queens hotel

Queens Hotel taken over by Emma Hotels 1978

Peter Houghton… My dad’s friend used to own the Queen’s and the Cooden Beach he sold the Queen’s and kept the Cooden Beach

Lance Collins… I was the DJ for a while at Emma’s Nightclub. Shared the duties with a guy call John DELANEY. Was ok but still preferred to be out with my mobile.

Paul Morfey… I remember before that, when it was owned by Hickmott hotels. We did a lot of work in there, as electricians ie. Installing a fire alarm system through out the whole building. I was just a lad at the time but there is many a story to be told. Happy days!

Merv Kennard… was owned by the Krays from late seventies to mid eighties. I met Charlie Kray in the bar, the Uncle that ran the Queens used to spend time in the Havelock. I often had drink with him .

Harry Randall… Wasn’t Emma the Krays Auntie or related?

Alan Pepper… What year was it Bonita’s / Queen of Clubs ?

Lazybones Disco 1976 and Police Ball.

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Anyone remember Lazybones?

Peter Fairless… Which one was that, under the Queens?

Jim Breeds… That rings a distant bell … was it under Queens Hotel?

Alan Esdaile… Yes Pete and Jim, trying to remember the chain of different names, was it The Flying Machine at one time? Bonitas, Emmas etc.

Chris Giles… Bonitas I remember chicken and chips on a Sunday Eve

Alan Esdaile… Thanks Chris! You just reminded me of the smell and the greasy taste. I feel sick!

Jane Hartley… Bonitas, Lazybones, Queen of Clubs, JRs.

Virginia Davis… That brings back memories

Andy Qunta… Yes indeed!

Jim Breeds…  Bonitas I could have volunteered as a name but Lazybones had gone from the memory until now!  Gosh yes. Chicken in the basket wasn’t it? And Scampi too, probably!  lol.

Chris Giles… Yep it was in a basket.

Jon McCallion… We played at bonitas after recording fooling around the same night I think.

Mick O’Dowd… Don’t forget cockroaches in a basket at Bonitas.

Read moreLazybones Disco 1976 and Police Ball.

Prom In Aid – Jazz Caverners, Morgan Le Fey, The Jukes, Mars. Queens Hotel 31st May 1986

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Supplied by Mick Mepham

Phil Gill….My first gig with The Jukes. Andy Knight and I had a splendid time wandering around the place with a pair of walkie-talkies we commandeered from someone official looking and winding people up. Ian Dobson introduced The Jukes by name and said “On bass, Phil Gill. It’s not true when people say he’s not fit to live with pigs, because he is.” Great line! Also remember being hugely impressed with Michael Mepham’s band Mars, especially a song called Lorelei – they had a real big time buzz about them, well rehearsed and confident, and it showed from the first song. I still have the Prom-in Aid T-shirt and a poster. Lovely day.

Alan Esdaile… Mick, was Mars the band I saw at your special launch night in Eastbourne?

Joe Knight… sounds like you all have had some great fun in the past , thanks you two are like a library of Hasting bands

Tim Moose Bruce… Went to this one. Mars were great.

Better Days – Prom-in-aid gig – Queens Hotel Hastings 1986

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supplied by Mick Mepham

Gary Blakely, George Copeland or Andy Griffin?, Joe MacIllvenney, Paul Warren, Paul Dengate and Steve Cooke

Dave Kent….the bass player has been identified as George Copeland. I think it’s actually Andy Griffin who also probably played with Flat Battery & The Jump Leads. Anyone confirm this?

Mick Mepham…..I should think Paul Dengate would be able to say for sure.

Steve Cooke…..Quite right Dave, it is Andy Griffin. I must say that the fiddler on the right appears to have the least dress sense out of all of them.

Yvonne Cleland….I  remember the fiddler on the right from junior school………

Mars – featuring Mick Mepham Prom-In-Aid 1986

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photos by Neil Cartwright

Michael Mepham….Wa-heyyyyyy, pix of me that I didn’t have before!!!! Top is Paul Tanner/guitar, Next are, from left, Liane Carroll – keys, Robin Heggie – bass and yours truly – guitar. Next l to r me, Garry Blakely and Steve Cooke – violins and Robin Heggie during the finale, Hands Across The Water. Next – me, Bottom, the late, lamented Michael Bettel – drums and percussion. Lovely chap and a great drummer. Died way too young.

Michael Mepham….Mullets a-gogo! Garry and Steve stepped in to play the string parts as cellist Ian couldn’t make it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t filmed or recorded, as far as I know, as the camera ran out of film before the track. The whole audience sang the chorus and we thought that maybe they’d be able to hear it in Africa. Great gig. Also, as I remember it, the event raised £3000 in the day. Fantastic for Hastings in 1986! Ian Dobson presented most of the bands and Joe Macilvenny not only sang with Better Days but also organized most or all of it. Marvellous memories of that gig.

Liane Carroll….awww….memories!!! x

Alan Esdaile….The photo at the top looks like the mike stand is going through Paul Tanner’s stomach.

Mick Mepham…..A bit like the church lightning rod that falls off the top of the church in the Omen and transfixes the priest ……

Spyke – Queens Hotel Hastings – 10th April 1971

SPYKE

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supplied by Peter Millington. https://pet842.wixsite.com/confeds-to-jinks

Chris Sayer, Ian Williams, Terry Chedzoy,  Peter Millington.

Pete Millington… The fourth line-up of SPYKE playing at the Queens Hotel 10th April 1971 – Looks like we’ve just been told “Trust me lads – the cheque’s in the post”

Chris Baker… I thought I was the only one with a daft haircut in those days! 😁

Pete Millington… We all had ’em along with everyone else!

Yvonne Cleland… Ah still miss Chris. x

Tony Court-holmes… who remembers the band called the Town Council?

John Busbridge… I always remember Chris singing “Lady came from Baltimore”!