A relic that could have played an integral part in the life of beer drinkers in Watford, more than half a century ago, has been unearthed at a building site in King Street.
While workmen were excavating on the site they uncovered a tunnel which is believed to have been part of the old Healey’s brewery.
There are no records to show that such a tunnel ever existed, but borough librarian Mr R.C. Sayell has put forward a theory that it was a tunnel leading to an “icehouse” which was used by the brewery.
The icehouses were a primitive forerunner of today’s refridgerator and usually took the form of an underground chamber with a tunnel leading to them.
Other theories about the tunnel discovered in King Street, however, have it that at one time it was a tunnel which lead from Healey’s to Benskin’s.
Handy thing to have, you know, a tunnel to a brewery.
[From John Gade’s diary column in the Watford Observer of March 31, 1967]
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here