From the Comet, July 24, 1963

A landlord tried to avoid a fine by suggesting a drunk, caught glass in hand in his pub, might have wandered in off the street.

The landlord, licensee of the Jolly Brewers in Clarence Street, was eventually found guilty of allowing the man to get drunk and fined £10 10s.

His lawyer had told Kingston Magistrates’ Court the man’s presence did not necessarily mean he had been served in the pub.

The landlord told the court it was his habit to make circular tours of the pub in the evening.

On the evening the police arrived there were about 200 people in the house.

He said he did not see the man, who later appeared at court and admitted being drunk.

The landlord’s lawyer, Mr F Hudson, said he would appeal against the conviction.

Inspector Donald Smith, who went to the pub that night, said he found a man slumped against the wall with his eyes glazed over.

He said: “His breath smelled very strongly of drink.”

Two people were charged with being drunk in the Jolly Brewers.

Another landlord, Mr Charles Coles, was found not guilty of the charge of permitting drunkenness on his premises on March 15 and June 15.

In his case, two policemen told the court they entered the pub and saw a Mr Fowler with another man who was pouring beer into his mouth.

Mr Fowler was brought into Kingston police station, and was bailed at 4am.

He was too drunk to sign his own name on the charge sheet.

Mr Fowler agreed he was drunk, but denied anyone had assisted his drinking.

He told a previous hearing: “I was a bit merry, but not drunk.”

Denying the charges, Mr Coles told the court: “It is impossible to check all who come in here.”

 

50 years ago: July 24, 1963

Surrey flower arrangers won awards at the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies’ summer show.

Members won prizes against competition from all over the UK.

As with all national shows, members of the Surrey society helped in many ways with the event organisation.

 

25 years ago: Friday, July 22, 1988

A Surrey Comet reporter was the only audience member to watch a folk singer at a music festival in California.

To the reporter’s surprise the singer was alumni of St Mary’s College, Twickenham.

Martin Black moved to the US to attend Berkley University in California.

 

10 years ago: Thursday, July 24, 2003

Libraries and museums along the Thames launched a new online resource about the river.

The Thames Pilot Partnership collated documents and images from communities along the river, including Kingston.

The website and information store containing the 5,000 items is still freely available to all.

Got memories of the borough you want to share? Email newsdesk@surrey comet.co.uk.