Vyrnwy Brewery (Llansantffraid)
Henry Jenks, Vyrnwy Brewery, Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain, Montgomeryshire, Powys, Wales
In 1863 Llansantffraid railway station and its sidings were constructed and the brewery may have been built not long after. In 1879 John Lewis maltster, home Glanverniew, then 1882 at the Vyrnwy Brewery. In a court case of 1898, involving the Lewis family, it was stated that in 1883 the Sun was leased for 14 years from the family to Kent & England, then 1885 Kent & Hall. In June 1883 a partnership of Lewis & England was dissolved, being John Lewis and James England. The business then traded as Kent & England; however, in 1885 TS Kent & J England were bankrupt 3rd July, under Montgomeryshire, and their partnership was dissolved. This being Thomas Shene Kent (b.1862 Norfolk), in 1881 a brewer pupil in Watford.
By 1886 trading as the Vyrwny Brewery Co (Brian Glover: Prince of Ales p.232). Around 1890 supplying the Cross Keys, Llangynog. In 1891 the partnership of TS Kent and Percy Bernard Hall was dissolved, the business to be continued by Hall. There was a sale 19th August 1891 of a 7qtr plant, described as of modern construction, with 5 freehold and 2 leasehold houses.
Around 1896 Henry Jenks had bought the Ellesmere Brewery Co, Shropshire and then Vyrnwy as well. Jenks possibly from Birkenhead and an agent-financier – 1893 MD of the Ruabon Terra Cotta Co and involved with proposed railways.
The businesses merged 1897 to form Ellesmere & Vyrnwy Breweries Ltd. In May that year there were reports that the Ellesmere Brewery had made extensive alterations and in October Francis James Norah Knapp manager and brewer there was appointed manager of Ellesmere & Vyrnwy. Though the Vyrnwy also mentioned separately. Both breweries still mentioned in 1910, though Vyrnwy is usually said to have closed 1914.
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