Dover Express 4th August 1916.

Eastry Rural District Tribunal held 26th July 1916.

Conditional exemption granted to G. C. Jennings aged 38, publican and butcher of the “Butcher’s Arms, Ashley. 6 months exemption to 26th January 1917.

Dover Express 21 February 1930.

DEATH.

On February 12th 1930, suddenly, at the "Butcher's Arms," Ashley, Irene Oliver, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Oliver, aged 17 years.

From the Dover Express, 20 October 1933.

WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS.

Samuel Whitehouse, “Butchers Arms," Ashey, Northboume, was charged with driving a motor-cycle with two passengers at Eythorne on 16th September, and, further with riding without a third party insurance. P.C. Bareham, Eythome, proved the case.

Fined 10s. on each charge, and disqualified three months.

Dover Express, Friday 24 September 1937.

No Dog Licences.

The following were each fined 7s. 6s. for keeping a dog without a licence:- Frank York, Chapel Farm Tilmanston; Ada Watts, Belse Corner, Tilmanstone; and Samuel Whitehouse, "Butchers Arms," Ashley.

P.C. Griffiths, Tilmanstone, proved the cases.

From the Dover Express, 7 April 1939.

The Butchers Arms, Ashley, Dart Team, 1939, Finalists for the third year in succession in the Walmer Brewery Dart Competition.

Dover Express 2nd July 1943.

The engagement has been announced between Eileen, eldest daughter of Mr. & Mrs. G. Penn of Updown, Eastry and Albert, youngest son of Mr. & Mrs. S. Whithouse of “The Butcher’s Arms”, Ashley.

Dover Express 15th August 1947.

Wedding of Mr. S. Whitehouse.

The wedding took place on August 4th of Miss P S Patterson, youngest daughter of Mrs. Patterson and the late Mr. Patterson of 136 Beachcroft Road, Tooting, and Mr. S. Whitehouse, eldest son of Mr. & Mrs. S. Whitehouse of the “Butcher’s Arms”, Ashley. The service, which was fully choral, was conducted by Rev. Saumerez-Smith with Mrs. Whitehouse at the organ. The bride, who was given away by her brother (Mr. John Patterson), wore a gown of white, silvered taffeta, veil and orange blossom and carried a shower bouquet of dark red carnations. She was attended by Miss Beatrice Patterson (bride’s sister) and Miss Celia Berry (bridegroom’s niece) who both wore turquoise taffeta dresses, feather headdresses of turquoise, and petunias, small veils, gold lockets (gifts of the bridegroom) and carried bouquets of mixed carnations. Master Raymond Folwell (bridegroom’s nephew) was page boy and wore a white blouse and tartan kilt. A reception was held at the Langdown Hall, Eythorne. Mr. & Mrs. S. Whitehouse were the recipients of many presents.

Dover Express, Friday 3 February 1950.

Ashley and Studdale.

Death of Mr. H. Oliver.

The funeral took place on Saturday, at Waldershare churchyard of Mr. Hezekiah Oliver, who died January 23rd, age 76. Deceased was licensee of the "Butchers Arms," at Ashley, for 15-years, and licensee of the "Three Horseshoes" at Studdal, for 11 years, retiring in 1942. The Rev C. D. Mayhew officiated and the mourners present were. Mrs. H. Oliver (widow,) Mr. H. Oliver (son), Mr. and Mrs. J. Oliver (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. F. Oliver (son), Mr. and Mrs. W. Barnes (son-in-law and daughter), David Oliver (grandson), and Mrs. C Pots (friend).

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 25 December, 1953.

Licensee's Golden Wedding

SHE was the girl with the pigtails and he, the boy with the two circular patches on the cheeks of his pants, who lived next door. They shared each others toys, went hand-in-hand to Sunday School and became boy and girl sweethearts.

More than half a century has passed since then. But Sam and Ann Whitehouse are still together, and this Christmas Day will be celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

As glasses are raised in the little bar at the Butcher's Arms, Studdle, which they have kept for 23 years, Sam and Ann will be turning back the pages o their book of memories.

"He's a great lad," sighs Ann. "The only boy-friend I ever had."

 "Ane she's a great lass," says Sam.... and winks.

"This is the wedding present he gave me," says Ann, and proudly produces a silver heart-shaped brooch inscribed "Mizpah."

"Yes," muses Sam. "You know lass, that cost me four and six."

"And the silk muffler I got for you cost me five bob," says Ann.

These will be some of the memories Sam and Ann will recall as they celebrate their anniversary - and for full measure, Sam's 72nd birthday as well.

Back to the days when Sam, a youngster of thirteen, began work at a pit in Staffordshire - hard days, long hours, and 1/3 a shift.

On to Christmas Day in 1903 when he and Ann - she was then Miss Plant -  were married at Walsall, and to the years which followed as they struggled to make ends meet with a growing family and a meagre wage packet.

On again to the year when the First World War broke out in 1914and they came to Kent, setting up home in Shepherdswell. They began a smallholding there, and Sam went to work at Tilmanstone Colliery.

Time moved on until, in 1932, they took over the Butcher's Arms, but Sam was still at the pit. "That was always my real job," he says.

Altogether, he gave more than fifty years' service to the mining industry before he eventually had an accident at the pit and retired, and one of his proudest possessions today is the N.C.B. Long Service Certificate.

Now, as host and hostess at the Butcher's Arms, they are among the oldest licensees in the district. "They're wonderful folk, our customers," says Mrs. Whitehouse. "In all the years we've been here we've never had a single squabble in the house."

"That's right," says Sam. "We're ordinary folk, and we enjoy having the company of ordinary folk."

A great old couple, Sam and Ann Whitehouse. A very happy Christmas to you both - and to all others who will be celebrating their anniversary this Christmas tide.