ACC/2305/1/521/1. Circular letters to publicans. Not unconventionally-shaped stationary, I guessed. The dates covered WW II. One of my areas of specialist interest. I gave it a punt.
I'm glad I did. It's a collection of the letters sent out by Barclay Perkins to the tenants of their pubs. Mostly telling them what they wouldn't be able to get. Or of price increases. This example contains both.
It's a letter dated 4th November 1940.For the arsely challenged, I'll transcribe the best bits (obviously, best is a relative term, given the dusty as a bachelor's bollocks nature of the material).
Porter 8d
Best Stout 1/-
XX (Mild Ale Light) 9d
X (Mild Ale Dark) 8d
A Ale 7d
KK Burton 1/-
XLK Bitter 10d
KKKK Old Burton
Eleven cask beers. Not bad. But the war meant the chop for three. One's a bit of a surprise.
XX (Mild Ale Dark)
X (Mild Ale Light)
P.A. (Best Bitter)
I like that they dropped PA rather than Porter or Stout. Not that I imagine the Porter lasted much longer. Whitbread's last was brewed on the 9th September 1940. Pity two Milds disappeared.
Such death notices are poignant. You can imagine the conversation at the bar. "Pint of Best please, Dave" "Sorry, Chas. We won't be having Best Bitter any more." "Bloody Hitler."
The book also contains examples of the price lists meant to be hung up inside pubs. A little goldmine of social history. I'll be revealing much more. Unless I find the WW I gyles too beguiling.
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