The Gordon Arms, Chislehurst, Kent

Continuing along my Sunday evening Chislehurst pub theme this is the pub which is truly my local, although it has to be said I've only ever crossed the threshold once.

As pubs go its predominately still a man's pub it's rare to see women in there, pre smoking ban it was one of those places where you could cut the air with a knife. It's also a place where the locals seem wary of newcomers, but saying that I have stopped outside when I've been passing and chatted to people I know (from working in other local pubs).

Back in the 1990's there was an armed siege inside the pub - where the landlord and his wife were being held at gunpoint by their son; I can't remember the details and didn't find anything on Google. But I do remember it was soooooo exciting loads of police with shields, blue lights flashing - me and a nurse I lodged with were hanging out of the flat we shared watching everything. Of course today we'd have been told to get back inside for health & safety.

I got questioned by a rather posh old boy man who was out walking his dog, as I stood there in the freezing cold:-

Him: what are you doing?
Me: Taking photographs of the pub
Him: Why? You're not going to get it closed down are you?
Me: Nope I take pictures every day.
Him: That's ok then, because it might be a bloody awful pub but its dam handy to have 5 pints in and stagger home quickly. Can I see your photo?
Me: Of course!
Him: Hmmm it looks better here than real, it's been very nice chatting to you but it's too cold to linger, bye.