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A BREWERY IN BEDFORD

 'A Brewery in Bedford' has been written by award winning* beer writer and historian Roger Protz with research by Ken Page, photos by Mark Turner and design by Rob Howells. It relates the story of founder Charles Wells, the history of the brewery and pub estate together with the fortunes of the Wells' family which are inextricably linked to the business.

 Launching the book Paul Wells, Managing Director & Great Grandson of Charles Wells said "'A Brewery in Bedford' provides an excellent record of what remains a family business nearly 130 years on. It's a tribute to those who've contributed to our success over many years and I'm sure is only the first chapter of many more yet to be written in the company's history."

 Author Roger Protz added "There's a wealth of characters and stories behind Charles Wells and I'm privileged to have been able to bring them to life in this book. I was amazed to discover that Glenn Miller has a link to the brewery and that one member of the Wells family was a stunt double for a leading British film star. Alongside these personalities there's an underlying story of ordinary men and women working hard to build the business into an International operation running traditional pubs and brewing top quality ales and lagers."

 Charles Wells Ltd was founded in 1876 and moved to its current site in Havelock St, Bedford in 1976. It still uses water drawn from a well sunk by Charles Wells, which was recently granted natural mineral water accreditation, in its brewing process and includes Wells Bombardier, Wells Eagle, Wells John Bull, Red Stripe Lager and Kirin Ichiban in its portfolio. The company also owns 260 pubs in Bedfordshire and the surrounding area. All 370 staff at the Head Office site have received a copy of the book as recognition of the contribution they continue to make to the Charles Wells story.

 'A Brewery in Bedford' by Roger Protz costs £10 and is available to buy at:
 County Town Books, 7 High St, Bedford, MK40 1RN Tel: 01234 341789
 Bedford Museum, Castle Lane, Bedford, MK40 3XD, Tel: 01234 353323
 Bedford Tourist Information, Town Hall, St Pauls Square, Bedford, MK40 1SJ Tel: 01234 215226
 Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Castle Lane, Bedford, MK40 3RP Tel: 01234 211222
 Or on pre-arranged tours of The Eagle Brewery, Tel:01234 272766

 It is also available from the Charles Wells online shop (www.charleswells.co.uk) at £14 including postage and packing.


 www.charleswells.co.uk

 - ENDS -


 For Immediate release: 28th April 2005

 For Further Information, please contact: Kate Hempsall
 PR Manager, Charles Wells
 Tel: + 44 (0)1234 272766

 Notes to Editors

 * Roger Protz
 Roger is Britain's foremost beer writer and taster. In May 2004 Roger was named Drink Writer of the Year in the prestigious Glenfiddich Food and Drink awards. In December 2003 he was presented with the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award by the British Guild of Beer Writers and has also won two gold and five silver tankards from the Guild. Roger contributes to the Guardian, The Times and The Brewers' Guardian, has a monthly page in What's Brewing, and a weekly column in the Morning Advertiser.
 Roger has written 15 books on beer and pubs including twelve editions of his annual Good Beer Guide in conjunction with CAMRA. Roger also broadcasts regularly and gives public tutored beer tastings.
 In June 2004 Roger was presented with the trophy for Beer Drinker of the Year at the British houses of Parliament, by Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin.

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