Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

On moving to their new depot in New Road, Bideford, Wickham and Co. Ltd. who have been wine, spirits and beer merchants in the town for more than 150 years, have discontinued the bottling of beer and stout. They were probably the last such private firm bottling beer in the West of England. Bottling was carried on in their former High Street-Grenville Street plant for almost a century. Once the Wickham family’s home, 21 High Street continues as the firm’s office. A barometer has just been presented to the firm by Arthur Guinness, Son and Co (Park Royal) Ltd. It bears an inscription saying that it is “in appreciation of the skill and care devoted to the bottling of Guinness over many years.” The photograph shows the ceremony when specimens of the last bottlings and of very hold bottles were on display.

From left to right: Messrs Dereck Willis (Guinness sales representative), Basil Pidgeon (Wickham’s managing director), Pat Brewer (Guiness regional manager who handed over the gift), and Graeme Barber (Wickham’s sales director).

Gazette article 19 April 1973