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The Clarendon was situated at 76 Luton Road. This pub is now used as a motor cycle shop.

Source: Darkstar

The Clarendon was immediately opposite my grand parents house in Luton Road although the family didn’t use it. Later, in my very early teens, (perhaps 12) I used daringly to go to the off license (Bottle & Jug?) entrance with my cousin and, hoping they didn’t spot our youth, ask for a bottle of Brown Ale. Can’t remember being refused. We then smuggled it to the attic at home and sat down to share it. Sitting in case we might fall over. The height of daring. Many years later, 10 or 12 years, the Clarendon allowed a Big Band to practice in its back room. The pub was on the corner of Hare Street I recall. It was the Medway Dance Orchestra and it specialised in the big band charts of the day. Count Basie thro’ Stan Kenton and more. It was led by the late Wally Scott who was very well known in the area. I played guitar in the band and continued as a semi-pro in the area for another 15 or so years before leaving the towns. These evenings were well supported by locals as the music was of quality and free and the publican (not known to myself) probably enjoyed better business than usual. The musicians were keen drinkers. The Ash Tree on the ‘top road’ and the Tam o’Shanter half way down Chatham Hill later employed local musicians and I worked there and others (Beacon Court etc) frequently. Both the musicians and the publicans benefitted.

John Childs (Decemebr 2020)

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Name	Dates	Comments
Corin Christmas	1972 to closure	This pub was owned by my wife's great aunt and uncle and most of our family frequently used the pub until it closed.