Folkestone Herald 14 October 1911.

Obituary.

We regret to announce that Mr. William Harry Arthur, the licensee of the Star and Garter public house, Harvey Street, died at his residence on Monday, after a rather short illness. Mr. Arthur was a well-known Folkestonian, having lived in the town for a large number of years. He was for many years a member of D Company, 4th Battalion, The Buffs, and was respected by all who knew him. The funeral took place yesterday.

Folkestone Herald 2 December 1911.

Wednesday, November 29th: Before Mr. J. Stainer, Major Leggett, and Mr. R.J. Linton.

Mr. G.W. Haines asked for a transfer of the licence of the Star and Garter. The licence had been held by the applicant's husband, who had recently died, and this was granted.

Folkestone Herald 4 October 1919.

Tuesday, September 30th: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. A. Stace, Mr. G. Boyd, Mr. C. Ed. Mumford, and Mr. L.G.A. Collins.

Annie Arthur, landlady of the Star and Garter beerhouse, was summoned for selling a quart of stout after nine o'clock for consumption off the premises, and Miss L. Clariss was summoned for obtaining it. They pleaded Guilty.

P.C. Bugden deposed to seeing a lady leave the house with a bottle of stout at 9.30 p.m. on Sept. 25th.

Mrs. Arthur said she was very sorry. She quite forgot what the time was.

Miss Clariss said she was not aware of the restriction. She was not in the habit of fetching stout.

The Chief Constable stated there were no previous complaints against Mrs. Arthur, who had held the licence for 8 years since the death of her husband. She had been there 26 years altogether.

The Magistrates' Clerk remarked that a person could not buy liquor for consumption off the premises after 9 o'clock, but they could drink it on the premises until 10 o'clock.

The Chairman, in fining Mrs. Arthur 10s., said the Bench hoped she would be more careful in the future. The case against the purchaser was dismissed.

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 31 October 1925.

Tuesday, October 27th: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Alderman A.E. Pepper, the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Mr. L.G.A. Collins, Colonel P. Broome-Giles, and Miss A.M. Hunt.

Mrs. Annie Arthur, the licensee of the Star and Garter Inn, Richmond Street, was summoned for a breach of the Licensing Act. Christopher P. Binfield and George Avery were also summoned for a breach of the Act.

The Magistrates' Clerk (Mr. J. Andrew) said he had received a letter from Messrs. Mowll and Mowll, of Dover, stating that they had been instructed to represent the licensee, and that it would be impossible for them to appear on Tuesday. He asked for an adjournment for a week.

Inspector Pittock said the Chief Constable had no objection.

The Magistrates adjourned the case for a week.

Folkestone Herald 7 November 1925.

Tuesday, November 3rd: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Alderman A.E. Pepper, Col. G.P. Owen, the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Mr. W. Griffin, Colonel P. Broome-Giles, and Miss A.M. Hunt.

Annie Arthur, the licensee of the Star and Garter, Richmond Street, was summoned for having, on October 19th, supplied to Christopher Binfield and George Avery intoxicating liquor during prohibited hours. Mr. Rutley Mowll appeared for the defendant and pleaded Not Guilty.

Sergt. Chaney said at 10.15 p.m. on the 19th ult. he was in Harvey Street with P.C. Wyborn, when he noticed several men in the public bar of the Star and Garter beerhouse. On opening the door he saw two men, Christopher Binfield and George Avery, drinking from two pint glasses. Later he ascertained that it was beer that they were drinking. The defendant was behind the counter, and her daughter was in the bar calling time. He drew defendant's attention to the time, which was then 10.15. By the clock in the bar it was 10.17. Defendant said “It is not so much as that by St. Michael's Church clock. The time I am going by”. He told her she would be reported. She replied “It (the beer) was served before 10 o'clock. It is a shame. I think you might look over it this time”. Binfield said his beer was bought and paid for before 10 o'clock. Avery did not say anything.

By the Magistrates' Clerk (Mr. J. Andrew): The beer was not what one would call “freshly drawn”. St. Michael's Church clock that night was seven minutes slow by the Town Hall clock. Therefore it would be about eight minutes past ten by the St. Michael's Church clock.

Cross-examined, witness said his watch was not right that night. By his watch it was ten minutes past ten. It was fifteen past ten by the Town Hall clock.

Mr. Mowll: How do we know that was right? Do you listen in for Greenwich time? – No. As I went down High Street I heard the Town Hall clock striking ten.

How do you know the Town hall clock was right? – It is supposed to be Greenwich time. I think it is put right every day.

Mr. Mowll, addressing the Magistrates, said Mrs. Arthur had resided in this house for something like thirty two years. Her husband had been dead for some fourteen years and she had had the responsibility of that house for the whole of the time since. There was nothing against her except for a slight offence under D.O.R.A., which was so full of pitfalls for them all. That was not treated as a very serious matter. With that exception, the defendant had got one of those records of which anyone might well be proud. Mr. Mowll then referred to the many different times mentioned in the case and aske the Magistrates, considering all the facts, to dismiss the case. He did not ask them to find his client Not Guilty, but he thought her own good record justified them in regarding the case as a trivial one.

The Chairman said the case, having regard to the excellent record of the defendant, and all the circumstances, would be dismissed.

The Magistrates' Clerk: What about Binfield and Avery, who were found consuming?

The Chairman said the same course would be taken in regard to them.

Folkestone Herald 14 November 1925.

Felix.

“Look at the clock” quoth Winifred Pryce. This quotation from that wonderful book of rhymes “The Ingoldsby Legends” came almost instinctively to my mind as I read the report of certain proceedings in the local Police Court on one of the dull days of last week. A leading part was taken (against her will) by Widow Arthur, who holds the licence of a small public house known as the Star and Garter, in Harvey Street. Her late husband held the licence before her. It was all a matter of looking at the clock. There sat the justices serious of men, and the Magistrates' Clerk and the Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) were there also, each appearing to be weighed down with a sense of responsibility. There was also a big array of constables of all ranks present, and there sat the Widow Arthur (not merry at the time) to face this terrible charge, which practically amounted to not looking at a clock at the right time, or of looking at the wrong clock. Mr. Rutley Mowll championed the cause of the Harvey Street widow.

The principal witness in support of the charge against the defendant was Sergt. Chaney, who declared that the time was 10.15. The Sergt. further declared in his evidence that the time by the clock in the bar was 10.17. Mrs. Arthur said the time was not so much as that, and that she went by St. Michael's Church clock. The Sergeant expressed the opinion that the clock in St. Michael's tower was seven minutes slow by the Town Hall. Then the Sergeant added that his watch stood at ten minutes past the hour. The widow's advocate asked a very pertinent question of the worthy Sergeant; “Which was right, your watch or the Town Hall? Did you listen in for the time at Greenwich?” The officer replied that he went by the Town Hall clock, which he thought was put right every day. The case was dismissed – a decision which no impartial person will call into question. Alderman Wood (one of the justices) advised those interested to keep their watches right in the future. And so I humbly agree. I say with Winifred Pryce “Look at the clock”.

Now let us come to grips, as the costermonger would say. Which clock? There are some people who “go off” directly they seek repose. There are others who do not, probably through indigestion or to the fact of being “light sleepers”. Such people hear the striking of the clocks by night as well as by day. The dear old Parish Church booms out the midnight hour right on the stroke, the Town Hall follows suit, one, two, three, or more minutes afterwards, the Gas Works also tinkles forth the fact that Time is passing perhaps a minute or two before or after any of the times here mentioned, St. Michael's, Radnor Park, and Christ Church following respectively in the same order before or behind. It is most confusing. Some of the clocks have a habit of refusing to go at all for weeks together. Through this cause people have lost trains; through this cause people have been too late to keep their appointments.

For many years past the public clocks of Folkestone have been a snare and delusion. I was present at a meeting of Hospital Governors on Tuesday, when the question arose informally as to the time. There was a mild query as to the precise time. One gentleman pulled his watch out, remarking “We are just on time”. The individual he was addressing differed, and said it wanted a couple of minutes to the half hour (the time of the meeting). Still another kindly gentleman opined that there ought not to be any question about time in these days. I agree. Let the whole of the public clocks (especially those of the striking order) be synchronised. This could be done for a trifle. It would save trouble, and if I might say it in a whisper, also save the use of a lot of non-classical words. At the Folkestone Herald office the clocks have been synchronised for years. It is up to the authorities to exert themselves and keep themselves abreast of science. The Post Office has a signal, I believe, from Greenwich every morning, and from the same source Father Time's flight is registered by wireless every night. Wake up.

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, Saturday 13 February 1926.

On the 19th October, 1925, Annie Arthur, of the "Star and Garter" Public house, for supplying intoxicating liquor during non-permitted hours.

Case dismissed with a caution.

Folkestone Herald 20 March 1943.

Local News.

Mrs. Annie Arthur, licensee of the Star and Garter Inn, Harvey Street, until last week, when the licence was transferred to her daughter, Mrs. Binfield, has been directly connected with the licensing trade for 64 years. At the age of 13 she went to the Princess Royal, in South Street, to work with her future mother-in-law. She married the son, who in November, 1892, took over the licence of the Star and Garter. Her husband died in 1911, and the licence was then transferred to his widow. Mrs. Arthur, who is now 77, told the Folkestone and Hythe Herald that she would not have relinquished the licence of the Star and Garter but for the fact that her daughter had married, and she thought that the daughter should now take charge. Mrs. Arthur has three other daughters, each of whom is married. Her only son served in the Army in the last war, and was killed.

Folkestone Herald 24 April 1943.

Local News.

At Folkestone Police Court on Wednesday music licences for radio installations were granted in respect of the Foresters’ Arms and the Star and Garter.

Alderman R.G. Wood presided with Alderman J.W. Stainer, Mr. P. Fuller and Mr. P.V. Gurr.

Folkestone Herald 26 May 1945.

Obituary.

Mrs. Mary Ann Arthur, whose death at the Star and Garter Inn, Harvey Street, Folkestone, occurred last Friday, had been connected with the licensed trade for over 60 years.

A native of Dover, she was brought to Folkestone at an early age, and when only 13 was employed at a local hotel. Subsequently she held the licence of the Star and Garter for over 50 years, until two years ago, it was transferred to a married daughter.

Mrs. Arthur, who was aged 79, was the widow of Mr. William Arthur, who died in 1911. She leaves four daughters. Her only son was killed in France during the last war. The funeral took place on Tuesday at the Cheriton Road Cemetery.

Folkestone Herald 16 March 1946.

Adjourned Licensing Sessions.

A number of applications were granted at the Folkestone adjourned annual licensing sessions at the Town Hall on Wednesday. The Mayor (Alderman W. Hollands) presided, with Mr. R.G. Wood and Alderman J.W. Stainer.

Mr. B.H. Bonniface, on behalf of Mrs. Dorothy Mabel Binfield, Star and Garter Inn, Harvey Street, Folkestone, applied for a wine licence fin respect of the premises. Mr. Bonniface said at present the premises were licensed to sell beer only. For 52 or 53years the licence had been held by a member of the Binfield family, which would show that the house was doing a fairly substantial trade. All through the war Mrs. Binfield and her husband kept the place open, and their cellars were always kept open for the use of anyone during air raid and shelling warnings. It had recently been found that there were requests for wine, perhaps from members of the younger generation and from friends of the older customers.

The application was granted.

Folkestone Herald 23 January 1960.

Notice.

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

The Chief Constable of Kent,

The Clerk to the Justices for the Borough of Folkestone.

And to all whom it may concern,

I, Dorothy Mabel Binfield, of the “Star and Garter”, Harvey Street, Folkestone, Kent, Licensed Victualler, being the holder of a licence to sell by retail Beer and Wine for consumption on or off the premises known as the “Star and Garter”, in the Borough of Folkestone aforesaid, do hereby give notice that it is my intention to apply at the General Annual Licensing Meeting for the said Borough, to be held at the Town Hall in the said Borough, on Wednesday, the 10th day of February, 1960, at 11 a.m., for the grant to me of a Justices' Licence authorising me to apply for and hold an Excise Licence to sell by retail any intoxicating liquor for consumption on or off the premises known as the “Star and Garter”, in the Borough of Folkestone aforesaid, of which said premises Fremlins Ltd. are the owners and of whom I rent them.

Given under my hand this 18th day of January, 1960.

(Sgd.) Dorothy M. Binfield.

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. Norman Franks, making the application on behalf of Mrs. D.M. Binfield, of the Star and Garter, said the licence had been in her family for the past 65 years.

Folkestone Herald 10 February 1962.

Local News.

It was not the usual Monday night. Chris and Dorrie were serving drinks, and the usual game of darts was in progress. The Star and Garter, Harvey Street, Folkestone, has a proud record for darts, and trophies line the walls, but players and regulars were unusually subdued.

Mr. and Mrs. Binfield., Chris and Dorrie, were retiring. Dorrie, who was born in that same building 61 years ago, and Chris, have “run the local” for nearly 22 years. Their retirement marks the end of a period of 68-69 years during which she inn has been run by a member of Dorrie’s family. The tradition goes still further back; before her father, Mr. Arthur, became landlord of the Star in about 1893, his people had tenanted the Princess Royal, down by the harbour. On the death of Mr. Arthur in 1911 Dorrie’s mother kept the Star going. Dorrie became the official licensee in 1943, but had been helping to run the, place since her father’s death. She and Chris, himself a Folkestone man, married in 1940 on a special licence in order that the house could stay open.

Best suits were in evidence as the regulars, many of whom had known Dorrie for 40 years, and some who even remembered her father, packed the bar on Monday to bid “au revoir”. But certainly not “farewell”, because Dorrie and Chris will no doubt make many visits to their old quarters. They are moving only to nearby Margaret Street.

It was “service as usual’’ for this popular couple, who pulled the familiar pumps for drinks for their friends, until 9 o’clock, when Mr. T. Anderson, Chairman of the Star and Garter Darts Club, made a presentation. “I am sure everybody feels as sad as me that Chris and Dorrie are retiring, but I am saying “cheerio”, not “goodbye”, as we will be seeing them again this side of the bar”, Mr. Anderson said. He then presented Dorrie with an engraved wristlet watch, and Chris with a pocket watch, on behalf of all their friends.

Chris’s reply to the cries for “Speech” was that he had a cold, but Dorrie, holding a bouquet given by one of their many friends, smiling tearfully, replied on behalf of both of them. “We will both see you all, as no doubt we will be dropping in. Thank you all, very much”, she said.

Refreshments were served, and Chris and Dorrie carried on serving.

Folkestone Herald 5 September 1970.

Local News.

When the roof fell in on publican Kenneth Cardno's world he was surprised – but delighted. For down rained relics of a bygone age when gin was only 3s. (15p) a gallon, and the highlight of a family evening at home was a magic lantern show.

Mr. Cardno sat in the bar of his pub, the Star and Garter, in Folkestone’s Harvey Street, surrounded by his treasures, and explained how it happened. “The ceiling of our bedroom was raised after it fell in the First World War”, he said. “We left the windows open during a recent spell of bad weather and the high winds caused the ceiling to collapse. When they rebuilt the ceiling in 1918 they must have sealed off an old attic, which contained bills and other items – dating from 1885 – relating to the pub”. At first Ken did not realise what these were, and his wife, Anne, started to burn the musty old sack they were in, only realising how old the pieces of paper were when the sacking collapsed. The Cardnos have rescued some of these documents – among them a butcher's bill for four pounds of pork costing 2s. 11d (14½p). One of the items rescued was a copy of the old Graphic magazine of 1891, with a front rover of an engraving showing the wreck of the Benvenue, off Sandgate in that year. Other finds include a set of hand-painted magic lantern slides, and a little-used version of one of the first types of primus lamps.

Mr. Cardno now plans to explore another attic which was covered up during renovations. To do so he will take a piece out of a neighbouring wall.

Folkestone Herald 7 February 1976.

Local News.

Rumours that Whitbread Fremlins were closing pubs throughout the Folkestone area because of financial problems were denied this week. Word got round that pubs were being forced to shut after three local houses closed, changed hands or were placed on the market within a matter of weeks.

It is now believed that the Raglan in Folkestone is being offered for sale as a free house, and that negotiations are in hand to open the former Fleur-de-Lis at Sandgate as a club. The Star and Garter, also in Folkestone, is now in temporary use as a social dub. But on Monday, although no official company statement was available, it was made clear that Whitbreads have no ulterior motive for these moves. Any recent closures or changes, it was said, were simply in line with the company’s normal procedures. “There is nothing particularly dramatic going on”, said one employee, who refused to be quoted as a company spokesman. “All brewers are gradually disposing of small houses, particularly those which are unsuitable for modernisation. This is really just a continuation of something that we've been doing since the turn of the century”. He added that the three Whitbread houses in question had all arrived on the market at the same time as “pure coincidence”. “Tenants have left or retired for various reasons and this is just a process that is going on all the time, anyway”, he said.

A spokesman for the Folkestone and District Licensed Victuallers' Association commented “We haven't been told anything officially, but what happens to these houses is entirely up to the brewery. I believe it is what is called rationalisation. If a place is uneconomical, then when it becomes vacant the brewers are going to sell it. After all, they, like a licensee, have to make a living”.