Visited Canterbury on Sunday and found the only listed Vat - the Sun Hotel
- is still there, although half of it has been taken over by Debenhams. The pub
was founded in 1503 and part of the original building is still there, although
at that time it was known as The New Inn. It now acts as a tearoom with hotel
rooms above what was once the middle of three bars.
Steve Wilson
<steve.wilson@oisc.gov.uk>
UK - Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 17:06:23
(GMT)
Love it! Discovered Froth Blowers by pure chance in May 2009. I am
involved with a pub that prides itself on real ale and breweriana and I just
KNOW the owner is going to love this and will probably put a link on his website
(http://www.maltshoveltavern.com) Keep up the good work.
Alan Farrell
<afarrell@delapre.demon.co.uk>
UK - Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at
17:07:15 (GMT)
My grandfather was a member (he was a licensee at the time) and I still
have his cufflinks. I understand that when the order was given to 'shoot your
cuffs' if you weren't wearing your AOFB links you would be fined.
Lynne
Whitehead <lynne@lynndav.plus.com>
UK - Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at
17:08:04 (GMT)
My Fairy Belle and I would like to be members.
Roger Brown
<fofb@eleventowns.co.uk>
UK - Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 17:08:54
(GMT)
Lets hope this site goes from strength to strength. Well
done.
Chris FOFB <buddamanuk@yahoo.co.uk>
UK - Wednesday,
October 14, 2009 at 17:09:48 (GMT)
I found a clay pipe in my garden with the F.O.F.B name. Thanks for the
information. Regards Eric.
Eric Golding
<goldingeric@yahoo.co.uk>
UK - Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 18:33:19
(GMT)
My late uncle, Richard Francis Hearn was a member of the AOFB and as a
young man nearly fifty years ago I was the proud possessor of his membership
book (which as I remember was passport sized and bound in cream) and cuff links.
Sadly these items have disappeared over the years, which is a source of enormous
regret to me, as I would have liked nothing better than to 'shoot my cuffs' in
our village pub and impress the clientele with 'my' AOFB membership book, which
of course bore the same name.
Richard C.E. Hearn
UK - Tuesday, October
27, 2009 at 17:25:12 (GMT)
I was introduced to this organiseation by Roger and Yoland Brown. We spent
a couple of laughter full evenings around their kitchen table enjoying the odd,
non sequntial and just plain loony gags in the members hand book. Great stuff
not to let this disappear.
Pete (ghandy) Jackson
<pastorius@supanet.com>
England - Saturday, November 14, 2009 at
20:32:32 (GMT)
i would love to and also a honour to join ds brotherhood
henry
<blingx@yahoo.com>
nigeria - Friday, November 20, 2009 at 13:04:23
(GMT)
I am delighted to find this web site. I "googled" the AOFB hoping to find
some info as I prepared to hand over to my son the cufflinks which I inherited
from my father, John Farwell Anderson Davis. Dad had been stationed as an aide
to a U.S. Admiral at the coaling station in Cardiff during WWI and had made a
number of local UK friends. I believe he revisited there on business in the
1920's and was invited to join at that time by one of those comrades. He always
took pride in his membership and enjoyed showing off the cufflinks.
John
Anderson Davis <andy@andydavis.com>
USA - Saturday, November 28, 2009
at 08:28:03 (GMT)
Greetings from the Shrivenham Vat.
Richard Hancock
<photos@timelord.fsnet.co.uk>
United Kingdom - Monday, December 07,
2009 at 17:52:37 (GMT)
I must have been one in my past life. Amazing!!!!!!
Wayne
Burtenshaw
Australia - Wednesday, December 09, 2009 at 16:18:53 (GMT)
As I am researching my family history I was pleased to come across your
site. My Father was a member, I have his membership book. When I return home
after the Christmas holiday I will contact you with the details. Best Wishes,
Colin.
Colin Martin <cs.martinl@talktalk.net>
UK - Monday,
December 28, 2009 at 10:31:37 (GMT)
God Bless Bert
Steve Wa-Wa Walker
Australia - Sunday, January
03, 2010 at 09:52:30 (GMT)
I have a membership book with membership No 426256. How can I find out who
this book belonged to?
Barbara Webb
<barbara.webb@live.co.uk>
Essex - Friday, January 08, 2010 at 19:21:40
(GMT)
I was searching my father's name on the internet - Harold Stewart Turner -
and I think he might have been the Grand Armourer of A.O.F.B. Or it might have
been my grandfather but, given my father's slightly wild youth, it is more
likely to be him. My grandfather was one of the founders of Turner & Simpson
which was subsequently sold to the Birmingham Medal Company following my
father's death in 1978. I was wondering if you had any more
information.
Amanda Earnshaw <amanda.earnshaw@btinternet.com>
UK
- Tuesday, March 09, 2010 at 18:47:36 (GMT)
I was intrigued to find, in my grandmother's belongings when she died, a
membership book, in mint condition for the Ancient Order of Froth Blowers,
issued in 1926. I was wondering if it has any value?
Olivia Barham
<livvi@aol.com>
United States - Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 17:12:40
(GMT)
I have just been going through some very old sheet music found stored in
my mothers house, who has recently passed away at 90 years old. In amongst these
I have found 'The official song of the acient order of froth blowers' copyright
Irving King Music Co.MCMXXVI The More We Are Together price 6d . So therefore
just had to google it, and found you guys. I would be happy to scan this and
send copy if you are interested. Or if you are still doing charitable works I
would be happy to send the origonal to raffle/auction etc. Best regards from an
ale lover Ian
Ian Peters <sretep@tiscali.co.uk>
England -
Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 18:23:16 (GMT)
Are there any Froth Blowers in Texas ? If so please contact
me.
Gregory Horne <ghorne56566@peoplepc.com>
USA - Friday, July
30, 2010 at 06:41:28 (GMT)
The order purchased (we think) a local site for Scouts and Guides at some
time in the past. It's called Heartsease. Well done!
Jon
<Jonbiddle@btinternet.com>
- Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 17:53:12
(GMT)
I was going through some old papers today (28th Sept 2010)and came
across a small booklet that belonged to my my uncle William who died about 20
years ago. It is an AOFB booklet in excellent condition that belonged to him. No
date is shown but in the inside cover it quotes his full name William Edward
James Hansford, address “Wyke Regis”, The Broadway, Thorpe Bay (near Southend on
Sea Essex) Membership Card No:472466 shown at the top of the inside front cover
which forms a sort of wallet. No date is shown, however at the top of page 14
there is a statement of account “Paid to date Feb 24th 1927 to Sir Alfred Fripp
K.C.V.O., CB £20,000 and below a statement of membership “at 10th Nov 1926 was
70,000 now 200,000 etc. etc.” with a balance sheet dated Feb 1st.1927 and a
balance in hand of £1998. On the inside rear cover there is a “pasted page” with
a note dated December 24th 1926 followed by reference to “£10,000 has since been
handed over Feb 24th. So I would conclude the book was issued early in 1927.
Pages 24 to 30 list in very small print the “VATS” and their locations several
of which are in the area local to my uncle.
Mike Hansford
<zen16001@zen.co.uk>
England - Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 07:56:51
(GMT)
What an interesting order to be a member of,I own an original
membership card/booklet and a Fairy Belles wristlet, and thoroughly
enjoy perusing the pages and laugh constantly.What a pleasure it is to
both own & read.
Malcolm Welch <zed@rb33.co.uk>
UK - Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 11:25:16 (GMT)
My father was a member of the Ancient Order and I often lunch at The Swan in Fittleworth
Robert B McGuire <r.mcguire510@btinternet.com>
England - Tuesday, October 05, 2010 at 13:12:56 (GMT)
I have a near perfect car mascot which - until I fitted to my 1929
Humber - appeared to be unused; it originally came to me on a turned
fruit wood base (for use at meetinds perhaps). My concern I guess is in
leaving it unattended I assume it has a value. Loved your web site and
will spend some time reading the history etc.
ray cattle <ray.cattle@gmail.com>
uk - Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 15:25:06 (GMT)
Wonderful!
Ann Marshall <amarshall@uct.org>
U.S. - Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 20:45:03 (GMT)
My grandfather (Bill Southgate) was a member of the AOFB. Although I
did not get his cufflinks(that I admired as a child), I did manage to
aquire a set through a friend who bought them from a antique store in
the UK because his initials were A.O.!
Would love to start a Vat over here, shouldn't be to hard with all the
ex pats!
Cheers
Chris Upshon <c-upshon@shaw.ca>
Canada - Sunday, December 26, 2010 at 19:25:06 (GMT)
lubrication in moderation.
kenny adebayo <kod186@yahoo.com>
Nigeria - Wednesday, February 02, 2011 at 23:16:43 (GMT)
lubrication in moderation.
kenny adebayo <kod186@yahoo.com>
Nigeria - Wednesday, February 02, 2011 at 23:16:33 (GMT)
Har arvet min svigerfars Krus og manchetknapper.A.O.F.B. Membership Card No. 314691
Hanne Gøthche <ohp@besked.com>
Danmark - Tuesday, February 08, 2011 at 15:38:42 (GMT)
Many years ago when my father inlaw died I was asked what I would
like of his things. I just wanted the cuff links because he always
showed me the book and told the story. I also had the mug and book.
Now 40 years later I still have the the book, mug and cuff links. I
took it with me to Denmark in 1970 and my grandchild Victor is having
it having it later.
I was very suprised to find the F.O.F.B. on the internet.
Hanne Hyde <Hyde@sol.dk>
Denmark - Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 15:59:30 (GMT)
Hello to all you 'Vats' out there!
I've found the AOFB cufflinks belonging to my great-grandfather and
this was the first I had heard of your honourable organisation. Rather
than see them sold, lost or worse, would the society be interested in
my donating them back to you? It would be great if I could confirm my
GGF's membership, his name was Arthur Herbert Kellaway and I know for a
fact that he drank (a lot!) at The Red Lion Hotel, Hythe.
Many thanks, and good supping!
Sue Miller <millerfamily.03@btinternet.com>
Kent - Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 16:57:54 (GMT)
My grandfather (Douglas Stevens) was a member of AOFB - my brother
has his membership booklet. The date on this is 1927. I was fascinated
as to what it was and found your site. I never knew him as he died when
he was only 35 and my father only remember him vaguely so this is a
great thing to find out he was part of. Thanks
Doreen Edwards <george.forthill8@blueyonder.co.uk>
Scotland - Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 16:16:41 (GMT)
very good night with the f o f b
terry channon <teltheplumber@msn.com>
england - Tuesday, March 01, 2011 at 22:58:33 (GMT)
I have my Grandmothers AOFB membership card (book),her membership
number was 445647 and I also have the Inaugural Dinner menu for the
Bombay AOFB dated Monday &th March 1927.
Nigel Ricardo <nigel_ricardo@yahoo.co.uk >
England - Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 14:41:42 (GMT)
Introduced to the Frothblowers toady at the funeral of an old friend's wife.
Touching and emotional day, and the FBs pop up!
Been a member of CAMRA for many years so well into my real beer but just been told by doc to cut down!
If Dave Woodhead reads this please get in touch!
Joe
Joe Jackson <p-g-jackson@hotmail.com>
UK - Friday, July 15, 2011 at 12:53:34 (GMT)
Delighted to sign the book as the proud son of a Member.
Dr Bernard JUBY <bjuby@wanadoo.fr>
France - Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 16:55:56 (GMT)
My grandfather was, I understand, an original member of AOFB. I am
fortunate to have inherited his AOFB silver cufflinks, and I am glad to
see that its original aims are still respected!
Nick Hilditch <Hildn@yahoo.com>
England - Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 08:44:45 (GMT)
Just came across a "Fairy Belle" bracelet (similar to that pictured
elsewhere on this site) in a box of my mother's things that has sat in
my loft for 30 years. "Googled" the "AOFB" initials from it, out of
interest, and was surprised to find this site and all the interesting
and amusing facts. For reference: her maiden name was Grace Hamilton
(b. 1906) and she lived initially in Woolwich but soon (teens) in
Shoeburyness near Southend-on-Sea, Essex. It is a surprising
association as she supposedly had signed 'the pledge' i.e. teetotal.
Sorry I cannot add more; she never mentioned it and there are no other
items to share.
Graham Smith
- Saturday, August 06, 2011 at 17:43:11 (GMT)
Just read berts
stuart Ramsbottom <stuart36@ntlworld.com>
England - Sunday, August 07, 2011 at 18:26:07 (GMT)
Congratulations Ian for reaching 18000 hits on this site
Chris Kilmister
- Sunday, August 07, 2011 at 20:46:44 (GMT)
Hail ye ole Froth Blowers. My first visit here since being initiated
in the Singapore Vat. David, how are you doing? We need more Froth
Blowers in Texas. Good drinking Mates
Greg White <bruewhite@gmail.com>
United States - Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 02:57:07 (GMT)
Thoroughly enjoyed the annual meeting of the Frothblowers at my pub
The Red Lion in Brightwell cum Sotwell on Saturday. What a fantastic
organisation and long may it last.
Fairy Belle Robson <sue@redlion.biz>
United Kingdom - Monday, October 10, 2011 at 10:28:27 (GMT)
Having found a bracelet with AOFB which I assume belonged to either
my mother or grandmother I was most interested to find out what AOFB
stood for and what a surprise I got - and now more research and maybe
become a F.O.F.B
Elizabeth Roberts
England - Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 13:58:41 (GMT)
The Publican at The Well Digger in Petworth is known as Tesicle Ted
(three or one not sure,). He is the oldest serving Landlord in West
Sussex and woe betide the Yuppie, Vegetarian or uninvited enviromental
health officer on the day of The Hunt. Ted has sat on the bar stool and
vetted would be customers for a while, more particularly as Man and Boy
since the 1950's. Not everyone passes muster and is advised about the
location of the door behind them and the dog in front. His barmaids
keep him sat on his stool, at christmas he has chanced his arm by
dangling Mistletoe before them, but a new bucksome wench walking
chancing her luck under the beries succesfull defended herself:
O'Hooligan <jtoh@talk21.com>
UK - Thursday, November 03, 2011 at 16:30:01 (GMT)
See Above. Teds barmaid said as he dangled mistletoe above her head, 'No ted, not even under anaestheitic!'
O'Hooligan <jtoh@tal21.com>
Boozeshire - Thursday, November 03, 2011 at 16:35:05 (GMT)
Hello, your activities and those of the AOFB have come to the notice
of another peculiar group - stamp collectors!!!
We have a member here who has a fund-raising stamp from the AOFB and
wonder if you might have any further information on this.
If you follow the link below, I promise it will take you to nothing
more or less subversive than the largest stamp collectors' forum in the
world:
http://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=32183
Regards,
Gavin (volunteer moderator for Stampboards.com)
Gavin H <gavin.harrison1@btopenworld.com>
England - Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 15:17:16 (GMT)
Great site!
glen stephens <glen@glenstephens.com>
Australia - Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 10:56:44 (GMT)
I have just been made aware of the A.O.F.B through an article I was
reading on Herne Hill. I was sorely dissapointed to discover that it
folded in 1931 as it is probably the only order that I would have been
proud to be a member. Are the F.O.F.B. active in any way i.e. carrying
on charitable work/get togethers in the tradition of the A.O.F.B.? I
shall enjoy reading through the content of your website and well do for
keeping alive the memory of this once noble and fun group of people.
Mark Ellis <markellis82@hotmail.co.uk>
England - Friday, November 18, 2011 at 09:38:18 (GMT)
Very interesting. I learned of this site from Stampboards.com. Keep up the good work!
Drew Thompson <drewt89@hotmail.com>
Canada - Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 11:31:21 (GMT)
The Parrs Head. My Grand Father was first a tenant at the Parr's
Head in 1922 and later when he died in 1929, it was taken over by my
Grand Mother and when she died, by my Father John Carnaby until he
retired in April 1971. They were members of AOFB at the Parr's Head in
Camden Town London. I was born there along with my Sister Sheila and my
cousins Terry and Peter Richmond. The pub was built in 1861 and in
November 2011 after 150 years of being a pub, it is now to be converted
into flats....an end of an era.
John Carnaby
John Carnaby <carnaby.jj@tiscali.co.uk>
england - Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 11:16:27 (GMT)
I found out about A.O.F.B whilst browsing on the internet for some
cufflinks as a present for my husband. I hope to purchase some A.O.F.B
cufflinks and plan to print out the booklet to go with them. I am sure
he and his friends would consider setting up a VAT. What a great
society!
Caroline Liversidge <carolineliversidge@gmail.com>
England - Monday, December 05, 2011 at 12:13:48 (GMT)
I bought a lovely old tankard as a trophy for an annual (and
obvioulsy very serious) golf competition between me and my friend
Willie (Liam) Maree. This was obtained from an artifacts shop in the
seaside village or Hermanus (South Africa) which is better known for
its whales and good wines. This is seemingly an EPNS half-pint tankard
that was presented by the Grand Typhoon Stewart Turner to the winner of
a golf tournament at the Foreland Golf Club in Kent, on 5 November
1927. If interested I will send a photograph.
Regards from a windy Somerset West, South Africa.
Manie de Klerk
Manie de Klerk <mdeklerk@mweb.co.za>
South Africa - Wednesday, January 04, 2012 at 06:24:56 (GMT)
Hello, I'm a beer judge here in the states. While at a historic car
show a couple of years ago, I found an AOFB radiator cap on a beautiful
old car and the woman who owned it told me of the Froth Blowers. I went
online and obtained a membership for my fiance and since then we've
watched to see AOFB items at antique shops and shows. However, the only
items we've been able to obtain have been on ebay. We are the proud
owners of cufflinks, playing cards and a subject-related poster. I'm
grateful to see a growing and enthusiastic interest in the AOFB! Most
of the interest, of course comes from England, but I'm hoping that our
own interest here will provide more fans for you in the future. Cheers!
Dawn Funck <dmf_ky@yahoo.com>
USA - Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 14:02:17 (GMT)
Hello, I'm a beer judge here in the states. While at a historic car
show a couple of years ago, I found an AOFB radiator cap on a beautiful
old car and the woman who owned it told me of the Froth Blowers. I went
online and obtained a membership for my fiance and since then we've
watched to see AOFB items at antique shops and shows. However, the only
items we've been able to obtain have been on ebay. We are the proud
owners of cufflinks, playing cards and a subject-related poster. I'm
hoping to obtain something from the Blue Fairies but these items are
very rare to find. All in all, I'm grateful to see a growing and
enthusiastic interest in the AOFB! Most of the interest, of course
comes from England, but I'm hoping that our own interest here will
provide more fans for you in the future. Cheers!
Dawn Funck <dmf_ky@yahoo.com>
USA - Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 14:04:13 (GMT)
Hi,
I have a pair of AOFB golf cufflinks - one side is the usual (AO and
FB) and the other has a stylised golfer, also in blue enamel on silver
but an oval link. Is there a record of an AOFB golf society?
Enjoyed reading the site and will visit again.
Henry Carruthers <henry1911c@gmail.com>
UK - Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 22:32:51 (GMT)
Last week I gave a talk to a local group about the history of our town. At the conclusion the lady chairperson gave me a half pint glass which had originated at the Crown P.H Erith. (Destroyed by enemy action in 1940)
I noticed the initials F.O.A.B imprinted on the glass.It meant nothing to me. Telephoned someone I knew who would.
Jim Packer auther of books on local pubs.He explained and as a result found your web-site.
Thank you Jim
Ken Chamberlain <ken.chamberlain@sky.com>
Kent - Tuesday, April 03, 2012 at 06:56:20 (GMT)
Very interested
Eric Lewthwaite <eric.lewthwaite@hotmail.com>
Cumbria - Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 19:02:30 (GMT)
I have just been talking to my wife regarding the A.O.F.B. and saying that I have an original booklet and was amazed that she found your web site. Keep up the good work.
Peter White <mrpeterwhitebtinternet.com>
England - Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 19:53:45 (GMT)