Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct

Subject: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Sep 05 - 05:50 AM

We are back on the 15th Oct. 8 (ish) till late (ish). We are hoping Debbie and Pat can make it, and that they will tow Mick and Dave down behind their van by their left legs. Fisheye and George will probably be present, and Big Growly Simon and Little Scottish John and Jen. We may have Will and Jude (Fiddlefit) too.

The landlady and landlord have just left for a fortnight on holiday. Guess where? Florida! Rita only has to turn a little right and they will be right in it! They should be back the week before. If not we can make it their wake as well.

Oh yes, now where is it? The Ship, Lower Stoke


We will (if I twist your arms) leave the pub (and the Speckled Hen) by 1 am. All those too pissed to drive welcome to stop the night at my house next door. Bed booking starts now but Tone Def Leopard have suite 1 unless Jeff claims it on bad back grounds. I have 5 bedrooms, some sofas, some inflatable beds and camp beds and by then will probably be down to one caravan and the garden shed (and the attic in the garage).

Guests are required to eat my vegetable chilli stew if still present by 2 pm the following day. In-house curfew will also be applied, I'm fed up with getting to bed at 4 or later.

Don't bring your pets to stay with you unless you want to lose them. Bonnie the Small Dane is about 10 stone and crotchetty with animals, and Benjamin the Border cross is usually very cross, with animals, although Sue seems to be building a rapport. Pet birds get eaten by Schitz (pronounced Skitz, short for schizophrenic) the cat. All 3 of my animals like people, preferably with tomato sauce (this is English humour).

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 23 Sep 05 - 06:11 AM

We will definitely be there although I refuse to make a claim for anyone else.

Looking forward to it we will get to you for about 7pm or earlier if you think it's neccesary, for you to look at the Giannini.

Debs

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: GUEST,The Barden of England at work
Date: 23 Sep 05 - 09:55 AM

Richard - not able to make it again - I'm in Gran Canaria and not arriving back until 16th. October.

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: GUEST,tone deaf leopard
Date: 23 Sep 05 - 07:54 PM

Nice to know we are now residents at the ship, (and suite 1). We can recommend the chilli, it is very tasty and doesn't require toilet rolls to be placed in the freezer - we have eaten it three times and are still alive. Sue says 'hands off ben, I saw him first - we are developing a deep and meaningful relationship!' See you on 15th.

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 25 Sep 05 - 12:08 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Kenneth Ingham
Date: 26 Sep 05 - 04:48 AM

Soundz goot!!!

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Girl Friday
Date: 26 Sep 05 - 08:35 PM

Ok Ken will you turn up this time? Anyone who can't find their way to Lower Stoat needs to consult a medieval map of Kent !If a pair of leopards can sniff out a stoat then surely you can ! The trick is to find your way home after 15 pints of Speckled Hen. This is why accomodation is provided at Bridge Towers ! Trevor has just informed me that Stoat is listed in the Domesday Book . It belongs to the Bishop of Bayeaux (bloke of tapestry fame ?) Maybe we should all be drinking 15 pints of benedictine ! Apparently there is a church and a fishery , must have some friars too, I suppose. No brewery though, such is life. Please pass this on to all your friends who said that they would turn up last time, still, some of them think that Orpington is at the other end of the Universe !

LOWER STOAT NEEDS YOU!!!!

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Sep 05 - 03:27 AM

There is no established church in Lower Stoat. There is a Wesleyan chapel. There is no church of any kind in Middle Stoat - but there is a fishing club that might be the remnant of an old fishery although I doubt it. There is a church of some architectural merit in Upper Stoat. In Allhallows, (the first bit, not Allhallows-on-Sea) there is a church that has stood since well before the reformation and was a model for one in Dickens. During the reformation the altar was "hidden" by being used as a pub table in the pub immediately over the road, the Rose and Crown. You would not guess at a dignified past to look at that pub now though, and the hall in which the table stood has now been subsumed into a bigger bar area. In Allhallows-on-Sea the British Pilot used to have interest as it used to have a dance hall out the back that was made from the upturned hull of a boat/ship but that hall isn't there now.

The church on the Isle of Grain is also of merit. Not far from it is the pub now called the Hogarth Arms. In the C16th it was the house of Hogarth (the Hogarth). He was a debauched sort of chap and his diaries record a debauched weekend spent in Lower Stoat - regrettably in the other pub in the village, the Nag's Head. The original building of the Nag's Head was burned down in the late C19th and replaced with the current building which unfortunately attracts leery yoof and amplified "music".

The Ship and the Nags formed pretty much the opposite corners of the old village square, and my house (in its original form, alas it was rebuilt in the 50s and the 70s with all the finesse of those periods) pretty much a third. The fourth corner was in what is now the car park, after period cottages (alas in disrepair) were removed by the council in I think the 60s. Prior to the 50s a stream flowed through the square, but it is now in a conduit under the road.

The Ship itself was rebuilt in I think the 50s, but it was a term of the planning permission that it had to look fairly like the previous one.

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: GUEST,TDL
Date: 27 Sep 05 - 03:47 PM

Right. We're off to the library to check out Hogarths diaries to see which one of your ancestors was debauched by said Hogarth. Was 'Gin Lane' based on the Bridge household perchance? Much fun was had by all leopards at the ploughing match at Upper Stoat last weekend, especially as we won a bottle of plonk in the raffle. Have asked for this to be sent C/O Streaky and Val, so are not holding out too much hope of receiving bottle with contents still intact - Will donate to 'Apres Ship' session if we do.

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Sep 05 - 02:35 AM

My ancestors did not come from here. I am an arriviste.

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: woodsie
Date: 29 Sep 05 - 12:24 PM

I'm saying nothing!

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Oct 05 - 12:00 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Oct 05 - 03:17 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Girl Friday
Date: 05 Oct 05 - 11:47 AM

ok. Only just got this bloody internet thing to work again. I know you're an aariviste, but we thought it made good reading. No doupt there were ne'er do wells in St Reatham also! Where were you last night? Still getting over Tenterden? This message is not just to Richard, but all the Canopus regulars who have so far failed miserably to find thir way to The Good Intent in John Street, Rochester. Ever up for a challenge, mumbling len was singing stuff tjhat he'd never done, or hadn't for twenty years ! Next date is October 18th.

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Oct 05 - 03:52 PM

I've got an overload at work situation....

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Essex Girl
Date: 06 Oct 05 - 10:45 AM

Will try to get to the Good Intent sometime. Not 18th october though cos I'll be in warmer climes. (Half term holiday, taking the family to Florida.) The Good Intent is a great pub. Excellent beer and an appreciative landlady.

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 07:07 PM

The posters are in.

Pat the local is hinting we may get a Dylan medley from him.

Another grass has told me of the whereabouts of a local squeezer, so we may go and twist his arm.

We expect Pat and Dipsodeb (and Gianinni for attention), Fisheye and George, and Tone Deff Leopard - and maybe Slatts and Dilligaff - and maybe Will and Jude (Fiddlefit).

Jeff Cole is a maybe.

Big growly Simon is a probable and also littleJohn and Jen.

What other beds shall I make up????

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: The Barden of England
Date: 08 Oct 05 - 06:16 AM

I'll be thinking of you as I shall be in a big silver bird in the sky at that time, returning from Gran Canaria. Have a good one all and don't let that Spotted Rooster bite too much!!
John Barden

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: GUEST,simonb
Date: 08 Oct 05 - 10:50 AM

'Big Growley Simon' has bought a banjo, so anyone thinking of attending would be well advised to arm themselves with ear protectors

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 Oct 05 - 12:17 PM

Big Growly Simon may wish to take the machine heads off before playing. It makes the final resting place so much more comfortable....

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Girl Friday
Date: 08 Oct 05 - 12:55 PM

Be very afraid - mumblin len has aquired a mandola. When I let Richard tune it at Tenterden I had no idea it would spound like a banjo when played ! Andy Smythe can play it properly though, but I wasn't allowed to give it to him ! If all those people are coming to Lower Stoat how come they can't find John Street ?

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 Oct 05 - 04:30 PM

And the shape of the mandola means that after removal of the machine heads it can reach the places short neck banjos cannot reach.....

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: GUEST,simonb
Date: 09 Oct 05 - 02:28 PM

If my marriage of 34 years, survives the banjo, next year's birthday wish list will include bagpipes. Watch this space

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Oct 05 - 04:05 PM

You smoke too much to blow bagpipes...

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Gwenzilla
Date: 09 Oct 05 - 07:51 PM

I have no idea where Stoat is. Should I worry about getting to know you people? Should I fear the mere idea of Speckled Hen?

Gwen
(yes, that Gwen)

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 12:19 AM

Lower "Stoat" is Lower Stoke, North Kent, England. Link to Multimap above.

Speckled Hen is a strong English bitter beer (5.2%abv).

I'm sorry, I don't get the "that Gwen" reference. Could you clarify please?

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Gwenzilla
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 04:16 AM

"I'm sorry, I don't get the "that Gwen" reference. Could you clarify please?"

I was being flip, I'm afraid. I'm nobody special, just a musician who's recently moved to the UK and started visiting some of the folk clubs in my area (southeast London). I recognised a couple of names on this thread and figured it was as good a place as any to let those people know that I'm here, too.

Thank you for the clarifications: as a newcomer, I really didn't know where or what, and now I do. Apologies for silliness.

-Gwen

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 05:23 AM

No apologies, please. This is England, and silliness is obligatory.

You ought to see Richard after a tussle with the dotty chicken.

Welcome to England Gwen.

Don T.

BTW, Richard, I shall make every effort to get there on Saturday next, providing that my current monster cold has given me back my voice and wind.

DT

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Gwenzilla
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 07:43 AM

I have looked at this map. I had to zoom out really far to find one place that I have ever been before (Gravesend). This country is big and skeery, even if it looke like you should be able to drive from one end of it to the other in a day. Somehow I doubt there is any public transport, which means I'll be sticking to my little forays around London for the time being, I think.

-Gwen

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 08:40 AM

Gwen, there is a tribe coming from south London, PM Fisheye or Dipsodeb or even Woodsie if he gets organised, or Girl Friday and I'm sure you can scam a lift down and back. Fisheye gets up to go home at some stupid time in the morning, but Girl Friday and Mumblin Len usually stay for the vegetable stew - which will be on time sharp at noon(ish) this session as I have work to do before the Monday....

Silliness is mandatory, Don is quite right.

Don, if your voice is back, do bring it. If your wind is back, please leave it at home.....

Public transport to Lower Stoat - No! It'd be train to Gravesend or Chatham, and bus that takes about an hour or so to achieve 7 miles.

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Gwenzilla
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 09:07 AM

Hm-- I'll ask people at the Tudor Barn on Wednesday and see what they say, then. Might be at least a little fun to spend some time out of the house on a weekend for a change.... We shall see. Do you like harps?

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 01:21 PM

Love Harps, so long as they are not lagers

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Gwenzilla
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 04:27 PM

Nope, not lager! If you're curious, you can see what it is that I do at:

http://www.harpetrator.com

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 05:49 PM

Looks interesting

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 06:33 PM

Well if that's who I think it is she is fantastic... I hope you make it.

~Debs~

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 09:03 AM

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Gwenzilla
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 07:58 PM

The weekend's completely up in the air, but I will ask around at Eltham tomorrow night.

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: GUEST,simonb
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 03:43 PM

Gwen
   I shall be driving from Rochester to Lower Stoat on Saturday, leaving my car there and getting a cab back. If I can give you a lift, post it on this site. Y

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: growler
Date: 12 Oct 05 - 04:09 PM

You can also witness the insertion of the banjo, including the machine heads

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 03:45 AM

Saw Gwen last night but no mention of the weekend!! However it looks like there might be a few more from the Barn Richard. Annie and possibly her sister Monica would like to come is there a space for them to sleep over and also she has offered a lift to Woodsie so perhaps him too.

Debs

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: GUEST,Gwenzilla, at the House
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 08:07 AM

Ack, Debs, I completely forgot to ask! J was not feeling well and blah-ti-blah-ti-blah knitting blah cheese blah carnivorous millipedes, that kind of thing.

As it turns out, I'm probably going to have to end up at an event at the Cecil Sharp House this weekend; it's one of those things that most of the staff are coming to, and I haven't had a chance to attend lots of events here yet other than Sharps on Tuesdays. If things change I'll give a shout!

-gz

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 12:03 PM

Yes, I think I can manage to provide a room for Annie and sister - it may turn out to be futon or inflatable lilo on floor and sleeping bag, or alternatively the caravan (on a hookup with a fan heater if needed) or it might be daughter's room with double bed. I expect some of the men will give up their beds and use sofas in stead, being gentlemen.....

Total acommodation comprises

1.my room (a double but that is of no consequence unless I surrender it to a couple and use the sofa or floor myself)

We'll solve it somehow!

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 12:15 PM

I'll start that again.

Total accommodation comprises: -

1.    my room (a double but that is of no consequence unless I surrender it to a couple and use the sofa or a floor myself)

2.    guest bedroom (large double, usually used by Girl Friday and Mumblin Len) (or Jeff on grounds of his bad back)

3.    daughter's bedroom (double) - she now lives Nottingham

4.    daughter's former sitting room (double futon, probably two individual duvets)

5.    former sewing room (currently single put you down, could be double lilo or two single lilos at a push.

6.    large drawing room with one large sofa and one small sofa and space for about 4 on the floor

7.    caravan, twin singles or can be rigged as double

8.    large upstairs landing could take camp bed or two inflatable single beds but not much privacy

9.    After that it's the garage which does have a very cramped and somewhat musty area in the loft with old sunbed mattresses

10.   Finally we reach the summerhouse but it is neither v. warm nor v. convenient as I'd need to empty it and clean it thoroughly first, but if I did it would be a small chalet with room for a single or maybe just two small singles.

Fisheye and George know the layout

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Dead Horse
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 08:01 PM

It so transpires that I myself may be able to bless you all with my presence! Unless the wife & I kiss and make up that is. Was going to Canterbury with her, but now look to be free that night, and not driving my bus (that takes an hour to cover 7 miles) past the door. So sea shanties and rude parodies may be heard once again.
And who are all these people who delight in telling us that they are in warmer climes, eh? Ban 'em, I say!

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Girl Friday
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 10:17 PM

Is Dead Horse who I think he is? Does he have a brother with a rather large drum ? If all of you make it to Stoat, Sal with have to get in extra barrels of Spotty Chicken. Hope none of them, bar this Jeff bloke nick my bed! Vis a vis John Street... good news... the leopards won't be attending the next two sessions. That means it is safe for the rest of you to go.

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Dead Horse
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 02:31 AM

No drums in our family! Its bad enough with a triangle :-)

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 Oct 05 - 04:10 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Dead Horse
Date: 15 Oct 05 - 06:51 AM

Bugger! We is all made up agin, so I is goin ta Canterbrie.
It aint Grand Canneries or Flourida, but its still furren and we will be eatin an dancin cajun style insted of singin da hinglish.

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 15 Oct 05 - 09:09 AM

Cold is still raging, I have a voice like Dylan on Moggadon, and with the coughing and spluttering as an unwanted, off tempo accompaniment, plus the fact that I am probably lethal at short range, I think I'd better think it out again. Maybe next time.

Don T.

PS. Y'all have a great time.

Subject: RE: Pub song/ssn N. Kent (UK) Sat 15 Oct
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 Oct 05 - 11:22 AM

Don, please keep your avian infection (and get better)!

Dead Horse, do many different horse impersonations while the going is good.

The rest of you bloody better come, I've been hoovering and making beds etc for flaming hours!!

Up to 14 can sleep in reasonable comfort (partly depending on who whats to sleep with whom...) After that, although I have inflatable mattresses and sofas, and blankets, pillows and sleeping bags are getting scarce....