The Kent History Forum

Leisure, Sport and Entertainment => Pubs and Hotels => Topic started by: KeithG on June 08, 2020, 01:42:51 PM

Title: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: KeithG on June 08, 2020, 01:42:51 PM
This Pub was our scooterists haunt every Saturday night for about 18 months from Summer 1964
There were approx. 10 of us when all together but of course some did their own thing...I suppose we chose this place as it was out the way on the main bus route to Maidstone and we could all have a good ride home, first one back at Frindsbury Fish Shop afterwards had free sausage and chips. Good times were had in the room where those three windows are on the side a Pool Table and Jukebox.

Sometimes we would go to the Lower Bell and then at 10.30pm closing time because of Maidstone Rules rush up the hill for another pint in the Upper Bell 11.00pm Medway Licensing Rules

One time a Pool player was over enthusiastic and the ball shot off the table and rolled down the four assembled table that were all put together to form a long surface and my mates Pint was standing on the far end. It was all like slow motion and the ball roll all the way down the table and smashed his pint and beer everywhere ...it was just like skittles...the place went ecstatic and mad because of this and the rest of the Pub bars were wondering what on earth had happened.

On the Jukebox they had Tokyo Melody the tune for the 1964 Olympics and i am waiting now to see if in Tokyo in 2021 they have a similar tune?

Anyway a super pub at the time made all the better with such good friendly staff and the licensee...
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: stuartwaters on June 08, 2020, 03:12:37 PM
I read on the old forum that the pub was demolished without planning permission. There were signs on the hoardings around the site saying 'No photography' during the demolition. I think I posted that although they can prevent photography on the site, they can't stop you taking photographs from outside the site boundary. I haven't read of any action taken against the developer for demolishing the building without planning permission.
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: KeithG on June 08, 2020, 03:17:41 PM
Yes that is correct stuart...

Coincidentally when my Stepmother died in 2014 Cremation at Robin Hood Lane and Buffet at the Robin Hood Pub afterwards and of course the route took us to turn right opposite this pub and by then it had just been flattened...i took a picture of it but can`t look at it anymore because of the such good times i had in there.
At one time i would of bought it but came to my senses as it was run down.....i suppose the re-route of the main road finished it off?
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: stuartwaters on June 08, 2020, 03:19:53 PM
It didn't help I guess, though the Lower Bell was still open and apparently thriving the last time I was out that way.
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: KeithG on June 08, 2020, 06:14:37 PM
I don't know how the Lower Bell survived?
Perhaps the junctions of the minor roads nearby and large car park did help.
The Upper Bell was naturally at the end of the highway when the main route was moved and just a pokey car park at the rear?
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: Invicta Alec on June 09, 2020, 09:10:07 PM

On the Jukebox they had Tokyo Melody the tune for the 1964 Olympics and i am waiting now to see if in Tokyo in 2021 they have a similar tune?



Great tune by Helmut Zacharius. I know this coz.....I went out and bought that single in 1964. Still have it somewhere I think.  :)


Alec.

Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: MartinR on June 09, 2020, 09:45:40 PM
Available online: http://www.televisiontunes.com/Olympics_-_1964_-_Tokyo_Melody.html (http://www.televisiontunes.com/Olympics_-_1964_-_Tokyo_Melody.html)
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: KeithG on June 09, 2020, 09:47:34 PM
That's right Alec a great tune and did suit the occasion.
I have the single also from 1964..... I use to put that on the box all the time and it drove my mates mad... One of the girls called Carol used to put on "Google Eye" and she nagged and nagged her boyfriend Mike all evening for another shilling one after the other.
Strange all the times that come flying back?
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: MartinR on June 09, 2020, 10:04:24 PM
Music does that.  I was only a nipper and can't remember anything about the Olympics (to be honest, that's true about pretty well all Olympics), but the tune certainly brings back vivid memories.  Playing with the next-door-but-one lad in his mother's kitchen and hearing this on the radio.  We were both a couple of months short of 8.
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: Smiffy on June 09, 2020, 10:24:28 PM
I seem to remember that at one time it's said that this part of the road was only wide enough to take one coach and horses. So to make sure it didn't become blocked, a bell was rung at either the top or bottom of the hill to indicate if there was a coach on its way up or one going down. The Upper Bell was once known as "The Old Bell Inn".
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: pete.mason on June 10, 2020, 08:58:10 AM
I've heard that tale too Smiffy, no idea if it's true though
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: KeithG on June 10, 2020, 09:27:25 AM
I remember in the 1950's/60's the old Chatham Road all the way up wasn't very wide with turns etc. So probably back then very true.... why have an Upper & Lower BELL?
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: DaveTheTrain on June 10, 2020, 10:24:48 AM
The upper Bell is an unusual property in that it has land on both sides of the road.  The pub which the owner knocked down and a piece opposite, which is in Common Road.  That is shown as the corrugated huts in the pics earlier in this thread. 
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: KeithG on June 10, 2020, 10:53:12 AM

When the advert comes up just cross it out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sUxevnEQTA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sUxevnEQTA)
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: smiler on January 02, 2022, 06:14:10 PM
   I went in here with a mate one evening ordered our beers and stood talking at the bar, the landlord told us to move as this part of the bar was for service only no waiting about as other people may want to be served. He then pointed out double yellow lines that he had painted on the floor. We moved of course but funny thing was we were the only two in the pub.
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: mmitch on January 03, 2022, 09:58:35 AM
When I was a kid I was told that the Lower Bell had extra horses to pull carriages and wagons up the hill. Maybe the bell signal was to arrange this. They would have to return back down the hill.
mmitch.
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: Local Hiker on January 03, 2022, 08:37:50 PM
Regarding the video at #14:-
"This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated."
Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: castle261 on March 15, 2023, 10:37:34 AM
Memory of the Robin Hood pub- brings back memories. My mate & I were on our way to Margate - I was on a 1934 Triumph motor cycle - my mate on an
Ariel motor bike - Well, along the Arterial Road - my bike caught fire - with flames coming out of the exhaust - while we were wondering what to do -
Two Naval Leitenants stopped in their Morgan car - & asked if they could help - they said after looking at my Triumph - " leave it to cool off, we can give
you a lift to town as are station at Pembroke - They took me to the Robin Hood pub - for a drink, then took me home - I was 17 at he time. Nice of them.

Title: Re: Upper Bell Blue Bell Hill
Post by: stuartwaters on March 30, 2023, 10:52:23 AM
I remember a few years ago when the Upper Bell was demolished, it was done without planning consent from Maidstone Council. I did feel that the whole thing smelled a bit fishy and there was an outcry at the time. Especially when the hoarding around the site had notices on it trying to prevent people from taking photos of the demolition works.