Folkestone Herald 27 January 1900.

Folkestone Police Court.

Yesterday (Friday) a temporary authority was granted to Mr. James Weaver for the Prince Of Wales Inn.

Folkestone Herald 10 March 1900.

Folkestone Police Court.

On Wednesday, the following transfer was granted: Prince Of Wales, Guildhall Street, to Mr. J. Wheeler.

Folkestone Herald 27 September 1902.

Wednesday, September 24th: Before Mr. Herbert, Mr. Swoffer, and Councillor Lieut. Colonel Hamilton.

Harry Moon, a soldier in the Buffs, was charged with endeavouring to obtain £8 14s. 6d. from Councillor Jones by means of a worthless cheque.

Councillor Jones said prisoner went to his shop on Grace Hill with a woman and selected some articles of furniture. He then said he would call the next day. Witness saw him when he called, and prisoner told him that he had got a cheque for £15, asking him to take it and give him the change. Witness asked him whether it was the cheque from the Government for prisoner's pay, and he said “Yes”. Witness then asked him for the cheque, and he said he would go and get it, and went away. Witness said he would be there when prisoner returned. Prisoner came back in about half an hour, and produced a cheque for £25. He wanted £8 14s. 6d. change out of the cheque. Witness said to him “This is not the Govenment cheque for £15”. Prisoner answered “No. My money is in the National Provincial Bank, and this is my cheque”. Witness said “Why did you not get the cash this morning from the bank?” Prisoner replied “I forgot it until it was too late. The bank closes at 3 o'clock”. Witness then said “Why not wait until tomorrow when the bank opens?” He said “I want particularly to get away by the 5 o'clock train. My wife is ill, and I want the goods delivered to the station before five”. Witness said “I don't want any nonsense. Is this money at the bank or not?” Prisoner answered “Yes, more than that – much more than that”. Witness said “I don't think I have got nearly £9 in change”. Prisoner then said “If you have not got it, I am in such a hurry that I will have some more goods so that I can have £5 or £6 in change. I will have those pictures”. Witness said “If your cheque is right, I will change it in three minutes”. Prisoner replied “The Bank is closed; it is no use going there”. Witness then told him to sit down, and while he was chattering he would go and get the change. Witness then went to the Bank, and on the way back, to the police station, and thence to his shop again. Prisoner said “Have you got the money?” Witness replied “come in my shop. I don't do business out here”. P.C. Scott came down, and witness said “Will you come to the police station and explain this matter?” Prisoner the said he had got the cheque from Bill Weaver at the Prince Of Wales. Witness accompanied him to the police station.

Charles John Wilson, accountant at the National Provincial Bank, said he had never seen the prisoner before. He had no account at the Bank, and had not to witness's knowledge had one.

Councillor Jones made an appeal for the prisoner, remarking that it was a hard case and he did not wish the man and his young wife to be blighted thus early in life. No-one had been harmed – he had not been defrauded, but he thought it right to bring the case before the Bench in the interests of the public. He would appeal for mercy and consideration.

An officer from the Camp said prisoner had a clean sheet, and was now on sick furlough.

Prisoner was dealt with under the First Offenders Act, and bound over in £20 to be of good behaviour.

Prisoner, who was deeply moved, said “Thank you very, very much, sir”.

Folkestone Herald 5 September 1903.

Wednesday, September 2nd: Before Messrs. W. Wightwick, E.T. Ward, and J. Stainer.

Permission to alter the Prince Of Wales public house, Guildhall Street, was granted by the Bench.

Folkestone Herald 13 February 1904.

Wednesday, February 10th: Before Mr. W. Wightwick, Alderman W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Colonels Hamilton, Fynmore, and Westropp, Messrs. J. Ward and C.J. Pursey.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

The Chief Constable first presented his annual report (for which, see Folkestone Express 13 February 04).

The Chairman then addressed his colleagues (for which, see Folkestone Express 13 February 04).

Mr. Minter, on behalf of the owners, offered to surrender the beer licence of the Prince Of Wales, Guildhall Street, which had been granted under the old Act of 1869, if the Bench would grant a new full licence under the Act of 1902, but the Justices, in view of the present state of affairs, declined the offer.

Folkestone Herald 28 November 1914.

Wednesday, November 25th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. R.J. Linton, Councillor G. Boyd, Alderman C. Jenner, Mr. E.T. Morrison, and Mr. J.J. Giles.

Miss Weaver applied for the temporary transfer of the licence of the prince of Wales beerhouse, Guildhall Street herself. She explained that her father, who formerly held the licence, was dead.

This was granted.

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 licence of the Prince of Wales, Guildhall Street, was temporarily transferred from Miss Weaver to Mr. C. Banks.

Note: This is at variance with More Bastions.

Folkestone Herald 15 January 1916.

Wednesday, January 12th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Lieut. Col. R.J. Fynmore, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. R.J. Linton, Councillor G. Boyd, Councillor R.G. Wood, Mr. J.J. Giles, and Mr. E.T. Morrison.

Mr. L. Banks made an application for the transfer of the licence of the Prince of Wales beerhouse, Guildhall Street, from Miss Weaver to Mr. C.L. Banks. Granted.

Folkestone Herald 21 April 1917.

Friday, April 20th: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer and other Magistrates.

Claude Latham Banks, landlord of the Prince of Wales, Guildhall Street, was summoned for permitting drinking in prohibited hours. Defendant, who pleaded Not Guilty, was represented by Mr. A.K. Mowll.

P.S. Sales said at 11.50 p.m. on April 16th, he saw a light in a rear room of the Prince of Wales. He knocked at the door and asked if anyone was on the premises. Defendant said “No, only the wife and kiddy. Why?” Witness said “I have reason to believe you have”. Defendant then said he had a few friends in. Witness entered the premises, and in a rear room saw three civilians and a soldier sitting at the table. Defendant said they were his guests, and the soldier said “We have been having supper”. Witness said he could not see any sign of supper, to which defendant replied that they had had supper some time before. On the mantel he found two pint glasses and two wine glasses. One of the large glasses contained about half a pint of beer. The landlord said “That's mine”, and drank the contents. The other glasses had evidently had mineral waters in them. Witness took the names of the men and said he would report them for a summons. The soldier said “This is a bit of red tape; worse than being in France”. Defendant said “Don't make it too thick; it is most unfortunate. I would have given anything for it not to have happened”.

By Mr. Mowll: Defendant showed him a bottle of ginger wine in the bar, and said that was what the men had been having. He was not satisfied that the glasses had been used for ginger wine. Defendant told him he had invited the men at 9 o'clock.

By the Magistrates' Clerk: The room was not a public one. There was nothing of any kind on the table, and there were no marks of glasses.

P.C. Whittaker corroborated.

Mr. Mowll submitted that he had no case to answer, and pointed out that the section under which the action was taken said “Any person who sells or exposes for sale”, whilst another section stated that the Court must be satisfied that a transaction in the nature of a sale was about to take place. This, he suggested, had not been proved.

The Magistrates decided to hear the evidence for the defence.

Defendant stated that he and three of the other men, whose birthdays came near together at the beginning of April, met at the Hippodrome on the previous Saturday, and arranged to have a birthday supper on the Monday. Witness provided the supper, which was laid in his own private room. Nothing was provided to drink with the supper, but later the men had some ginger wine, and witness had a glass of beer. Witness offered to show Sergt. Sales the remains of the supper, and he replied “No, I am perfectly satisfied”.

By the Chief Constable: The fifth glass must have been either removed with the supper, or have been on the floor.

Pte. W.T. Tillings, Royal Fusiliers, corroborated.

At this point the Bench dismissed the case, with a caution to licence holders that they ran great risks by giving these little suppers.

Folkestone Herald 28 July 1917.

Local News.

The following licence was transferred at the Police Court on Tuesday, Mr. E.T. Ward being in the chair: Prince of Wales, Guildhall Street, from Mr. Barber (sic) to Mr. C. Stay.

Folkestone Herald 18 August 1917.

Local News.

At a sitting of the Borough Magistrates on Wednesday, Mr. G.I. Swoffer presiding, the licence of the Prince of Wales beerhouse was transferred from Mr. C.L. Banks to Mr. C. Stay.

Folkestone Herald 2 February 1918.

Local News.

On Saturday at the Police Court, Charles Stay, occupier of the Prince of Wales beerhouse, was fined £2 for a breach of the Lighting Order.

Folkestone Herald 7 June 1919.

Wednesday, June 4th: Before Mr. A. Stace and Mr. W. Hollands.

Mrs. Mary Ann Williams was charged with wilfully damaging crates and bottles, value about 7s. 6d., the property of Mr. C.L. Verral, of 38, Foord Road.

Mr. Verral stated that defendant came to his premises drunk on Tuesday evening and asked for drink, which was refused. She then said “If you won't ---- serve me, I'll throw these over”, and deliberately pushed over the crates. Witness followed her up to Guildhall Street, where he gave her into custody.

P.C. Whitehead stated that in company with the first witness he went to the Prince of Wales Tavern, where defendant was in the private bar. He took her outside, and told her he would have to take her into custody, at which she became very violent.

Defendant said she was very sorry, but as her sight was bad she fell over the crates.

The Chief Constable said defendant had a very bad record, there being no less than 21 previous charges against her.

The Magistrates sentenced her to 14 days' hard labour, without the option of a fine.

Folkestone Herald 27 December 1919.

Local News.

We regret to announce the death of Mr. Henry Stocker, who passed away after a brief illness on Sunday last, at his residence, Lilford Villa, Cheriton Road, in his 71st year. Deceased, who was a Londoner by birth, had resided in Folkestone for over thirty years, and up to the time of his retirement held the licence of the Prince of Wales Tavern, Guildhall Street, having previously been proprietor of an off licence in Foord Road. The deceased was a shrewd man of business. He was a member of the Sandgate Lodge of Freemasons, and in politics was an enthusiastic unionist. In the later years of his life he took a keen interest in gardening, and was passionately fond of flowers, especially roses. He leaves behind him a widow and six children. Of these three are abroad in the United States, Canada and Nova Scotia. Another is a well-known employee at the Post Office. Genuine sympathy is expressed for the widow and family.

Folkestone Herald 21 February 1920.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

The annual licensing sessions for Folkestone were held at the Police Court, the Mayor presiding.

Mr. H. Reeve presented his report (for details see Folkestone Express).

The Mayor said the report was very satisfactory, although there was a little increase in drunkenness. They would renew all the licences to the licensed premises, except the four mentioned in the report, which would be adjourned to a later court.

Folkestone Herald 13 March 1920.

Adjourned Licensing Sessions.

Wednesday, March 9th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Councillor G. Boyd, Colonel G.P. Owen, Councillor A. Stace, the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson, and Mr. J.H. Blamey.

The licences of the East Kent Arms, Star and Garter, Globe, and Prince of Wales, deferred at the annual sessions, were now renewed.

Folkestone Herald 28 May 1921.

Local News.

At the Folkestone Police Court on Wednesday, Councillor W.J. Harrison being in the chair, the licence of the Prince of Wales Inn, Guildhall Street, was transferred from Mr. C.S. Stay to Mr. J.C. Lee.

Folkestone Herald 6 May 1922.

Local News.

Mary Ann Williams appeared at the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday to answer a charge of being drunk and disorderly. Mr. G.I. Swoffer was the presiding Magistrate. Prisoner pleaded Guilty.

P.C. Pritchard said about 9.30 p.m. on Monday he was on duty in Guildhall Street. Prisoner came out of the Prince of Wales public house, shouting and using obscene language. He took her into custody. She had been refused a drink at this house, and turned out by the landlord.

Prisoner said she was very sorry. She had met some friends and had a little drop to drink. She got her drink at Cheriton. She went to the Prince of Wales, and the landlord said he would throw her out if she did not leave. That made her lose her temper. She was very sorry to be brought there again. She had a drop of drink, and that overcame her. She had tried to be good since she was last here. She asked for another chance.

The Magistrates' Clerk (Mr. J. Andrew): She was here about three months ago. No longer a period than usual.

The Chief Constable (Mr. H. Reeve): There are thirty convictions against her.

The Chairman said they would give her one more chance. She would be fined £2, or a month's imprisonment.

Prisoner: Can I have time?

A fortnight was allowed for payment.

Mr. Andrew: Some day you will be bound over to be of good behaviour for twelve months and you will not be able to find the sureties, and then you will have to go to prison for a year. Just think that over.

Folkestone Herald 9 February 1924.

Tuesday, February 5th: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Mr. E.T. Morrison, Mr. A. Stace, Alderman C.E. Mumford, Mr. W.R. Boughton, and Miss E.I. Weston.

John Charles Lee, the licensee of the Prince of Wales public house, was summoned for a breach of the Licensing Act by supplying liquor during prohibited hours. Patrick McBrine, Herbert Walters, Charles Skinner, Sidney Rye and Charles Phillips were summoned for consuming liquor during prohibited hours.

The Clerk read a letter from Mr. Rutley Mowll stating that he had been instructed for the defence, but he was unable to attend, having been previously engaged in another case, and asking for the Magistrates to adjourn the case.

The Chief Constable said he had no objection to an adjournment.

The case was adjourned until Friday, February 15th.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

Wednesday, February 6th: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Dr. W.J. Tyson, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Mr. E.T. Morrison, Colonel G.P. Owen, Mr. A. Stace, Alderman A.E. Pepper, the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson, Mr. W.R. Boughton, Councillor W. Hollands, Colonel P. Broome-Giles, Miss A.M. Hunt, and Miss E.I. Weston.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) read his report (for details see Folkestone Express).

The Chairman said they had heard the report of the Chief Constable, and they were especially glad, it being his first year, for him to be in a position for him to present such a good report at this annual licensing meeting. He did not think it required many words from him, beyond saying that the members of the licensing authority were very grateful that the report was so good, and they were all of opinion that having such a good result must point to the fact that the licence holders had been careful during the past year to see that the law was carried out and adhered to on all possible occasions. Proceedings had only been taken against two licence holders, and they were reminded in one case that the Chief constable withdrew the summons, and the other case was of a technical nature. He thought they would agree with him that neither of these charges could have been of a serious nature. With regard to the convictions for drunkenness, they had heard that out of sixteen offenders only eight were residents of the borough. When they considered the population of Folkestone and further that the town was a port, with a fishing quarter, and had a military camp close at hand, to know that only eight of the offenders were residents spoke very well, he thought, for the community. (Hear, hear) The community as a whole was a very sober one in Folkestone. It only required a few indiscreet persons to spoil their record, and they were glad to know that those few indiscreet persons had exercised great discretion during the past twelve months, and they hoped that the number of offenders would not be increased during the coming year. They offered their congratulations to the licence holders and the general public, who had undoubtedly assisted the Chief Constable to present such an excellent report as they had had that morning. The Bench felt that the question of the renewal of the licences of the Oddfellows Inn, the Belle Vue, and the Richmond Tavern should have further consideration on the grounds of redundancy, and therefore they would put back the licensing of these houses to the adjourned sessions. They also directed the Chief Constable to give opposition to the renewals on the ground stated. The licence of the Prince of Wales, against which proceedings were pending, would also be put back. The Rose Hotel and the George the Third Inn had also been considered, and in these cases the licences would be renewed that day. Therefore, with the exception of the three houses mentioned on the grounds of redundancy, and the one against which proceedings were pending, all the other licences would be renewed that day.

Folkestone Herald 16 February 1924.

Friday, February 15th: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Mr. A. Stace, Mr. E.T. Morrison, and Mr. W.R. Boughton.

John Charles Lee, the licensee of the Prince of Wales public house, was summoned for selling intoxicating liquor during prohibited hours. Defendant, who was represented by Mr. Rutley Mowll, of Dover, pleaded Not Guilty.

P.C. Laurence said at 10.05 p.m. on the 26th ultimo he was in Guildhall Street near the Prince of Wales public house in company with P.C. Nicholls. He noticed a number of men leave the public bar of the Prince of Wales, and through the open door he noticed a number of men consuming liquor from glasses. He kept observation through the bar door window and saw five men consume liquor. At 10.08 p.m. he saw Patrick McBrine served by Mrs. Lee, the wife of the defendant, with a pint of beer, and she received payment for same. The licensee was in the bar at the time. Witness entered the bar with P.C. Nicholls at 10.10 p.m. The clock in the public bar was 10.16, six minutes fast. He asked Mr. Lee whether he was aware of the time. He replied “My clock is fast. I've just called time”. Witness had not heard defendant call “time”. He could have heard him if he had. McBrine still had his glass of beer in his hand, and was drinking it. He said to the defendant “There you are, Mr. Lee. There's a man drinking here now”. McBrine said “I paid for this beer before time, and I am going to drink it”. McBrine then finished the beer up. It was then 10.13. Witness told the landlord that he would be reported for selling, supplying and allowing intoxicating liquor to be consumed on his premises during prohibited hours between 10.05 p.m. and 10.10 p.m. Defendant replied “Nothing was served here after time”.

Cross-examined by Mr. Mowll, witness said he was giving the time by his own watch, which had been set by the Town Hall clock. He left the Town Hall at 9.57 p.m. He put his watch on then. It was a very short walk from the Town hall to the Prince of Wales. He joined the other constable outside the Shakespeare Hotel. They went to the Prince of Wales at 10.05, and when they got there he saw some people coming out. The door of the public bar was not closed. He kept observation standing on the doorstep, and if anyone had come out they must have passed very near to him. He did not hear defendant call “Time”. He could not say what happened between 10 and 10.05.

P.C. Nicholls corroborated.

Mr. Rutley Mowll, for the defence, said defendant had been conducting a licensed victualler's business for twenty years. The customers were leaving at the time the constable arrived. His submission to the Court was that the two police officers would have been doing their duty quite effectively, and more acceptably, if they had gone into the house and helped the landlord to get rid of the few remaining stragglers. Instead of that they remained outside, and got a case against the defendant. If two police officers were unable to prevent McBrine from drinking his beer, how in the world could they expect the unfortunate landlord to be powerful when two police officers were powerless?

The Chairman said they considered the case proved and defendant would be fined £2. They thought the police gave their evidence very fairly.

Patrick McBrine, Herbert Waters, Charles Skinner, Sidney Rye and Charles Phillips were summoned for consuming drinks during prohibited hours at the Prince of Wales, Guildhall Street, on the 26th ultimo. Mr. Rutley Mowll defended.

P.C. Laurence said that at 10.10 p.m. on the 26th ultimo he entered the Prince of Wales public house, where he saw the defendants finishing their beer. Between 10.05 and 10.10, when he was keeping observation through the window, they all drank from their glasses. At 10.20 he was overtaken by Walters, who asked why witness had put his name in his book. As Waters was not satisfied with witness's statement, he advised him to go to the Police Office. At first he demurred, and said he would stick to witness all night, but after a time they both went to the office. Witness told the officer in charge that proceedings might be taken against the defendant, who then appeared to be satisfied. At the time he was in the bar he did not tell the defendants that they would be reported.

By Mr. Mowll: At the Town Hall he told Walters that he would be wanted to give evidence. The men were drinking from beer glasses, but witness did not test them.

By the Magistrates' Clerk: He intended to make a report on the matter, and leave it to his superior officer to decide whether proceedings should be taken.

P.C. Nicholls corroborated.

McBrine, on oath, said at 9.45 he entered the Prince of Wales Inn and called for a pint of beer. He drank a little of it and then left the bar. He heard the landlord call “Time”, and when he returned he took the glass in his hand, but did not drink anything. The police then rushed in.

Defendants were fined 5s. each.

There was a further summons against Mr. Lee for selling, through his wife, liquor for consumption on the premises without it having been paid for before or at the time of sale. Mr. Rutley Mowll defended, and pleaded Not Guilty.

Miss Harriett Hood said that about the 18th December she went to the Prince of Wales and asked Mrs. Lee for a bottle of stout and a glass of burgundy, saying that she would pay for them on the following Saturday. Mrs. Lee said that would be all right, and witness drank the burgundy and took the stout away. She paid for the drink the following Saturday night. Witness had recently had a letter from Mrs. Lee, as follows: “Please pay the money you owe to us for drinks, otherwise I am going to see your mistress. I may then tell her something to interest her. Also please stop your lying tongue”. Witness showed the letter to a police constable, and to Inspector Pittock.

By Mr. Mowll: There had never been any trouble about her not paying for drinks, and she had never been turned out of another public house for a similar reason. It was before she consumed the drink that she told Mrs. Lee that she would not pay for it at the time.

Sergeant Pittock said that at 6.20 p.m. on the 8th instant he saw the defendant and Mrs. Lee at the Prince of Wales, the latter telling him that Miss Hood owed them some money. She also admitted sending the letter produced. When told he would be reported, defendant said that he did not call the sale a credit one, adding that after the last witness had consumed the drink she said that she could not pay for it until the following Saturday.

Mrs. Chapman, of 16, Darlington Street (called by the defence), said that she was at the Prince of Wales when Miss Hood was there. Miss Hood asked for a bottle of ale or stout, and also for something to drink. Mrs. Lee was very busy, and did not ask for the money at the time, but when she did ask for it Miss Hood said that she would pay the following day, or when she got paid. Mrs. Lee said that if she had known that, she would not have supplied Miss Hood.

Mrs. Kate Lee said that when Miss Hood obtained the drink there was no arrangement that she should have it on credit. After she had had the stuff she said that she had left her purse in the kitchen draw, and witness said “You know my husband does not allow that”. She also told Miss Hood that if she had known that, she would not have supplied her with the drink.

The Bench dismissed the case, but the Chairman said the police were quite justified in bringing it forward.

Folkestone Herald 1 March 1924.

Adjourned Licensing Sessions.

Wednesday, February 27th: Before Dr. W.J. Tyson, Mr. G. Boyd, Mr. A. Stace, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Colonel G.P. Owen, Mr. E.T. Morrison, Mr. J. Blamey, the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson, and Miss A.M. Hunt.

The Magistrates' Clerk (Mr. J. Andrew) said at the annual general licensing sessions the renewal of the licence of the Prince of Wales beerhouse in Guildhall Street was deferred for consideration until that day on the ground that proceedings were pending against the house for breaches of the Licensing Act. The licensee was convicted. So far as the application in regard to the Prince of Wales beerhouse was concerned an application would be made for a protection order for an incoming tenant. He might say that the testimonials of the applicant were perfectly satisfactory to the police. There would be a subsequent application for the full transfer of the licence to the incoming tenant, and therefore it would be unnecessary to deal with the renewal of the licence to the old licensee.

A protection order was granted to Mr. Frank Doveton (sic), of Leicester, in respect of the Prince of Wales beerhouse.

Folkestone Herald 8 March 1924.

Local News.

At the Folkestone Police Court on Wednesday, before Mr. G.I. Swoffer and other Magistrates, the licence of the Prince of Wales Inn, Guildhall Street, was transferred to Mr. F.E. Lupton, of Leicester.

Folkestone Herald 24 May 1924.

Local News.

At the Folkestone Petty Sessions on Wednesday before the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson and other Magistrates, plans for alterations to the Prince of Wales Hotel were submitted to the Magistrates, who approved of them.

Folkestone Herald 14 February 1925.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

Wednesday, February 11th: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Dr. W.J. Tyson, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Mr. A. Stace, Mr. E.T. Morrison, Colonel G.P. Owen, Alderman A.E. Pepper, Mr. W.R. Boughton, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Mr. W. Hollands, the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson, Miss A.M. Hunt, and Colonel P. Broome-Giles.

Plans for alterations at the Prince of Wales public house were approved.

Folkestone Herald 22 January 1927.

Obituary.

We regret to announce the death, on Saturday, at the Prince of Wales Inn, Guildhall Street, of Mr. Frank Ernest Lupton. Deceased, who was forty three years of age, was a draper until he took up the calling of a licensed victualler. For a time he was in the employ of Messrs. Lewis and Hyland. He was widely esteemed. The funeral took place at the Cemetery on Wednesday.

Folkestone Herald 1 July 1939.

Local News.

Alleged blows in a public house were the subject of a summons at the Folkestone Police Court yesterday. Charles T. Howes, of 40, Radnor Park Crescent, Folkestone, was summoned for assault by Sydney Melbourne Mooring, of 143, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, who alleged that he struck him with a stick. There was a cross-summons in which Howes alleged that Mooring kicked him. Each defendant pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. H.G. Wheeler appeared for Howes.

Giving evidence, Mooring said on June 22nd at 2.15 p.m. he was in the Prince of Wales public house, Guildhall Street. He saw defendant there and said to him “Good morning, Charlie”. Howes replied “Good morning”, and there followed a conversation concerning their sons. Shortly after, Mooring said, he received a blow across the head. He put his glass down and turned round, receiving a further blow across the arm and a cut under the left eye. He had since attended the hospital for treatment for his injuries. Blood was streaming from the cuts and he could not see. He did nothing to cause Howes to strike him, and he denied any assault on Howes.

Mr. Wheeler: I put it to you that you lunged out at Howes with your foot and struck him on the shin.

Mooring: I did not.

Do you know that Mr. Howes sustained a severe accident in 1937? – Yes.

And he cannot stand without the support of a stick? - I don’t know anything about that.

Miss Joan Lupton, daughter of the licensee of the Prince of Wales, said Howes struck Mooring with his stick Further blows followed but Mooring did not strike or kick Howes.

Cross-examined, witness said she did not say to Howes the same evening that she had not seen what happened.

Mrs. Annie Lupton the licence holder of the Prince of Wales, said Mooring was in “a terrible state” after the blows and the bar floor was like a slaughter house.

By Mr. Wheeler: Howes made no complaint to her that Mooring had kicked him.

Howes, giving evidence, said without any warning at all Mooring made a “swipe at his shin”. If he struck Mooring it was in self defence; it was unintentional.

After commenting that there was a conflict of evidence, Mr. Wheeler said his client expressed his regret for what took place, although he maintained that what he did was in self defence.

The Magistrates dismissed the summons against Mooring, and fined Howes 10s.

Folkestone Herald 19 January 1952.

Notice.

Borough of Folkestone.

To: The Clerk to the Rating Authority for the Borough of Folkestone in the County of Kent,

The Clerk to the Licensing Justices for the Borough of Folkestone in the County of Kent,

The Superintendent of Police, Kent County Constabulary, Folkestone in the County of Kent

And to all whom it may concern:

I, Christopher John L. Hawkes, now residing at the Prince of Wales, Folkestone in the County of Kent Beer-house keeper do hereby give notice that it is my intention to apply at the General Annual Licensing Meeting for the said Borough of Folkestone in the said County, to be holden at the Town Hall, Folkestone aforesaid on Wednesday the 13th day of February, 1952 for the grant to me of a Justices' Licence authorising me to apply for and hold an Excise Licence to sell wine by retail at the licensed premises situate at the Prince of Wales, Folkestone, in the County of Kent, for consumption either on or off the premises and of which premises Mackeson and Company Limited, of Brewery, Hythe in the said County are the Lessees of whom I rent them.

Given under my hand this 7th day of January, 1952.

C.L. Hawkes.

Folkestone Herald 16 February 1952.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

Mr. C.J. Hawkes, licensee of the Prince of Wales, Guildhall Street was at Folkestone Annual Licensing meeting on Wednesday granted a wine licence. He said he had only been able to supply beer, and he produced a petition signed by 129 customers in support of the application for a wine licence.

Folkestone Herald 23 January 1960.

Notice.

To: The Clerk to the Rating Authority for the Borough of Folkestone in the County of Kent.

The Clerk to the Justices for the Borough of Folkestone in the County of Kent

The Chief Constable of Kent,

And to all whom it may concern

I, Christopher John L. Hawkes, of the “Prince of Wales”, 71, Guildhall Street Street, in the Borough of Folkestone, in the Licensing District of Folkestone, Beerhouse Keeper, do hereby give notice that it is my intention to apply at the First Session of the General Annual Licensing Meeting for the said Borough of Folkestone, in the said County of Kent, to be holden at the Town Hall, Folkestone aforesaid, on Wednesday, the 10th day of February, 1960, for the grant to me of a Justices' Licence authorising me to apply for and hold an Excise Licence to sell by retail Spirits in addition to the Beer and Wine now authorised to be sold there for consumption on the premises situate and being the “Prince of Wales”, 71, Guildhall Street, Folkestone aforesaid, of which premises Messrs. Mackeson and Company Limited, of Brewery, Hythe, in the said County, are the leasehold owners and of whom I rent them.

Given under my hand this 8th day of January, 1960.

C.J. Hawkes.

Folkestone Herald 13 February 1960.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

Licences to sell spirits, in addition to beer and wine, were granted to the Star and Garter, Harvey Street, and the Prince of Wales, Guildhall Street.

Mr. M. Biskin, applying on behalf of Mr. C. Hawkes, of the Prince of Wales, said there was a considerable demand for spirits there.

Folkestone Herald 26 March 1982.

Local News.

Landlady Lilian Hawkes has been given 14 days to quit her Folkestone pub. At a County Court hearing last Thursday the owners of the Prince of Wales in Guildhall Street, brewers Whitbread Fremlins Limited, were granted a possession order for the premises.

Mrs. Hawkes, agreeing the brewers were entitled to have thr order, did not contest the application. She told Judge Donald Sumner, presiding, that the brewery is willing to let her stay on at the pub until she has found a new home. The landlady has already approached Shepway District Council and has been told it will find her a place to live as soon as possible, she added.

Solicitor Mr. Christopher Bushnell, for Whitbread Fremlins, said the brewery will not take any steps which will cause hardship to the landlady.

Judge Sumner said “They have said they will do all they can to assist her and not enforce the claim unreasonably. I think they are being very fair and helpful”.

There were no claims for money or costs from the defendant.

A spokesman for Whitbread Fremlins said the eviction took place because the landlady wanted to be evicted. Mrs. Hawkes is a widow and due for retirement. The pub has been closed since Christmas, but no decision has been made yet on a new manager or tenant. The brewery will probably go through its usual process to get a new publican. This could take up to three months. But it depends on what the brewery decide to do, the spokesman added.

Folkestone Herald 1 April 1983.

Advertising Feature.

The Prince of Wales is one of those “blink and you miss it” sort of pubs. Situated in the heart of a residential area on the comer of Guildhall Street and Coolinge Road, it never pretended to be anything other than a quiet local. But there have recently been some big changes. In fact it has both a new look and a new landlord. Three small bars have been knocked through into one and there are plans to build up a darts team and serve hot and cold food.

The new man in charge is 40-year-old Kevin Atkins, who says proudly that the pub has been packed every day since he re-opened on March 1. “We've still got a bit of work to do, but I think we are well on the way to achieving what I want – a good, friendly pub”.

A free house, it serves 14 different draught beers and lagers – one of the biggest selections in the area.

Before coming to Folkestone, Mr. Atkins was manager of the White Hart in Reigate and before that worked in the Middle East. He was originally a career soldier but after 18 years in the Army was given a medical discharge after being injured in an I.R.A. explosion in Londonderry.

Folkestone Herald 10 February 1984.

Local News.

His name was Atkins, late of the British Army, and the order rang down the years since demob – “Atkins! Get your 'air cut!” Now remustered into civilian life as a landlord Kevin Atkins jumped to it, and half an hour later stood shorn as any rookie soldier recently subjected to the tender ministrations of a camp barber.

“It was a bit of a laugh, but there was a more serious purpose behind it”, said Kevin, landlord of the Prince of Wales pub in Folkestone's Guildhall Street, as he brushed away the stray hairs from his collar. “We wanted to raise money for the Poppy Appeal in a way that would give the regulars a bit of a giggle. My hair was 18 inches long, and I suppose someone must have thought that was a bit unmilitary. I suppose I should have seen what was coming next. The idea was that customers should be able to have a go at my hair for five pence a snip. Now I should say that my hair varies in length between four inches and a quarter of an inch. Still, it was 24 years ago on Monday that I went into the Army, and I don't think the camp barber did any worse”.

Kevin's previous hairstyle – long tresses almost to the shoulder – had earned him the nickname “Buffalo Bill” among the regulars. As he stared wistfully at the growing golden pile he reflected with some pleasure that the whole exercise had raised £35 for the Poppy Appeal. AQ helmet which had found its way out of the possession of the Argentinian government was produced, and Kevin placed it on his head with not a hair out of place, simply because there was very little hair to be out of place. And as smart as the Atkins of 24 years ago, Kevin posed for the camera, head up, chest out and thumbs in line with the seam of the trousers.

Folkestone Herald 14 June 1985.

Local News.

A pub landlady had her arm slashed by a pint glass and her door smashed after telling Elizabeth Queen to get out of the pub.

Folkestone Magistrates heard Queen and a group of friend swere creating a disturbance in the Prince of Wales in Guildhall Street. Landlady Minaxi Atkins asked one of the group to leave and Queen got involved in a row with her, said Gareth Isaac, prosecuting. Queen had a pint glass in her hand, said Mr. Isaac. She threw it, cutting Mrs. Atkins, who needed hospital treatment. Outside the Folkestone pub she started to hit a glass door with her hands, eventually smashing it.

She pleaded Guilty to the offences of causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage, said Susan Watler, for Queen. But Queen, of Keyes Place, Folkestone, had drunk so much she could not remember assaulting Mrs. Atkins. “She has had problems with her drinking”, Mrs. Watler told the court. Queen had attended a special clinic in Canterbury to help with these problems, Mrs. Watler told the Magistrates. But Queen’s family problems meant she lost the incentive to stop drinking.

“You must realise drinking is no friend to you”, said presiding Magistrate Mary Bean. “You seem to lose your temper.” Queen was given a year’s conditional discharge for each of the offences and ordered to pay compensation of £20 to Mrs Atkins and £28 for the damage caused to the door.

Folkestone Herald 4 April 1986.

Local News.

Champion money raisers at the Prince of Wales pub in Guildhall Street, Folkestone, are celebrating their success with an off-beat New Year’s party - on April 5.

“It all started with a bet, really”, said landlord Kevin’s wife Minaxi Atkins.

The pub, which has raised over £600 for the Royal British Legion outside their annual Poppy Appeal Week, stands to raise well over £100 from the oddball scheme. Christmas decorations have been left up since the end of 1985 and Christmas Eve will be celebrated on April 1. With cards from regulars and the full party spirit, a New Year’s party will be held on April 5 - all for a joint bet of £80 from beer suppliers Charringtons.

Folkestone Herald 2 May 1986.

Local News.

Patriotic pub customers marked St. George's Day in fine style. Regulars at the Prince of Wales in Guildhall Street, Folkestone, joined landlord and landlady Kevin and Minaxi Atkins by dressing up to celebrate the country's patron saint's day. Costumes with an English theme were set off by red roses. As a result of the evening's fun, a feature of which was country and western music by Keith Harwood, £40 was raised for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal. There was further fun at the Prince of Wales on the following evening, when the pub met a team from the British Sailors' Society, Dover, in a friendly game of pool.

Folkestone Herald 10 October 1986.

Local News.

Another royal port of call has been found for the ship’s badge from the last H.M.S. Folkestone. The Prince of Wales pub in Guildhall Street succeeds the Prince Albert in Rendezvous Street as home for the solid brass plaque. It had been in danger of leaving the Shepway area - where it has been on public display for over 30 years.

Alan White, retiring landlord of the Albert where the badge has spent the last 22 years, wanted to sell it to a local buyer. But only on condition that it would be kept in the public eye when he and his wife Kay left Rendezvous Street. Otherwise it went with him into safe keeping. His S.O.S. in the Herald was answered by a concerned regular, who wants to stay anonymous. He bought the badge for £250, and donated it to the Prince of Wales where he also enjoys a pint.

Landlord Kevin Atkins - “Yorkie” to his friends - has pledged to keep the maritime relic in Folkestone. “I will carry on the same tradition as Alan”, he said at Thursday night’s presentation by Mayor Kelland Bowden. “The badge will stay in Folkestone when I move on”. Mr Bowden told the packed Prince Albert that he remembered the ship’s badge when it hung on the bar wall at the Ship in Sandgate over 30 years ago. He also had the pleasant task of presenting £100 to the Kent Blind Nation’s Dave Garrod collected by customers at the Albert.

Alan and Kay White retired after 22½ years behind the bar of the Rendezvous Street pub at the end of last week. What would they remember most from over two decades of serving drinks? “Our friends in Folkestone”, said Mr. White, “and that includes our fellow licensees”.

Folkestone Herald 14 November 1986.

Local News.

Customers at the Prince of Wales pub in Folkestone got together on Sunday to remember those who fought in the First World War, commemorated by the presentation of £650 to the Poppy Day Appeal. The Mayor of Folkestone, Cllr. Kelland Bowden, was presented with the cheque at the pub in Guildhall Street, by Mr. Kevin Atkins, landlord of the pub.

Folkestone Herald 2 December 1988.

Local News.

Kind-hearted regulars at The Prince of Wales pub, Folkestone raised over £1,000 for a Poppy Day appeal. The cash was raised during the year by filling a large whisky bottle with cash, and also by running sweepstakes.

By the last sweepstake £840 had been raised, and then landlady Mrs Minaxi Atkins won £200 in her own competition. Generous Minaxi decided to donate some of her winnings to the appeal to make the pub’s total £1,001. "Every year we raise more money, and this year we were going for the £1000 mark”, Mrs. Atkins said. “It looked as if we were going to fall short of our target until I won the sweepstake, so I gave the extra money to the appeal. It had to happen. The first time I win I have to hand over the cash”.

Folkestone Herald 24 November 1989.

Local News.

Regulars at the Prince of Wales pub in Folkestone raised more than £1,000 for charity this year. The money went to the Poppy Appeal, the Royal Marines School of Music Appeal Fund, Guide Dogs for The Blind, and the elderly in need.

Chelsea Pensioners Ron Heritage and David Redpath-George came from London to collect a cheque and meet Folkestone Mayor, Michael Luck.

The money was raised by collections, auctions and selling lottery tickets.

Folkestone Herald 19 April 1991.

Local News.

A man threw a part-filled charity bottle from a bar at a licensee after being asked to leave a Folkestone pub, a Court heard. Empty glasses and pump tops were also thrown.

Kevin Atkins, licensee of the Prince of Wales, in Guildhall Street, was left with four cuts on the side of his head needing 13 stitches after the incident last June, said Tracey Ayling, prosecuting at Maidstone Crown Court.

Stephen Paul Currie, 23, of Naseby Avenue, Folkestone, was jailed for a year, suspended for two months, after a jury convicted him of unlawful wounding. Currie, who denied the charge, was also ordered to pay £250 compensation and £220 prosecution costs.

Judge Keith Simpson told him “Mercifully Mr. Atkins didn't suffer more serious injuries, particularly having regard to the area where the wounds were inflicted”.

Miss Ayling said Currie was in the pub with two women and a child. “There came a time when there was a slight argument between Mr. Atkins and the defendant, first about someone sitting on a pool table, and a drink spilt on the table. Mr. Atkins asked Mr. Currie to leave”. The woman and child went out first. Currie went up to the bar, behind which was Mr. Atkins, and asked people around for a cigarette. “Mr. Atkins again asked him to leave because his presence was not wanted – he had been a little aggressive – whereupon Mr. Currie started throwing things”. After his arrest Currie told police that he lost his temper after the licensee allegedly dragged the child off the pool table. There was an argument and he was asked to leave.

Mr. Atkins said in evidence that after asking Currie to leave the second time, he turned back to the optics. “The next thing, I got a smash on the head from a large collecting bottle we had for the poppy appeal”.

Cross-examined by Maureen Fleischmann, for Currie, Mr. Atkins said he did not touch the child or take her off the table. He also denied snatching Currie's glass and hitting himself with it.

Currie did not give evidence at the trial.

Folkestone Herald 12 June 1992.

Local News.

Cigarettes and spirits, totalling £300, were stolen from the Prince of Wales pub in Guildhall Street, Folkestone.

Folkestone Herald 12 March 1998.

Toby Jugs.

Picture the scene .... December 31, 1999, The Prince of Wales pub in Guildhall Street, glasses raised as Big Ben strikes .... The bar TV shows the usual crowds swaying in unison in the crisp night air of Trafalgar Square – some risking a dip in the freezing fountains. But the main conversation in the Prince of Wales is still – love it or loathe it – is the Millennium Dome.

It is here to stay, though, and even my drinking pals who mock the idea can not, in their heart of hearts, imagine life without it. Of course Folkestone Royal Victoria Hospital needs more money, but will you be heading down there to dance in the aisles in the early hours of 2000, as you can at the Dome?

Not landlord Norman King, anyway. Crystal Palace in London was thought to be a white elephant when it was built a hundred years ago, he comments. “Everyone said that wouldn't work, and it proved a success”.