KING CHARLES and Queen Camilla were greeted by thousands of well wishers during a visit to Dorset today (July 16).
Their Majesties were in Blandford to visit the newly-refurbished Corn Exchange building, where they met a number of county charities and community organisations.
Later, on another hot July day, they got the chance to have a drink during a visit to the Hall & Woodhouse Badger Brewery, to mark the beginning of the company’s 250th anniversary.
Hall & Woodhouse was founded in 1777 by Charles Hall, a Dorset farmer who began brewing beer from his excess grain. Today, the company is owned and stewarded by 7th and 8th generation family members.
During the visit, The King and Queen met a number of company’s current chef and brewing apprentices, as well as the team behind the Teddy Rocks festival, a charitable event which Hall & Woodhouse has sponsored since 2019.
Anthony Woodhouse, chair and 7th generation custodian of Hall & Woodhouse, said: “It’s an immense privilege to welcome The King and Queen to Blandford during such a remarkable moment for our business.
“We’re celebrating our first 250 years and have our sights firmly set on success for many more generations ahead.
“We’ve expanded our apprenticeship schemes in recent years, building and growing our team for the future and it was an honour to introduce Their Majesties to some of our apprentices today.
“We are incredibly proud of our heritage and are committed to continuing the success of the company for the benefit of communities now and for generations to come.
“Our support for extraordinary charity initiatives, such as Teddy Rocks festival, remains a non-negotiable, and we’re more committed than ever to reducing our impact on the planet and inspiring positive change for our environment.”
During the visit Toby Heasman, head brewer, presented The King with a bottle of Coronation Ale, which the brewery first produced in 2023 to celebrate His Majesty’s coronation.
The King and Queen also unveiled a commemorative plaque that honours the organisation’s first 250 years. The plaque is displayed within Hall & Woodhouse’s Brewery Tap bar and café, situated in the Victorian maltings of the original brewery.
Photographs by the Dorset Photographer
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