Worksop & Retford Brewery

dave@stksbge.demon.co.uk

Dear Jeff,

We met at the GBBF earlier this week - as discussed, myself and a colleague are currently researching the Worksop and Retford Brewery, which was demolished in 1962, as background for a novel. We would love to hear from anyone who worked for the company in the late 1950’s or early 60’s. We are particularly interested in finding an original recipe for Worksop Ale, and in speaking to anyone who can remember the taste, or the experience, of drinking this, or any of, their beers.

The Worksop and Retford Brewery was a large employer and a landmark enterprise for the whole of Bassetlaw. Worksop malt was critical to the success of brewing operations in Manchester and the Midlands.

Photographs provide an indication of the sheer size of the operation. Ornate wrought iron gates opened out onto a large eye-catching and decorative five storey building, built from bricks of different colour in a style in favour at the time.

The brewery was acquired by Tennant Brothers of Sheffield, in 1958 and demolished in 1962 when Tennants were taken over by Whitbread. The company was voluntarily wound up by a Special Resolution passed at an Extraordinary General Meeting held at the Exchange Brewery, Sheffield in April 1970.

We have received detailed information/photos from a visit to Bassetlaw Museum and from Mike Richards, Head Brewer at Thorne Brewery, whose father worked for WRB. We had a useful conversation with Frank Greaves who worked at the bonded warehouse and packaging plant built on the site of the Brewery by Tennants (Manager from 1974 until his retirement in 1993). We have also come across some interesting photographs of the brewery insignia: the Half Moon (Retford) and the Langold Hotel (now demolished).

If you could provide any other pointers, I would be very grateful,

thanks,

Dave