Gale's facts for kids
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| Private (1919–86) | |
| Industry | Food |
| Fate | Acquired by Rowntree Mackintosh in 1986, currently a brand |
| Founded | 1919 |
| Founder | Richard Westley Gale |
| Headquarters | |
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Area served
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U.K. |
| Products | Honey |
| Parent |
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Gale's is a well-known brand of honey in the UK. It's currently owned by a company called Premier Foods. Gale's started as its own company in 1919 and stayed independent for many years. Later, it became part of bigger food companies like Rowntree Mackintosh Confectionery before joining Premier Foods.
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The Story of Gale's Honey
Gale's honey has a long and interesting history, starting over 100 years ago!
How it Began
The company began in 1919. Two men, Richard Westley Gale and Sidney Thomas Rayner, started a business together called "Rayner & Gale." They were partners in this new venture.
In 1926, the partnership ended. Richard Westley Gale then created a new company called "R.W. Gale & Co. Ltd." This new company was based in south London.
Changes in Ownership
Over the years, Gale's honey became part of several larger food companies.
Reckitt & Colman
In 1948, a company called Joseph Farrow & Company bought Gale's. Joseph Farrow was a part of a bigger company called Reckitt & Colman. For many years, Gale's was the biggest honey maker in the UK.
Rowntree Mackintosh
On November 28, 1986, Rowntree Mackintosh Confectionery bought Gale's for £11 million. The place where the honey was made moved to Hadfield, Derbyshire.
Then, in 1988, Nestlé bought Rowntree Mackintosh. This meant Gale's honey became part of Nestlé too.
Premier Foods
In May 2002, Premier Foods bought Gale's. They also bought other brands from Nestlé at the same time. The factory in Hadfield closed in 2004.
Today, Gale's honey is made at a Premier Foods factory in Histon, near Cambridge. They sell about 4 million jars of honey every year!
How Gale's is Advertised
Companies use marketing to tell people about their products.
In 1964, Gale's suggested that people could stir honey into hot milk as a nighttime drink. They also said honey in hot water with lemon juice could help a sore throat.
A famous song, or jingle, was used to advertise the honey. It went: Gale's, Gale's pass the honey please, think about the honey, think about the bees.
Gale's honey sells especially well during the winter months, from November to February.
Types of Gale's Honey
Gale's offers different kinds of honey for people to enjoy:
- Gale's Traditional Set Honey
- Gale's Traditional Clear Honey
- Gale's Lemon Curd
