In the 1980s, this place really took off as a friendly meeting place for the musicians of Folkestone, the pay wasn't great but at least most bands could get a gig or a jam. For the landlord and the bands it was about their music and the freedom to play anything.
In 1981 the owners asked Chris Ashman the owner of Europa Sound Studio to help out with promoting the venue. The resulting solution was the creation of the "Gig Guide" later idents "Kent Gig Guide", "Kent & East Sussex Gig Guide" and then www.kentgigs.com enabling all venues to afford to promote "Wotson". The Guide in 2005 appears in oround 4.5 million newspapers per week and can be seen or heard on all of the best media including TV, Radio etc. The Guide also sources listings to the best gig guide websites.
Around this time Chris was asked to arrange Sunday Lunchtime Jam Sessions for the venue so he enlisted Jack Pound to run them as he was the only person he knew that was experienced and reliable. Jack made a brilliant job of it and the venue got busier and busier. In general at that time, if you were in a band and not playing that night you would be at The Springfield. Jack Pound is still actively presenting Jam Sessions fortnightly at the "The Butt" in Hythe.
Problems with the neighbouring Hotel and Bar resulted in a court appearance and a "Clockwork Orange" was installed along with bricking-up of windows and some soundproofing. The "too loud" bands found that they were suddenly cut off in full scream. Not much fun but this device kept the place open for a few more years until the retirement of the owners.
Thoughts of The Springfield still brings fond memories for the Musicians of Kent.
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It was 41 years today 13th April 1983 that Glasshouse, gave their last official performance at the Tram-Shed, Woolwich following five years of continual gigging in and around Kent. I have a gig guide hanging on my wall here in my office for October 1982 when we played The Springfield Hotel on the 7th followed by The Mitre Pub Blackheath on the 8th, The Prince Rupert Woolwich on the 14th, The Goldsmiths Tavern New Cross on the 15th, The Ship Wine Bar Maidstone on the 19th, The Prince Rupert again on the 21st, The Moorings Club on the 22nd and The Crown pub Rochester on the 29th...we didn't make the big time but I know we all had a good time...even though our earnings were about £20.00 a time. We were me: Nick Maynard on Guitar and Vocals, Mick Taylor on Base and Vocals, Geoff Beaumont on Keyboards and backing Vocals and the infamous Figgy Fox (since deceased) on Drums.
So, if anyone reads this that remembers us more than forty years ago...please email me and say hello..and I'll relay your mail to Mick and Geoff.