Thanet Times, Tuesday 23 June, 1964.

It's hard work, but a good social life.

Training point-to-point horses near Guildford seems to be a far cry from serving behind the bar of the "Bridge Hotel," Station Road, Westgate, but that used to be the occupation of Mr. Jack Hammond, manager.

Mr. Hammond learned to handle horses when, as a boy in his hometown of Darlington on the Yorkshire and Durham border, he helped break in Irish horses at a nearby Farm.

After spending 7 years in the R.A.F. from 1927 to 1934 Mr. Hammond managed a dairy farm for his brother until he was called back to the R.A.F. the week before the Second World War.

It was after the war that he started his riding school at Shalford, near Guildford, then 8 years ago he decided to "have a go" at managing a pub.

Mr. Hammond spent 12 months as licensee of the "Cambridge," at Camberley, and then 4 years at the "Five Arrows Hotel," at Waddesdon, Bucks.

While at Waddesdon he played cricket for his son-in-laws team and has recently become a member of the Westgate Cricket Club Committee.

When Mr. Hammond took over as manager of the "Bridge Hotel" about 3 years ago he also joined the Margate Cheerful Sparrows. He is now a committee member and also a member of the Westgate Chamber of Commerce Committee.

At the end of the year Mr. Hammond hopes to take over the tenancy of a pub of his own. "I am looking around for a small place near here, that my wife and I can manage on our own," he said.

Of pub life Mr. Hammond said:- "It is hard work, but you make a great many friends. Your social life comes to you. We get a good trade at the "Bridge" and try to run it like a club, with various social activities.