Cricket: 'bricks against beer' (1848)

Post date: Dec 14, 2011 12:56:26 PM

West Kent Guardian - Saturday 26 August 1848 reported

WATERINGBURY.—North Pole —The annual match of cricket came off here on Saturday last, between the workmen of Jno. Lee², Brickmaker, and the workmen of Mr. J. B. Jude, brewer, under the title of " bricks against beer," and although the morning proved unfavourable for the trial of strength between the parties, yet the afternoon was sufficiently fine to enable them to take the field; the numbers on either side not being quite equal, Mr. Holding, of Halling, kindly offered to assist "beer," but his bowling was too good for the " moulders," otherwise " beer," however they might rest upon their own strength, would have found the "bricks" too hard for them. The whole, upwards of thirty, sat down to the good old English fare, provided by mine host Lester¹, headed by Mr. Lee, in the chair. Ample justice being done to the good things, several songs and appropriate remarks being made, the company broke up, parted delighted and thankful for the kindness they had received at the hands of their employers.'

Notes

1. Thomas Lester, living at North Pole, born in Rochester, aged 40 (at 1851 census) was married to Lucy, aged 38, from West Malling with 4 children and a servant. He was described as a plumber, inn keeper [employing] 4 men.

2. There was no Lee living in parish in 1851 census. In fact in 1851 no brickmakers in Wateringbury can be identified, although many bricklayers.

3. See also Sale of Brickmakers (1919)