MAJOR John Cairns Bartholomew, grandson of John Smith Bartholomew who went into partnership with Wadworth brewery founder Henry Wadworth, has died aged 95.

Known by everyone at Wadworth as The Major he succeeded his father John  Bartholomew at the helm of the brewery in Northgate Street in 1952.

In 1974 it was his idea to bring back the famous Wadworth dray horses and he was pleased in May 2004 when Prince Philip visited Devizes and took the reins of the horses to mark 30 years of their reintroduction.

Every year the shire horses go on holiday on land in Poulshot owned by Major Bartholomew.