Spring Hill Brewery
Spring Hill Brewery, Spring Hill Farm, Salter’s Lane, Lower Moor, Fladbury, Worcestershire.
Established in 1895 by Ernest GC Bomford and in 1899 in partnership with Charles WH Smartt.
The latter was involved with the Vale of Evesham Brewery Ltd in the former City Brewery premises at Nechells Birmingham, to where most of the brewing was transferred.
Smartt was bankrupt in 1905.
Mike Brown writes:-
Ernest George Cooke Bomford, was the eldest son of Benjamin of Pitshill.
Originally at Harrington Grange farm he moved to Spring Hill around 1870. He was an extensive hop farmer and in 1898 was brewing on a commercial scale.
In 1898 he was supplying the Birmingham market from 16 Temple Street. Then in 1899 he took as partner, Charles William Herbert Smartt, who also managed the business.
In 1900 a new 10qtr malting was built here. It seems they were also involved with the Non-Deposit Beer Co, 69a Bath Row, Birmingham. Brewing was transferred to Cato Street though they continued to supply malt and hops from here, (see Vale of Evesham Brewery Ltd.
In 1901 Ernest died of diabetes aged 52, but his widow continued the business for a short time. Some buildings remain.
In 1905 Smartt was bankrupt, but denied an accusation of “wilful deceit”.
In 1909 Charles Carter Read also was bankrupt, home Fladbury House. In 1904 he had financed the purchase of several pubs to be supplied by his brother-in-law Smartt, losing some £12,750.