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From the local paper 20 December 1957. Kindly sent by
Martyn Wade.
The Mayor who does not like
pints! Opens new Dewdrop public house at Gillingham.
Above photo, 20th December, 1957. Hoisting the beer garland after opening the new
"Dewdrop Inn" assisted by Mr. Laurie Neame.
GILLINGHAM’S new public house, the "Dewdrop," was officially opened
by Gillingham's Mayor, Alderman F. A Wade, on Friday. The ceremony was
literally champagne affair.
Many civic heads heard Alderman Wade say: "I think the "Dewdrop" will
meet a great need in this area."
Mr. L. B. Neame, joint managing director of the brewers, Shepherd
Neame Ltd., welcomed representatives from many companies and
organisations.
He explained the licence for this new public house in Begonia Avenue
had been transformed from the old "Dewdrop" in Wood Street, Brompton.
Gillingham Council, he said, wanted some time ago to put a road
through the site of the old house, which meant the house had to come
down.
"Now we have this one we are quite happy that a road should go
through the old one," he said.
Mr. Neame continued that they took, over the old "Dewdrop" from its
former brewers, Masons, who were the people who had the plans drawn up
for the new house.
EXCELLENT JOB.
He said he thought the architect, Mr. D. M. Hall, had made an
excellent job of the new house.
Mr. Neame welcomed many of the licensing justices, including their
chairman, Mr. A. H. Hardy, and their clerk, Mr. E. F. Barren.
He congratulated the contractors and said they had made "a good job"
of the house and had finished it off very well.
Mr. J. Williams, "the man who saw our work through court," Det. Chief
Inspr. D. Hambrook, head of Medway Towns' C.I.D., many directors from
Fremlins brewery, Mr. C. V. Stratton, of Courage and Barclay brewery.
Customs and Excise representatives, and his own directors and members of
the staff, were also given a particular welcome by Mr. Neame.
He concluded by wishing the new tenants. Mr. and Mrs. A. Elsey, "the
best of luck" in their new venture.
Several members of Gillingham Council and Corporation were among the
guests. Many friends had a special welcome for Mr. Jasper Neame,
chairman and joint managing director of Shepherd Neame, who was making
his first public appearance after a recent illness.
Alderman Wade, before officially declaring the house open, said the
council did not like seeing old buildings pulled down, but under their
scheme for Wood Street—which will be widened and made one way—the old
"Dewdrop" had to go. He congratulated all those connected with building
the new house.
DRINK TO SUCCESS.
Because, he said, he did not like drinking pints, he would pull two
half-pints and drink the success of the new house with Mr. L. Neame.
A bouquet was presented to Mrs. P. A. Wade, Gillingham’s Mayoress, by
Mr Robert Neame, a director.
The licensee. Mr. E. Elsey, gave a party for his patrons on Friday
evening. The house, which includes spacious bars, a children's room and
an off-sales department is pleasantly decorated and furnished in
contemporary style. It seems the eastern part of the large new Twydall
Estate.
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