A good attendance at the meeting, with lots of items on the finds table. Here is a selection of them.
Gordon has actually been doing some digging and found a good selection of Hampshire items. The FIELDERS TITCHFIELD BREWERY flagon came up in great condition with stopper, but minus it's handle. Fielder started up in 1745, a brewer of Ales and Stouts. Several W O SMITH'S HOME BREWED GINGER BEER, variations from FAREHAM and TITCHFIELD. Smith only produced minerals. It is Amazing that these two companies operated in such a small village as Titchfield. He also found the RA PORTSMOUTH codd bottle. This would have been from Eastney Barracks. It is a pretty scarce bottle with only around seven known. The BROCKHURST PURE GINGER BEER GOSPORT was another small company that probably would have operated from a small shop. His last offering was the early SCHWEPPES hamilton in a dark aqua colour.
Next a couple of car boot bargain finds for Hodgy, the small size local COMPTON PETERSFIELD codd (£1) and the sealed ZARA bottle (£3).
Steve D bought the local F C BATCHELOR, ALTON & ALRESFORD GB plus an interesting postcard that had the name Batchelor on side of the cart.
Dave found a stall at a car boot that had a box of GB's for sale. Among them were 7 JOHN CANNING THE ROYAL BREWERY WINDSOR. Apparently they came from a demolition site where hundreds of them turned up, but only these were rescued. The rest were crushed up - what a waste.
Mick brought along a small size GLOBE LEIGH & CO, SALFORD amber codd which he acquired in a swap for a local mineral bottle.
Steve T bought the hot water bottle W J DAVIS, HOUSEHOLD STORES, HIGH STREET, TEDDINGTON. Must be of interest to a collector of Teddington stuff. He also picked up this early stoneware bottle from a local fete - impressed GD & Co B. No idea what it stands for but reckon bottle dates around the 1840's. The CWS Ltd BRISLINGTON cream pot came from a local antique fair. His last find was the BRETT, REYNARD & CO GUILDFORD paste dish - quite a scarce Guildford item.
An interesting find from Johnny was the set of playing cards. His eagle eye spotted the picture on the front - a Frank Coopers marmalade jar. The icing on the cake was that the pack was unused and still in its original wrapping. Manufactured by the cream of playing card makers - De La Rue.
Eric brought along a blue ground top screw cap bottle THE CROSSLEYS with an Rd number on base 443309.
Finally George brought along this ABCC badge that he found at home. It was one that was used by members at the first Alton Bottle Fayre in 1979. I must admit that I never remembered them - must be getting dementia.
The evenings competition was entitled 2 FOOD RELATED POT LIDS.
1st Gordon - Crosse and Blackwells plus Mushroom Savoury
2nd Hodgy - Burgess and Buszard Bride Cake
