Posted on 11/04/2011 9:29:26 AM PDT by DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis
RJ Balson and Sons, a butchers based in Bridport, Dorset, boasts an astonishing history that is almost 500 years old.
Experts have traced the businesses roots back through 25 generations to when founder John Balson opened a stall in the town's market on South Street in 1535.
Since then dozens of family members have worked as butchers in the market town, passing their skills down the generations.
And 476 years later, the shop remains a thriving business and has been named Britain's oldest family run retailer.
At that time Henry VIII was still married to Anne Boleyn, the first complete English language translation of the Bible was printed in Antwerp by William Tynedale and Miles Coverdale, and Peru, the Galapagos Islands and Quebec were discovered.
It has been in its present location since 1880, not far from its orginal location.
According to the Institute for Family Business, this makes it the oldest continuously trading family business in Britain.
The firm sells its produce, including 20 varieties of sausages such as els, boar and ostrich,l all over the world, with a large customer base in America.
It also sells exotic fare such as pheasants and guinea fowl but has remained close to its traditional roots.
Until recently the store's owner was Donald Balson, who died this year aged 88.
He said earlier this year: "The love of the job, which has been passed down from generation to generation, is one of the main reasons we have been successful."
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Henry VIII ping
kind of cool
Wow! I’d figure that’s about the oldest continuously-run business anywhere. What is that, about a dozen generations?
That was a good time to get a head.
I guess we finally know where the beef is.
I guess they catered to the Beefeaters to gin up some business.
Beretta opened for business in 1526...
Beretta is pretty old, as is Kikkoman soy sauce. Neat stuff!
FReegards
The article says 25 generations.
How did they avoid inheritance taxes?
Make these b@stards pay!
Actually, the oldest business in Britain is the royal family, which can be traced back to William the Bastard in 1066, and used taxation, cronyism, cruel & unusual punishments like drawing & quartering, and dynastic wars to keep itself in power until finally they were restrained by the Whigs and their American revolutionary offspring.
“At that time Henry VIII was still married to Anne Boleyn, the first complete English language translation of the Bible was printed in Antwerp by William Tynedale and Miles Coverdale, and Peru, the Galapagos Islands and Quebec were discovered.”
Heck, Helen Thomas was the first customer.
Laughed at that one!
ping
´My kingdom for another.´
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| GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach | |
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Thanks wolfman23601....when founder John Balson opened a stall in the town's market on South Street in 1535... Henry VIII was still married to Anne Boleyn, the first complete English language translation of the Bible was printed in Antwerp by William Tynedale and Miles Coverdale, and Peru, the Galapagos Islands and Quebec were discovered.Quebec and Peru? Yeah, as if they wouldn't have found those anyway. ;') [stolen joke alert] |
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King Henry, can you go riding, or do you have to axe your wife first?
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