Kynochs Club Sign in 2004

Maureen Buckmaster continues

'My brother in law told me that the Kynochs Club originaly started at the Kynochs Hotel (near the Lobster Smack) before moving to its present location (presumably when the Kynochs Hotel closed 1960's?). It was originally owned by Charlie Neale, who owned the bookmakers and Bill Adams worked for him, but then Charlie sold it to Bill.

The Kynochs and the Canvey Club were both owned by Bill 'Nigger' Adams (not politically correct, but that was his nickname as he had dark hair and a swarthy complexion). I belive that he couldn't read or write but was an excellent businessman. He also had a scrap metal dealership. His son, Billy, later owned the Windjammer Pub on the seafront. There was also a daughter, Carol.


Hartfield Parade in 2004: Kyncohs Club entrance was far Right

The kynochs had two bars. You went through the front doors then in through more double doors into a large room with a bar counter which continued round into a smaller bar, in the left hand corner by the door. At the far end of the room was a stage which I seem to remember had a door on the right that led outside. In this large bar were also a couple of billiards tables.

The second, much smaller bar had a a couple of doors leading to toilets in it. I was only ever allowed to go into that bar if I needed the toilet, otherwise I stayed in the large room. There was a piano by the door that led into the smaller bar and my mother often used to play and sing there. (I think that's where I also first sang when I was about five or six!)


The remains of Kynochs Club in 2007

I believe there was sometimes entertainment on stage, often organised by Rosa Keegan, who would juggle with cigar boxes and whose husband rode a monocycle. I believe he had been in the circus as had Rosa. She seemd old when I was young althought she may only have been in her 50s or 60s. She was one of the characters of Canvey in those days. I think Terry O'Dare also used to drink and occasionally sang there in his latter days (You will remember him from your items on the Casino ballroom). There was usually an outing organised at Christmas for the children to go to London by coach to see Bertram Mills Circus or, in later years, an ice show.

The old Canvey Club was on the same side of the road as the existing Canvey Club but just around the corner, about opposite what is now Gwendalen Avenue. After it burnt down there was just a small area of grass and trees there but about 25 to 30 years ago a row of houses were built there.

I don't know if Billy Adams or Carol are still on the island but they would be a great source of research on those clubs.

Another club, during the 20s, on the Island was the Clarendon, which was down Clarendon Road, off of Seaview Road. In was in a house there. I think I've told you before that many celebrities of the 1920s used to come to stay on Canvey in the summers and some would go to the Clarendon. (my mother also used to sing there)
Kind regards
Maureen

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Maureen Buckmaster (c) www. CanveyIsland.org.uk