The award-winning Shire horses from Daniel Thwaites packed their bags and trotted off to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard as part of a UK tour of much loved coastal resorts in celebration of their 50th anniversary. Two Shires, the aptly named ‘Wainwright’ after the breweries’ famous beer and ‘Midas’, the newest member to the stables, stopped to take in the showery sea breeze and enjoy a pint with the locals yesterday (25th August).
The Shires were ‘docked’ outside HMS Warrior 1860, the only surviving member of Queen Victoria''s Black Battle Fleet, which itself is celebrating a significant anniversary later this year and provided a fantastic setting for the Shires’ commemorative tour marking fifty years since the brewery’s introduction of horse-drawn deliveries. Since their introduction half a century ago, the fame of the Shires has spread throughout the country, embodying the traditional values that are such an important part of the Daniel Thwaites’ heritage.
Warrior’s Captain Ken Jones welcomed the horses with a pint of their favourite Thwaites brew, much to the amusement of the passing visitors!
The Shires also left their legacy behind in their parting gift of manure rich in ‘Lancashire beer’, which was presented in a bucket to the volunteers of the beautifully landscaped ‘Porters Garden’ situated just opposite HMS Warrior.
Accompanying ‘Wainwright’ and ‘Midas’ on their summer tour of the UK, is their trusty stable team which includes Head Groom, Charles Beardmore, who has worked for Daniel Thwaites for an impressive 40 years, Head Coachman, Richard Green, who has been with the stables for 10 years and Jonathan Jones, the youngest member in the team at five years.
Carol Shearer, Commercial Operations Manager at Daniel Thwaites comments: “We are delighted to celebrate the golden anniversary of the Shire horses at the Historic Dockyard and HMS Warrior. As one of the few breweries in the UK to still use a working Shire team we understand that our horses and stable team are an integral part of the heritage of Daniel Thwaites. Everyone needs a vacation, which even applies to our Shires ‘Midas’ and ‘Wainwright’. Members of the public can expect to see them having fun at some of the UK’s most loved coastal resorts, as well as enjoying a pint or two at some of the local pubs.”
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Note to Editors:
Keep up-to-date with the Shire horses’ summer tour on Facebook and Twitter:
- http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Midas-Touch/381216717424?ref=ts
- http://twitter.com/Daniel_Thwaites
Daniel Thwaites has been established as an independent family brewer since 1807 and as such has a rich heritage and tradition as an artisan brewer governed by family values. The company has an estate of over 300 pubs and is a leading regional brewer from the north of England. Daniel Thwaites supply beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks to a vast portfolio of licensed premises in the UK – from traditional bars and pubs to the growing hotel and restaurant sectors and sports clubs.
Photos courtesy of Professional Images and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
