Ad’s how we did it!

And this brewery advert which appeared in the Northern Daily Telegraph 60 years ago, emphasised its long history.

For it relayed the story of its hospitality through the years highlighting the old custom of rush bearing.

In the 18th century rush bearing occurred in many East Lancashire villages.

In late summer, rushes were cut and dried, then carried to church and strewn along the aisles and pew bottoms, for winter warmth.

Rush bearing, explained the advert, was a particularly important annual festival in Newchurch-in-Pendle, one in which all the local and many neighbouring inhabitants took part.

It pictured a happy gathering of rush bearers pausing from their work for refreshment at the local day and, of course, on such a day, they drank only Massey’s Ale, brewed in Burnley since 1750.