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Sandwich Road
Ash
Above map 1896. |
Above postcard, circa 1910, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above postcard kindly sent to me by Peter Beer who says it was franked
27 May 1909. |
Above photo taken from
http://www.facebook.com, date unknown. |
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Information taken from Bygone Breweries by Keith Osborne.
Gardner's Brewery, on the Sandwich Road, was undoubtedly the most
prominent feature of the small village of Ash. While fairly large in
appearance, the brewery only supplied 46 tied outlets; it had expanded only
in a very small way, having acquired Tritton's Staple Brewery in 1912, and
Edgar Austen's Regent Brewery at Ramsgate in 1927, bringing with their
purchase a total of three public houses. The brewhouse in the foreground has
completely disappeared, though the outbuildings, on the extreme right of the
photograph, remain.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 22
October, 1864.
LEAVING A HORSE UNATTENDED
George marsh, a driver in the employ of Messrs. Gardner and Godden,
brewers, Ash-next-Sandwich, was charged with leaving his horse and cart
unattended on the 5th inst. Mr. E. Knocker appeared in support of the
information.
Police-constable Vaul having stated the nature of the offence, the
Magistrates, considered that defendant had not seriously offended,
declined to go into the case, and thought the offence would be met by
defendant paying the costs, 4s. 6d.
Defendant paid the money.
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Founded in 1837 by John Bushell who converted the parish workhouse into
the brewery. William Gardner acquired it three years after in 1840 along
with 49 tied houses. 1855 saw Godden added to the title and Gardner and
Godden registered in 1898 and continued till 1951 when they were amalgamated
with Tomson and Wotton Ltd. of Ramsgate to form Combined Breweries
(Holdings) Ltd. Brewing of beer stopped in Ash in 1954 but their ginger beer
production continued till 1962. Again the brewery was taken over by
Whitbread in June 1968 and the brewhouse was demolished.
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From a book titled "WHERE TO BUY AT DOVER"
circa 1900.
Kindly sent to me by Lorraine Sencicle, 8 October 2009.
Messrs. Gardner and Co., Ash Brewery, near Sandwich; Dover Stores
and Offices, near Priory Station.
Nearing the Priory Station we come upon the stores and offices of
Messrs. Gardner and Co., the well-known brewers of Ash, near Sandwich,
which firm claims to have been the originators of pale ale brewing in
East Kent more than half a century ago. The brewery, situated some 12
miles from Dover, which we visited a short time since, is of
considerable extent with a plant on the most approved principle. The
whole is a model of perfect cleanliness and system, and we found that
Messrs. Gardner and Co. were their own engineers, smiths, wagon builders, coopers, carpenters, and
painters, for each of which departments there are well-fitted shops. The
special quality of the ales for which the Ash Brewery is so deservedly
celebrated we think, must be attributed to the perfect nature of the
water, which is obtained from an artesian well 220ft. deep, containing
all the necessary properties for brewing as well as the necessary
properties for brewing as well as to the advantage of being situated in
the centre of the East Kent hop district, enabling the firm to take the
earliest opportunity of purchasing hops from the choicest growths in the
neighbourhood, direct from the grower, East Kent hops being well-known
and much sought after, all the heat in England. Probably the natural
position of the brewery has had no little to do with the success the
proprietors have attained, placed as it is in the midst of a pure and
invigorating atmosphere. Standing in the moat elevated part of the
premises, where the natural aeration of the beers goes on, there is a
splendid view of the country for miles around, and the Isles of Thanet
and coast can be distinctly seen. The business of Messrs. Gardner and
Co. forms a very unique instance of the progress of the times in
bringing science to bear on commercial transactions, for by the aid of
the telephone and the use of traction engines they, with their brewery
situated in a village remote from a railway station are brought into
direct touch with the consumers in the whole of East Kent, and a portion
of Sussex. At Canterbury, Dover, Ashford, Sittingbourne, Ramsgate, and
Hastings they have stores and offices, and are on the telephone circuit;
it is from these depots that their wagons a make an early start each
morning, and find their way into the smallest villages and hamlets,
covering, in the aggregate, an area of nearly 40 miles square.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 18 February, 1881. 1d.
Messrs. Gardner, brewers, of Ash, have secured the square plot of
land adjoining the “Priory Hotel” on which they propose to erect an
ale and beer store.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 10 July, 1931. Price 1½d.
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The subject of our view is Messrs. Gardner and Co.'s Dover stores and
offices; the cellarage extends over a considerable area in which there
is always a large stock in small and large casks, ready to serve the
needs of their many customers. We noticed, just as we were leaving the
premises, the arrival of a train of loaded trucks drawn by a powerful
traction engine on springs - quite a novelty on the road; we understand
that two, and sometimes three, journeys are made weekly from Ash to
Dover, and that the engine is capable of drawing 20 tons with the
greatest ease. Messrs. Gardner and Co., claim to have originated the
brewing of pale ale in East Kent, and therefore, taking this fact into
account, we must look to the firm as public benefactors, inasmuch as
this particular beverage has gained a strong hold on the popular taste in
those localities in which Ash Brewery Ales are known. Other parts of the
country may have their own particular brewings, but we very much doubt
if, in the long run, they can compare with those obtainable in East
Kent. The names of Gardner and Co. and Ash Brewery will, doubtless, come
familiarly to our readers, as the ales are very generally to be found in
private houses, as well as in most of the hotels and public houses in
the locality, where the proprietors are free to make a choice; we,
therefore, think this slight review of the business will not be
uninteresting, and afford some idea of the industries carried on in
Kent.
Above two photographs 2009, taken by Alan Sencicle and kindly sent
by Lorraine. Top one shows the buildings today, bottom one shows the
logo still above the doorway.
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Above photo showing brass nut. Kindly sent by Roger Corbett. He says
this is probably off a vehicle or brewing kit and weighs 1Kg so isn't
the bung ring off a barrel.
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Kentish Gazette, 22 March, 1870.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, THAT THE PARTNERSHIP which has for some time
past been carried on by us, the undersigned, under the firm of
"GARDNER, GODDEN, & COMPANY, at the Ash Brewery, at
Ash-next-Sandwich, in the county of Kent, in the Trades or Business
of Brewers and Maltsters, was DISSOLVED by mutual consent as from
the thirtieth day of September, one thousand eight hundred and sixty
nine, so far as concerns the undersigned Frederick Marcs Godden. And
that all debts owing to and by the late firm are to be paid to and
will be discharged by the present Firm of “Gardner and Company,” by
whom the said trades or businesses will in future be carried on at
the place aforesaid.
Dated this 26th day of February, one thousand eight hundred and
seventy.
HARRIETT GARDNER.
F. M. GODDEN.
WILLIAM GARDENER.
Witness to the signing by Harriett Gardner and William Gardener,
JOHN CALLAWAY.
Solicitor,
Canterbury.
Witness to the signing by Frederick Mares Godden.
JAMES TASSELL,
Solicitor,
Faversham.
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From the Whitstable Times, 19 July, 1902.
ALLEGED ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.
At the County Police-Station, on Friday, before Mr. I. F. Godfrey, Herbert
Henry Blackman, of Ash, was charged with attempting to commit suicide on the
railway, near the Ash crossing, the previous day.
From the evidence it appeared that Blackman, who is an engine-driver in the
employ of Messrs. Gardner and Co., Ash Brewery, brought a traction load of
beer from the brewery to the Ash siding, between 9.30 and 10 o’clock on
Thursday morning, and leaving his engine he walked to the Railway Station to
make some enquiries regarding his wife's movements, the latter having left
the home. He ascertained that his wife had left by train the previous day,
and he seems to have gone back to his companions in a somewhat dejected
condition. After conversing on the matter he walked along the six-foot way
for some distance in the direction of the Richborough-crossing. He then had
his hands in his pockets, and was looking on the ground, and appeared to be
much troubled. The 11.42 train was then coming in from Minster, and his
companions having their suspicions as to Blackman’s intentions John Croud,
labourer to Messrs. Belton and Sons, who was working at the siding, went
towards him. As the train approached he got on to the four foot way, but
Croud put his arms up to warn the driver to stop, and at the same time,
Edward Terry, who had noticed what was transpiring, put the signal up again
against the train, with the result that the driver was able to slow down,
and Croud managed to induce Blackman to moves from the spot, and the train
proceeded without coming to a standstill. Percy Blunt, labourer, also gave
evidence, and Police-Sergeant Palmer spoke as to the arrest. The defendant
was remanded in custody until the County Petty Sessions at Dover on the 17th
inst.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 3 June, 1932. Price 1½d.
LICENCE TRANSFERS
The temporary transfer was granted for "The Brewery," Ash (off-licence),
from Asherton Tillbrook (deceased) to Ernest W. Clinch.
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Above free standing bar sign kindly sent by Chris Excell. |
Above label circa 1935, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Information taken from the census's available.
This was the first period of families upward mobility.
Interestingly, Guilton seems to have been very important at some earlier
period for it is sometimes referred to as Guild Town and had a Rectory as
opposed to Vicarage.
John Gardner dd 1860 (Registry Eastry 2a 0389)
Austen Born 1846
Census 1851 not available
1861 Guilton; Harriett Gardner, 46 years widow, Occupation Partner in
Brewery Co (born Mersham)
She has 5 daughters and 1 son, Austen
1861 Austen Gardner 16 years, Clerk in brewery
1871 Austen Gardner 26 years, of New Street, Ash. Brewer to Messrs
Gardner & Co. Employing 24 labourers, 4 clerks & 1 traveller
1881 Austen Gardner 36 years Street End House, Ash, Brewer
1891 Unavailable
1901 Austen Gardner 56 years ditto Managing Director Brewery Co
1911 Austen Gardner 66 years, The Rectory, Guilton, ditto ditto
No further census records available
1927 Austen Gardner died aged 82 Registry ref Eastry 2a 1223
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