Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK

Subject: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 06:03 PM

It's that time again.

Pete Hicks (Skinner's Rats, Slattery, ex the legendary Crayfolk, ex one of Lonnie Donegan's sidesmen, ex Dickie Bishop and the sidekicks) and Val Hicks are pubsitting again, so there will be a session and song.

It's on Sunday the 15th February at the Fenn Bell, which is a cracking pub old building large log fires etc, technically in a village called St Mary Hoo (officially designated "sleepy" by the government when it proposed to flatten it entirely for "Cliffe" Airport (which was not at Cliffe, and now will, hooray, not be anywhere)). It will (probably) start at about lunchtime (you may as well get there at noon and drink steadily, the beer is good) and end when the last people get bored, which might be about 4 or 5 pm or it might be about midnight!

I cannot give you the postcode, but it's 10 minutes by car from Rochester or Gravesend. Join the new Frindsbury bypass (A228) either from the A2, near the M2 junction, or from the Medway tunnel. Public transport - forget it unless you want to take hours by bus (if any) or at least a tenner by taxi, to achieve the equivalent of a ten minute drive from the nearest mainline railway stations (Rochester, Strood, Higham, Gravesend. No taxis or buses at Higham).

From the A228, Turn North onto the A289, heading for Thamesport and the Isle of Grain, at the big roundabout. Straight on at the first roundabout (about 4 miles). The second roundabout has three exits only. Do NOT go to High Halstow. In about 800 yards you will see more luminous chevrons than you have ever seen before. This is because the A289 turns right but quite often the trucks do not, but damage the scenery instead. You go (almost, do slow down first) straight on, onto Ratcliffe Highway or Fenn Street (different names, same road). In about 200 yards you will see the Fenn Bell on the right.

You are likely to find Pete, most of Skinner's Rats, and Slattery, our own Dave Bryant, your humble rapporteur, quite a slab of Bishop Gundulf Morris, possibly Don (Wysiwyg) Thompson, maybe if we are lucky (and Don can do his transport) our own Wild Rover, perhaps the Barden of England, maybe a very fine traditional-ish Scottish singer by name of John Matthews, and if I can tempt him an excellent ex-Edinburgh singer-songwriter, Richard Matthewman, etc etc.

Some of the previous such sessions have been pretty fine, with instruments from upright bass, the usual guitars and mandolins, whistles and drums, recorder(s) etc to 120 bass accordian used as a midi driver, and keyboards. Not to mention the 12-string player from hell, and a very pretty very old tenor banjo.

If experience teaches, performances will range from unaccompanied English trad with or without harmony, via tunes and contemporary acoustic (including American folk) to Fiffle (something somewhere between folk and skiffle). And maybe some traditional folk songs performed acoustically written by the Rolling Stones or Buddy Holly too.

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dead Horse
Date: 08 Feb 04 - 04:30 PM

I aim to be there, too. (I am a member of Gundulphs Morris)
<"Fenn Bell, which is a cracking pub">
I can vouch for that, having cracked my head on the low beams more than once.
I also taught Pete all I know, so there will be sea shanties. lol.
I am sure that any catter who requires a lift from the Medway Towns area can be catered for if they let us know via this thread

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 06:04 AM

Heres's the map reference for the Fenn Bell. Not much more to add except DON'T MISS IT as this only happens when Pete & Val are looking after the pub so It could be some time before another one.

Great Pub - Great Session. Linda & I will be there.

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 04:26 AM

Whch reminds me to correct my instructions abov ehow to get there - I had my A 289 and my A228 transposed. Correct version: -

Join the new Frindsbury bypass (A289) either from the A2, near the M2 junction, or from the Medway tunnel. Public transport - forget it unless you want to take hours by bus (if any) or at least a tenner by taxi, to achieve the equivalent of a ten minute drive from the nearest mainline railway stations (Rochester, Strood, Higham, Gravesend. No taxis or buses at Higham).

From the A289, Turn North onto the A228, heading for Thamesport and the Isle of Grain, at the big roundabout. Straight on at the first roundabout (about 4 miles). The second roundabout has three exits only. Do NOT go to High Halstow. In about 800 yards you will see more luminous chevrons than you have ever seen before. This is because the A228 turns right but quite often the trucks do not, but damage the scenery instead. You go (almost, do slow down first) straight on, onto Ratcliffe Highway or Fenn Street (different names, same road). In about 200 yards you will see the Fenn Bell on the right.

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 05:08 AM

It's easiest to look at the map which I posted - anyway if you start taking advice or instructions from a lawyer, he'll probably charge you for it !

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dr Will C U Now
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 01:05 PM

Hey, DH. Might take you up on that offer if "certain-squeezebox-murderer-who-shall-remain-nameless" will NOT be there?

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: breezy
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 01:10 PM

mmmmmmmmmm

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 03:39 PM

Slight correction.

People will be eating lunch (the source of all profit in pubs) till about 2, so session not starting till 2.30, but if you just want to get pissed (or eat lunch but book first) still arrive at noon.

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dead Horse
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 04:31 PM

Can I start to get pissed at 2:30?
That way I will stay (relatively) in tune a little longer:-)

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 04:20 AM

I don't know what the "mmmmmmmmmm" was about Breezy - but you'd know the host from years ago - the tall streaky one with glasses (used to look a little like Hank Marvin) who played 12-string and sang with "The Crayfolk" - residents at the old Dartford FC. They did several bookings at the old Catford Club.

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 08:53 AM

He broke or lost his new glasses recently and was using some old ones that really suited the Buddy Holly songs!

And BTW Dave, you'd be amazed how many people can't read maps.

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 09:20 AM

Yes, I suppose the assumption that all people can read maps is rather sexist, as it exludes most women.

. . . . Ducking and sprinting for cover !

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: GUEST,Penny S. (elsewhere)
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 12:00 PM

Interesting side issue. could women read maps designed by women?

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dead Horse
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 02:04 PM

Second left past the clothes shop where they sell those naff handbags. Straight on to where that nice Mrs Watkins had her poodle run over by a bus. At the crossroads where you see daffodils in the spring you turn left again and go past the wool shop. There is a pub up that road, somewhere..............
(runs away even faster than Dave)

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 12:42 PM

. . . . . what's the betting that the road with the pub in it, is "NO ENTRY" ?

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: My guru always said
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 05:44 AM

Any room for a little 'un? Might be able t9o get across to this....

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dead Horse
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 08:06 AM

Always room for little 'un, even if we have to chuck Dave outside in the cold!

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: My guru always said
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 08:27 AM

Cheers DH!!!

Has anyone gor a Postcode for this pub so that I don't have to try reading all these directions while I'm driving?????

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dead Horse
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 08:23 PM

Looked for post code, came up with zilch.
Basically, you just follow signs for Allhallows and ya aint gonna miss it!

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: My guru always said
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 05:16 AM

Ta muchly DH! Maybe see you there, still not sure! Have fun anyway...

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dead Horse
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 03:56 PM

Good, wasn't it?
And our hostess Val provided free grub as an added extra.
Pity I had to drive, or you would have had the privilege of seeing me slide under the table!

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 03:56 AM

Yep, excellent.

There is some speculation about Dr Will's post above.

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 05:09 AM

It was a great session as usual - thanks to Pete and Val for making us so welcome and especially to Val for the excellent food.

I counted nine mudcatters there: Richard Bridge, Wyziwyg (with a z), Dead Horse (and the adorable Kate), My guru always said, Richard Atkins, John of Elsies' Band, Blossom, and of course Essex Girl and myself.

Pete and Val should soon be online, so look out for a new mudcatter - probably called "Streaky".

Richard, why not try PMing Dr Will.

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: GUEST,JOHN FROM ELSIE`S BAND
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 06:57 AM

Yes Dave,
          A pleasant afternoon with good music, fine tap dancing and tasty tucker. Pete and Val, many thanks.
John

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Dr Will C U Now
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 03:27 PM

Speculation? What speculation? Explain yourself, sirrer!

Subject: RE: Fenn Bell Ssn Rochester Kent UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 07:47 PM

Oh 'tis much more fun to see what happens in the glare of the public forum.

But did anyone else notice someone was keeping quite quiet, and is there a connection?

And what is the story of nineteen inches later that night?

And is there a connection??

And is there less in this than meets the eye?

Or ear?