Discover the art of brewing and how it has changed over the years at the National Brewery Centre where our restored Old Original Van is now kept.
The National Brewery Centre houses a fine collection of vehicles, including delivery wagons, fire trucks, a double-decker bus and special promotional vehicles, of which the most recent addition – an Old Original ‘barrel van’ holds a dear place in our hearts here at Everards.
The van was discovered in an old chicken shed where it seems it has been sitting for many years.
Originally purchased in 1981, after a contact at a local business Bernard Wheatcroft Limited made Everards aware of its availability. The barrel van is built upon a 1961 Morris J.B. Chassis and was proudly used by Everards at pub events and brewery open days for many a year, photos of which Everards treasure today.
Unsure of whether the van would ever run again and in need of total restoration inside and out, Everards contacted the team at the National Brewery Museum in December 2011 to see if they could help.
The museum celebrates the social history of the development of brewing - the real-life experiences and stories of the people who helped to build Burton's world-renowned brewing reputation.
The museum has a team of volunteers who were very keen to get to work on the van and have worked hard on restoring it back to its former glory. The project has taken over 5 years with the volunteers working on it once a week, every week.
They have done Everards proud as not only have they restored the interior and exterior, the van can also be driven once again!
“Looking at the old pictures of the van and looking at it today you would think that it had never been used - the restoration is that immaculate! To see the passion and interest every single volunteer showed when they talked about the vehicle and when they unveiled the finished piece to us a few weeks ago was truly special. They had even scrubbed the underneath of the van which they were keen for us to see! That much care and attention to detail is amazing to see from a group of volunteers that clearly love their time together working on these classic and quirky vehicles.” said Stephen Gould, from Everards.
From tracking down people who could complete the specialist ‘wooden effect’ paintwork to finding the unusual tyres needed, all involved in this project have been truly dedicated and proud to restore this van back to its original form.
From tracking down people who could complete the specialist ‘wooden effect’ paintwork to finding the unusual tyres needed, all involved in this project have been truly dedicated and proud to restore this van back to its original form.
The van is on now on long term loan at the National Brewery Centre where it sits proudly beside other promotional vehicles in the yard for the public to view.
This unique collection provides an intriguing and fascinating element to your visit – a must see for any vehicle or beer enthusiast!
Special thanks to Phil Irwin, Vernon Docksey, James Toon, Paul Norman, Charlie Hayes, Steve Lewis and John Marriott, the seven volunteers who made this project come to life as well as Vanessa Winstone who organised everything and even at one point paid out of her own pocket to source some parts!
In honour of the barrel van and its years touring local carnivals and events, bringing joy to all, we have a special treat for shoppers at our new shop at Everards Meadows. Visitors can now get behind the wheel in our own version and take a photo in this unique van. The van goes right through the shop window into the heart of the shop where at the back you will find a pick and mix section where you can choose and take home your favourite beers!
So next time you visit the Evearrds shop, get behind the wheel of our barrel van and take a photo – remember to tag us when you share it #everardsbarrelvan and you might make it up on our wall of fame below.
On Sunday 8th August, member of the Everards team Kia Ryan went to spend the morning with the South Leicestershire Litter Wombles – a group of local litter pickers that were recently successful in their application to the Everards Community Excellence Fund.
We are proud to work with such amazing business owners!
