H.Weston & Sons Ceramic Ashtray

H.Weston & Sons ceramic ashtray dating from 1937.

Henry Weston Founder

The family-owned Company was founded in Much Marcle by Henry Weston in 1878. Henry produced ciders and perries from fruit which was grown at local orchards.
He operated from a farm and a stone mill, which at first was horse driven then steam powered.
Henry's early ciders were sold to merchants in barrels and then sold onto cider houses as 'Westons Rough'.
The popularity of his products resulted in Henry selling directly to his customers.
He died in 1917 leaving three of his nine children, Hubert, Leonard and Stafford, to run the business.
In 1920 the steam mill was replaced by a mill which included the latest hydraulic presses.

Westons Growth

As the business continued to grow, Westons purchased more farms and land which were used to increase its orchards.
By 1925 the Company owned a fleet of vehicles.
In 1932 Hubert's son, Norman, joined the business to work in the cider mills.
By the 1950s Westons supplied its products to all the main breweries in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
In 1971, after Leonard and Stafford's deaths, Hubert and Norman were joined by their wives to help run the business.
In 1972, Norman's son, Henry, joined the business followed by his sister, Helen, who is now the Managing Director.
Norman's other son Timothy later joined the firm.
In 1999 Helen's son, Guy Lawrence, became the fifth generation to work for the firm.
Today Westons is still an independent cider producer selling well known brands such as Stowford Press, Rosie Pig, and Old Rosie.
There is now a Visitor Centre on the site in Much Marcle.