Three Crowns, Ruddington: Trading After Hours, 1st July 1916

On 1st July 1916 the landlord of the ‘Three Crowns’,Ruddington, was arrested for serving beer after time.

“EARLY CLOSING ORDER

“RUDDINGTON PUBLICAN SMARTLY FINED.

“Albert Blood, a publican of Ruddington, was summoned at the Shire Hall, Nottingham, on Saturday, for not closing his premises at 9.30 p.m. James King, of Chilwell, Edward Howle, Gladys Watchy, Beartrice Wigley, and Charles Swinton, all of Nottingham, were summoned for aiding and abetting him. Mr. Beck prosecuted for the police.

“P.c. Messures said that at 9.55 p.m. on July 1st he and another constable went into the Three Crowns at Ruddington, and there saw the five defendants. The constables had a special whiskey, and then King ordered three special whiskies, a bottle of beer, and a port wine, which the landlady brought. Meanwhile she bolted the side door, so that no one could come in except through the bar.

“Deputy Chief Constable Harrop said he arrived at the house at ten minutes past ten, and on going into the room behind the bar found the two constables and all the defendants except the landlord. Glasses partly filled stood in front of the girls. He told the landlord he ought to know better, to which the landlord replied that he was very sorry, and that it was the first time.

“Mr. A.E. Huntsman, who appeared for Blood, urged in extenuation that the landlord did not know that his wife had served the drink. The latter, knowing that the party had come in a taxi-car from Nottingham (which was outside the three mile limit) thought they came under the same regulation as Sunday travellers. There were other people in the club-room, and they were only supplied with mineral waters.

“The girls declared that they ordered the drink, but did not consume it, knocking the lot over.

“The Chairman (Mr. T.L.K. Edge): Oh, I see. You were having a lark.

“The publican was fined £10 or a month, and each of the other defendants £1 or 14 days.”

‘Nottingham Daily Guardian’, 24th July 1916.

Image: http://ruddingtonparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/securedownload6.jpg