A Session Diary

Recent events on the session scene have been interesting. In the Chinese sense. The biggest news has to be the much heralded closure of one of the haunts of traditional musicians. Some would say the spiritual home of traditional music in all of Christendom. Or at least Faversham.

The closure of the Bear has been looming on the horizon for some months, fueling speculation that one of the longest running sessions in this part of the known world would be no more. The speculation about the future purpose of the ancient building has been inventive – ranging from Indian Restaurant to yet another pound shop. Just what we need. Slightly more rational has been the rumour that it would only close for refurbishment and then be back to normal (see below). Whatever normal is.

So when the news came in that the pub would actually close on the 14th February, the last ever Thursday Session was pegged as Thursday 10th and messages of intent and support flew around like a racehorse on chocolate. (theobromine in chocolate being akin to amphetamines for humans)

Considering the number of people who have played in the hallowed halls (cramped bar) and shared amazing (and it must be said not-so-amazing) music with the tolerant locals, the sense of anticipation of gathering as many of them as possible in one place seemed to suggest a last-ditch mega session to celebrate the past. Not to mention the Hops Festival.

Notwithstanding the personalities, politics and other session related dynamics, the scene was set for a coming together of many musos and sessioneers in a glorious indulgence of fusion music – blues, folk, country, old-time, popular beat combo numbers – you name it.

It seemed like a good idea to arrive earlier than normal to secure enough room to accommodate an instrument with a neck and indeed the back bar of the Bear was already pretty full by 8:30.

The first thing to greet the eager players (and audience who had similarly high expectations) was – “Have you seen the notice outside?”

Have you ever had that ‘Oh O’ feeling? Well, the hand written notice, high up in the window told the following story.

Is the Bear Closing? – No
Is the Bear Closing for Refurbishment? – No
When will the Bear Close? – Don’t Know

(again, dear reader – see below)

Yes, I read it several times, as did many others in a kind of stunned disbelief. On re-entering the pub, there were distinct mutterings along the lines (kindly) of ‘so the Bear ISN’T closing then’ to (unkindly) ‘This megasession is under false pretences’. To be fair, I think we were all under the impression that the close date was firm (it was even in the local paper) and that the last session was called legitimately. The barman said that the brewery had asked that the pub stay open ‘for a while longer’ at the 11th hour.

This did not put the assembled multitudes in the best humour and added to the sense of ill ease created by overcrowding and intense heat generated by the aforesaid multitudes. Nevertheless, lots of music was played and some songs sung. The brilliant guests were brilliant as you’d expect except that it was far too noisy.

It thinned out early and I spotted some latecomers who turned round and left as they couldn’t get near the main arena. Others left when they realised that it wasn’t the last session.

A disappointing anticlimax, but nobody’s fault except possibly the brewery. It was still a fairly joyous if bewildered session and everyone was in the same bewildered state. So that was good then.

I actually contacted the brewery to get a definitive answer on the future of the pub and here is their reply dated today:

Thank you for your email concerning the future of the Bear, and I am
aware that there have been many rumours circulating regarding the pubs
future.

I would advise you that the Bear will be closing for refurbishment at
some point in the near future, but the timing is as yet unknown as the
plans have not been finalised.  I hope that the pub will be able to
advise you once the dates have been confirmed and I apologise for not
being able to give you a more definitive answer at this time.

I can confirm the Bear will re-open once the refurbishment has taken
place.

Regards

Greg Wallis
Tenanted Operations Manager

So, straight from the horse’s mouth. It will close for refurb in the near future and then re-open.

So apparently there will be another session at the Bear this week. I doubt that there will be another last session at the Bear though!