Longton - W & R Wilkins Brewery

Name: W & R Wilkins Brewery

Address: Marsh Lane, Longton

W & R Wilkins Brewery, Marsh Lane, Longton

The following article from West Lancs CAMRA (now Central Lancs) Ale Cry Magazine in Autumn 2006 was written by Gordon Small and provides excellent historic background and context to the breweries of Longton...

"In the early 1900’s the then small village of Longton was an interesting place for the beer drinker, with two rival breweries being situated just yards apart on Marsh Lane. Like Matthew Brown, both had come into existence around 1830 when there had been an important change in the country’s beer duty laws. The smaller of the two breweries was James Pye & Son, based at the Longton Brewery and with a company trademark of a boars head on a platter. Unfortunately Pye’s was to survive only until 1905, when it was taken over by Walmesleys of Preston, with the Smithy Inn at Much Hoole being one of about 10 pubs which were selling their beers. The loss of Pye’s meant that neighbouring brewers and maltsters W & R Wilkins were able to expand, and over the years they were to build up an estate of over 20 pubs. Wilkins Brewery pubs were thick on the ground in Longton and the surrounding villages, with the Golden Ball being the brewery tap. In 1952 Wilkins Brewery was taken over by Salford-based brewers Groves & Whitnall." 

(by Gordon Small)

The History

Thomas Wilkins b.1775 was the founder of the Wilkins Maltings and lived on Marsh Lane with his family in the property known as Plumpton House, which still stands at the junction of Marsh Lane and The Maltings, the original site of the brewery.

Marriage: 5 Jan 1801 St Mary, Penwortham, Lancashire, England

Thomas Wilkins - this Parish

Ellen Southworth - this Parish

    Witness: Thos. Blackhurst; Margt. Wilkins

    Married by Licence by: Jas. Barton Minister

Plumpton House aka Brewery House, Marsh Lane

Baptismal records from St Andrews record their children and also Thomas' occupation as an Innkeeper at the Golden Ball Inn, which is located at the junction of Marsh Lane and the Liverpool & Preston Turnpike Road and became the brewery tap. I have added some background to the different directions their children took but suffice to say, many were inextricably linked to the brewery industry.

Baptism: 21 Apr 1805 St Andrew, Longton, Lancashire, England
Margaret Wilkins - Daughter of Thos. Wilkins & Ellen
Abode: Longton
(* Margaret married a local farmer, Robert Howard and together they ran the Ram's Head Inn in nearby Tarleton from 1826 - Rams Head Inn (turnpike road))

Baptism: 24 May 1807 St Andrew, Longton, Lancashire, England

William Wilkins - Son of Thos. Wilkins & Ellen
Abode: Longton

Baptism: 27 Nov 1808 St Andrew, Longton, Lancashire, England

John Wilkins - Son of Thomas Wilkins & Ellen
Abode: Longton
(* John lived in the village and was also involved in the family business, running the Golden Ball in the 1850s - Golden Ball Inn)

Baptism: 2 Dec 1810 St Andrew, Longton, Lancashire, England
Thomas Wilkins - [Child] of Thomas Wilkins & Ellen, his Wife
Abode: Longton
(* Thomas married Ann Sharps at St Mary's, Penwortham in 1839 and initially worked as a joiner, living at Crooks Height Farm in Withnell (1841) but records confirm they later moved to Preston where he worked as an Innkeeper at the Virgins' Inn (formerly Curriers' Arms) before his death in 1850. He is recorded as a "maltster" in some newspaper articles so was involved in the family business too and is buried at St Andrew's, Longton as are his two sons, Thomas and Thomas William both of whom died as infants. His daughter Ellen b.1830 in Withnell married Bryan Holme, an Inn Keeper from Kendal on 3rd Sep 1861 at St Mary's, Penwortham and together they ran the Derby Arms Hotel, Back Lane, Preston Derby Arms Hotel)

Baptism: 25 Oct 1812 St Andrew, Longton, Lancashire, England

Christiana Wilkins - [Child] of Thomas Wilkins & Ellen

    Abode: Longton

(* Christiana married Nicholas Taylor, a farmer and they lived at Moss House Farm in Wrightington (1841-51) and later at Eatock Farm, Heaton (1861-81))

Baptism: 26 Jun 1814 St Andrew, Longton, Lancashire, England

Ellen Wilkins - [Child] of Thomas Wilkins & Ellen

    Abode: Longton

    Occupation: Publican

    Baptised by: Edward Law Minister
(* Ellen married Robert Banks, of Bank Hall Farm, Bretherton, a farmer and land agent in January 1841. She passed away at the tender age of 39 years in January 1854 and is buried at St Mary's, Tarleton)

Baptism: 21 Jul 1816 St Andrew, Longton, Lancashire, England

Richard Wilkins - [Child] of Thomas Wilkins & Ellen

Abode: Longton

Occupation: Innkeeper

Baptised by: Robt. Tongue Minister

Baptism: 17 May 1818 St Andrew, Longton, Lancashire, England

Henry Wilkins - [Child] of Thomas Wilkins & Ellen

    Abode: Longton

    Occupation: Publican

    Baptised by: Robt. Tongue Minister

(* Henry died at the tender age of 10 years and was buried at St Andrew's in 1828)

Baptism: 6 Feb 1820 St Andrew, Longton, Lancashire, England

Alice Wilkins - [Child] of Thomas Wilkins & Ellen

    Abode: Longton

    Occupation: Innkeeper

    Baptised by: Robt. Tongue Minister

(* Alice married Thomas Bridge at St Mary's, Penwortham in 1844. Thomas was a Wheelwright and they lived at Woodbine House, Mawdesley (1844-1860s) and later in Lathom. She died in 1889 and is buried at Mawdesley Parish Church)

Baptism: 11 Aug 1822 St Andrew, Longton, Lancashire, England

Elizabeth Wilkins - [Child] of Thomas Wilkins & Ellen

    Abode: Longton

    Occupation: Innkeeper

    Baptised by: Robt. Tongue Minister

(* Elizabeth married Philip Henry Heward at St Mary's, Penwortham in 1856. They initially lived in Meaney Gate, Leyland but had moved back to Longton by 1861. Philip was from Carlisle and worked in a variety of jobs including stationer, coal merchant, local Methodist Preacher and Guano & Bone Manure Agent but wasn't involved in the brewery. Elizabeth died in 1890 and is buried at St Andrew's, Longton)

1835 Electoral Role - Longton

Some time shortly after the birth of Elizabeth, Thomas and Ellen left the Golden Ball in order to focus on the Maltings business on Marsh Lane, as the 1841 census return below confirms.

    

1841 Census - The Wilkins Family Marsh Lane South

Following the death of Thomas in 1842 the business was taken over by two of his sons, William and his younger brother Richard and the business, W & R Wilkins was officially formed. Other sources suggest the brewery was formed around 1830, around the same time as local rivals, James Pye & Son Ltd. but there is no reference to the brewery on the 1841 census above (or elsewhere), when Thomas' occupation is simply listed as "maltster".

Burial: 3 Jan 1842 St Andrew, Longton, Lancashire, England

Thomas Wilkins - Age: 66

    Abode: Longton

    Buried by: Thos. Rowlandson Curate

1842 Burial Thomas Wilkins St Andrew's

1844 Map of Marsh Lane

On the 1844 map above the early buildings of the farm and the Longton Brewery of Pye & Sons are clearly seen to the left, either side of the access road (between the "a" and "n"). W & R Wilkins brewery is centre-picture adjacent to the well on the south side of Marsh Lane.

PENWORTHAM AGRICULTURAL, HORTICULTURAL, AND FLORICULTURAL SHOW.

Of Dahlias there was a splendid show. Mr. R. Wilkins, maltster, of Longton, obtained the first prize for a stand of sixteen.

15 September 1849 - Preston Chronicle - Preston, Lancashire, England

Births, Deaths, Marriages and Obituaries
On Saturday last, Ellen, relict of the late Mr. Thomas Wilkins, of Longton, aged 72. She was a woman of mild and amiable manners, and greatly beloved by all who had the honour of her acquaintance.
01 June 1850 - Preston Chronicle - Preston, Lancashire, England

Burial: 28 May 1850 St Andrew, Longton, Lancashire, England
Ellen Wilkins - Age: 73
Abode: Longton
Buried by: R. A. Rawstorne Incumbent
   

1851 Census Richard Wilkins - Maltster and Brewer's Firm of 2 employing 6 men
living on the Liverpool & Preston Turnpike Road

Following Thomas Wilkins' death William, the eldest son remained living on Marsh Lane by the brewery whilst his brother Richard moved to a property known as "The Grove" (previously known as Grove Cottage) located on the east side of the Liverpool & Preston Turnpike road leading into the village and occupying a significant plot of land.

1844 Map showing Grove Cottage

1851 William Wilkins - Maltster, Brewer and Farmer of 40 acres employing 6 men
living on Marsh Lane

It wasn't until 1853 that William finally married, to Ann Hunt, the daughter of a pub landlord, Henry Hunt. It was only a year later that his father Thomas sadly died. William and Ann had no children.

Marriage of William Wilkins and Ann Hunt 1853

Richard Wilkins married Deborah Naylor in 1846 at St Mary's, Penwortham and they had three children together; Alice, Ellen and finally Thomas Richard, who was born on 10th January 1854.  I can only conclude from the press article below that Deborah tragically died from complications following childbirth later that month.

Births, Deaths, Marriages and Obituaries

 On Tuesday last, deeply regretted by her relatives and friends, Deborah, the beloved wife of Mr. Richard Wilkins, Maltster, Longton, aged 31 years. 

04 February 1854 - Preston Chronicle - Preston

Records show that in 1857 Richard Wilkins married Mary Calvert at St Leonards in Walton le Dale. Mary was the daughter of William Calvert, a master cotton spinner and manufacturer from Walton-le-Dale and a gentleman of some considerable standing in Preston and the surrounding area. 

The cotton mill of William Calvert & Sons Ltd was located on Victoria Road in Walton-le-Dale. It was developed and expanded from the early 1800’s. By the 1860’s the mill employed over 800 people and by 1901 the company had over 3,000 looms and capital of £250,000. The company failed in 1931 and was later used by a paper manufacturer together with, wine shipper, Haworth & Airey. The older part of the mill, the spinning room, was destroyed by fire during the night of 20th-21st July 1938. The mill was demolished in the 1980’s to make way for the Capitol Centre Retail Park.

www.waltonledale.co.uk

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

 ROBBERY AT LONGTON - Samuel Wignall was charged with stealing forty-four sovereigns from the office of Messrs. W. and R. Wilkins, maltsters, of Longton. Richard Wilding and John Carr were also charged with having received portions of the money from Wignall. 

02 July 1859 - Preston Chronicle - Preston, Lancashire, England

1861 Census Richard Wilkins living on Liverpool & Preston Turnpike (Liverpool Road)

1861 William Wilkins living on Marsh Lane

1869 Slater's Directory

1871 Richard Wilkins "The Grove"

1871 Census William Wilkins Marsh Lane

The widow of James Pye, founder of Pye & Sons brewery can be seen living nearby at the time of the 1871 census.

1875 St Andrew's Burial Record for William Wilkins

1875 Probate for William Wilkins

Following William's death Ann moved in with her sister-in-law Elizabeth Heward nee Wilkins and her family who were living on Liverpool Road. Plumpton House became the residence of the brewery manager; a Thomas Sharples is recorded as living there between 1891 and 1911. Thomas was from Walton-le-Dale and moved to the village sometime in the 1870s where he initially worked for the brewery as a clerk before rising up the ranks to become manager in the 1880s. During his time at the property it was known as both Plumpton Park (1891) and Brewery House (1911). 

1881 Census Margery Wilkins Retired Pubican

Margery Wilkins was the wife of James Wilkins and together they ran the Ram's Head Inn, Red Lion and Golden Ball Inn at various times during their marriage. James was the cousin of William and Richard Wilkins, his father being Thomas's younger brother, Richard.

1881 Census Richard Wilkins "The Grove"

1881 Probate of Ann Wilkins

Richard Wilkins was the executor of both his brother William and his widow Ann's estates but only a few years late was to die himself, leaving a considerable fortune and the business to his son, Thomas Richard Wilkins.

1885 Probate for Richard Wilkins

1891 Census Thomas Richard Wilkins "The Grove"

1892 Map of Marsh Lane

1895 Kelly's Directory

FIRE AT LONGTON.

 Last night news was received at Preston Fire Station that a fire had broken out on the premises of Messrs. W. and R. Wilkins, maltsters and brewers, Longton. Supt. Savage and eight men took the manual engine, which was driven by four horses, and on arrival... 

12 November 1896 - Lancashire Evening Post - Preston, Lancashire

"WILKINS’ LONGTON ALES SPECIAL MARCH BREWINGS - MILD, PALE, AND BITTER ALES"
In Casks of 54, 36, I8, and 9 Gallons. Orders Booked now will have careful attention.
Price List Apply to W. AND R. WILKINS, THE BREWERY. LONGTON. Near Preston
08 April 1897 - Lancashire Evening Post - Preston, Lancashire, England

1901 Census - Pye's & Wilkin's Breweries

1901 Census Thomas Richard Wilkins "The Grove"

1905 Kelly's Directory

1909 Map of Marsh Lane

Both Pye's and W&R Wilkins' breweries were recorded on the 1901 census on Marsh Lane but the map above from 1909 and the 1911 census confirm that Pye's had gone out of business in the intervening years.

1911 Census Brewery

1911 Census Page

1911 Census Thomas Richard Wilkins "The Grove"

WILKINS’ LONGTON ALE

Because it is brewed from the finest hops and malt procurable, and because it is thoroughly wholesome and invigorating having been brewed under the most favourable conditions. DON’T FORGET THE NAME!

15 February 1911 - Preston Herald - Preston, Lancashire, England

1924 Kelly's Directory - Thomas Wilkins at Brewery House

Death Records MR.T. R. WILKINS

 Thomas Richard Wilkins, The Grove, Longton. Mr. Wilkins. who was 73 years of age, was a member of the firm of W. and R. Wilkins, maltsters and brewers, Longton.

He was Lord of the Manor of Little Hoole near Preston, and for 40 years

was chairman of the Longton...

20 April 1927 - Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer

1909 Map showing "The Grove" off the Liverpool & Preston Turnpike Road

1927 Probate Thomas Richard Wilkins with effects worth around £5 million today (2020)

Following the death of Thomas Richard Wilkins the family home and much of their lands were sold off, although his son Tom (Thomas) continued running the brewery having moved back to the original family home, Plumpton House on Marsh Lane (adjacent to the brewery) some years before assisting in the business. 

Sale Notice

The Grove, Longton; freehold farms, cottages, etc. in Longton, Little and Much Hoole (property of T.R. Wilkins, Esq., deceased)

This record is held by Lancashire Archives

Date: 1928

Held by: Lancashire Archives, not available at The National Archives

1929 Map The Grove

Prior to returning to Longton Thomas had been living with his wife Elsie and working in Hawkhurst, Kent managing a farm. He died in 1937, as his probate record below attests.

1937 Probate for Thomas Wilkins

Following his death Elsie continued to live at Plumpton House but at this time I am unsure who was running the brewery.

1939 England & Wales Register

The following were Wilkins Brewery pubs at one time or another prior to it being taken over by Groves & Whitnall Ltd. of Salford in 1952.

1. Prince Consort Inn, Parker St, Chorley.
2. Shuttleworth Arms, Broughton nr Preston.
3. Saddle Inn, Saddle Lane, Lea Ashton nr Preston.
4. London Hotel, Windsor Rd, Southport.
5. Blowick Hotel, Norwood Rd, Southport. Leased to Wilkins until 1933.
6. Dolphin, Marsh Lane, Longton.
7. Fleece Inn, Liverpool Rd, Penwortham nr Longton.
8. Golden Ball, Liverpool Rd, Longton.

The old Malt Kiln Cottages on Marsh Lane near W&R Wilkins' Brewery

Inn to be Let - the Shuttleworth Arms, Broughton
Apply, W. & R. Wilkins, The Brewery, Longton, near Preston.
26 June 1931 - Lancashire Evening Post - Preston, Lancashire, England

Mr. Thomas Wilkins, head of the firm of Messrs. W. and R. Wilkins Maltsters and Brewers, of Longton near Preston, died yesterday at his home Plumpton Park, Longton. Mr. Wilkins, who was 50 years...
22 November 1937 - Lancashire Evening Post - Preston, Lancashire

COFFIN ON LORRY
 Mr. Wilkins, who was 50 years age, had been the managing director of Messrs. W. and R. Wilkins, Maltsters and Brewers of Longton, since the death of his father in 1927. A lorry laden with wreaths headed the procession.
24 November 1937 - Lancashire Evening Post - Preston, Lancashire

There is a fabulous article produced on Longton Online from a previous Longtonian, Jean Worthington entitled "A Glimpse Of Yesteryear" that makes reference to Mr Wilkins and the brewery in the following excerpts...

Apart from the men who worked on the farms and Brickcroft, another main employer was Wilkins Brewery. Mr. Richard Wilkins and his family lived at The Grove. Part of the grounds has now been turned into a park and the house pulled down to make room for a new housing estate. My grandmother was the Cook and my Mother parlour-maid/waitress. (I feel I have to mention her position because to Mum that was important - Perhaps a status symbol? who knows?).

I remember so well the story she told me of life in service when she was a girl. She was 17 years when she travelled from Workington in Cumbria to Longton to take up position at The Grove. In those far off days, it took ten hours on arriving Longton Bridge Station. It was by then 6.30 pm. and she had to be in uniform ready to serve on table at 7 pm and it was a very nervous maid indeed who carried in the soup tureen, placed it on the table and took two paces back to stand behind the Master (Mr. R. Wilkins) waiting for him to fill the soup bowls for her to serve to the family. After waiting shaking in her shoes for minutes, which seemed like an hour, with no-one speaking, she knew something must be wrong. A quiet little voice from the other end of the table said, "I think you had better tell her dear, she's new." The dreadful mistake that had been made was not lifting the lid off the soup tureen for the master to serve! Not such 'good old days', I would have thought, but to my Mother and generation, it was the way things were and accepted by domestic staff. I have managed to acquire a photo of the Brewery, kindly lent to us by Graham Keighley. I, of course, don't remember the original Mr. Wilkins living at Grove, for by 1935 his son Mr. Tom Wilkins lived at Plumpton House in Marsh Lane, which adjoined to the Brewery. I still remember clearly the sweet smell from the Malt Kilns when the beer was being brewed and some of the Longtonians, Mr. Ellis Cleece, Gordon Baxendale, Jack Coulton, Jack Walker Mark Jackson, and Ronnie Walker, to name but a few of the men walking the lane when the brewery whistle blew around teatime. Across the road from the brewery stood two thatched cottages. One tenanted by Mr. Dick Hart and family, and the other one by My Granddad and Grandmother. There was a large kitchen come living room, two bedrooms and a stone slabbed pantry, which always seemed to be full of apples. It had an earthen floor and tiny windows. Under the window in the kitchen, My Grandmother had a horse hair sofa. The horse’s hair used to stick out through the leather on the seat and during my visits that is where I had to sit, with the prickly hairs sticking in my legs. Thank goodness that type of furniture is no longer produced. The cottages were pulled down in 1936, but the smell of the damp thatch roof, mingled with cooking apples, will remain with me always, along with the prickles of the horse hair sofa on my legs.

 LICENSED PROPERTY TO LET

To Let. Immediately, the Saddle Inn. together with 8 acres land.

—Wilkins. Brewery. Longton. Preston

16 December 1939 - Lancashire Evening Post - Preston, Lancashire

LICENSED PROPERTY TO LET - GOLDEN BALL Hotel, Longton

To Let. Wilkins, Brewery. Longton, Preston

26 June 1940 - Lancashire Evening Post - Preston, Lancashire, England

After Thomas Wilkins' death in 1937 it is unclear who was running the brewery but he had two younger brothers, Christopher and Geoffrey Southworth Wilkins and it's Christopher's probate record following his death in 1958 that gives us the best clue...

1958 Probate Christopher Wilkins

It seems likely therefore that Geoffrey continued to run the business following their father's death until 1952. It is also rather coincidental that Christopher's place of residence at 8 Winckley Street in Preston, a Grade 2 listed building is now the home of a micro-pub, the Otter's Pocket (soon to be renamed the Winkley Street Ale House) in deference to the family business, built up by Christopher's great-grandfather Thomas back in the early 1800s.

After W & R Wilkins was acquired in 1952 by Salford-based brewers Groves & Whitnall

they too were taken over, by Greenall Whitley & Co. Ltd. in 1961 and brewing eventually ceased in March 1972.

2020 & 1844 Maps Superimposed showing development over the last 170 years