Fordingbridge Museum acquires rare flagon from Viney & King mill

A RARE flagon which features advertising for a former mill which once stood on the site of Fordingbridge Museum has been donated to the institution.

The item, which is traditionally used to store water, ale and other liquids, has the words 'Viney & King' at the top of the vessel with "Grocers and corn merchants Fordingbridge" underneath.

The museum is located in Kings Yard, named after the King family who ran a grocery and corn merchant business from the mill building that now houses the museum.

The hoist cover for lifting bags of grain and the remains of the steam engine used to power the mill can still be seen.

Museum manager Jane Ireland said: "We are incredibly lucky to have acquired this most unusual flagon.

"William King was the eldest of nine children and in 1851 was originally a farm labourer.

"After moving to Fordingbridge he worked as a grocery assistant for grocer, Titus Mitchell.

"Working alongside him was Thomas Viney who was the son of a Stuckton farmer.

"In 1870 William and Thomas bought the business and ran it until 1900 when Thomas left to return to farming, while William continued to run the business as William King and Sons."

The flagon was owned by Richard Mann, who has been collecting unusual flagons since he was a teenager.

The great, great-granddaughter of William King, Helen Tague, said the family were "immensely proud" of William and his achievements.

She added: "He was a self-made entrepreneur who rose from humble origins to run a thriving business and play a leading role in the community.

"The flagon will now take pride of place in the museum as a lasting memorial to this fascinating man."