A Double Celebration of Steam & Heritage at Hook Norton Brewery

Hook Norton Brewery gathered to celebrate a dual milestone of industrial heritage and craftsmanship. Joining together for a special unveiling and toast, James Clarke, Managing Director of Hook Norton Brewery, and Chris Raworth, who spearheaded the restoration, marked a significant chapter in the brewery’s rich history.

Celebrating a 127-Year Birthday

The event commenced with a toast to Hook Norton Brewery’s own historic steam engine, celebrating its official “birthday”. The engine’s original installation invoice was dated October 18th, 1899, marking 127 years of enduring steam heritage on site.

Unveiling the Restored Lampit & Co. Engine

The day also featured the official unveiling of a newly restored Lampit & Co. steam engine. Built in Banbury around 1850 by agricultural engineers Lampit & Co., this historic “table engine” originally served the Hunt Edmunds Brewery in Banbury for 90 years. Following the demolition of the Hunt Edmunds Brewery in the 1970s, the engine was saved. After spending time in a Bygones museum and years in storage within the brewery’s barrel shed, Chris Raworth and a dedicated restoration team painstakingly brought it back to life.

With the ribbon officially cut by Chris, the Lampit & Co. engine now resides proudly alongside Hook Norton’s own steam engine.

Honouring Local Connections & Teamwork

Managing Director James Clarke highlighted the deep historical ties between Banbury’s engineering legacy and Hook Norton Brewery:

• Hook Norton Brewery was founded in 1849—just a year before the Lampit & Co. engine was built.
• One of the brewery’s earliest steam boilers was crafted by Barrows & Co., another famed Banbury boiler-making firm.

Chris Raworth paid tribute to the collaborative team effort behind the restoration project, thanking Mike for extensive sanding and wire-brushing work, George and his crew for lifting heavy component parts, and his grandson Luke—who refurbishes brewery engine parts—alongside his newlywed wife Becky.

A beautifully restored 1860s Victorian pub table was also presented during the ceremony, setting the scene for raising a celebratory glass to heritage, teamwork, and the timeless craft of brewing.