Somerset Guardian and Radstock Observer - 08 September 1944

DRINKS AFTER HOURS

FOUR FINED AT TEMPLE CLOUD

At Temple Cloud Police Court on Wednesday the magistrates were engaged for some considerable time hearing summonses for alleged offences against the licensing acts.

Leonard Pickerihg, coal miner, of 31, Council Houses, Paulton, William Ivor Chivers, coal miner, of 2, Townsend, Paulton, Bert Woodland, a bookbinder, of 13, Townsend, Paulton, with his wife, Alice Woodland, of the same address, were each fined 5s. for consuming Intoxicating liquor on licensed premises during non-permitted hours at Paulton, on July 29th last. A summons against James Woodland, licensee of the Winterfield Inn, Paulton, for supplying drinks to the four named during non-permitted hours, at the same time and place, was dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act on payment of 16s. costs, and £3 3s. advocates' fees.

All the cases were taken together. Mr. G. H. L. Barnes, of Weston-super-Mare, prosecuted for the police, and Mr. W. S. Scammell, of Bristol, represented all the defendants, who pleaded not guilty.

P.S. Blackmore said that at 11.15 p.m. on Saturday, July 29th, he was on duty with P.C. Morrell near the Winterfield Inn, Paulton, and at 11.30 p.m. at the side entrance of the inn, he heard someone inside say 'Bring in another round."

"This is My Round."

Moving over to another window, witness saw the licensee return carrying four pint glasses, which appeared to contain beer, and a number of smaller glasses. The licensee entered the room, and witness moved back to the other window, where P.C. Morrell was standing. Then he heard a voice say, "This is my round, I will see to this." This voice he recognised as Mr. Colburn's, who is staying at the inn.

Witness heard the jingling of coins and further remarks, and then he entered the room through the side door. Inside were four men, two ladies, and the licensee. He saw glasses containing drinks, and asked the licensee the meaning of it. He replied, "This is right, sergeant, they are all staying here."

Witness took their names and addresses. He gave details of remarks the defendants made in explanation of their presence, and said the licensee stated that his brother's wife assisted at the inn with the washing up, and the other two came there to help put up the barrels, generally after closing time, and he gave them a drink for doing it. Witness added that, in fairness to the licensee, he did tell witness before he left that the people were not sleeping on the premises.

This evidence was corroborated by P.C. Morrell.

Helping the Licensee.

James Woodland, the licensee, said it was a usual thing for his brother, Bert Woodland, and his wife to come to the inn on Saturday evenings to assist with the washing up. Before the police came in his brother and sister-in-law and the other two were having a drink, which was given them by witness and no one paid for those drinks.

The other two men helped him with putting up the barrells, and he gave them a drink for it. He declared that the drinks were given all those in the room that night at his own expense, and the included Mr. and Mrs. Colburn, who were staying at his house.

Bert Woodlan declared that he did not pay for anything or anyone else. The drink was given him by his brother, the licensee. A similar statement was made to the Bench by William Ivor Chivers and Leonard Pickering. Mrs Alice Wood was not called.

After consultation in private, the Chairman (Lord Strachie), who say with Mr. E. F. Rees-Mogg, said they had taken into consideration, as regards the licensee James Woodland, his lack of knowledge of his duties as a licensee, and were therefore taking a lenient view of the matter. They dealt with defendants as stated.