Address
27 Brook StreetEdlesborough
Dunstable
Beds
LU6 2JG
Telephone Number
07507 237218Email Address
secretary@bacfi.org
|
|
//Past Events 2026
[2026] [2025] [2024] [2023] [2022] [2021] [2020]
[2019] [2018] [2017] [2016] [2015] [2014]
[2013] [2012] [2011] [2010] [2009] [2008]
Walking Tour 2
Employed Bar Garden Party (18 May)
Wine Tasting (23 April)
Legal Coffeehouses (26 March)
International Women's Day (10 March)
Motor Commissions Webinar (18 February)
Walking Tour 2
17th September 2026
Dr Matthew Green led us on another fascinating tour of the City of London, telling the story from Medieval times to the present day through wine, hot chocolate, tea and gin! Starting at Bow Church we learned about how wine was so important in Medieval times, with the “middle classes” of the time drinking around 5 pints per day due to the water being too dangerous to drink and ale being for those of a lower social standing. The story of the Anchorites who lived in tiny cells within church walls was told whilst at the site of one at the rear of Bow Church. We visited the site of one of the 100 or so vineyards which were in the City, which later became a plague pit.
The chocolate houses sprang up around the rebuilt St Paul’s Cathedral and soon the aristocracy of the day turned them into gambling dens with some of the chocolate houses becoming private members clubs which still exist. Next, we visited Gough Square and by the memorial to Hodge the cat, we found out about Dr Johnson’s tea drinking habit of 20 cups per night. The story of gin followed with landowners initially being told to turn surplus crops into gin, Londoners consuming far too much due to how cheap it was and thereby causing huge social problems and then high taxes and limitations on production to end the problems.
Everyone greatly enjoyed our walk with samples of beverages along the way and watch this space for another event with Dr Green next year.
 |
 |
 |