King Charles spoke for the nation during a visit to a Dorset brewery today, saying it was “a good day to drown a few sorrows” as he pulled a pint of beer following England’s heartbreaking defeat to Argentina in the World Cup final last night.
Monarch Pulls a Pint at Hall and Woodhouse Brewery
Arriving at the Hall and Woodhouse brewery near Blandford Forum, the King received applause and cheers as Queen Camilla helped him behind the bar. Head brewer Toby Heasman, 50, showed Charles how to pull a pint of the 3.4% ABV ale “Fursty Ferret,” instructing him to do it “a bit quicker.” As Camilla assisted, the King remarked, “We’ll have to do it again.” Noticing the pint still wasn’t full, he laughed and said, “and again.” The Queen responded, “No, you’re going to spill it!” After successfully completing the task, the King lifted the nearly-full glass and quipped, “Maybe it’s a good day to drown a few sorrows,” prompting applause and laughter from staff.
250th Anniversary Celebrations
Earlier, the King and Queen unveiled a plaque to mark the family brewery’s 250th anniversary. Charles learned how the brewery, whose pubs include the Duchess of Cornwall Inn (opened by Camilla in 2016), is now run by the ninth generation of the Woodhouse family. Meeting Anthony Woodhouse, 61, and his son Matt, 34—seventh and eighth generation respectively—Charles said it was “remarkable” that the brewery had remained in the family since its founding in 1777 by Charles Hall, a Dorset farmer.
Support for Children’s Cancer Charities
Upon arrival, Charles and Camilla met representatives from Teddy Rocks, a music festival sponsored by the brewery that raises money for children’s cancer charities. Founder Tom Newton, 37, told the Queen he started the three-day festival after his younger brother Ted died aged 10 in 2010 from Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. The annual festival, held in May at a venue two miles from the brewery, began in 2011 raising just £400. It now welcomes 6,000 people per day and raised £185,000 this year, with a total of over £1 million donated to five charities to date.
Coronation Ale and Chef Apprentice Scheme
In the Maltings Room, head brewer Toby Heasman, who has been with the company for 20 years, presented Charles with a bottle from a fresh batch of their 7% ABV Coronation Ale, created for the 2023 Coronation. The Queen met Jill Meyerhoff, head of recruitment and apprenticeships, along with apprentice chefs to hear about the company’s chef apprentice scheme. Looking at chicken dishes and pastries created by chefs on the eight-month programme, Camilla said it made her want to “tuck in.”
Visit to Blandford Forum Corn Exchange
Later, the King and Queen visited the historic Corn Exchange in Blandford Forum, a Georgian riverside market town on the banks of the River Stour. The Grade I listed building recently underwent a significant renovation, including a newly-restored George II royal Coat of Arms originally gifted to Blandford Forum Town Council in 1893 by Frank Blanchard. In the Main Hall, stalls showcased the work of charities from across Dorset, including veteran and prison services, community and domestic abuse support, volunteers, faith, arts, and education groups.
As the King and Queen departed, the Queen was given a posy of flowers and met some of the ninth generation of the Woodhouse family: Bowie Waterhouse-Clarke, 5, and his brothers River, 3, and 11-month-old Rudi.
