From the http://www.kentonline.co.uk by Hayley Robinson. 19 April 2015.

Shaun Egan, owner of Dancing Dog Saloon, Bobbing, says mum Rita, 84, owes her life to being partially deaf.

An elderly woman was sitting behind the door of a Bobbing pub just moments before a car ploughed through it.

Had it not been for the fact Rita Egan, 84, is partially deaf, her son Shaun, who runs the "Dancing Dog Saloon," believes it may have been a different story.

The 58-year-old said: "Mum lives in River Drive, Strood, but comes down on a Sunday. She was immediately behind the front door, about four foot away diagonally.

"But about a minute before it happened she got up to walk to the other end of the bar to hear what someone was saying to her. She said it's the first time she was glad she is partially deaf.

"She's fine but obviously glad she got up. We're certainly thanking our lucky stars."

Mr Egan was standing behind the bar when he heard a loud bang just before 5.40pm today. Five people were also inside the watering-hole at the time. Nobody was injured.

"I just grabbed the phone and called 999," he said.

"I could see the car but I couldn't get out because of the rubble. There was a young lad inside the vehicle.

"There was already someone who stopped outside and was seeing to him. Then the ambulance arrived, the fire brigade and the police."

It's understood the car was travelling along Sheppey Way towards Bobbing when it mounted the pavement before demolishing two picnic benches and hitting the building.

He added: "I've run it for 12 years and nothing like this has happened in my time, although I know there was a fatality the other end of the pub about 15 years ago.

Police, ambulance and Kent Fire and Rescue Service were all called to the accident.

"It's the national speed limit along that road but it's never worried me before because just before I bought it, the council moved the road away from the pub to make it safer and we've not had a problem."

Thanks to the customers who were in the boozer at the time, Mr Egan has managed to clear some of the rubble.

"I'm sure I'll give them a free drink," he said.

A structural engineer was expected to attend the site to assess the damage tonight.

Police confirmed no injuries were reported.

From the https://www.whatpub.com By Chloe Holmwood, 29 May 2017.

Dancing Dog Saloon hosts film crew and cast including former Bill actor.

A country and western bar is to feature on the big screen after it was used for a movie shoot.

The Dancing Dog Saloon at Bobbing was transformed for an upcoming feature film by production company Reel Entertainment.

The film, Life and Times of Holly Turner, will tell the true story about a mixed-race woman from Louisiana who was brought up by her white father and her three half-brothers in the heartland of racial hate in the United States in the 1930s.

Former 'Bill' actor Jeff Stewart during filming at The Dancing Dog Saloon.

Actor Jeffrey Stewart, best-known for his role as PC Reg Hollis in the ITV drama The Bill, is playing the role of Jack Sweeney, a farmer and close friend of Holly’s father Bill Turner.

Kevin Stone, of Channel 5’s Mind the Age Gap, is Sheriff George Hawkins.

Asked how the filming was going, Richard Phillips, director, screenwriter and producer, who owns Reel Entertainment, said: “It’s fabulous. So far it’s been good. I haven’t had a hiccup yet and long may that continue.”

Cast and crew at the Dancing Dog Saloon.

The 62-year-old, who lives in Newington, added: “The shoot at the Dancing Dog was a great day. It’s just been a brilliant experience and I’m looking forward to the rest of it.”

The Dancing Dog Saloon was taken back in time earlier this month, from the 1860s to the 1930s, using props, lighting effects, green screens and, of course, character costumes.

It was the latest location in the area to be used for the shoot, with others including the Iwade marshes and Raspberry Hill Lane.

Director Richard Phillips and Jeff Stewart.

Mr Phillips, who has featured in a number of movies himself, including playing the part of a cabinet minister in The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep, said he was excited to be shooting his first major film.

“The story of Holly Turner is a fantastic story that’s never been told,” he added. “I can’t wait to see it on the big screen."

The deadline for the film to be finished is August.

Once complete, it will premiere at cinemas in Bromley, Croydon, Stevenage and Orpington at a date yet to be confirmed.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Angela Cole, 26 March 2020.

Dover and Deal band the Old Country Crows release video online to mark the album launch they had to cancel.

A Kent band due to celebrate the launch of their second album next week are hoping they can still spread some cheer with their music online.

East Kent based band the Old Country Crows had been planning to hold an album launch at the New Inn in Sandwich next weekend, to mark the release of their new album, Behind the Rain.

The Old Country Crows were due to have an album launch next week.

As a result of the current lockdown, the event will not be going ahead, but the Dover and Deal-based group, who play a mix of country, bluegrass, folk and rock, are keeping upbeat, releasing a video of the album's opening song, That's All I Know, which was partly filmed at the Dancing Dog Saloon in Bobbing, Sittingbourne.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/dp4xLnAPuNI

Lead singer/guitarist Gary Virtue said: "Our new video online is for the opening song on the new album. We think it's pretty good, so it may cheer up a few people in this current climate."

The group has been together since 2010, after being formed by old friends Gary Virtue and Mark Griffiths, and write and perform their own songs.

The line-up is completed by Ian Bottle on bass guitar and Craig Wild on drums and percussion.

The new album follows the release of their debut album back in 2013, as well as a five-track Christmas EP in 2017. It contains 14 original songs.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Megan Carr, 22 April 2022.

Dancing Dog Saloon near Sittingbourne closes after 20 years of being country and western themed watering hole.

A beloved western-themed pub has closed its doors for the final time.

The Dancing Dog Saloon in Sheppey Way, between Bobbing and Iwade, near Sittingbourne, has announced its closure following the industry's rising costs.

Landlord of 20 years, and owner of the watering hole, Shaun Egan, said: "Our last straw was the pandemic.

"We were putting our own money into the establishment way before that, but with rising costs we decided that we just couldn't go on."

The pub was originally opened by the 65-year-old in 2002. Shaun announced the pubs immediate closure on Facebook this week.

He added: "We're very sad that we had to close and we're not happy about it but the saloon was no longer financially viable.

"Hopefully something new will take its place."

The Dancing Dog saloon was country and western themed. Picture: Dancing Dog Saloon Facebook.

Over the last two decades, the Dancing Dog Saloon has become a meeting point for villagers and visitors from further afield.

Steve Roalf, a 65-year-old from Bobbing, spoke of the fond memories he made at his local.

He said: "Because the saloon was originally a country and western pub, Shaun filled it with all his western memorabilia, artefacts and pictures.

"There was even a wagon wheel with spurs on it hanging from the ceiling!

"Mandy and Shaun put on loads of concerts and fairly well-known, international country singers would perform there, so the pub was filled with locals and visitors.

Steve Roalf at the Dancing Dog Saloon. Picture: Ron Williams.

"The regulars were also a mix between amateur and professional musicians, so they also performed.

"The saloon was always friendly, no matter what regulars were there – it was our community.

"We'd just like to thank Shaun for all his hard work on trying to keep the pub going.

"They did an awful lot to help it, but when their competition was supermarket prices there wasn't a lot more they could do.

The bar was also featured on the big screen after it was used for a movie shoot.

It was transformed for an upcoming feature film by production company Reel Entertainment, for a film called Life and Times of Holly Turner.

Actor Jeffrey Stewart, best-known for his role as PC Reg Hollis in the ITV drama The Bill, played the role of Jack Sweeney, a farmer and close friend of Holly’s father, Bill Turner.

However, it wasn't all good news throughout the pub's history.

In 2015, the outside of the saloon was damaged after a car smashed into the building.

An elderly woman was sitting behind the door just moments before a car ploughed through it.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sean McPolin, 14 September 2022.

Dancing Dog Saloon pub in Bobbing near Sittingbourne could be turned into home.

A popular western-themed pub which was forced to shut its doors earlier this year could be turned into a home.

The Dancing Dog Saloon in Sheppey Way, between Bobbing and Iwade, near Sittingbourne, closed in April due to a number of factors including the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Dancing Dog Saloon could be revamped into a large detached home. Picture: Danicng Dog Saloon Facebook.

The popular bar and pub closed its doors in April due to a number of factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic which was the "last straw."

But now, five months on from the closure, plans have been submitted to redevelop the beloved watering hole into a two-storey house and the current car park turned into a garden.

The pub was opened in 2002 by Shaun Egan who ran it for two decades and was sad to see it go.

"Our last straw was the pandemic," he said back in April.

"We were putting our own money into the establishment way before that, but with rising costs we decided that we just couldn't go on.

"We're very sad that we had to close and we're not happy about it but the saloon was no longer financially viable.

Inside the popular pub which could be set to be turned into a detached house. Picture: Dancing Dog Saloon Facebook.

The pub, which was found in Bobbing near Sittingbourne, was loved by locals. Picture: The Dancing Dog Saloon Facebook.

Inside the popular pub which could be set to be turned into a detached house. Picture: Dancing Dog Saloon Facebook.

"Hopefully something new will take its place."

Planning documents said the location of the pub and the cost of supplies also lead to the closure of the pub.

The proposals do not include any demolitions or extensions to the existing building other than the removal of existing signage and alterations to the car park.

The existing building currently provides two bedrooms on the first floor as part of the owner’s accommodation, but the redevelopment would see a large detached house created with additional bedrooms.

If approved, the large open plan area for punters would be turned into a living and dining area, as well as a separate lounge.

The public toilet area would be removed and replaced with a private toilet, shower room and utility room.

The bar previously featured on the big screen after it was used for a movie shoot.

It was transformed for an upcoming feature film by production company Reel Entertainment, for a film called Life and Times of Holly Turner.

The pub was damaged after a car ploughed into it in 2015.

The pub was damaged after a car ploughed into it in 2015.

Actor Jeffrey Stewart, best-known for his role as PC Reg Hollis in the ITV drama The Bill, played the role of Jack Sweeney, a farmer and close friend of Holly’s father, Bill Turner.

However, it wasn't all good news throughout the pub's history.

In 2015, the outside of the saloon was damaged after a car smashed into the building.

An elderly woman was sitting behind the door just moments before a car ploughed through it.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Joe Harbert, 19 July 2023.

Dancing Dog Saloon pub in Sheppey Way, Sittingbourne, could be turned into house.

Rejected plans to turn a Western-styled pub into a home have been resubmitted.

The Dancing Dog Saloon closed its doors last April after struggling with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The beloved-themed bar had been running for 20 years.

Plans were put forward to turn the watering hole, on Sheppey Way between Bobbing and Iwade, into a house, but were refused in December.

Planning officers said the application failed to produce evidence demonstrating there was no demand to retain the site as a pub.

The applicant, former landlord Shaun Egan, was advised the building needed to be marketed for at least six months to gauge potential interest in keeping it going – something which has now been completed without success.

The latest planning statement states keeping the site as a pub was “unviable” and that it had only lasted as long as it had due to the personal investment of the owners.

It stated there had been “no viable interest from potential buyers despite an extensive marketing period”.

It concluded converting the building into a home, which would have at least four bedrooms, would be the best way to bring it back into use.

Currently the pub has two bedrooms on its first floor, but under the plan it would become a two-storey detached house with at least two further bedrooms.

Its car park would be morphed into a garden, with just four spaces remaining, and the appearance of the building would remain unchanged.

The pub was once used as a set for the film Life and Times of Holly Turner in 2017, which featured former Bill actor Jeff Stewart.

Speaking at the time it shut, Mr Egan said: "We were putting our own money into the establishment way before that, but with rising costs we decided that we just couldn't go on.

"We're very sad that we had to close and not happy about it, but the saloon was no longer financially viable - hopefully something new will take its place in the future."

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Joe Crossley, 28 October 2023.

Dancing Dog Saloon pub in Sheppey Way, Bobbing near Sittingbourne will become a house.

A Western-style pub with a rich history is to be turned into a house.

Dancing Dog Saloon in Sheppey Way, Bobbing, near Sittingbourne, will become a single home after planning permission was granted.

The watering hole had served punters for 20 years and was a meeting point for villagers as well as attracting Americana fans from further afield, thanks to its quirky theme.

During its time as a pub, it featured in a film production called: Life and Times of Holly Turner – a true story about a mixed-race woman from Louisiana who was brought up by her white father and her three half-brothers in the USA in the 1930s.

However, the last pints were poured in the saloon in April 2022, with rising costs following the Covid-19 pandemic being the “last straw,” according to the owner Shaun Egan.

The former landlord told KentOnline he was “very sad” that the pub had to close but “the saloon was no longer financially viable”.

Back in 2015 Shaun’s mum, Rita Egan, who was 84 at the time, was left counting her lucky stars after a car ploughed into the building, taking out the seat she had been sitting on just moments beforehand.

Shaun said at the time: "About a minute before it happened she got up to walk to the other end of the bar to hear what someone was saying to her.

“She said it's the first time she was glad she is partially deaf.”

Swale council had previously rejected the plans for the change of use in December last year.

Planning officers said the application failed to produce evidence demonstrating there was no demand to retain the site as a pub.

In March the pub was put up for sale with an asking price of £395,000. Despite six viewings, all offers were substantially under the asking price.

The plans for the house conversion were then resubmitted in July.

The case officer, Rebecca Corrigan, concluded she was now “satisfied that it has been reasonably demonstrated that the retention of the use as a public house is no longer viable”.

She recommended permission should be granted and Swale council approved the plans last week (October 20).

The pub will be converted into one large four or five-bedroom home with the ground floor being turned into a main living area, including one master bedroom.

Meanwhile, the two rooms upstairs will be retained.

There will be slight changes to the exterior of the building, which include the removal of a small section of cladding above the main entrance and to the side of the building.

Also pencilled in is the replacement of one high-level window on the ground floor with a standard window.

The car parking area will be reduced and turned into a garden.