brewer had to clean up the lab is anyone's guess. David
Ward was a dictator but a benevolent one with a sense of
humour.

of the time up to 8.30 was spent in the grounds. The
homeward journey was made very pleasant with toast
and song, Mr Ward not forgetting the refreshments.
Mr Leggott proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to
Mr Ward on behalf of all the employees, remarking
that it had been the most enjoyable day they had ever
had. Mr Ward suitably responded, saying it was the
largest party he had ever taken out, which was very
gratifying to know that the increase of employment
meant increased trade. In his remarks he made some
very kind allusions to all who had assisted him during
the past year and thanked one and all for their
services. A special word of praise was given to Mr
Fuller for efficiently carrying out his duties as brewer,
Mr Fuller responded in appropriate terms. The
singing of Auld Lang Syne brought a very happy and
memorable day to a close.

Shortly after the incident, he wrote a note to his workers
that the never ending objective of the brewery was to
achieve products of the highest degree of quality and purity
and the ‘skilful management of yeasts.’

 It was always characteristic of him to thank his
employees personally for services rendered by offering them
his hospitality, and over the years the tradition of an
annual excursion, usually to London, had grown up at the
Foxearth brewery.

The Suffolk Free Press, often invited along to the
outings gives us an idea as to what the events were like:

On Wednesday last Messrs Ward and Sons, brewers,
gave  their  annual  outing  to  their  employees
numbering forty. London was the place decided upon.
Through the kindness of Mr Bedford, stationmaster at
Long Melford, a special saloon carriage was arranged
for the conveyance of staff. Mr Fuller who chaperoned
the party, made arrangements for breakfast on
arrival, which, it is needless to say, ample justice was
done to after the early journey. The morning meal

 Soon his committed staff would devise a number of
farsighted and innovative products to widen the market
and create loyalty to their beers - but large capital was
required to fund their next venture.  

Although the previous seven years had seen their
wealth mount, the family did not possess the required
money to expand as fast as they wished, so the wealth of
their backers was keenly felt in October 1891 when two
artesian wells were bored on glebeland in the village.

over, some visited St Paul’s Cathedral, whilst others
went and saw their friends but most of the party went
on to Madame Tassaud’s and were greatly delighted
with the wax models, so realistic, especially to some
who had not visited Baker Street before. At 12.30 all
met and visited the Earls Court Exhibition and dined
at Spiers’ and Pond’s fine dining saloon, where a
capital spread was served presided over by Mr D
Ward, who was supported by Mr W.H.A. Barnes, late
brewer to the firm, and Mr H.B. Bailey of Cambridge.
Mr Leggott taking the vice-chair. After dinner various
places of amusement in the Exhibition were visited.
At five o’clock all met again for tea, and the remainder

This  then  was  expansion  on  a  big  scale,  with
considerable cost. But it had to be done; the water the
Ward’s had been using was brackish and contained too
much organic matter which could have resulted in bacterial
infections, turning a pleasant pint into a stomach ache.  

The huge bedrock of chalk throughout Foxearth was a
Godsend as the material acts as an organic filter which
purifies and softens water.

Engineers located the chalk level just fifty two feet from
the chosen site and bored to a depth of 330 feet where the