Morland & Co. Ltd

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Messrs. Morland & Co. Ltd., New Maltings, Abingdon, Berkshire. Brewers’ Journal 15th September 1905

The brewery site from the air

From 1969

Old Anchor, Abingdon "Morland's Entire"

Punter PH, Oxford

Morland & Co. Ltd, Eagle Brewery, Ock Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

(Historically located in the county of Berkshire, it moved to Oxfordshire in 1974)

Founded in 1711 as maltsters at West Ilsley by Benjamin Morland. Eagle Brewery acquired 1861 and Abbey Brewery 1866. Brewing was concentrated at the Eagle Brewery.

Registered in October 1887. After the purchase of Ruddles Brewery Ltd in 1997, financial problems culminated in the purchase in 1999 by Greene King & Sons Ltd.

The brewery was closed and converted into housing, the brands being transferred to Bury St Edmunds. See:- [[1]]

• List of Morland & Co Ltd Pubs

Morland's 'Artist' Plaques by Bryan Lacey (including information from Ray Farleigh)

The 'Artist' plaques, depicting the English artist George Morland (1763-1804), were produced by Poole Pottery or associated Carter Tile Works, and designed by Reginald Bell. They are extremely colourful as befits the artist depicted. Quoting from the brochure produced for the shareholders on the occasion of the 250th anniversary:

"An interesting connection of the Morland family with the famous 18th century artist of the same name is still preserved by the Company’s Trade Mark, which depicts a painter of that period."

Many of these plaques survive on former Morland houses. I am advised that there were, at least, two editions. One of the early ones is, I believe, at the North Star at Steventon, near Abingdon. If I am correct the colours are stronger on the earlier editions. Fortunately the pub has re-opened following its New Year 2003 experience. It is listed in CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors and is very worthy of a visit. Also at Steventon, inside the Fox, is a metal plaque, which certainly has variations and appears to predate the ceramic plaques.

Images of the brewery

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  1983
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  1990
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  1990
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  M Croxford 1992
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  M Croxford 1992
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  M Croxford 1992
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  M Croxford 1992
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  M Croxford 1992
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  M Croxford 1992
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  M Croxford 1992
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  Courtesy the Paul Gunnell Archive
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  Courtesy the Paul Gunnell Archive
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  Courtesy the Paul Gunnell Archive
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  Courtesy the Paul Gunnell Archive
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  Sept 2011
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  Sept 2011
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  Sept 2011
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  Sept 2011
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  Sept 2011
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  Sept 2011
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  Old Speckled Hen 1996. Courtesy Roy Denison
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  The brewery in 2000. Courtesy Roy Denison
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  The brewery in 2000. Courtesy Roy Denison
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  The brewery in 2000. Courtesy Roy Denison
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  The brewery in 2000. Courtesy Roy Denison
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  Courtesy Roy Denison
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  Courtesy Roy Denison
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  Courtesy Roy Denison
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  Courtesy Roy Denison
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  Courtesy Roy Denison

This former brewery building was converted to a pub ‘The Brewery Tap’ by Morlands about 1994. Photos September 2011.

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Labels and beer mats

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  Courtesy Roy Denison
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  Courtesy Roy Denison
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  Courtesy Roy Denison
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  Courtesy Roy Denison
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  Courtesy Roy Denison
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  Courtesy Roy Denison
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  Courtesy Roy Denison