170 YEARS ON AND STILL PION"EAR"ING

Independent hearing specialist Broom Reid & Harris are celebrating their 170^th year in business making them one of the oldest running independent companies in Exeter. Cast your mind back to 1841, the year that BR&H opened their doors on Queen Street as a pharmacy and opticians. Less than a decade earlier the city had suffered an outbreak of cholera and there was a real need for pharmacies to make healthcare of the day readily available.

The pharmacists would wrap prescriptions for ailments like indigestion, influenza, coughs and headaches in a white paper bag and seal it with wax. Many of these were exclusive to BR&H and over 120 recipes can be seen hand written in a book over 100 years old now on display at BR&H's practice in the Guildhall Shopping Centre, along with other artefacts from their 170 year history.

Looking closely at old photographs of BR&H reveals an Aladdin’s cave of items: artificial eyes and knee caps, oxygen, cameras, binoculars and barometers. But it was none of these things that the company would eventually be famed for.

BR&H introduced electric hearing aids in the 1920s. At the time they were considered to be something of a gimmick; a fad. Today over two million people in the UK use hearing aids and another four million would benefit from them. 

In the early days it was the opticians who would fit them, and even they didn't realise just how pioneering they were.  Practice owner Curtis Alcock explains, “They would run upstairs to the glasses workshop to announce the sale of a hearing aid which, I'm told, was greeted by great cheering and hollering! You have to remember that those first hearing aids were so large and cumbersome you would have to set it on the table or wear it on your body; no wonder people thought it would never take off!” 

In the early 1940’s, Ron Silmon joined BR&H, carrying out general work within the pharmacy. He was to eventually develop BR&H's dedicated hearing aid dispensary. The invention of the transistor in the 1950’s meant hearing aids were fast becoming smaller and more discreet, a far cry from the original bulky designs. As demand increased, it was no longer enough for hearing aids just to be a “bolt-on service for opticians”: to do it properly required dedicated experience and expertise, and Ron began laying those foundations, implementing the best practices of the day and sourcing cutting-edge technology to ensure his clients had the best results.

When talks of a new Guildhall Shopping Centre for Exeter meant relocation for BR&H from their premises on Queen Street, plans were made to merge the optical and photographic side with other businesses. BR&H was now free to focus on hearing aids. Ron moved the practice into the Guildhall Shopping Centre, where it remains to this day “tucked away discreetly” on the Higher Market Gallery. 

Ron has long since retired, but his commitment to providing unrivalled private hearing care in Devon continues today through Curtis Alcock, who now owns BR&H with his wife. After 170 years, it's reassuring to know that not only is Exeter home to possibly the longest established hearing care practices in the country, but BR&H is still a name synonymous with personal service, traditional values and pioneering cutting-edge technology.

COME AND JOIN IN THE CELEBRATIONS AS WE HELP BROOM REID & HARRIS MARK 170 YEARS

SUPPORTED BY:



Independent hearing specialist Broom Reid & Harris - one of Exeter's longest established businesses celebrates 170 years with an exciting public exhibition at The Rougemont Exeter/Thistle Hotel, Queen Street on Monday 17 October from 10 am – 6.30 pm. 

Queen Street - Image courtesy of The Isca Collection, Exeter

Join us at this very special anniversary event in aid of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.  Learn about Broom Reid & Harris' rich and interesting history; try out the latest cutting edge hearing technology and meet the famous ‘Put that ruddy light out!” Hodges Bill Pertwee MBE from the classic British Sitcom, Dad’s Army who is joining in the celebrations at this landmark event.



 





 Image courtesy of The Isca Collection, Exeter

 Established in 1841 as a Victorian Pharmacy on Queen Street, Broom Reid & Harris were there at the beginning of the pioneering launch of hearing care. Witnessing the progression from cumbersome ear trumpets right through to modern day ultra-discreet and intelligent hearing systems, we want to celebrate this landmark milestone and enable the people of Exeter to get a rare glimpse into just how far hearing technology has developed.







Experience the advanced hearing technology



 The day promises to provide some interesting background into the well known Exeter business with an insight into the exciting development of hearing care. There will be fascinating artefacts to view such as a wonderfully preserved Victorian medicine book, handwritten recipes to treat the ailments of the day as well as exhibition stands from world leading manufacturers showcasing the latest innovations and advances in hearing technology. Global experts in their field they lead the way in areas such as separating speech from background noise and restoring the subtler sounds that give us the beginning and endings of words in a way that's comfortable and practical for use in everyday life.





 

BR&H staff serving in the shop - Image courtesy of The Isca Collection, Exeter

In the afternoon join us for a traditional Devon cream tea- pre-booking essential. When BR&H was located in Queen Street with around 30 staff (pharmaceutical; optical; photographic and hearing) they would stop work for afternoon tea and cakes on someone's birthday. We thought we would take a walk down memory lane as a wonderful way to remember this traditional and quintessentially English pastime accompanied by nostalgic music from a live band.  There will be complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day, a cash bar available and the opportunity to purchase hotel snacks if required. 

Celebrity guest star Bill Pertwee MBE better known as Captain Mainwaring’s arch rival, Chief Air Raid Warden “put that light out Hodges” from the vintage Dad’s Army sitcomwill be joining us from 12 noon. During the afternoon's entertainment he will be recounting some of his memories from the classic series and why he loves living in Devon. He will also draw the charity raffle prizes being held in support of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The charity train and provide dogs that help people with very severe hearing difficulties by alerting them to important sounds and danger signals in the home, work place and public buildings. BR&H has seen firsthand the difference these dogs make but there's a huge shortage of trained dogs and want to help.  You will have the chance to meet one of these working dogs and there are some great prizes to be won to raise funds for this very worthy charity.

Local celebrity Bill Pertwee MBE will be joining in the day's events

Everyone's welcome to join us - it's not every day you're 170 years old!  It promises to be a unique and wonderful occasion and even if you don’t have hearing difficulties yourself you will benefit from the day.  It can be very frustrating when a friend, family member or work colleague isn't hearing as well as they should.  Maybe they have the TV on louder; say 'huh?' a lot; need things repeating more often or experience difficulties where there are a lot of people talking. Come along and find out more about how you can help them by getting some informal advice in a non-threatening environment supported by Exeter FM.

 

The Rougemont Exeter/ Thistle Hotel





www.brandh.co.uk



Monday 17 October 2011 – 10 am – 6.30 pm

@ The Rougemont Exeter /Thistle Hotel – Queen Street, Exeter

ADMISSION FREE:

Spaces for Devon Cream Teas are limited with reserved tables for the entertainment.  Pre-booking is essential

For more information or to book your place please contact BR&H:

T: 01392 436714

E: info@brandh.co.uk