The Bush Hotel is still there, on The Borough, but now run by Accor as a Mercure Hotel.
Many will have fond memories of the Hotel’s Vine Bar in the 60’s when the likes of The Conchords (’63) played there and into the 70’s, with The River Bottom Band in residency, playing a repertoire of jug and country rock. Pre-January 1959, you might also have caught sight of Britain’s first Formula 1 World Champion, Mike Hawthorn, in the Saloon Bar on a Saturday lunchtime.
The Bush was a more active participant in Farnham life back then and hosted events like the Farnham Herald’s Youth in Action “An Evening with the Blues”, partly organised by Jerry Gilbert, who worked on the Herald and eventually moved on to Melody Maker, on 5 July ’68. This featured Mike Chapman, Mike Vines, John Davies, Andy Fernbach, John Lathey and Ian A. Anderson.
The next year, John Lathey’s blues band performed at the hotel, at an event hosted by Radio 1 The next year, John Lathey’s blues band performed at the hotel, at an event compered by, BBC Radio 1 R&B show host, Mike Raven. Singer/songwriter Al Stewart also appeared at the hotel.
Gallery:
Our Soundscene 