From the http://www.kentonline.co.uk by Hayley Robinson. 19 April 2015.

Shaun Egan, owner of Dancing Dog Saloon, Bobbing, says mum Rita, 84, owes her life to being partially deaf.

An elderly woman was sitting behind the door of a Bobbing pub just moments before a car ploughed through it.

Had it not been for the fact Rita Egan, 84, is partially deaf, her son Shaun, who runs the "Dancing Dog Saloon," believes it may have been a different story.

The 58-year-old said: "Mum lives in River Drive, Strood, but comes down on a Sunday. She was immediately behind the front door, about four foot away diagonally.

"But about a minute before it happened she got up to walk to the other end of the bar to hear what someone was saying to her. She said it's the first time she was glad she is partially deaf.

"She's fine but obviously glad she got up. We're certainly thanking our lucky stars."

Mr Egan was standing behind the bar when he heard a loud bang just before 5.40pm today. Five people were also inside the watering-hole at the time. Nobody was injured.

"I just grabbed the phone and called 999," he said.

"I could see the car but I couldn't get out because of the rubble. There was a young lad inside the vehicle.

"There was already someone who stopped outside and was seeing to him. Then the ambulance arrived, the fire brigade and the police."

It's understood the car was travelling along Sheppey Way towards Bobbing when it mounted the pavement before demolishing two picnic benches and hitting the building.

He added: "I've run it for 12 years and nothing like this has happened in my time, although I know there was a fatality the other end of the pub about 15 years ago.

Police, ambulance and Kent Fire and Rescue Service were all called to the accident.

"It's the national speed limit along that road but it's never worried me before because just before I bought it, the council moved the road away from the pub to make it safer and we've not had a problem."

Thanks to the customers who were in the boozer at the time, Mr Egan has managed to clear some of the rubble.

"I'm sure I'll give them a free drink," he said.

A structural engineer was expected to attend the site to assess the damage tonight.

Police confirmed no injuries were reported.

From the https://www.whatpub.com By Chloe Holmwood, 29 May 2017.

Dancing Dog Saloon hosts film crew and cast including former Bill actor.

A country and western bar is to feature on the big screen after it was used for a movie shoot.

The Dancing Dog Saloon at Bobbing was transformed for an upcoming feature film by production company Reel Entertainment.

The film, Life and Times of Holly Turner, will tell the true story about a mixed-race woman from Louisiana who was brought up by her white father and her three half-brothers in the heartland of racial hate in the United States in the 1930s.

Former 'Bill' actor Jeff Stewart during filming at The Dancing Dog Saloon.

Actor Jeffrey Stewart, best-known for his role as PC Reg Hollis in the ITV drama The Bill, is playing the role of Jack Sweeney, a farmer and close friend of Holly’s father Bill Turner.

Kevin Stone, of Channel 5’s Mind the Age Gap, is Sheriff George Hawkins.

Asked how the filming was going, Richard Phillips, director, screenwriter and producer, who owns Reel Entertainment, said: “It’s fabulous. So far it’s been good. I haven’t had a hiccup yet and long may that continue.”

Cast and crew at the Dancing Dog Saloon.

The 62-year-old, who lives in Newington, added: “The shoot at the Dancing Dog was a great day. It’s just been a brilliant experience and I’m looking forward to the rest of it.”

The Dancing Dog Saloon was taken back in time earlier this month, from the 1860s to the 1930s, using props, lighting effects, green screens and, of course, character costumes.

It was the latest location in the area to be used for the shoot, with others including the Iwade marshes and Raspberry Hill Lane.

Director Richard Phillips and Jeff Stewart.

Mr Phillips, who has featured in a number of movies himself, including playing the part of a cabinet minister in The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep, said he was excited to be shooting his first major film.

“The story of Holly Turner is a fantastic story that’s never been told,” he added. “I can’t wait to see it on the big screen."

The deadline for the film to be finished is August.

Once complete, it will premiere at cinemas in Bromley, Croydon, Stevenage and Orpington at a date yet to be confirmed.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Angela Cole, 26 March 2020.

Dover and Deal band the Old Country Crows release video online to mark the album launch they had to cancel.

A Kent band due to celebrate the launch of their second album next week are hoping they can still spread some cheer with their music online.

East Kent based band the Old Country Crows had been planning to hold an album launch at the New Inn in Sandwich next weekend, to mark the release of their new album, Behind the Rain.

The Old Country Crows were due to have an album launch next week.

As a result of the current lockdown, the event will not be going ahead, but the Dover and Deal-based group, who play a mix of country, bluegrass, folk and rock, are keeping upbeat, releasing a video of the album's opening song, That's All I Know, which was partly filmed at the Dancing Dog Saloon in Bobbing, Sittingbourne.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/dp4xLnAPuNI

Lead singer/guitarist Gary Virtue said: "Our new video online is for the opening song on the new album. We think it's pretty good, so it may cheer up a few people in this current climate."

The group has been together since 2010, after being formed by old friends Gary Virtue and Mark Griffiths, and write and perform their own songs.

The line-up is completed by Ian Bottle on bass guitar and Craig Wild on drums and percussion.

The new album follows the release of their debut album back in 2013, as well as a five-track Christmas EP in 2017. It contains 14 original songs.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Megan Carr, 22 April 2022.

Dancing Dog Saloon near Sittingbourne closes after 20 years of being country and western themed watering hole.

A beloved western-themed pub has closed its doors for the final time.

The Dancing Dog Saloon in Sheppey Way, between Bobbing and Iwade, near Sittingbourne, has announced its closure following the industry's rising costs.

The Dancing Dog Saloon sign. Picture: Simon Hildrew.

Landlord of 20 years, and owner of the watering hole, Shaun Egan, said: "Our last straw was the pandemic.

"We were putting our own money into the establishment way before that, but with rising costs we decided that we just couldn't go on."

The pub was originally opened by the 65-year-old in 2002. Shaun announced the pubs immediate closure on Facebook this week.

He added: "We're very sad that we had to close and we're not happy about it but the saloon was no longer financially viable.

"Hopefully something new will take its place."

The Dancing Dog saloon was country and western themed. Picture: Dancing Dog Saloon Facebook.

Over the last two decades, the Dancing Dog Saloon has become a meeting point for villagers and visitors from further afield.

Steve Roalf, a 65-year-old from Bobbing, spoke of the fond memories he made at his local.

He said: "Because the saloon was originally a country and western pub, Shaun filled it with all his western memorabilia, artefacts and pictures.

"There was even a wagon wheel with spurs on it hanging from the ceiling!

"Mandy and Shaun put on loads of concerts and fairly well-known, international country singers would perform there, so the pub was filled with locals and visitors.

Steve Roalf at the Dancing Dog Saloon. Picture: Ron Williams.

"The regulars were also a mix between amateur and professional musicians, so they also performed.

"The saloon was always friendly, no matter what regulars were there – it was our community.

"We'd just like to thank Shaun for all his hard work on trying to keep the pub going.

"They did an awful lot to help it, but when their competition was supermarket prices there wasn't a lot more they could do.

The bar was also featured on the big screen after it was used for a movie shoot.

It was transformed for an upcoming feature film by production company Reel Entertainment, for a film called Life and Times of Holly Turner.

Actor Jeffrey Stewart, best-known for his role as PC Reg Hollis in the ITV drama The Bill, played the role of Jack Sweeney, a farmer and close friend of Holly’s father, Bill Turner.

However, it wasn't all good news throughout the pub's history.

In 2015, the outside of the saloon was damaged after a car smashed into the building.

An elderly woman was sitting behind the door just moments before a car ploughed through it.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sean McPolin, 14 September 2022.

Dancing Dog Saloon pub in Bobbing near Sittingbourne could be turned into home.

A popular western-themed pub which was forced to shut its doors earlier this year could be turned into a home.

The Dancing Dog Saloon in Sheppey Way, between Bobbing and Iwade, near Sittingbourne, closed in April due to a number of factors including the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Dancing Dog Saloon could be revamped into a large detached home. Picture: Danicng Dog Saloon Facebook.

The popular bar and pub closed its doors in April due to a number of factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic which was the "last straw."

But now, five months on from the closure, plans have been submitted to redevelop the beloved watering hole into a two-storey house and the current car park turned into a garden.

The pub was opened in 2002 by Shaun Egan who ran it for two decades and was sad to see it go.

"Our last straw was the pandemic," he said back in April.

"We were putting our own money into the establishment way before that, but with rising costs we decided that we just couldn't go on.

"We're very sad that we had to close and we're not happy about it but the saloon was no longer financially viable.

Inside the popular pub which could be set to be turned into a detached house. Picture: Dancing Dog Saloon Facebook.

The pub, which was found in Bobbing near Sittingbourne, was loved by locals. Picture: The Dancing Dog Saloon Facebook.

Inside the popular pub which could be set to be turned into a detached house. Picture: Dancing Dog Saloon Facebook.

"Hopefully something new will take its place."

Planning documents said the location of the pub and the cost of supplies also lead to the closure of the pub.

The proposals do not include any demolitions or extensions to the existing building other than the removal of existing signage and alterations to the car park.

The existing building currently provides two bedrooms on the first floor as part of the owner’s accommodation, but the redevelopment would see a large detached house created with additional bedrooms.

If approved, the large open plan area for punters would be turned into a living and dining area, as well as a separate lounge.

The public toilet area would be removed and replaced with a private toilet, shower room and utility room.

The bar previously featured on the big screen after it was used for a movie shoot.

It was transformed for an upcoming feature film by production company Reel Entertainment, for a film called Life and Times of Holly Turner.

The pub was damaged after a car ploughed into it in 2015.

The pub was damaged after a car ploughed into it in 2015.

Actor Jeffrey Stewart, best-known for his role as PC Reg Hollis in the ITV drama The Bill, played the role of Jack Sweeney, a farmer and close friend of Holly’s father, Bill Turner.

However, it wasn't all good news throughout the pub's history.

In 2015, the outside of the saloon was damaged after a car smashed into the building.

An elderly woman was sitting behind the door just moments before a car ploughed through it.