From the Crayford Times, 14 October 1996.

Bear comes home.

THE BEAR is back and will be hanging about again in Crayford either later today or tomorrow.

Above showing Gordon Davis, the maker of the sign and pub owners John and Maureen Robertson.

After the successful nine-month campaign by residents and historical societies the "Bear and Ragged Staff" pub in Crayford reverted to its ancient name in August after a few unhappy months as a despised "Orange Kipper."

The cause was taken up enthusiastically by the pub's new managers, John and Maureen Robertson, when they look over in June but when the old name was restored it was with a newly-painted sign on board.

Last Saturday the former pub sign, with the bear in silhouette, was handed back to the Robertsons by the Save Crayford Campaign. It had been in store at the Local Studies Centre, Hall Place, Bexley, after being rescued from a Weymouth stockroom earlier in the year.

Present at the handover with representatives of Crayford Historical Society and Bexley Civic Society was Gordon Davis, now in his 70s, who as a young apprentice helped to make the sign in the mid-1940s.

Pat Smith of Save Crayford said the return of the original sign had given pleasure to many local people. "But they won't truly believe it until they see it hanging again."

On Monday evening John Robertson had talks with Geoff Sills, area manager of the Magic Pub Company.

John said on Tuesday: "He agreed the work should be done this week.

"Crayford people will be pleased to know that the sign will be re-hung on Thursday or Friday."

Mrs. Smith said: "Once it is back up it will last for 100 years."