It seems there has been a bit of a hoo-ha about the 200 year old name of the Henry VIII pub which just happens to be opposite Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and which has stood in the Kent village for five centuries.
Apparently some American influencers have taken umbrage about its 200 year old name branding it misogynistic and sickening causing the story to go viral on social media, it seems they think it rather bad form to name a pub after Henry VIII who signed Anne Boleyn’s death warrant and had her executed for treason in 1536.
Whilst the pub dates back to the 1500’s it was not until 1848 that it was named the Henry VIII, so obviously Anne Boleyn heself would not have been in a position to have taken offence at the name of the pub.
Royal historian Mr Gareth Russell has said, he didn’t think the pubs name was intended as misogynistic or offensive to Anne and suggested perhaps a change of name to the Boleyn Arms or the Ormond Arms, which is connected to the family’s old earldom.
There seems to be quite a trend nowadays of taking offence on behalf of others but in a effort to smooth the waters I suggest a name change to the Adolf Arms as this seems a perfectly innofensive name for a pub to me. It would be named as a tribute to the famous Harpo Marx who was born Adolf and was the iconic American actor and harp playing brother to Groucho Marx who famously wrote in his resignation letter to the Friers Club of Beverly Hills; “please accept my resignation. I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member.”
There we are, I seem to have addressed the complaints of the American influencers with a compromise which should keep everyone happy, for who on earth could take offence at a pub called the Adolph Arms.
I am a retired actor, although to be honest I only retired because I wasn't getting any work due to losing my agent when I became a full time carer to my mother who had dementia. and the option of becoming an unemployed actor/waiter at my age was ludicrous, especially as my waiting skills are non-existent.
Having said I’m retired, I don’t think there really is such a thing as a retired actor for I am still available for work, I just don’t have an agent or any connections with regards to obtaining any worthwhile work.
I have over the years done student films when there is nothing else available, always low paid (if at all) the only incentive was always the promised copy of the finished film for your show reel which nine times out of ten always failed to materialise.
I spent many years looking after my aged mother and shortly after her death I was lucky enough to run into an ex-girlfriend of many years ago and our romance blossomed once again, resulting in us getting married in 2013.
My move to the countryside inspired me to write The Diary of a Country Bumpkin which tells of my continuing dilemmas in dealing with the rigors of the countryside from the unexpectedly large number of pollens, fungal moulds and hay products waiting to attack the unsuspecting townie.
I enjoy writing, see my play Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori on The Wireless Theatre Company, The Plays Wot I Wrote and The Battle of Barking Creek both available on Amazon.co.uk and am very fond of classic cars so my ideal occupation would be acting in a film I had written set in the 1930s/40s, we live in hopes.
I am delighted to say that since venturing to the countryside where space is not quite the premium it is in town, I have due to the availability of two double garages acquired more classic cars to form a small collection the pride of which are a 1947 Bentley Mk VI and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
My various blogs and websites are continually evolving and I’m sure that by following the appropriate links you will find something which will edify or amuse.
I have written a number of different books all available on Amazon, so don't be shy should you feel the urge to purchase. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Joe-Wells/e/B06XKWFQHT/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
I’d like to see Alcatraz repurposed as a home for all world influencers!
I wouldn’t be rushing to give them accomadation that good!