Thomas Wethered & Sons Ltd (Owned by Strong & Co. of Romsey Ltd) Small Round Tin

Thomas Wethered & Sons Ltd tin tray dating from the 1960s.

Origins of the Wethered Family Brewing Business

Evidence suggests that the Wethered family started business in Marlow in 1758.
Three generations of the Wethered family had been involved in brewing before Thomas Wethered formed the business of Thomas Wethered & Sons in 1783.
By 1788 he had built up a prosperous business resulting in a need for larger premises.
In 1796 he built a new brewhouse, stable, and storehouses on the High Street in Marlow.
At the beginning of the 19th century two of his sons, Owen and Lawrence William, became partners in the firm.
Thomas died in 1849 and Owen died in 1862 leaving Owen's sons, Thomas Owen and Owen Peel to run the Marlow Brewery.

Wethered & Sons Ltd Registration

When the Company was registered as Wethered & Sons Ltd in 1899, Colonel Owen Peel became Chairman.
In 1901 the Company opened a new bottling store in addition to other upgrades to the brewery buildings and plant.
Colonel Owen Peel died in 1908 leaving his son. Lt Colonel Francis Owen Wethered, as the new Chairman.
The firm traded very successfully and in 1913 it purchased Henry Bird's Weldale Brewery of Reading with 9 tied houses.
The First World War resulted in many of Wethered's men losing their lives which was reflected in a Roll of Honour board displayed at the brewery.
The Great War saw the business struggle, although Wethered's won the Championship Gold Medal at the Brewers' Exhibition in 1914, a testament to the quality of its beers.
The Company acquired the Royal Stag Brewery of Thomas Williams & Co Ltd of Wooburn Green with 35 tied houses in 1927.

Strong & Co. of Romsey Ltd Takeover

Thomas Wethered & Sons Ltd, with 236 tied houses, was acquired by Strong & Co. Ltd of Romsey in 1949 ending the Wethered's association with the firm.
Strong's continued to operate the Marlow Brewery with both businesses trading separately.
The continued advertising did reflect the new owner's influence as can be seen by the featured tray which is identical to one produced for Strong's.
In 1950 the Company acquired Strange & Sons Ltd, with its Aldermaston Brewery and 50 public houses, and in 1953 it bought S.H.Higgs Ltd of Reading, with its Lion Brewery and 8 tied houses.

Whitbread & Co. Ltd Takeover

Strong & Co. Ltd, with nearly 500 public houses, was taken over by Whitbread & Co. Ltd in 1969, resulting in Wethered's becoming a direct subsidiary of Whitbread's.
The Company name was changed to Whitbread Wethereds Ltd and the Marlow Brewery ceased brewing in 1988.
The premises were used as a distribution centre until 1992.
The Marlow Brewery was redeveloped as luxury apartments in the 2000s.

The manufacturer's mark states - Reginald Corfield Ltd Lombard Road. London. S.W.19. 606