Memories of Deers Rest, Noak Hill Road live bear in garden

The Deers Rest in Noak Hill Road has been known by a number of names since its formation in the late 1600s.

It was initially named The Goat but was renamed to The Bear in 1715 and the pub became known for the live bear it kept caged in the garden in the 1960s and 70s.

The first bear to be kept at the pub was called Rani and she was believed to be a Himalayan black bear. A second animal called Honey was brought in years later.

One of the bears kept in the pub in the 60s and 70s (Image: Alanna Yeomans) According to the book Harold Hill and Noak Hill – a history by Simon Donoghue and Don Tait, pub landlords Ron and Rose Gipson arrived at the pub in 1953, and remained for 21 years.

The Bear, as the pub was known in this time, was greatly enlarged and special attractions were introduced.

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The story has it that in the 1950s Rose met a zoo owner named Fred in Harold Wood Hospital.

Rose acquired Rani from Fred and it was promptly exhibited in a cage in the rear of the beer garden.

Another one of the bears kept in the pub in the 60s and 70s (Image: Alanna Yeomans) Donoghue and Tait’s book reads: “The Gipsons displayed a menagerie of animals that included rabbits, goats, chickens, donkeys and horses, but it was Rani the bear who commanded centre stage.

“Rani and, sometime later, Honey, would be treated to a quart of brown ale and crisps after the customers had gone.

“Rani died of old age in 1974.

“When Ron and Rose retired, Honey was given to Cambridge Zoo.”

The Bear in 1967 (Image: Havering Libraries) In a 2014 report in the Recorder, former police community support officer for Harold Hill Alanna Yeomans provided pictures of Honey and said: “Nowadays you think you can’t keep an animal of that size in a pub garden – that’s ridiculous – but at the time it was an amazing thing.”

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Several readers commented on our Facebook page this week sharing their memories of Honey the bear.

Paul Freeman wrote: “I remember my dad taking us there as kids. We used to feed the bear crisps. Peacocks walking around as well. Obviously seems cruel now looking back, but different times.”

Romford Recorder report from March 16, 1962 (Image: Havering Libraries) Many other people agreed with Paul’s “cruel” evaluation such as Linda Brooke who commented: “I remember it too. That poor bear – hurts my heart thinking of it. Thank goodness it’s just a memory now.”

Karen Kilbourne shared: “Me too – was excited to see the bear, then as I got older I felt so upset… cruel and sad.”

Martin Farquhar wrote: “I remember the bear! How times have changed, thankfully this would never be allowed today.”

Elaine Aston remembered bringing Honey oranges.

She called it “beautiful but sad”.