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modes of transport, it may be considered to be one of the
causes which brought to an end the existence of the town
and parish as a self-contained community.
Manufacturing, etc.- The brewery of Messrs John Fowler
& Company Ltd. employs 150 people in the various capacities
of brewers, engineers, coopers, maltmen, box makers, cellar-
men, and lorry drivers, with girls in the bottling departments
and in general administration, an adequate administrative
staff, and a number of commercial travellers. Almost all
of these live in Prestonpans.
The raw materials of the industry are barley, brought from
the Lothians by road, and coal from local collieries, also
carried by road. The products are ale and beer which are
sent in cask and bottle by the company's own lorries to
licensed premises throughout Scotland. Almost all the employees
are skilled workers who work a 44-hour week spread over
six days. The brewery is equipped with modern machinery
and the buildings themselves very adequately fulfil all
requirements.
The brewery was established in 1720 and came into the possession
of the Fowler family in 1756. In the iQth century " Laird
Fowler " himself superintended the operations of his brewery,
which was well known for the fine quality of the ale it
produced. That reputation has been preserved and Prestonpans
ale is known throughout Scotland.
Breweries were common in many towns of Scotland, but that
of Prestonpans was favourably situated for survival, when
many others went out of existence. It had no doubt been
established here because barley was easily obtained from
the rich agricultural district and Prestonpans had an adequate
supply of very suitable brewing water from a well. These
factors, together with the proximity of coal mines and the
business acumen of its owners and managers, have ensured
its continued prosperity.
After the mines and the brewery, the concern which employs
the largest number of workers is the Prestonpans Co-operative
Society. In 1948 the number was 109, and was the greatest
ever. The variety of occupations of these workers is shown
by the following list :-Grocers-34, Butchers -11, Drapers-4,
Bakers-12, Boot and Shoe Department-4,
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