The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Brewery [a.k.a. The Royal Oak]    Bells Yew [a.k.a. Oak] Green  Frant  
Thomas Batchelor established the brewery, which was next to his public house, The Royal Oak, at Bells Yew Green, probably in the 1850s. He went into partnership with George Ware in 1866, and the Ware family ran the firm after a few years. Ware built new brewery premises on the Frant - Bells Yew Green road in 1893, which were designed by William Bradford. George Ware died at his home Leafwood, near the brewery premises, on 13 July 1901. The firm continued to be run by his sons, with W C Johnson as Managing Director, and was incorporated in 1925. It was taken over by E H Kelsey Ltd in 1950

Historical records

7th Apr 1861CensusThomas Batchelor, M, Head, married, age 50, born Hadlow, Kent; occupation: brewer and farmer of 43 acres employing 7 menThomas Batchelor, brewer and farmerRoyal Oak, Bells Yew Green1861 Census
Frant and Tunbridge Wells, Sussex
Philledelphia Batchelor, F, Wife, married, age 51, born Frant, SussexPhilledelphia Batchelor
Agnes Beale, F, Servant, single, age 22, born Frant, Sussex; occupation: house servantAgnes Beale
Obed Latter, M, Servant, widowed, age 64, born Lamberhurst, Sussex; occupation: brewer's labourerObediah Latter, farm labourer

c 1875Bells Yew Green, Sussex - c 1875Part of the 6 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1875 by Ordnance SurveyBrewery

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