The Stevenage Amateur Wine & Beermakers Guild has closed after 55 years of brewing.

Founded in 1967 by Allan Mott, Len Tydeman, Ron Watson and Ted Culpin, the Guild originally met at The Glebe and Timebridge Community Centres in Chells and saw out its final years at Bedwell Community Centre.

The group would often enter floats at Stevenage Carnival, as well as holding monthly meetings and numerous social events alongside its own annual competition, where many prizes for best brews and other produce were up for grabs.

The Comet: Members of the The Stevenage Amateur Wine & Beermakers Guild enjoyed many social occasions over the last 55 yearsMembers of the The Stevenage Amateur Wine & Beermakers Guild enjoyed many social occasions over the last 55 years (Image: The Stevenage Amateur Wine & Beermakers Guild)

Dennis Greene, who joined in 1969, was the longest-serving treasurer, while Chris Marsden was the longest-serving secretary, closely followed by his brother, Ron Marsden.

At one point, the Guild boasted more than 100 members.

Having not been able to meet for almost two years due to the pandemic, and with chairman and founder Allan Mott having sadly passed away, the Guild took the decision earlier this year to disband and held a final meeting earlier this month.

The Comet: The Stevenage Amateur Wine & Beermakers Guild has closed after 55 yearsThe Stevenage Amateur Wine & Beermakers Guild has closed after 55 years (Image: The Stevenage Amateur Wine & Beermakers Guild)

Looking back to when the Guild was founded, Allan’s widow, Maureen Mott, said: “Allan was a driver for Letchworth Hill Laundry Company in Hitchin and saw demijohns bubbling away when he returned laundry to the Tydemans’ home.

"He asked what it was all about and got interested. He wasn’t allowed to brew anything at home - his father was a strict Methodist and wouldn’t allow alcohol in the cottage - but he was allowed to do so in the outhouses.

“I don’t know how Allan and Len came across the other two founding members, but I know they put an advert in the local paper asking if anyone was interested in making home brews to attend a meeting.

The Comet: Newspaper clipping featuring The Stevenage Amateur Wine & Beermakers GuildNewspaper clipping featuring The Stevenage Amateur Wine & Beermakers Guild (Image: The Stevenage Amateur Wine & Beermakers Guild)

"The rest is history. We all had some great occasions together – a lot of fun, a lot of laughs and, now and then, a lot of hard work, which in turn was still wrapped in fun – carnival floats and barbecues especially.

“I may never have met Allan had I not gone to that meeting in August 1968 with my brother and sister-in-law – how glad I am that I did.

"Allan was proud of the Guild’s achievements and longevity and enjoyed the friendship the club brought. I really hope that although this is the closure of the club, it’s not the closure of our friendships.”