New pub sign showing multiple bells draws criticism for historical inaccuracy. Landlady hopes to restore old sign.
Rory Kehoe knows Kent pub history well and thinks the company made a mistake. He says Bell Harry tower only has one bell, while the sign shows many bells. The actual bell sits on the roof.
The cathedral has more bells elsewhere. Fourteen bells are in Oxford Tower, and six more bells are in Arundel Tower.
Kim Truelove is the landlady who kept the old sign with a maiden featuring eight bells. The design may date back to 1908, and the pub had ties to Ash’s Dane John Brewery.
Kim is annoyed the old sign got dismissed and wanted it restored and rehung. The pub was getting a makeover, and the manager said they’d change the sign because it was getting worn.
Restoring it wasn’t an option, he said. Kim picked a new design but felt like she had to agree. She is sad the old customer favorite is gone.
The new sign looks good, but feels wrong. Kim hopes to restore the old sign and a local artist might help so then it can hang inside.