This month’s Item Of The Month is an unopened bottle of Bona Cervisia beer from Forehill Brewery at Ely, and was chosen by our newly elected Chairman (and author of a book on Littleport’s pubs) – John Goodge.
The name ‘Bona Cervisia’ (which is Latin for “Good Beer”) was chosen for this special beer associated with the Festival of St. Etheldreda in Ely, particularly a 1968 brew released by Watney Mann (East Anglia) Ltd which commemorated the historic monastic brewing traditions in Ely.
“I left Soham Grammar School late in 1967 and took temporary employment with a couple of companies, one of which was Steward and Patteson at the Forehill Brewery in Ely.
I left the brewery in May 1968 to take up a post in a local Architectural Practise but, prior to leaving and whilst working in the Forehill brewhouse, I remember the production of Bona Cervisia, a one-off special beer.
Once the beer had been transferred to the wooden barrels, I was tasked to visit each container with a funnel to add a further handful of fresh hops after which the barrels were sealed for further conditioning of the ale. I cannot remember ever tasting the finished product so cannot comment on the result of my actions”.
This bottle was kindly donated to the Society collection in 2005, but at almost 60 years old, it’s probably best left sealed!
Latest acquisitions
Amongst our latest acquisitions, we have also received:
- St. James’ Church, Burnt Fen banner (Ref: LS2026.0073)
- Littleport & Downham District Parliamentary Acts, 1820 (Ref: LS2026.0043)
- Peacock family’s Adderley Ware bone china coffee cups and saucers (Ref: LS2025.0693)
- Littleport Show – Baby Show Cup 1994-1999 (Ref: LS2025.0681)
- Barber’s Littleport and District Directory and Almanack 1922 (Ref: LS2025.0022) and 1923 (Ref: LS2025.0023)
