Have you ever fancied owning a slice of brewing history? If so, CAMRA’s National Breweriana Auction is just the event for you. This year’s auction, the 38th, presented by CAMRA’s Games and Collectables group, will be held on Saturday 19 October at its now traditional home, the Town Hall in Burton-on-Trent. You don’t have to be an expert to attend and it is great fun to take part (or even just to watch). It is also an opportunity to acquire some great bargains, many of which may appreciate in value. Like any CAMRA event, there is, of course, some good beer on sale all day (from a local brewery).
We are expecting to have around 150 auction lots from all over the country: everything from mirrors to trays, advertising signs, water jugs, flagons, bottles, books and pump clips, as well as a few more unusual items. There will also be a number of stands selling brewery memorabilia to add to the atmosphere in this wonderful Victorian venue.
This year’s lots include items from Guinness, Heginbothams of Stalybridge (founded in 1851 and acquired by Robinsons of Stockport in 1915) and the Shanklin Brewery from the Isle of Wight.
We will also have some bottles, including the Royal Brewery Brentford ‘Commemoration Bottle 1832-1957’ which commemorated the 1827 discovery of the North West Passage. Fractionally older is the 1953 Taylor Walker Coronation bottle. This famous east London brewery was acquired by Ind Coope Ltd in 1959 with brewing ending in 1960. The Taylor Walker name is now owned by Greene King and is still visible on the façades of some of their former pubs. If you prefer jugs, we have one from the Courage Alton Brewery, the original home of Directors’ Bitter.
Brewing ceased here in September 1969, moving to Reading. This was the former Simonds brewery and we have one of their hotel ashtrays. That brewery closed in 1979 when brewing moved to the ill-fated ‘mega-keggery’ at Worton Grange. From the Midlands, we have a tray from Hardy’s & Hanson’s brewery, which was acquired by Greene King in 2006 and closed.
Burton-on-Trent is easily accessible by train (just short of two hours from London, change at Derby) and the Town Hall is just a short walk from the railway station. It is wheelchair accessible. The event starts at 10.30 and there will be plenty of time to view the lots and browse the breweriana stands until bidding starts at noon. The auction is usually finished by 3pm, which gives you time to have a final perusal of the stands before visiting some of Burton’s iconic pubs before heading home. Look out for the new brewery and tap near the station.
Entrance is by catalogue (£3.00), available on the day or in advance by post (£4.55 second class or £5.40 first class) from Bill Austin: 07831 688276. If you can’t get there, postal bids are accepted; just contact Bill. Similarly contact Bill if you have breweriana items that you would like to enter into the auction.
For more details see here.
Christine Cryne