Arthur Henry Foulger (1858-1943) was a publican and musician. At different times, he ran two Cambridge pubs: the Brewer’s Arms (Gwydir St) and the Bakers Arms (Shelly Row). At the same time, he ran a string band.
Thomas Askham – the defendant
In 1900 Foulger ended up taking Thomas Askham, another local publican (Woodman’s Arms, Newmarket Road) to court. Askham was also the entrepreneurial MC of the Grand Circus of Varieties in Auckland Rd.
Foulger sued for £17, the price alleged to have been agreed upon for the hire of a 5-strong string band for three weeks. Foulger insisted that the band were all competent players and that Askham had said that it was the best band they had had. However, at the end of the second week of the engagement, Foulger was informed that his services would not be required for the rest of the gig. He was told that there was a London band coming.
Up till then, all had appeared to be going well – Maud D’Auldin, (The only Lady Sword Swallower in the World) and the “Four Musical Japs” had been drawing in the crowds but the dispute arose over the accompaniments for a singer and “character comedian, from the leading London Music Halls” Jenny Lynn.
Foulger maintained that the artiste was inferior: she could not sing, and had no music, which made it impossible for the band to accompany her correctly.
Askham said that there had been a great many complaints about the band, and that he had frequently complained about it to Foulger. When Jenny Lynn was singing, the band had stopped playing mid-number on three different night necessitating the lady’s sister to step in and accompany her.
The Jury returned a verdict in favour of Foulger. The judge said that he had not the slightest doubt of the correctness of the verdict, and gave judgment accordingly.
Sources: Cambridge Independent Press – Friday 20 July 1900