G.Ruddle & Co. Ltd Square Tin

G.Ruddle & Co. Ltd tin tray dating from 1958. Richard Baker founded the Langham Brewery, near Oakham, Rutland, in 1858. Richard was succeeded by his son, Edward, in 1861. Both Richard and Edward employed an agent, James Harrison, to run the brewery. By 1876 James Harrison solely owned the Langham Brewery which was acquired by Boys & Styles the following year. By 1895 H.H.Parry owned the brewery and George Ruddle became Parry's brewing manager in 1896. The Company traded as H.H.Parry & Co. from 1886 to 1909. After Parry's death in 1910 the brewery and its estate was offered for sale. George Ruddle bought the business which was passed on to his son, G.K.F.Ruddle, on his death in 1923. The Company was registered as G.Ruddle & Co. Ltd in 1945. The majority of Ruddles tied houses were sold to Everard's Brewery Ltd in 1978, although the Company continued to brew independently for the next eight years. In 1986 the business was purchased by Watney, Mann & Truman Breweries Ltd, then owned by Grand Metropolitan plc, which changed the name to Ruddles Brewery Ltd the following year. The Company changed hands in 1991 when Courage & Co. Ltd purchased the brewery, however its ownership was brief and the business was sold to Grolsch in 1992. Once again the Company changed ownership in 1997 when Morland & Co. plc acquired the brewery. Sadly, the Langham brewery was closed in 1999 and the site was demolished for new housing redevelopment in 2005. Morland & Co. plc was acquired by Greene King & Sons Ltd in 2000 resulting in the Ruddles brands, including Ruddles County, being owned and brewed by them. The manufacturer's mark states - Hancock Corfield & Waller Ltd, Mitcham, London. The tray is a file copy which I believe means that it was either a sample or the first production copy.