03/03/2010
2010 marks fifty years of leading Lancashire brewer Daniel Thwaites’ reintroduction of horse-drawn deliveries after they ended in the 1920s when the company switched to motor transport.
Over the years, the fame of the Shires has spread throughout the country, embodying the traditional values that are such an important part of the Daniel Thwaites’ heritage. To celebrate the anniversary, Border Fine Arts have commissioned a commemorative sculpture featuring three of the multi-award-winning Shire horses pulling ‘The Unicorn’ dray.
The sculpture features the lead Shire at the stables Daniel who is eight years old and now in his fifth year with Daniel Thwaites. Royal, the eldest of the Shires, at 14, who has been at the stables for the last 11 years and Bomber, who is 11 and has been with the brewery for seven years.
The Daniel Thwaites stables have enjoyed phenomenal success over the last half a century. In an eight year period, the Shires have won the world renowned National Championship six times, which is the ultimate achievement and recognition for a Shire horse and its team.
Further success has been enjoyed at The Royal Show which the Shires have won four times in the pairs. They won the pairs, singles and team events at the Great Yorkshire Show and have enjoyed further wins at every major county show throughout the UK.
The stables team includes Head Horse keeper, Charles Beardmore who has been in the position for an impressive 40 years, Head Coachman, Richard Green, who has been with the stables for 10 years and Jonathan Jones, the youngest member and part of the team for five years.
This year also celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Shires’ being awarded a Freedom Scroll of Honour by the Mayor of Blackburn in 1985. Honoured in recognition of their commitment to the city of Blackburn, this was the first time ever that a roll of honour had been awarded to horses.
Sue Allen, Commercial Director at Daniel Thwaites comments: “We are delighted to celebrate the golden anniversary of the Shire horses, and the arrival of new Shire Midas to the stables. As to the future, the Shires will continue to represent Daniel Thwaites at new pub openings and charity fundraising events and make a presence at National and County shows around the UK. It is the brewery’s intention to continue to capitalise on the huge success enjoyed by its Shire horses. Daniel Thwaites will also be holding an open day at the stables on the 1st of May 2010.”