A few years ago whilst enjoying a leisurely walk along the south side of the Thames, I noticed something that caught my eye. Having being introduced to one of the prominent riverside pubs, The Founders Arms", something wasn't quite right. I started scratching my head, then it dawned on me, that the pubs signage had changed. Taking in all that the new sign could offer, being more of a traditionalist I wasn't too keen on the new design.
This however got me thinking, asking the question," what has happened to the old signs, & breweriana?".
I decided to email Youngs, to see if any items of interest could be salvaged for me to add to my collection of mirrors, pump clips, pewter tankards & bottle openers.
I received a reply, saying that all the pubs items had been taken away for disposal, although dis-heartened towards the end of the email, it mentioned that a large pub sign that had been salvaged form another Youngs pub was available. I jumped at the chance to own a piece of history. I was also fortunate to find out that if I wanted the sign, they would even deliver it to my house free of charge. The sign now sits proudly in my back garden.
This is the pub sign that got my curiosity, the better of me. Fortunately, for the better, as this meant that my thirst for all things pubs & breweries began to slowly bloom. To keep up to date,I have been meaning for a long time to take a trip over to Wandsworth, to do a bit more digging around to witness for myself what has been, & going to be taking place in the immediate future, which I am going to try to shed some light on the subject.
I had decided to eagerly get out of bed, recently on a Sunday morning, to take a drive to Wandsworth, to avoid travelling by overhead train to escape the threat of the Corona virus bug. I had scanned the area using Google maps, thinking it a good idea to park in Sainsburys nearest to the area, I wished to peruse. I get stressed parking the car at the best of times. When I arrived at the supermarkets car park, I got so confused by the parking restrictions, I turned around & headed home. That is typically me in a nut shell.
It is claimed that on the site, a stone throws distance from the river Wandle, a tributary of the river Thames, that runs through the London boroughs of Croydon, Sutton, Merton & Wandsworth a Ram pub, was recorded to being present as early as 1550. The owner was a lady named Elizabeth Ridon, who leased out the premises. Then in 1576, it is stated that after having his house burgled by a thief, who was tried at the local assize court, it was found that a man named Humphrey Landridge, was a beer brewer in Wandsworth. Then in 1581, records show Langridge as being the landlord of ,"The Rame",probably also involved in the art of brewing on the site.
There is still a Ram Inn present on the site today. The picture on the right, you can see the Ram Inn, which sits snuggly on the corner of Wandsworth High Street & Ram Street, re-opened on the 25th of September 2020. I wish them every success, especially during the over shadowing shroud of this Covid-19 virus. I had the privilege, whilst scouting the area, of bumping into a gentlemen named Alexis. From his appearance, I immediately knew that he was involved in brewing. He told me of the Ram Inns immediate re-opening, explaining that he brews on site.
By 1675, the brewery was run by the Draper family. Then in 1831, a Mr Charles Allen Young, & Anthony Fothergill Bainbridge, bought the brewery from the Tritton family. Thomas Tritton, ran the brewery, until his death in the mid -1780's. Tritton's son, George Tritton then took over from his father, keeping the brewery going until the beginning of the 1830's. It was around this time, that the Tritton family, came into contact with the Youngs family. The first public railway to be santioned by parliament, was established in 1803. The Surrey Iron Railway, ran to the east of the Ram Brewery wall, on its route from the Thames to Croydon. The wagons were horse drawn, along a track of cast iron plates, laid on stone sleepers. George Tritton, became one of the projects shareholders. Another shareholder was Florence Young, who manufactured brewing equipment. Florence Young, was the father of Charles Allen Young, from this connection with George Tritton, a strong, professional, relationship developed, culminating in Youngs son, Charles Allen Young, in partnership with Anthony Fothergill Bainbridge, purchasing the Ram Brewery in 1831. The legacy of the Young's family name, was set in stone, as Charles Florence Young, concreted the dynasty into history, when the partnership of his father, & Anthony Fothergill Bainbridge, ended in 1864. The company became Young & Co's, still known by this name today.
It is true of most breweries, whether they be large, or small they generally have an outlet otherwise known as a tap room, where beer loving connoisseurs can venture, to try the breweries wares. This seemed to be the direction, the partnership of Young & Bainbridge steered towards, as a way of assuring their products, were devoured by customers across London, & the area to the south-west. Ales, stout, & porter, then more recently the selling of lager, have meant that today, you can find within the Youngs pub portfolio, over 200 hundred pubs bearing the famous golden ram logo.
After a fire nearly totally destroyed the brewery after it was purchased, the determination of the partnership, meant that due to the onslaught of the Industrial Revolution, the introduction of a steam engine to help streamline production, meant that demands could be met, to supply a growing number of customers. The companies Brewery Tap the Ram Inn, as I mentioned earlier has gained a new lease of life. The building is absolutely amazing, so when I get the chance, I will endeavour to cross its threshold, as to wonder as to the memorabilia I may find hidden inside. It appears that the pub, in its original guise, dates back to the 1670s.
Under the guidance of the Tritton family, an establishment that can be visited today, is the most audacious Dog & Fox in Wimbledon, I had a gander of Google maps, to find that the pub still can be found.
https://www.youngs.co.uk/search?status=complete&type=youngs
If you look at the link above you can find pubs all over the south. Over the past few years, I have only scratched the surface in coming across pubs, that are part of the Ram Pub Company. Another, early acquisition to the Young & Banbridge partnership, came with gaining the lease to the Windmill in Clapham, as early as the 1600s. Another early addition to the pub estate, was purchase of another pub, the Dukes Head in Wallington, which can be found in the list of Youngs pubs, in the link above.
By 2006 a press release was issued, stating that the Ram Brewery, was to be no more. The brewery by this stage, was producing beer that was exported to many European countries. This included several drinks for InBev, including Courage Best, & Mackeson Stout.
Therefore, production was moved to the Eagle Brewery in Bedford, then owned by Ch
By 2006 a press release was issued, stating that the Ram Brewery, was to be no more. The brewery by this stage, was producing beer that was exported to many European countries. This included several drinks for InBev, including Courage Best, & Mackeson Stout.
Therefore, production was moved to the Eagle Brewery in Bedford, then owned by Charles Wells. This became an amalgamation between Wells & Youngs, forming a company that went into operation in October 2006. The partnership was then sold to Marston's, who own a fleet of breweries across the country. Marston's now own the rights to the Young's brand, brewing in Bedfords Eagle brewery.
In 2008, the site was bought by property developers Minerva plc, to redevelop the area into new/shopping business centre. I myself having been to the area on a few occasions now, I only appear to see residential apartments, but I admit that sometimes, I do walk around with my eyes closed. In order for the heritage of the site to flourish,
In 2008, the site was bought by property developers Minerva plc, to redevelop the area into new/shopping business centre. I myself having been to the area on a few occasions now, I only appear to see residential apartments, but I admit that sometimes, I do walk around with my eyes closed. In order for the heritage of the site to flourish, & to be a reminder of Wandsworth social history, a former Youngs brewer John Hatch, was hired to help keep the integrity of the area intact. It was decided, that one of his main roles was to provide a micro brewery, with the intention to keep the art of brewing alive, on the site of the once infamous Ram Brewery.
The intention of John Hatch, was to lay claim, that the area of the Ram Brewery could proudly pronounce, that the site holds the niche, as being the oldest London Brewery, to continuously brew beer. The site, before the outbreak of Corona virus, housed a micro brewery, a museum of brewing history, where the coppers, & beam engine are disp
The intention of John Hatch, was to lay claim, that the area of the Ram Brewery could proudly pronounce, that the site holds the niche, as being the oldest London Brewery, to continuously brew beer. The site, before the outbreak of Corona virus, housed a micro brewery, a museum of brewing history, where the coppers, & beam engine are displayed. Now at this present time, a new era is about to unfold. Sambrooks Brewery, operating in Battersea announced a little while back, that plans of expansion were afoot. Now the time has come, slowly, slowly, they are uprooting, to brew on the site of Youngs Ram Brewery.
You can be a part of the areas continuing history, by exploring a rebirth of tradition. Go for a wander, enter the Ram Inn, which has just been recently reopened, the site of the original Ram Inn. Then go for a little walk, through the site of the Ram Brewery, of Young & Bainbridge fame. Get a feel of how the place once was, but which will be once again be thriving, with the arrival of Sambrooks. Sample their wonderful brews, which can be purchased, from the pop up stall opposite Pret a Manger, on Wandsworth High Street. You can find the stall nestling between the succulent wares, supplied by Pigling Street. The pork is sumptuous, the beer a delight, on a Saturday between 11:00am & 4:00pm. I myself, will be sitting back to enjoy some Sambrooks, Wandle, & Lavender Hill. Bring it on......
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