Above photo, date unknown, kindly supplied by John Hopperton.

Above photo, date unknown, kindly supplied by John Hopperton.

Front and side view of the pewter mug, kindly sent by Joyce Chang.

Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, Friday 4 April 1817.

Feat of Gormandizing and trial of Manhood.

A lad, named Wakefield, age 19, in the employ of a Gentleman of Northfleet, being employed as, and paid at the rate of a boy only, but considering himself entitled to the wages of a man, thought his claim would be fairly established, could he but eat the allowance of a man; accordingly, a plum pudding was made, which weighed 9 1/4lbs. and was six inches square, (rather an uncommon shape for a plum pudding!) and Thursday, 27th of March, was appointed for the trial, at Mrs. Butchers, the sign of the "Half Moon," Northfleet, when in presence of upwards of 50 spectators, the young man began his undertaking, and accomplished the major part with great ease, when he gave in, declaring he could have finished the whole, had it not been too rich. On Christmas day he ate one quite as large, but the materials were more homely. The father of this gourmand, some time since, ate a shoulder of mutton that weighed 7 1/2lbs.

Bowaters bought the property in 1953 under a Compulsary Purchase Order but don't appear to have demolished it until 1957. My family meanwhile went to the "Rising Sun" pub in Holborough, Snodland.

My granddad and grandma ran the "Half Moon" together but was put in gran's name since grandad also worked in the barge yard (Alfred John Connell - known as Mick).