Picture showing bar area of the Clarendon, date unknown but while under the rule of Jim and Brenda Lewis..

From the Mercury, 7 October 2004.

Above shows licensee Phil Bailey, Deal mayoress Cllr Kath Blackburn, Robert Neame and Stephanie Eldridge.

Hotel provides pulling power

Deal's tourist industry has received a boost with the reopening of the "Clarendon Hotel" in Beach Street following a £600,000 refurbishment.

Brewer Shepherd Neame contributed £450,000 for the renovations and improvements, with the hotel bar licensee, Phil Bailey funding the other £150,000.

It is Shepherd Neame's second major investment in Deal this year, following a £450,000 refurbishment of the "Royal Hotel," just along Beach Street, in January.

The "Clarendon," which dates from 1763, was reopened at a party attended by Shepherd Neame directors, scores of Deal business people and Deal mayoress Cllr Kath Blackburn.

Robert Neame, the brewer's chairman, said: "This investment demonstrates our own belief in Deal as destination for tourists to come and stay in.

"Deal has a great future as a tourist centre, and we hope the new-look Clarendon will help the town go from strength to strength."

After pulling the traditional first pint with Cllr Blackburn, Mr. Neame presented £200 to Maureen Bane, manager of Deal Hospital, who accepted the money on behalf of the hospital's League of Friends.

The refurbishment included revamping the hotel's bar, restaurant and kitchen. Upstairs the dining room has been extensively renovated and the downstairs kitchen has been linked with a new one on the first floor.

All 12 ensuite guest rooms have been given makeovers, and facilities for the disabled have been added throughout.

From the East Kent Mercury, 17 February, 2011.

FORMER LANDLADY DIES, AGED 69

THE funeral was held on Tuesday for Brenda Lewis, a former vice-chairman of the Deal, Walmer and Sandwich LVA.

She was a licensee with her husband Jim for 38 years and retired seven years ago. The couple had been married 51 years.

They had a pub In Ramsgate before moving to Deal where the couple ran "The Clarendon" in Beach Street after "The Lifeboat" on The Strand, warmer. Joan Flynn, who used to be at the "Leather Bottle," Mongeham Road Deal said' "I met them when I was involved in the Licensed Victuallers Association in Thanet, when Jim and Brenda were both active members.

"They helped raise thousands of pounds for a variety of good causes and continued working with the LVA when they moved to Deal.

"She worked hard raising money for charity with fashion shows and charity lunches at "The Clarendon" in the 1990s. "When Brenda was at "The Lifeboat" she made soup for Walmer Lifeboat crew, even if they returned from a 999 call in the middle of the night. She was really good like that:

Mrs Lewis, 69, from Whitfield, leaves a widower Jim, a daughter Julie and grand daughter Jaime.

The funeral was held at Barham. Donations can be made in her memory to Individual chosen charities.

From the Dover Mercury, 26 May, 2011. 70p

NEW-LOOK EATERY IS A FAMILY AFFAIR

Advertising feature

WHETHER it's breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, you are sure of a warm welcome at the new-look "Clarendon."

Newly refurbished and boasting a seafront location with glorious views of the pier and the seafront the new summer menu at the "Clarendon Hotel" is a must to try out.

"We've worked closely with local suppliers to develop our new summer menu," said Lorraine Humphreys, who runs the hotel with her husband Sean and their family.

Indeed, meat and vegetables are all sourced locally, reducing food miles and ensuring the best offers possible for their freshly-cooked dishes.

"Our aim was to develop a menu that offers value for money and hopefully gives people a taste of England by the sea, she added.

Lorraine and husband Sean are entering their seventh month as owners of the "Clarendon."

It is a family-run venture, with their children and extended family all getting involved.

S5ean said: "My son is the main chef, and as we used to live in Spain, we're serving up tapas, paella and sangria as well as our mainly British menu."

They will also serve traditional cream tees, so there really is something for everyone at the "Clarendon."

In the bar, traditional pub grub is available, and a fuller menu is served in the two sea-view restaurant areas.

What's more, most weekends the "Clarendon" plays host to local bands.

The "Clarendon Hotel" is open daily from 9am at 51-53 Beach Street, Deal.

From the Dover Mercury, 3 November, 2011. 70p

PUBGOERS HIT THE RIGHT NOTE

MUSIC made a whole lot of money at a couple of special fundraising gigs in aid of Deal Memorial Trust and Cancer Research UK.

The first was in memory of former Royal Marines bandsman and jazz musician George Sketcher at Dover's the "Louis Armstrong" pub, the second was held at the "Clarendon" in Deal.

Both were organised by Jonathan Sketcher, George's son as a way of remembering his dad and raising cash for two charities close to his heart.

He said: "We're really grateful to Sean and Lorraine at the "Clarendon" and Jacqui Bowles from the Louis for putting the gigs on."

Photo shows Lorraine Humphries from the "Clarendon," Rebecca Carey from cancer Research UK and musician Jonathan Sketcher.

A total of £400 was raised from both events which will be split between the two organisations.

Donations

The first gig, in March, was a reunion of George and Jonathan's band, Runnin on Ice at the "Louis Armstrong" in Maison Dieu Road, Dover.

In true jazz style, a hat was passed around at the end of the gig, so donations to the two charities could be made.

The "Clarendon" was the host to the second gig where Jonathan's other band Strange Star played, supported by jazz funk band Bus Stop and Phantomic.

He added: "It was a really good day. The "Clarendon" was packed."

George Sketcher, a well known and talented tenor saxophonist, died after suffering a brain tumour. At the time he was living in Southampton.

He had been donating to Cancer Research UK before he died, and as the barracks at Deal were a big part of his history, Jonathan decided to raise cash for the bandstand too.