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BITS AND BOBS<br />
GHOST PUBS: #20 THE BELL INN, EASTPORT LANE<br />
Everybody I’ve met who knew the Bell Inn has commented<br />
on how small it was, tucked away at 13-14 Eastport<br />
Lane. Unlike its unruly neighbour the Welcome<br />
Stranger, the Bell appears to have kept a low profile during<br />
the 1800s. This may have been largely due to George<br />
Kemp, who was landlord for around 30 years. He took a<br />
no-nonsense approach to bad behaviour, which was aptly<br />
displayed in 1877 when he dragged out Frances Herriot<br />
who ‘had frequently, by her disgusting language and conduct,<br />
driven his customers away.’ Another notable landlord<br />
was John Forsey who had lost a leg as a result of a collision in a <strong>Lewes</strong> League football match. The<br />
Sussex County FA raised £500, which John used to set himself up at the Bell. However, he was only there<br />
a year when he moved on to the Rainbow at Cooksbridge. Despite the size restrictions, in 1954 the new licensees,<br />
Mr and Mrs Jeffreys, threw a Christmas party for around 50 children of their customers, and gave<br />
them pony rides up and down Eastport Lane. The Bell finally closed its doors in 1970. This wonderful<br />
photo shows a group of smartly-dressed gentlemen posing outside the Bell. Judging by the buttonholes,<br />
they were no doubt off to a wedding. Many thanks to John Davey for allowing me to use it. Mat Homewood<br />
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