Joseph Holt Brewery honoured with two civic plaques for Crown Hotel and Ape & Apple
Manchester Brewer, Joseph Holt recently had two reasons to celebrate. The Crown Hotel in Horwich received Horwich Town Council’s prestigious Civic Plaque and Manchester city centre pub; the Ape & Apple was honoured with a commemorative John Dalton plaque by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
The Crown Hotel, established in 1886, has been a pub at the heart of the community and witnessed many world events including World Wars, Coronation of HRM Queen Elizabeth II and more recent events such as the Jubilee and the Olympic Torch Parade in 2012. The pub was awarded this pinnacle civic plaque by the Horwich Town Council as a recognition for the pub’s 231 year tenure and its contribution to the local community. The Crown has won many awards in recent years including “Horwich in Bloom” six times and for serving the perfect pint. It has been recognised for its quality ales in The Good Beer Guide for 18 consecutive years. Pub Managers Gary and Beverley Parker who have been running the Joseph Holt pub for 19 years were thrilled and delighted when they heard the pub was being honoured. The Horwich Town Mayor; James Bullock and Mayoress of Horwich; Dorothy Bullock and members of the Horwich Town Council marked the installation of the new plaque for the Crown Hotel along with Gary and Beverley and the pub’s Area Manager; Dave Bone.
On 27th March 2017, the Royal Society of Chemistry created a new blue plaque commemorating one of Manchester’s famous sons; John Dalton who helped put Manchester on the map of the modern world. His scientific findings in the early 19th-century revolutionised modern chemical thought, in which Manchester was a world leader, influenced an important branch of anatomy and pioneered our understanding of the weather. It’s with great joy and privilege that the John Dalton Commemorative Plaque has been installed on one of Joseph Holt’s city centre pubs; the Ape & Apple.
Joseph Holt’s CEO; Richard Kershaw attended the unveiling of the plaque along with the President of the Lit and Phil, Dr Diana Leitch, Professor David Garner FRS (Past President of the Royal Society of Chemistry), Dr Frank Mair (Chair of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Manchester section), Dr Marloes Peeters (Manchester Metropolitan University), Dr James Sumner (University of Manchester), and Gerald Hayes (Member of the Lit and Phil and RSC Historical Group)
David Garner, President of the Royal Society of Chemistry from 2008-2010 who unveiled the plaque said “I thoroughly enjoyed my return to Manchester, especially as this was to pay tribute to the great scientist, John Dalton, and unveil an RSC National Chemical Landmark plaque celebrating the 250th anniversary of his birth. This plaque is now available for the public to view on the street named after him.”.
Joseph Holt CEO, Richard Kershaw added “There’s something rather appropriate about the fact that my great-great grandfather Joseph Holt, walked the streets of Manchester at the same time as John Dalton. What better way therefore, to celebrate 250 years since the birth of John Dalton than to have a plaque honouring him on the outside of a Joseph Holt city centre pub.
We are delighted therefore that the Ape & Apple which is very appropriately positioned on John Dalton Street will bear this mark for the rest of time.”.
The Ape & Apple Pub Manager Shaun Holland commented “We’re delighted with this prestigious honour in which the sentiment has been shared by our many loyal customers who are thrilled to be drinking in one of Manchester’s now historic venues”. The pub also holds Manchester’s title of the longest running free comedy venue which takes place every Wednesday from 8.30pm. The comedy event is a place for rising comedians to test new material and has been the launch pad of many now famous comedians.
To visit both of these great pubs, use our Pub Finder: https://www.joseph-holt.com/pubs.
