Whittle Springs Brewery Ltd Ceramic Matchstriker

Whittle Springs Brewery Ltd ceramic matchstriker dating from the 1910s. The Whittle Springs, in Whittle near Chorley, was discovered in 1836 by John Heyes. In 1847 Heyes built two Spa plunge pools and a Gothic style hotel named the Heyes Arms, on the site of the springs. John Heyes died in 1849 and left the hotel and Spa to his brother Henry Heyes. By the 1860s a brewery had been built on the same site as the Spa and hotel to utilise the spring water which was perfect for brewing ales, porter, mineral waters and other soft drinks. Evidence suggests that the brewing business started to trade as Edwin Craven & Co. and became known as the Whittle Springs Brewery Co. Henry Heyes, who still owned the site, died in 1874 and the now named Crown Brewery and maltings were purchased by James Cardwell, James Thomson and Thomas Gardner. The three owners immediately built a new Gothic style brewery to match the look of original Heyes Arms, now named the Howard Arms. After Thomas Gardner died in 1889 the three man partnership was dissolved. The Company was registered as Gardner, Thompson and Cardwell Ltd in 1891. The name was changed to Whittle Springs Brewery Ltd in 1897. The Company continued to flourish throughout the early 20th century making it the target for a takeover by a larger brewery. The Crown Brewery was acquired by Blackburn brewer Nuttall & Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of Matthew Brown & Co. Ltd, with 54 public houses in 1928. The brewery's plant and equipment was becoming outdated resulting in the decision to close it in 1929. The Company's employees were transferred to Blackburn and much of the land was sold. The Crown Brewery was later demolished. The manufacturer's mark states - Fieldings Stoke on Trent