Programme Seven: 30.45

Wilson’s Newton Heath Brewery, Monsall Road, Manchester. Also included in this edition is the history of Walker & Homfray’s Ltd, Woodside Brewery, Wilmslow Street, Salford, which merged with Wilson’s in 1949.

Interviews with brewery historian Paul Brennan, brewery employees George Wright and Bruce Cunningham.  Researcher Neil Richardson.

When Wilson’s amalgamated with Watney Mann Ltd in August 1960 they had 750 tied houses.  Brewing ceased in 1987.  The old Newton Heath Brewery has since been demolished.

Music:

‘I Likes a Drop of Good Beer’

‘The British Toper’

Programme Eight: 31.07

Marston Thompson & Evershed Ltd, The Brewery, Shobnall Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.

Features interviews with Marston’s brewery historian Eric Fowler, Trade Director David Setford, Free Trade Manager Bob Andrews, Senior Shift Brewer Steve Brooks, Bottling Manager Ian Myrtle, Resident Director in Macclesfield Ken Lunn, Rex Neame, and researcher Neil Richards

Also included: W A Smith & Sons Ltd, Crown Brewery, Bond Street, Macclesfield.  Interview with old Brewery Foreman John Smith. The company and their 25 public houses were acquired by Marstons in 1962.

W T Rothwell Ltd, Heath Brewery, Old Road, Newton Heath. Retired Director Charles Maurice Rothwell. They were taken over by Marstons in February 1961, brewing stopped in 1968.

As if to prove that ‘…things that go around – come around’, Marston Thompson & Evershed were the subject of an acrimonious buy out by Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, Wolverhampton, in February 1999.

Music:

‘I Likes a Drop of Good Beer’

‘The British Toper’