The imposing Mitchells & Butler grandfather clock is one of many artefacts in the Trust’s care. It can now be seen in the Brewery Heritage Centre in Station Street, Burton upon Trent.
The clock is nearly 120 years old and was given by William Butler to Claude Mitchell in 1907 just before the tenth anniversary of their successful partnership. They formed the Mitchells & Butler (M&B) brewery in Cape Hill, Birmingham in 1898.
Over the next century M&B was to become the largest brewery and pub owner in the Midlands – famous for producing M&B Mild Ale and the bitter Brew XI – which before the advent of lager was the most popular draught beer in the region. In 1967 M&B became a key part of the Bass Charrington drinks and leisure group – later known purely as Bass – which had its head office in Burton.
The Soho Clock Factory
The clock was made by W.F. Evans & Son of the Soho Clock Factory in Handsworth, Birmingham. W.F. Evans was a pre-eminent maker of clocks in the Victorian period, operating from 1843 up until 1934. Evans produced clocks for public buildings and private residences and is perhaps best known for the nine-metre high, stand-alone Joseph Chamberlain clock which was set up in Birmingham in 1903. This iconic street clock has recently been splendidly restored by Smith of Derby. In 2021 it was re-installed to become the central landmark in Birmingham’s famous and re-vitalised Jewellery Quarter.
Horologist Ben Bradshaw shows volunteer Jane Collier how to wind the clock
Our M&B clock was made to operate with three different winding mechanisms – one for the clock, one for the quarter-hour chime and one for the hour chime. It also has alternative chime sounds – one called Westminster and the other known as Whittington. The clock is wound once a week by our volunteers and still keeps good time. It has recently been examined by a horologist who advised that it is in very good condition for its age – something all of us would like to hear!
With thanks to volunteer Julian Blakemore, shown here outside the Brewery Heritage Centre for his research into Mitchells & Butler and writing this article.
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