Hector's Brewery

Hector’s Brewery could once be found on the bank of the River Stour at Blandford St Mary close to Blandford bridge. Described as ‘most delightfully situated’, it had gained its name from John Hector who bought the lease and ran the brewery with his sons between 1826 and 1879. Hector played an important role in the local community and was also a churchwaden. The brewery had been in existence since 1789. Before this, many houses had their own malt houses. In those destroyed in the 1731 fire, there were six in Blandford St Mary with malt houses.

In 1879, Hector’s Brewery was bought by Horace Baydon Neame. He was a Kent farmer and hop grower and a member of the Kentish Shepherd Neame brewing family from Faversham. Neame then sold the brewery, together with two maltings at Winterborne Stickland and 15 pubs, to Hall & Woodhouse in 1882.

Brewing by Hall & Woodhouse continued for almost 20 years at both Ansty and Blandford St Mary. Some 30 people were employed at Ansty and around 40 at Blandford St Mary. The acquisition had the advantage of being closer to Blandford station for distribution purposes. Draught beers brewed included Bitter Beer, XXX Mild and XXXX Old October Ale. The latter was once described as ‘simply perfection.’

Unfortunately, there was a major fire in Hector’s Brewery on 14^th August 1900 which caused £8,000 worth of damage. It had been caused by a faulty flue near the hop and cork room. The brewery was a very old structure mainly made of wood so the fire spread rapidly. Hundreds gathered to watch the spectacle with many joining in to fight the fire. Losses would have been greater had it not been for this and the abundant supply of water from the River Stour. Casks were rescued and carts and wagons were drawn onto open ground safely beyond the flames. Sadly, Hector’s Brewery was beyond repair. Apparently, onlookers were quite orderly and all that went missing were a few apples from Mr Woodhouse’s garden!

Fortunately, Hector’s Brewery was insured. Concerned about the River Stour flooding, the company had already decided to start building a new brewery to the south-east of Hector’s. This was to cost £28,000 and would produce its first brew in October 1900.

The old Blandford St Mary Brewery was remembered in the 1980s with the brewing of Hector’s Bitter. (see above) As a current reminder of Hector’s Brewery the road, Hector’s Way can be found nearby.

(Illustration: Hector's Blandford Brewery on the bank of the River Stour.)