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Morris dancers' final party at Good Intent pub, John Street, Rochester

Nicola Jordan
njordan@thekmgroup.co.uk
12:50, 13 January 2020  | Updated: 12:57, 13 January 2020

Morris dancers gave a right merry send-off to a pub which is to close in two weeks.

The Good Intent in Rochester – a popular haunt with folk fans – is to be demolished to make way for housing.

Kent Korkers at The Good Intent pub, John Street, Rochester
Kent Korkers at The Good Intent pub, John Street, Rochester

Its fate was sealed at a council planning committee meeting, despite more than 150 letters of objection.

Bur before the final pint is pulled on Friday January 31, traditional Morris sides from all over Kent got together for a party pledging "to drink the place dry".

It was organised by the award-winning Medway-based Bishop Gundulf's Morris on Sunday in the pub garden in John Street.

The Wolf's Head and Vixen side has been practising there for more than 16 years and has how been forced to re-locate to the Sans Pareil pub in Strood.

Long-term member Mel Barnett said: "It's very sad, the end of an era. We have found somewhere else which is great, but nothing will be the same as the GI."

Gallery1

Bishop Gundulfs Morris dancers at The Good Intent pub, John Street, RochesterKent Korkers members at The Good Intent pub, John Street, RochesterLoose Women blessing the plough to ensure a prosperous year at The Good Intent pub, John Street, RochesterLoose Women dancers at The Good Intent pub, John Street, RochesterPictured are St Clements Clog Morris dancersSt Clements Clog Morris dancers at the Good Intent pub, John Street, RochesterMotley Morris at the Good Intent pubMorris dancing teams – blessing of the plough to ensure a prosperous year. Pictured are Motley Morris dancersPictured are Headcorn Morris at the Good Intent pub, John Street, RochesterHeadcorn Morris dancers at The Good Intent pub, John Street, RochesterMorris dancing teams blessing of the plough to ensure a prosperous yearPictured is Karen Weobley at The Good Intent pub, John Street, RochesterPictured are Bishop Gundulfs Morris dancers at The Good Intent pub, John Street, Rochester

The party coincided with the ancient pagan ceremony of The Blessing of the Plough which marks the start of the agricultural season.

Among those who went along were Loose Women, Kent Korkers, St Clement Clogs, Motley Morris, Headcorn Morris, Headcorn Morris and the Widdershin Witches.

Planning permission has been approved for eight three-bedroom homes on the site which is in the middle of a housing estate and parade of shops.

Over the years, the Good Intent has built up a reputation as a respected folk and acoustic music venue with live acts performing from all over the country.

It became an integral part of the community with a bridge club, open mic, fancy dress-themed parties, poetry and book reading evenings.

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