The Shire Horses were the pride of Tetley’s, and are well deserving of a special mention here. Loved by everyone, they were a symbol of the brewery and played an integral part in the daily running of the company. Deliveries were not their only job, they were also used in adverts and promotional material, and regularly visited horse shows, winning many trophies over the years.
The drays were used to deliver the barrels to breweries all around Leeds, and were only retired in 2006, to the dismay of everyone. It was a sight to see them making their deliveries, and a sight that everyone loved – when suggested in the 1970s that they should be banned from the roads for causing traffic problems the papers were flooded with letters in favour of the horses, many suggesting the cars should go instead!
Within this incredible collection is a box full of photos you could spend all day going through, in every one they look their best, and this shows how they were looked after to the highest standard. It wasn’t just the horses, but also their harnesses and the carts that were kept shiny and clean at all times!
The Tetley brewery also played an important role for the 7th Yorkshire, West Riding, (Leeds) Rifle Volunteer Corps as they provided many men, as well as commanding officers and honorary colonels.
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Did you or a relative work for Tetley’s? Have you got memories of seeing the drays out and about delivering? Tell us here