It started out as a branch office for God’s waiting room but swiftly transformed into something of a celebration with a multitude of colourful drinks being downed at a rapid rate.

I must have missed the small print at the Prince of Wales because it was only after I’d ordered a pint of 4.5% Rev James Original and been charged £2.25 I realised this was a Craft Union pub.

I knew this because I’d already walked past the Chatham Wetherspoons, the Thomas Waghorn, on the other side of Railway Street and, let’s face it, there’s only two pub companies competing at these sort of prices.

As I say, when I walked in I joined a sea of pensioners, the majority wearing hats and drinking dark coloured ale – I even passed a pipe smoker on the way in for goodness sake.

The pool table was in constant use with one exponent, who favoured playing one-handed, dispensing his wisdom of the game to anyone interested and even a few who weren’t. The TV screens were all switched on, but were mercilessly set to silent, but no-one paid any heed to the muted chat about cricket or the horse racing.

There are six absolute monster fruit machines and I did also spy a dartboard, although the latter didn’t attract any attention while I was in.

There are a few lovely examples of the history attached to this building and the back wall of the pub features a series of high arched windows with new light fittings in front of them.

I know the light shades were new as the barmaid came out from behind the bar at one point to sweep up a small snowstorm of white polystyrene beads which had been used to package them. Other than doing this and serving when required, she spent the rest of her time gazing intently, and adoringly, into the screen of her mobile phone.

Despite my surprise at the cheapness of my pint, I saw a number stickers on the windows declaring this to be a ‘student hub’ which offers deals for local scholarly folk – seriously, how much cheaper can it be?

The mainly hat-wearing old men seemed happy enough staring into their cheap pints and making occasional conversation, but their quiet world was soon to be shattered by the entrance of a group of women intent upon downing light green, blue and pink drinks in a very lively fashion. One of their number had lost her job that very morning and by 1pm she’d been joined by her mates who’d decided to rally round.

This support network took the form of rapid consumption of WKDs and in just 15 minutes they were dancing and singing along to the Weather Girls’ It’s Raining Men.

I left them to it to visit the facilities, which were cold and smelly, the latter probably due to the fact someone had decided to urinate in the third urinal which was covered in a black bin liner and presumably meant to be out of action.

I left the gents as swiftly as possible and noticed there was a sign on the door nearby saying the staircase leads to a first-floor bar - it was locked so I didn’t get a chance to take a look.

By the time I got back to my seat my noisy neighbours were consoling themselves with a double round of tequila roses to accompany the WKDs and bawling out Never Going to Give You Up – thanks Mr Astley.

The barmaid left her phone briefly to search high and low for an extra supply of WKDs and much to the table’s delight discovered an extra stash.

Had I not been working I might have moseyed on at this stage but, ever the professional, I ordered a Cruzcampo and took a wander. This revealed another, smaller, gents’ toilet at the back of the pub which was, if anything, even colder and smellier. I also discovered quite a large plastic-turfed outdoor area with undercover seating booths, each with its own TV screen. No-one was out there but all screens were switched on just in case and I presume this is a popular venue with sport lovers seeking a lively spot to watch their favourite teams.

The memories I will take away from the Prince of Wales are the cheap price of a decent pint of bitter, a multitude of hats and WKDs, a pipe smoker in action and the aroma of the gents.

As I did take my leave I saw a stone set into the pavement outside the pub which informs you the Prince of Wales Hotel was built in 1872 and was also known as Wisdom’s – I wonder when the wisdom was lost?

PRINCE OF WALES, 1-3 RAILWAY STREET, CHATHAM ME4 4JW

Décor: There are some nice historic touches in this 150-year-old building and it is generally fairly well-maintained. I’m sure the outdoor area is popular when the weather allows but the state of both gents’ toilets was disappointing. ***

Drink: Available on tap – Landlord, Ghost Ship, Rev James, London Pride and Hobgoblin Gold as well as all the usual selection of lagers. Not to mention a seemingly endless supply of WKD. ****

Price: You can’t argue with a decent pint of bitter for £2.25. A pint of Cruzcampo was almost twice the price at £4.40 but that’s still a fair bit cheaper than the going rate elsewhere. I have no idea what a WKD costs? *****

Staff: When she was serving the barmaid was attentive and effective, she was also good at sweeping up, but other than this spent all her time on her phone. **

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