From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 17 February, 1905. Price 1d.

DISTURBANCE AT WINGHAM

Thomas Sylvester was charged with breaking a window at the “Freemasons' Arms,” Wingham, on 4th of February, and doing damage to the amount of £5 2s. 9d.

It appeared that on Saturday, February 4th, the prisoner went to Mr. W. G. Deverson's, at the “Freemasons' Arms,” about four o'clock. He was not allowed to go into the house as he was the worse for drink, and the door was shut in his face. He then smashed one window with his fist, and seven others with a loaf of bread that he had in his hand. The Police were sent for, and the man arrested by Police Constable Love. Beside the damage to the eight windows, the wood work was smashed.

The prisoner said that he did not admit having done more than 30s. worth of damage.

The prisoner said that he was knocked flat back by the prosecutor when he tried to go into the house, and the prosecutor then started grinning at him. He heard a voice say to him, “Finish the lot,” and he then broke the windows. (Laughter.)

The man had been convicted three times for felony.

The Magistrates sent the man to prison for three weeks with hard labour.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 7 March, 1919.

WINGHAM PETTY SESSIONS

The renewal of the licence of the "Freemasons Arms" beer house, Wingham, was objected to on grounds of redundancy.

Dr. Hardman appeared on behalf of the licensee and owners.

Superintendent Stone said that the population of of Wingham was 1,286. There were six licensed houses, three ale houses and three beer houses. He visited the whole of the houses that were before the Magistrates with the Magistrates. The holder of the "Freemasons Arms" was William Mascall. He had been licensee for 11 years, and the owners were Flint and Co. The licensee was on active service and the house was used by villagers and miners. He did not think the house was required, and he thought that there were too many houses in Wingham.

Cross examined. - He had borne in mind that Wingham might be a much bigger place and that there might be 3,000 people working at the collieries. If the population were increased to 10,000 it would not alter his opinion. As soon as Tilmanstone Colliery started they started a club themselves and met their own requirements. The clubs were not subject to so much supervision of the police as licensed houses. He would rather not say whether he thought it desirable. They paid a very nominal duty and competed unfairly against licensed houses.

Dr. Hardman said that there were strong grounds for asking for the renewal. It would be hard for the tenant who had been away on service, to be deprived trade for a country house. There was not merely the suggestion of coal development in the neighbourhood but a colliery with half a million spent on it existed. A very considerable increase of the working class population must take place.

William Mascall said that he joined up in 1914 and was the first to go from Wingham and would shortly be demobilized. It was his living and he had nothing else to go to.

By the Magistrate. - He was a soldier till 1908.

The application for the license was granted.