Folkestone Herald 18 August 1962.

Local News.

Plans for a new public house at Cheriton were revealed at Folkestone Transfer Sessions on Wednesday, when the Justices approved an application for the provisional grant of a publican's licence, made by Mr. Walter Thunder, on behalf of Mackeson and Co., Ltd.

Mr. Phillip Bratcher, representing the brewery, explained that his clients proposed to build a public house called The Cherry Pickers on their site at the junction of Ashley Avenue and Dennis Way, Cheriton. Outline planning permission had been given by the Council's Housing and Town Planning Committee. Mr. Bratcher said that if the grant was approved, Mackeson's would surrender their full off-licence in respect of premises in Ashley Avenue, owned by them, and known as The Imperial. They would also give up their “hung-over” full on-licence remaining since the war, for the Wheatsheaf, in Bridge Street, Folkestone. The Cherry Pickers would rely mainly on local custom, and not on passing travellers, for business. Mr. Bratcher went on to say that entrances to the saloon bar, public bars, and to the off-sales department of the new public house would be in the front of the building, facing the Ashley Avenue/Dennis Way junction. Mackeson's intended to have a resident licensee on the premises, and would eventually apply for a transfer of the provisional grant to him.

After examining the plans showing detains of The Cherry Pickers, the Justices granted the licence.

Folkestone Herald 17 October 1964.

Local News.

A new public house, the Cherry Pickers, was opened on Wednesday night to serve the Cherry Gardens District of Folkestone. Among those present to see the first pint drawn shortly after 6 p.m. were the Chairman of the Licensing Justices, Mr. F.J. Baden Fuller, and the Mayor of Folkestone, Councillor H.J.V. Johnson.

They were among the many guests who enjoyed the hospitality of the owners, Mackeson and Co. Ltd., and mine host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Alexander, after the first pint had been drawn. This was done by 70-year-old ex-Squadron Sergeant-Major Harold Leakey, a first world war veteran of the 11th Light Dragoons - who were nicknamed “The Cherrypickers” as far back as 1811.

The new inn, in Ashley Avenue, even has its own ornamental flowering cherry tree planted in its turfed forecourt, while two of the bars are named the “Napoleon” and the “Waterloo”, after two famous varieties of cherries. The sign, which depicts two magpies feasting off a cherry tree, was illuminated and the neon exterior lights switched on during the opening ceremony when the managing director of Mackeson's, Commander N.C.M. Findlay, R.N., (ret.), flicked a switch.

Apart from being named after the district in which it is so strategically situated, the inn also preserves the link between the district and the 11th Hussars, who were stationed at various times at Shorncliffe Camp. The regiment was nicknamed “The Cherrypickers”, so the story goes, after they were surprised by French cavalry picking cherries in a Spanish orchard during the Peninsular War. The men were forced to fight a dismounted action. Prints of the Cherrypickers in different uniform of the various periods of their history hang in the Waterloo bar, while in the Napoleon bar hang prints of various types of cherries.

The main feature of the Cherry Pickers is that it has been designed as a family house to meet the needs of a growing residential neighbourhood. The many modern comforts include central heating, and a cooling plant in the cellar. The large car park, which has floodlighting is a useful further asset.

Fifty-year-old Mr. Alexander, the man behind the bar, is well-known in local trade and sporting circles. He has previously run two of the company's other houses, the Three Mariners, at Hythe, and the ity of London, at Dymchurch. For three years he was Secretary of the Folkestone Licensed Victuallers' Association, and lately has been managing an off-licence near his new public house.

Folkestone Herald 11 November 1972.

Local News.

Two men who set upon a third man because, it was alleged, he was sarcastic and provoked them, were told by Folkestone magistrates on Tuesday their action was cowardly. Dennis William Pumphrey, of Brockman Road, Folkestone, and David Robins, of Westboume Gardens, Folkestone, both pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm to Mr. Terence Shillito, of Somerset Road, Folkestone. The two £21-a-week maintenance men were fined £25 each and bound over to keep the peace for a year in the sum of £10. Mr. Shillito received cuts on his nose, a bruised back and forehead as a result of the incident.

Inspector Philip Roberts, prosecuting, said the men set upon Mr. Shillito as he left the Cherry Pickers public house, Cheriton, at closing time.

The landlord came to his assistance. Robins and Pumphrey, who are both married, went to Mr. Shillito’s home and waited by his car for him to appear. The police were called and the men taken to Folkestone police station.

Pumphrey said in a statement he and Robins had been drinking in the pub at lunchtime and put some money in the juke box The record started playing but Mr. Shillito turned down the volume. The same thing happened in the evening. They started talking to Mr. Shillito and, Pumphrey alleged, he was provoking and sarcastic to his friend, Robins. Pumphrey said: “We went outside and David and me jumped on him and gave him a good hiding”.

Folkestone Herald 15 October 1982.

Local News.

Sponsored runs, tugs of war, raffles and other events was how customers of a Cheriton pub raised money for a guide dog for the blind. At the Cherry Pickers pub on Sunday a £1,000 cheque was given by landlord Mr. Mike Higgins to Mr. Eric Heys, regional organiser for Kent's Blind Association. Customers had been raising the money for about a year and the guide dog has been named Cherry after the pub. A picture of the dog was presented to the landlord and will hang in the bar of the Ashley Avenue pub.

Folkestone Herald 27 October 1989.

Local News.

Pub regulars had a special reason for raising money to boos the Royal Marines School of Music Appeal Fund. The £450 made on a boot fair held by the Cherry Pickers in Folkestone was to go to it's chosen charity for the year, multiple sclerosis. The change of heart came when regulars realised why a friend, George Sketcher, had not been in for a drink for several days after last month's Deal tragedy. George, a former band corporal at Deal, was mourning eight of the 11 bandsmen he taught, who were killed by an I.R.A. bomb at the music school barracks.

Pub fundraisers asked him to join a jazz jamming session at the boot fair and to present a cheque for the money raised to Royal Marines Band Sergeant, Andy Wall.

George, who once played with Count Basie, said “When I heard about the bombing I was really cut up and didn't come into the pub for a few days. The people who have organised, come along and supported the boot fair are absolutely marvellous – I cannot thank them enough”.

Band Sergeant Andy Wall said “We didn't know just how many friends we had until after the tragedy. The money raised will be put to good use”.

Folkestone Herald 11 January 1991.

Letter.

On behalf of Folkestone Old People's Welfare Committee, the staff and clients, I would like to thank the landlady of the Cherry Pickers, Mrs. Jackie Higgins, and the committee members of the Cherry Aid Charity, Brian Baker (Chairman), Roger West (Treasurer), and others, who donated a cheque for the sum of £750 to Age Concern. The Deputy Mayor, Ian Parker, attended the occasion, which was a Christmas party for our members. The cheque will help fund the future development of the upstairs of the Cheriton Day Centre.

I would especially mention the efforts of the fundraising committee, which was set up two years ago. The Cherry Aid Charity has raised over £5,000 in that time by organising many events. We are indebted to them and to the customers of the Cherry Pickers for supporting our work for the elderly in this area.

Rosemary Braid,

Area Organiser, Folkestone Old People's Welfare Committee,

Shaftesbury Avenue,

Cheriton.

Folkestone Herald 9 August 1991.

Local News.

Regulars of the Cherry Pickers pub in Cheriton have just handed over £2,000 in cash and equipment to charities. The pub's customers and fundraising committee – known as Cherry Aid – stage events and competitions over the year to help those in need. This year they have included a fun day, a swear bottle and barbecues.

Kent Air Ambulance, Folkestone's Adult Education Centre and the Multiple Sclerosis Society all received cheques for £500. Another £500 was spent on three nebulisers for people suffering asthma attacks. They were presented to two local doctors and the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Folkestone Herald 6 November 1997.

Local News.

A Poppy Day collection box has been stolen from a Shepway pub. The cold-hearted thieves struck at the Cherry Pickers pub, in Ashley Avenue, Folkestone, and took the box, thought to have contained around £10 in change. The box was later found with its top broken open in the car park of the pub. The incident happened around 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, and landlady Mandy Hurst says she is outraged. She said “It is bad for it to happen, but even worse for that charity at this time of year. I think it is disgusting”.

From the Folkestone Herald online, 10 October 2013.

CAR DESTROYED IN PUB PLAZE

Two cars were engulfed in flames at a pub in Folkestone last Tuesday night.

Fire crews were called to the "Cherry Pickers," in Ashley Avenue, at about 11.30pm.

They used compressed air to tackle the inferno, and water to cool some nearby metal beer barrels to stop the flames from spreading, but at least one of the cars was completely destroyed.

Police were also at the scene and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Constable Kirstine Davies on 01303 289431, giving reference ZY/29472/13