The Victorians were famously highly inventive. Many business people were keen to add to the community. In 1851 Hodges Distillery Fire Brigade was founded. In 1862 Mr. Frederick Hodges erected a 125 foot iron lookout for fires in the immediate area. Mr. Hodges’ fire service was in fact so advanced that he had the telegraph installed so he could communicate with other fire stations across London. By 1869 these premises were being sold, so it would be fascinating to know what became of the distillery, the fire service and Frederick Hodges – so stay tuned as this researcher is always keen to search and search!
