By Isle of Wight Observer
I moved to the Island in the 1980s. Beer and brewing seem to have always been a part of my life.
Whilst at school I ran the school common room. By some quirk of fate, we were allowed two pints of beer a day after our 17th birthday. Leaving school and looking for a job I found myself on the Nodes Point Holiday Camp bar. Part ‘Hi de Hi’ and part ‘Faulty Towers’; it was quite an eye-opener. I can still remember the fluorescent yellow shirt and black velvet bow tie I had to wear as a uniform.
Over the years I have moved from brewing to selling beer, and wholesaling to technical services and then back to brewing. Many of my family also work in the trade in London and across the south-east.
I fell into the trade, but fortunately, it seems to suit me. On reflection, it’s the people who have made it such an interesting business. Most of the old-school independent free trade landlords have now passed on, as have many of the old Burts Brewery hands. However, I have fond memories of them all. A very colourful bunch if ever there was one, and I have stories about each of them.
Over 30 years ago, a young 16-year-old put his head around my door asking for a job. He was none other than Xavier Baker. Well, the last 30 years have been quite a journey of discovery for both of us. Although he is still involved with the brewery. He has now moved on to bigger and better things with Mermaid and the success could not have come to a nicer man.
Recently I was tasked with expanding and growing Goddard’s Brewery. We were seeking to relocate the brewery production facility and add a shop, visitor attraction, bar and restaurant. Creating a new facility from scratch was quite daunting. To be honest there were times when the task seemed insurmountable. However, I am an eternal optimist, so, with the brewery team and the support of many others, we did finally open on April 27.
If someone had told me a year ago, we would have grown from nine employees to 33 I am not sure I would have taken them seriously. As we have grown, I have worried about us losing the family feel to our firm. Thankfully, I think we have been able to retain this. A happy workplace is, after all, a productive one. It’s lovely to see staff members proud of what they have achieved and fully invested in the business. I would like to think we offer them support where we can.
I spend too much time at the brewery but, to be fair, that’s my choice. There is nothing quite like talking (some might say I talk too much) to the general public, sharing your passion and seeing their reaction. That’s why you will often find me giving tours and telling tales about the history of beer and brewing.
One day I will need to take a step back. I am not sure this will be easy, but I do have other goals in my life I need to pursue, such as travelling with my children. Regardless of when that time comes, don’t think I will ever get the business out of my veins. There will always be a part of me standing waist-deep in the mash tun.