Joseph Holt, Manchester Brewery

Heading home tonight with a dearth of blipable material, I passed by a Holts pub and noticed the coat of arms whichmade quite a colourful statement against the white frontage of the pub. It reminded me of a story told to me about the wife of Joseph Holt who sadly died of cancer in the late 19th century. The second generation of the Holt family was particularly influential in forming a relationship with what is now the Christie Hospital in Manchester which is still flourishing to the present day. Most recently with the current MD cycling the coast to coast to raise funds for the institution.

In the early years of the twentieth century an appeal was launched, for £25,000 to set up a ground-breaking new Radium Institute and an initial contribution of £2000 from local brewer Edward Holt, the son of Joseph, started the ball rolling. In 1921 new premises in Nelson Street, Manchester were donated by Sir Edward and Lady Holt, and became the Manchester and District Radium Institute. By contrast with the dispersed and competitive provision of London radiotherapy, Manchester became the first provider of a centralised radiotherapy service, which would have long-lasting effects on the patterns of British cancer care. The connection goes on with both the brewery and individual pubs maintaining the charitable link. So every time you buy a pint of Holts you are indirectly contributing to the amazing work carried out by the Christie Hospital today. I'll drink to that, Cheers!