From the Dover Express 9 April 1998 by Bob Hollingsbee.

Harry Harris sent this picture to Bob Hollingsbee in 1997 and says she is now now living away but her mother lives in Valley Road, River. The above picture is of Guston outside the old Plough Inn. The postcard must date from the early part of the century. He says his grandfather, also Harry, is in the centre of the group of three children and later became a licensee of the Plough.

THIS picture left, of former Plough Inn, Guston licensee Harry Harris with two of his friends was of considerable interest to 86-year-old great grandmother Mrs Ada Broadley who lives near the family's Lenacre Farm, in Forge Lane, Whitfield.

On the left of the group was her grandfather Frederick Claringbould who was also a licensee for some time - at the Swingate Inn, on the Dover to Deal road. "That was until 1910 when his son, William, my father, took over," Mrs Broadley told me.

Her grandfather then took Westcliffe, St Margaret's.

"My father was at the Swingate Inn until the First World War when he was called up.

"Mum had five children and could not afford to stay on so the family moved to Ashley. After the war Dad ran a farm at Oxney Bottom, Ringwould for a Major Banks.

"But, about 1921, we moved to Solton Close, East Langdon."

In 1934 the young Ada Claringbould married farmer Edward Broadley who, in 1974 took over Lenacre Farm, Whitfield from his father William.

"Then, about 1976 our son Keith who lives in Lenacre farmhouse took over."

Mrs Broadley and her husband, who also have a daughter Jean, have just celebrated 64 years of marriage.

They have four grandchildren and the latest addition to the family, is their fourth great-grandchild, Daniel Marshall, who was born on February 1.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 19 May 1939.

LANDLORD AND VISITORS FINED

At the Wingham Petty Sessions, at Dover on Thursday, Henry Digby Turner, licensee of the Plough Inn, Guston, was summoned for selling intoxicating liquor otherwise than during the permitted hours on 22nd April, and further for supplying drinks after hours.

Defendant pleaded not guilty to both summonses.

Charles Edward Thorpe, a butcher, of Queen Street, Deal, James Casbolt and Charles Whittle, of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, Dover and Thomas Wellard of Guston, were summoned for consuming intoxicating liquor after hours.

 Defendants pleaded not guilty.

The summons against Turner were taken first.

Mr Eric Weale, County Prosecuting Solicitor, after outlining the evidence, said that it was quite clear that there was a money transaction, and it had been decided in the past that it was not necessary to see money passed providing that there was evidence to support the fact that money was passed and that evidence could support the fact that there was a sale of some description.

Police Sergeant Wood, St. Margaret's-at-Cliffe, said that at 11 p.m. on 22nd April, with P.C. Witherden and .C. Hobby, he went to the garden of the Plough Inn, Guston. As they entered the lights of a car were turned on outside the public house and a car was driven away in the direction of Dover. They took up a position against the window of the rear room of the public house. The blind was down, and there was a space at each side, but not enough for them to be able to see any of the occupants. He could hear laughing and talking among the occupants and heard coins dropping on wood, and voices saying "Cherio". The conversation was about Dover, and a female voice said, _____ Dover" and "_____ Dover." The talk then changed to darts. Then followed general talk about the distance to London. He could repeatedly hear glasses being placed on wood. Then the talk changed to hanging up game, and a male voice said. "What are you going to have?" That was 11.20 p.m. The same voice then said, "How much?" Another voice, which he afterwards found was the landlord's, said "Ten and eight and eighteen, and three, that's 1s. 9d. altogether." There followed a general discussion about the prices. he heard coins rattle, and the landlord's voice said, "Another penny, Tom." At 11.20 p.m. witness with P.Cs, Witherden and Hobby, entered the house through the side door, and in the room saw five men and one woman - the wife of the licensee. She was sitting on Thorpe's knee, and a small monkey was sitting on her lap. The other men were also in the room. He told them he as going to report them for consuming intoxicating liquor on licensed premises after hours, and the licensee that he would be reported for selling and supplying after hours. Mrs. Turner said, "Come in and have one," Casbolt and Whittle said, "No money has passed." Wellard declined to make a statement, but tried to leave the room quietly, being stopped by P.C. Hobday. Defendant Turner said, "I have entered these gentlemen to be a convivial evening after I had closed. There was no money passed." Then for some unknown reason Turner wrote in witness' book, "Sgt. Wood, you know the door was not locked." Thorpe at first said he had no explanation, and then said, "I brought the meat up, and I was asked to have a drink and had one." There were two Guinnesses in front of Thorpe and Mrs. Turner, and each of the other defendants had a glass containing beer in from of him. The soldiers continued to drink whilst witness was there.

Defendant: You didn't see my wife sitting  on the butcher's lap, you saw her sitting on the arm of the chair, to start with? - My evidence is the same as I gave it at first. Thorpe was sitting on the chair, on his lap was Mrs. Turner, and on her lap was a little monkey.

Defendant said that he gave the "Corporal" a convivial evening because they had been there once or twice before.

In reply no further questions by Turner, witness said that he did not see Thorpe arrive. If the Police had arrived on top of Thorpe witness did not see him.

P.C. Hobby, East Langdon, and P.C. Witherden, Ringwould, gave similar evidence, and the latter said he heard Mrs. Turner say, " I am not going to pay for any _____ beer in Dover."

Turner giving evidence, said that he was entertaining two soldiers from the Connaught Barracks, Wellard was his potman who cleared away after they closed and scrubbed out, and Thorpe cam in afterwards to deliver some meat, and witness asked him if he would have one. Witness told Thorpe, "We are celebrating. One of these soldiers is going away, and so am I." No money was passed. None of the drinks was paid for, they all came out of witness' pocket. Turner added that he was due to leave the "Plough" on 23rd March, and his time expired on 10th April, but he had not yet left. If the brewers had acted as they should have done he would not have been in the house on 22nd April.

Mr. Weale: Does Wellard live on the presises? - No.

He was drinking beer, though? - What I was giving him.

What about the conversations the three officers overheard? - I don't see how they were in a position to hear such a trumped up yarn.

How much is Guinness? - Sevenpence.

What is the price of the other beer? - Beer is fourpence a pint.

You suggest the Police Officers made this conversation up?

Defendant did not answer.

Mr. Weale: Is any one of the defendants known as Tom? -  Yes, Mt. Wellard.

It is rather curious they should have known his name? - Well, he is well known to the police because he is a special constable.

You say the conversation about money is wrong? - Yes.

Although there were three officers present? - Yes, there was no money handled by anyone. I gave all the drinks after time.

So no money was taken out of anybody's pocket at all? - There was a halfpenny on the table, and that was given to the monkey to play with.

So that someone saying "Cherio" and "How much is it?" is a prevarication on the part of the Police? - Yes.

You were certainly entertaining these people at the time? - Yes.

How often do you entertain? - Not often.

It is amazing that one of the few nights on which you entertain people Constables should take it into their heads to watch your premises. It is strange, that? - Yes. My opinion is that they were following Mr. Thorpe, and as the Sergeant is dead keen on motor cars he thought he might catch someone driving while drunk.

Thomas Wellard said he was standing in the bar. He never paid for any drinks, and was there clearing up because he had the church fires to see to on Sunday morning.

By Mr. Weale: He served out the beer because he drew it off when the landlord told him. No one had paid for beer. The monkey had been playing with the coin. He had assisted Mr. Turner to clear up, and was not paid to do so.

James Casbolt, a soldier, said he was there at the invitation of the landlord. He paid no money for his drinks, but he gave the monkey a halfpenny.

Thomas Whittle said that he was going away from Dover, and the "guvnor" of the pub was also going away, so witness was asked if he would have a drink. Witness did not pay for any drinks.

Mr Weale: How long have you known the landlord? - Since the previous Wednesday.

Have you know such friendship amongst landlords before as to ask you to stay and have a drink when you had only known him such a short time? - No I have not.

With regard to any money passing you were busy in conversation with your friend, and would not be paying a lot of attention to whether anyone paid? - No.

Turner said that everything that was drunk that night after closing time was given to him, and no intoxicating liquor was sold.

After a short retirement, the Chairman (Viscount Hawarden) said that the defendant was found guilty.

Fined £5 and two guineas costs towards the prosecution: Defendant was allowed two months in which to pay.

Casbolt, Whittle, Wellard and Thorpe were then dealt with. The first three appeared and pleaded not guilty, and Mr. F. A. Tucker (Sandwich) appeared for Thorpe, and pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Weale said that the evidence was the same as for the previous summonses.

P. Sgt. Wood, replied to Mr. Tucker and that he could not debate the point whether Thorpe arrived in the room a few moments before him.

Mr. Tucker: What did Thorpe say? - He said, "I have brought the meat."

And there was a package on the table? - Yes.

Did someone invite you to open that? - I believe they did, but I did not do so.

You did not doubt his story at all? - No, I know he is the butcher supplying the house, and I know he is a frequent visitor.

Turner giving evidence on Thorpe's behalf, said that he had known Thorpe for three or four years, and he had been supplied with meat by him during that time. When Thorpe came in with the meat on the night in question witness asked him what he was going to have, and gave him a Guinness. The Police arrived practically on top of Thorpe.

Mrs. Turner gave similar evidence.

All the defendants stated that the landlord gave them all the drinks.

Wellard, Whittle and Casbolt were fined 10s. each, and Thorpe was fined £1, the Chairman (Mr. Burgess) remarked that he should have known better than to have been there at that time of night.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 16 June 1939.

The license of the "Plough" Inn, Guston, was transferred from Mr. Henry Digby Turner to Mr. James Henry Fisher,