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From late 1987 to 1991 my stepson Jonathan
(who took my surname) ended up as Assistant Manager at this pub - the
Manager's name was Steven Searle and he was a good guy...the pub was very
popular, originally with the gay community and with locals, both young and
old - it had quite a history, with connections to the infamous British
spies, Burgess and Maclean. I often used to sit outside (at one of the few
tables/chairs there) and watch the comings and goings of the Kings Road - I
remember the hairdresser's "Scissors" was nearby...Jonathan was very
popular, especially with females, young and old, but he eventually married
Claire, an Irish girl who was a regular at the Markham Arms and who had just
started working for Scissors!
When I visited we also used to drink at various Pubs/Clubs in the Kings Road
- names which now escape me - I do know that the Six bells had already been
changed to a Henry Beans place, but I recall a pub at Worlds End (or was
that its name) - the Firkin and Bottle or something...there was also a
pub/club across the road from the Markham Arms, which was very popular with
the young, and a biggish pub on that same side, but down the road and nearer
Sloane Square.
On the evening of May 10th.1988 we visited a betting-shop opposite and, with
the assistance of alcohol and a large amount of money that I happened to
(legitimately) have at the time, I placed £500 on a a Peter Scudamore-ridden
horse over the sticks at Towcester - I showed Jonathan the bet after it had
been placed (to his utter shock) - Fortunately it won at 7/2f - I won £1,500
(I took 3/1) - but wasn't without its worries as the TV coverage from
Wolverhampton broke down - fortunately it came back on just in time to see
my horse safely jumping the last, in front - the betting shop (?Hills) had
to send a taxi to another branch to get more money for me!
John Clements |
