Swapping beer for tea

Most of us may enjoy a tipple or two. But if you’d lived in the nineteenth century in Westbury, chances are you might have swapped the demon drink for a pledge card. 

The temperance movement was popular across the country and Westbury was no exception with several thriving temperance societies and even some for children.

And ditching the camaraderie of the pub was no problem for these abstainers – the societies hosted a range of popular events from parades and teas to concerts and train excursions. 

Historian Sally Hendry has been researching the history of temperance in our town alongside that of the many inns and beer houses that once graced almost every thoroughfare in Westbury.

She said, “It’s fascinating to see how Westbury really took up the temperance cause. There was even a meeting of WW1 soldiers at the Laverton in 1915 with many of them signing the pledge before going off to do their duty 

Sally will give a talk at the Westbury Festival at 7.30pm on Tuesday 22nd July at the United Reform Church in Warminster Road. The venue has a car park accessed off The Butts.  Buy tickets at www.westburyfestival.org.uk