John Cross discovers picture of his grandfather on pub sign called The Five Bridges while shopping.

A man from Sheerness received the shock of his life when he discovered a familiar face on a pub sign.

John Cross had just finished shopping in Neats Court when he noticed a photo of his grandfather on a new pub being built called The Five Bridges.

John, who lives in Scarborough Drive, Minster, and will soon be 80, said: “I couldn’t believe it. No one warned me. My mum Mabel was one of his girls.”

The Five Bridges pub sign that features John Cross's grandfather, Dick Evenden.

His grandfather, Dick Evenden, died in January 1966, aged 90.

He had multiple professions which include a cabin boy, soldier and seaman but his biggest claim to fame was being the last of the Hovellers, an early version of modern-day river pilots.

"I couldn't believe it. No one warned me..." said John Cross.

Dick joined the collier Edith Wood and also worked on the Swale to help captains navigate the narrow gap in the bridge.

He later bought his own tug and towed sailing craft in and out of the Swale to the industrial and commercial wharfs at Sittingbourne and Milton.

John Cross holding up a picture of his grandfather.

He served on the canals of France and Belgium with the Army during the First World War and returned to the Swale as a waterman.

Dick's final accomplishment was beating the panel on the former TV show 'What's My Line'.

The Five Bridges is due to open on Monday, April 25.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Times Guardian reporter, 14 April 2016.

Five Bridges, Sheppey: new pub prepares to open for business.

After 22-weeks of construction, Marston’s £3.5 million Five Bridges pub is almost ready for business.

Before its official opening on April 25, the Times Guardian was given a sneak peak inside the Island’s newest hostelry.

Although site manager Richard Knight describes the Neats Court setting as the windiest place he’s ever constructed anything, the project has gone very well for “a winter build”.

The garden area.

This morning, eight tons of deliveries were dropped off at the Five Bridges with the final touches being made to the pub and carvery, which will employ 50 people.

Manager Lee Hyland says he can’t wait to open the doors and if the reaction on social media is anything to go by, they will be well supported.

The 40-year-old, who is originally from the Rochester area, says he expects customers to be drawn from Neats Court shoppers, Islanders and people living in Iwade and Sittingbourne.

When it opens for business, the Sheppey Pirates will be on hand to lend support, with Lee saying he is keen from the outset to get the pub involved in the community.

The Five Bridges, which will cater for 150 diners at a time, has a modern feel – even the kiddies’ play area has touch-screen games.

It will offer a Milestone Carvery, with freshly roast lamb, beef and chicken every day, alongside a wide selection of family meals.

Lee, who says he has been in the pub game since he was 13, expects staff to serve 3,000 meals a week.

He said: “There are only two weeks to go until we open and we are delighted to have our team on board.

An artist preparing for the big opening

“We can’t wait to welcome in the community to sample our extensive menu and to raise a glass to our opening.”

“To start with, I’ll be wandering around making sure everything is going well and meeting customers and learning about the community.”

Marston’s area operations manager, Paul Whiteman, added: “We’re extremely excited about the Five Bridges and hope when opened it will build a great reputation locally.”

The attention to detail resulted in a former Islander being chosen as the face to go on the pub's sign.

Although it officially opens on April 25, the weekend before will be used as “dry-run” days where staff can get to grips with their new jobs.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By David Gazet, 23 December 2017.

Queenborough: Firefighters called to Five Bridges in Neats Court retail park.

Guests were evacuated after a fire broke out in the kitchens of a Queenborough pub.

Three fire engines were called to Five Bridges at Neats Court retail park shortly after noon today.

Due to the oil-based nature of the fire, crews used fire blankets to smother the flames rather than water or foam which would have caused considerably more damage to the building.

All utilities were isolated and crews have also ventilated the property of smoke and fumes.

There are no reports of any injuries to either members of the public or employees.

Firefighters were called to the Five Bridges pub in Queenborough. Picture: Mel Collins.