Flowers Final 28:02:25 - Flipbook - Page 126
y. He gained experience of brewing through family relatives, the Fordham family, and served a form of
ticeship at their premises in Ashwell, Hertfordshire. In 1831, with a legacy following his father9s death in
, he established his own brewery at Stratford-upon-Avon. The premises were erected on land between the
gham and Clopton roads. The Brewery was served by a canal wharf which facilitated the delivery of
als along with the onward distribution of the finished product.
st few years were not without difficulty, particularly through hard lessons learned from poor techniques.
er, the introduction of an East India pale ale, based on the pale beers produced in Burton on Trent, put
ewery on the map. Sales increased rapidly year on year and the company9s future was secured. Another
dgar, would also join the company which enjoyed steady growth during the mid-Victorian period. The
l site proved to be too small so a new brewery was built on the Birmingham road. Brewing continued at
plant and the offices were retained for an administrative function.
0 successful years, Edward Flower retired from the Brewery and left the business under the control of two
ons in 1863. The company9s founder was four times mayor of Stratford, and was also a county magistrate.
came known for entertaining American tourists who came to visit Shakespeare9s birthplace, often opening
ors to visitors at the Hill, a mansion he had built in 1855 with the wealth accumulated through the
y. His last term as mayor saw him oversee the towns celebrations for the tercentenary of Shakespeare9s
n 1864. He twice contested parliamentary seats but was not elected. He and his wife Celina moved to
n where the retired brewer worked as a philanthropist, particularly in the field of equine care. Indeed, he
later be dubbed the "horse9s friend". Edward Fordham flower died in 1883 at his residence in Hyde Park
ns. Celina died a year later.
