Do you remember the Hog and Donkey pub?
AS THE county is swamped by gastro pubs and chains, theme nights and happy hours, good old fashioned pubs with eccentric landlords are few and far between.
One of the most fondly remembered of these, and by far the oddest, was the Hog and Donkey at Marshside, which closed 18 months ago after more than a century.
The pub on North Stream was hard to find, tucked away behind trees and an ivy-clad garage housing a 1920s Bentley. The land around it was filled with rusting Jaguars and Austins.
Dennis Maynard, the landlord from 1966, was known throughout east Kent for his Jimmy Edwards' handlebar moustache, his sense of humour and rather unusual ways. Sadly, his wife Jo died while the couple were on holiday in Spain during the 80s.
Graham Potts, local representative of the Austin Counties Car Club visited the pub once a month for 10 years for club meetings.
He said: "Dennis was heavily into cars and had a field of dead Jaguars out at the back.
"Walking into the Hog was like walking into a time warp. There was a bottle of alcohol called Green Goddess that sat in the same place, unused, from at least the 1970s when I first went there."
Tales about Dennis have found their way into urban folklore. The most often retold, in various different guises, was when Dennis had his appendix removed and was sewn up after the operation by the surgeon's son, a vet. Dennis sold the story to The Sun and made the front page.
The legendary landlord is now 88 and lives in Shottendane Nursing Home. His many classic cars were taken away by a scrap dealer shortly after the pub closed. The property has since been sold and is being renovated.
Stewart Tophill, landlord of the Huntsman and Horn at Broomfield, knew Dennis for many years.
He told me how he acquired his famous blue 3.5l Rover.
"It was Jo's birthday," he said, "and he took her for lunch and then on to a hair appointment. On the way she commented on a blue Rover in a dealership window they passed.
"After Dennis dropped her off, he went straight round to the garage and bought the Rover and when Joanna came out of the hairdresser, there he was sitting in it, ready to drive her home. She loved it."
Do you know the history of the Hog and Donkey or have any photos? Or do you remember Dennis? Email Barbara.aldiss@krnmedia.co.uk, call 01843 578166 or leave a message here...
7 Comments
by knittingnancy
Friday, February 03 2012, 12:46PM
“Yes, I remember The Hog and Donkey in the late 1970s as being a bit of a novelty. It also had a reputation for being a discreet place for couples to have clandestine meetings...”
by SDC99CREST
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 7:00PM
“Researching my family history, I discovered that my great grandfather, Frederick William Cleaver kept the Hog & Donkey. He was born in Chislet in 1858, married Frances Page in 1880 and died in 1932. I wish I had discovered the Hog earlier -not least because I love classic cars (I am currently running a 1928 Austin 16/6). At times my great grandfather was also a labourer and a marsh looker.
stuart Cleaver, Denmead, Hants”
by Ted Platts, Norfolk uk
Friday, January 29 2010, 12:03PM
“I attended Hoath primary school in the 50's but didnt discover the Hog & Donkey until I bought a weekend place in nearby Whitstable. When there I would often pop in for a pint and chat, although I dont recall ever seeing another customer! Dennis was a real vllage character who added a unique dimension to he local and beyond. As a resut of his medical operation by a vet Dennis became quite a celeb in Gemany where it mae headlines, I believe that he had many visitors from that country as a result. Happy Days.”
by elaine, Australia
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 11:37PM
“We always thought the pub had loads of customers because the car park was full of cars (before they became rust heaps)! When we went in of course we'd be the only customers. We would drop in a few times over the years on our trips out to the countryside. My family and I live in Sydney, Australia now. We went back for a visit last year and drove to the Hog. Sad to see another eccentric has gone (landlord and pub). Hope the pub is revived but keeps its character. Happy memories.”
by hickley, zimbabwe
Tuesday, December 22 2009, 4:28AM
“As kid I used to cycle past, not allowed in. If I'd known in later life that there were so many cars, I'd never have left as that has been my life in motors in Zambia* Zimbabwe”
by Ian Blanthorn, Sydney Australia
Tuesday, December 22 2009, 4:24AM
“I grew up in Beltinge and had a girlfriend called Teresa J from hatch Cottages in Marshside...
I left the area in 1978 when I joined the British Army but when I came back to the area on leave throughout the 80¿s I would visit the pub...holds a lot of good memories for me.
Now live in Sydney Australia.
Ian.blanthorn@gmail.com”
by George, New Zealand
Friday, December 18 2009, 3:37AM
“I first went to the Hog and Donkey in August 1947.I was 10 years old at the time.My parents and I were on holiday in Beltinge and we visited the pub on evening walks across the fields.My wife and I live in New Zealand now but we visited the pub in 1996,2001 and 2005 whilst on holiday in UK, and we were pleased that not much had changed over the years.The Hog and Donkey is remembered with great affection.”