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From an email received 20 February 2015.
Dear Mr Skelton,
I was doing some research on Charles Dickens and by coincidence came
across your website with a photo of our former home in Chatham.
My parents were tenants of this public house (Mr & Mrs Clifford,
Albert Jones and Lydia, Sarah Jones) just before it became known as the
"Chequered Flag." It was a courage house at the time. My father was
quite active in the early days representing the local publicans interest
at courage brewery meetings.
We lived there from 1966 until 1976 and it was called the "Old Barn".
The smaller bar to the rear of the property was not used by my father
at the time. I often used to play there. It looked like time had stood
still back there, lots of old wood, original beer pumps etc.
My parents have both sadly passed away in 2005 and 2008 and
therefore, I can only ask my elder sister what else she can remember. I
think my father also spoke of another name used for this pub was the
"Coach & Horses" in the past. I know another "Coach & Horses" also
existed they were further along from us towards Luton arches. Where Tescos now stands.
I would also be interested in finding out whether our pub was
actually standing when Charles Dickens lived in the Brook after leaving
2 Ordnance Terrace. Sometime between 1812 and 1817. I know he often
returned to Chatham, it brought back fond memories to him, as it does to
me. The dockyard was still thriving in the late 60's early 70's and we
were a naval pub. My father collected ship plaques (many hung behind the
bar) and had a good relationship with the Navy customers.
Our home, the living area beyond the bar and upstairs had a special
atmosphere for me. We had open fireplaces on every floor and sash
windows. We would sit looking down on the high street from our bedroom
windows on summer evenings enjoying watching the people passing by. Some
of course commenting to us. We also watched Easter parades from the same
windows. My bedroom, shared with my younger sister was the one on the
right in the picture on the second floor. We used the first floor on
this side of house as one big "Playing room" we had 2 pianos in it and
some odd bits and pieces. The loft was quite spooky and I didn't much
like going up the last flight of stairs. We even dared to sit on the
roof sometimes again in summer with our cousin. Not that our parents
knew of course. We climbed out a side window in the attic room to the
left of picture and sat behind some concrete balcony posts. Extremely
dangerous I'm sure. The cellar was absolutely spooky. My mother refused
to go down into it on her own late at night. You could people pass by
over the wooden delivery doors outside on the pavement.
I hope this information is of use to you.
Best regards
Jennifer Bichler.
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