Category: Past Events

Distilling the Archives: Records of the Drinks Industry in the UK

Cowcross Street, London, 5^th October 2023

The British Records Association is offering a free place to an early career archivist, librarian, historian, or related heritage worker, for the best submission on the benefits of attending the conference. This could cover, for instance, why you are interested in attending, why the particular subject of the conference is important to you, and how the event might contribute to your professional development.

Submissions of a maximum of 500 words should be emailed to the Hon Secretary  by midnight on 10th September and the decision will be made no later than 15^th September. The successful applicant will be encouraged to write a short conference review for the BRA’s website or e-bulletin and/or to promote the conference on social media during the day.

The free place will cover the registration fee (including lunch, morning and afternoon refreshments) and travel expenses.

Find out more about the programme of speakers on our Eventbrite page.

The British Records Association’s Annual Conference 2023 is a one-day tantalising taste of the rich archival resources on the drinks industry in the UK. It will take place on Thursday 5th October, 9.30-17.30 and will be at The Gallery, 77 Cowcross Street, London, EC1M 6EL.

The conference will cover topics such as:

• London’s breweries
• The Brewers’ Company
• The Brewers’ Society and brewery history
• The Government and wine (not a lockdown party)
• The Aberfeldy Distillery
• The British Beer and Pub Association archives
• Reactivation of the Brora Distillery using the Diageo Archives
• The history of Beefeater Gin
• British brewers as patrons of the arts
• Connections between the UK brewing history and contemporary trends, notably female brewers.

The confirmed speakers are: Mike Brown, Archivist (Brewery History Society); Samantha Case, Archivist (Bacardi); Dr Robert Curry, Associate Director, & Annabel Valentine, Archivist (Oxford Brookes University, Learning Resources Directorate); Hannah Dunmow, Archivist (The Brewers’ Company); Professor Judith Hawley (Royal Holloway, University of London); Rachel MacGregor, Acting Archives Manager (Modern Records Centre, Warwick University); Joanne McKerchar, Senior Archivist (The Diageo Archive); Keith Mitchell (The National Archives); Claire Titley, Catalogue Editor (London Metropolitan Archives); and Dr Emma West (University of Birmingham).

As well as focussing on specific breweries and distilleries our speakers will highlight the value of these collections for social, cultural and economic research.

Tickets can now be booked on Eventbrite.

*Conference fees include full catering for the day*

For any accessibility requirements please email our Secretary.