacked by three men, but Marshall denied he was the third person.

Stephen Delivitt, 18-year-old pleater, of Thanet Gardens, Folkestone, said he took half a capsule of Mandrax and had some drink. He was feeling “slightly drunk”. He had taken Mandrax once or twice before. He was walking along with a girl called Deborah when the man passed them. Glancing over his shoulder he saw the man hit David Webb, and Webb started fighting. “They remained on their feet for some time, and after that were rolling on the ground”, said Delivitt. “Later Webb said to Laye “Come on, help me”. Laye then went back to get the man off Webb. I think Laye kicked him two or three times. Deborah urged me to walk on and ignore the fight. Then Webb and Laye came running up. Webb said he had left his coat and hat on the ground, and went back with Laye”. A bus came along shortly after and they got on it. He, too, denied he was the third man involved with Kent. He also denied saying to someone at the party later that night “Graham (Laye) has been stabbed”.

David Michael Webb, aged 18, of The Star Inn, Hythe, apprentice compositor, said he had something to drink that night and went with Laye to the C.I.U. club. He had half a pint there. He bought three Mandrax capsules, and spent some time at the C.I.U. before going back to the Odeon Bar. This closed at 9 p.m. because of the power cut, and they went to the West Cliff Shades. “The drink and the Mandrax had affected me and it has created some gaps in my memory”, said Webb. “A man came straight through the middle of one couple in front, and made contact with me. I remarked about it being stupid and he had plenty of room. Thereupon he struck me with his forearm on the back”. A fight started, but Webb was wearing a large coat and could not move well. “I was not really in a condition for a brawl,” he went on. “I was in control of my senses, but the Mandrax had affected me physically." Eventually because of their condition they walked off. H then realised he had left his coat behind. He went back and, as he stooped to pick up the coat, saw a man coming at him. “I did not know I had been cut until a few minutes afterwards”, said Webb. “The man came at Graham and thrust at him. He got Graham in the stomach or low on the body. The man was stooped and struck Graham several times”. Webb said the man then chased him across the road. He dodged round a car and finally escaped. He denied a suggestion by Mr. Marriage that both his and Laye’s “aggressive instincts” had been affected by the mixture of alcohol and Mandrax and that this led to the attack on Mr. Kent. Webb dismissed this as “ridiculous”.

On Wednesday, Kent went into the witness box to describe the events of that night. He said he had a Commando-type knife from his service days, and sometimes used it in connection with skin-diving. He had the habit of carrying the knife in his boot following an incident at a local dance in which a young man made a nuisance of himself over a girl whom Kent had taken there. On the night of the stabbing, he had a sauna bath, went home and then went out, visiting the East Kent Arms, the British Lion, the Raglan, Nailbox and the Providence. He thought he had about five or six drinks. After visiting the Providence he started to walk to the town centre. Visibility was about 10 or 35 yards. “I was walking with my hands in my pockets and head slightly stooped”, Kent told the court. “I walked into some people who were strung out across the road. I was spun round”. He apologised, but then realised the jostling had been deliberate, as six people closed round him. One, Webb, was more aggressive than the others. Bad language was used, and he knew he was “definitely in trouble”. Attacked from behind, he was pulled backwards on to the ground. He pulled one of the assailants down on top of him. “While I was on the ground I was severely kicked on a number of occasions”, said Kent. From the position of the kicks he knew he was being assaulted by at least three people. He received a direct kick in the right eye, which caused loss of vision, and a heavy blow on his ankle. As he got up and collected his senses, he saw three people moving towards him menacingly. "There was no doubt whatever that they were three of the original attackers”. He said his movements were restricted by the effects of the attack he had suffered earlier. He told them three or four times to “S—off”. They did not do so and he pulled the knife from his boot with his right hand and repeated his words. “I was positive they had seen the knife”, said Kent. “The three were shoulder to shoulder, and then one went to my left. I hit him in the solar plexus with my elbow. “I waved the knife. I knew I had no other choice but to cause one or more of them a slight cut. One of them called out several times “He has a knife”. Webb became very aggressive and abusive, and he used threats. He was the only one of the three who did not make any movement to withdraw. I pushed Webb”. He waved the knife two or three times, and Webb went off. He pursued Webb, who had a slanging match over the top of a parked car. Webb called him a “cowardly b----“ who had to resort to a knife. Eventually he told Webb he did not want to fight and walked off along The Leas, where he buried the knife. He said he certainly had no intention to cause any serious wound, and was not aware he had done so until he felt the knife was sticky. On looking he saw blood, and it was then he decided to get rid of the knife. “I did not realise that I had done more damage than I had intended to,” said Kent. “I thought there was bound to be some sort of outcry, and I thought it unwise to keep the knife in my possession”.

On Thursday Kent was cross-examined for several hours by Mr. Crowder. He agreed he might have been intoxicated to a certain extent, as it was the first time he had been drinking since the New Year. He denied he was not in a very good mood that night because the woman with whom he had been associating had told him the association must cease. Of the attack he said he used the knife with the intention of cutting, not stabbing. “I did not stab Laye in the stomach”, Kent said. “I wanted to cut both these boys on the hands or arms”.

The judge, Mr. Justice Chapman, was expected to commence his summing up yesterday, and the jury should retire on Monday.

Folkestone Herald 1 July 1972.

Local News.

A jury, trying a power blackout killing last February, failed to reach a verdict after a seven-day trial at Lewes Crown Court. They retired for over 5½ hours on Tuesday, before being discharged by Mr. Justice Chapman from giving a verdict. The judge said he hoped the retrial could be held at Lewes within the next three weeks and certainly before the summer recess.

Cyril Alfred Kent, aged 34, of 16 Westbourne Gardens, Folkestone, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Stephen Graham Laye, 18-year-old student, of Sandgate Road, Folkestone. Laye died late on the evening of Februray 11, following an incident in Sandgate Road during a power blackout. He received a fatal stab wound in the groin from a Commando knife.

Mr. John Marriage, Q.C., for Kent, made a formal admission that Laye was involved in a fight with Kent, as a result of which Laye died. It was also admitted that at the time Kent had a knife with him. Kent suffered a fractured ankle and other injuries in the incident.

Apart from Laye, a youth called David Michael Webb was also involved in the incident. He received a cut arm.

Evidence was given that the dead youth had traces of Mandrax and alcohol in his body, and Webb admitted that he had taken a similar mixture that night.

Pathologist Dr. James Cameron told the jury that the majority of people reacted violently under the influence of the mixture.

Kent admitted using the knife in the incident, but claimed he acted in self defence. He alleged that in the initial blackout clash he was attacked by three people, including Laye and Webb, sustaining a broken ankle and bruises. Then, he claimed, the assailants returned and threatened him a second time. It was then that he took out the knife to protect himself.

He was remanded in custody pending a retrial.

Folkestone Herald 11 September 1976.

Local News.

A man claiming to suffer from fits who was found apparently fast asleep at ¡he entrance of a toilet, at West Cliff Shades, Christ Church Road, Folkestone, was fined £5 by Folkestone Magistrates on Tuesday - for being drunk.

David Norton Welling, of Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, who denied the offence, was told that he had had time to bring medical evidence that he suffered from fits and had done nothing about it.

Folkestone Herald 21 May 1977.

Local News.

Katey, the border collie, is 17 dog years and 119 human years old, and a great favourite among the regulars at the West Cliff Shades pub, in Christ Church Road, Folkestone. Despite her great age, she still manages to run around and enjoy life. But someone, it seems, wants Katey killed. Katey has been reported to the RSPCA a number of times for being a traffic hazard. Then, earlier this month, a lady went into the pub at lunchtime and accused the landlords, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kitson, of being cruel in allowing the dog to live, and stormed out. A week later, the pub had a visit from an RSPCA officer, who had received another complaint about the dog. The Kitsons have now asked for the opinions of their customers, and have asked them to sign one or other of two petitions; asking for Katey to be put down, or asking to allow her to live out her remaining days. And the result has been emphatic. Nearly100 people have signed to say Katey should live, while nobody has signed to say she should die.

“Katey is very old and she shows a lot of the signs you would expect of a dog that age, but she is in good health”, said Mrs. Diana Kitson. “She does sometimes tend to wander out into the road here, and we are going to have to make sure that she does not do that in the future. We have had her for 15 years, and we want to keep her for a few more”.

Folkestone Herald 21 October 1978.

Local News.

A pub landlady and her customers were celebrating this week when they heard that the seal cull in the Orkney Islands had been called off.

Mrs. Diana Kitson, who manages the West Cliff Shades, Folkestone with her husband Robert, had campaigned against the cull by sending a protest letter to the Prime Minister. “I feel very strongly over this matter”, she said. “What annoyed me most was that about 4,000 three-week-old pups were to be slaughtered for their pelts. This would have been a terrible waste of life and only served to line the pockets of the hunters”. Mrs. Kitson was about to send a petition with 65 signatures to Mr. Callaghan when the news came that the cull had been called off.

Folkestone Herald 14 July 1979.

Local News.

Regulars are angry because of changes to their local pub. Some are so bitter they intend to drink elsewhere because, they say, the old atmosphere has been lost.

The new-look Happy Frenchman, formerly the West Cliff Shades, in Christ Church Road, Folkestone, re-opened on Wednesday after alterations and decorations work costing £48,000. Three small bars have been knocked into one and new Victorian-style furniture has been brought in. But many old customers are not happy with the only Courage pub in town, and they do not like the new name. One described it as grotesque.

Between sips Thomas Walker said “They have spent a lot of money here but have made it a sort of London pub. The old pub needed decorating but they have gone a bit too far. Before it was more of a family place where people met and conversed in a close atmosphere. Now this is lost because it is more spaced out. The room is too big”.

Henry Harrold, of Burrow Road, Folkestone, doesn't like the name. “The French have done their best to wipe out English names, so I do not see why it had to be the Happy Frenchman, it should have been Englishman”, he said.

Jock, Charlie, Bill and George have been drinking at the pub for many years. Now Charlie and George are to drink elsewhere.
They complained that pool tables, which were popular with the young people, have gone. “It is no longer an ordinary working man's drinking pub”, Charlie said.

New landlord, Mike Burge, said on Thursday “I think most people are happy with the pub, and surprised at the change. It is hard to tell who are the old regulars; on the first night there were many people in the place. Today we have had many people from surrounding offices, who were highly delighted at the change. As to the pool table it was a company decision not to have one. The ambiance of the house would not benefit by having a pool table”.

Colin Bray, Courage (Eastern) Ltd's public relations manager, said the name was changed because of Folkestone’s close links with France.