Coopers' Initiation Ceremony, Joule's Brewery, Stone

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Date:1953

Description:This ceremony was known as 'trussing the cooper'.

The newly qualified cooper was placed in a barrel, which he had made himself. The barrel was then filled with a mixture which contained soot, feathers, shavings, beer and treacle.

The barrel was rolled around the workshop before the cooper was taken out and tossed in the air three times. He was then presented with his indentures.

This photograph was taken in the coopers' yard, now the site of the Crown and Anchor car park. In the centre is Mr Gaskin, Head Cooper. In the barrel is Ernie Eldershaw, the last cooper to be apprenticed at Joules.


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1900s
Granville Square, Stone,
Granville Square, Stone,

Granville Square was originally named Pump Square, but when the pump was removed ...

1910s
Peace Celebrations, Stone,
Peace Celebrations, Stone,

Peace Day on Granville Square. Peace Day celebrated the end of the First World ...

1950s
Cooperage, Joule's Brewery, Stone,
Cooperage, Joule's Brewery, Stone,

Joule's Brewery had its own cooperage where beer casks were made. The site is now ...

1990s
Stone Town Council Members,
Stone Town Council Members,

Photograph taken at the rear of the Council Offices on Station Road. From left ...