WADWORTH shire horses will be on parade outside St John’s Church when people say their last goodbyes to Major John Bartholomew, whose family has been involved with the iconic Devizes brewery since the 19th century.

Major Bartholomew, who became chairman of Wadworth in 1952, died on Sunday aged 95, three months after suffering a fall. This week his son, Charles, led the tributes to the man who was at the helm of the brewery until 1996 and retired as a director in 2013.

His son said two main goals of his father had been to ensure the return of the shire horses to the brewery and to become master of the Avon Vale Hunt, both of which he achieved.

This week, as the flag above the brewery flew at half mast, his son said: “Wadworth and hunting were both very important to his life. Long after he retired as chairman he kept a desk here and was always popping in.

“He knew every member of staff by name and always had time for people. He was a very determined, independent and competitive man. Up until his accident in November he was still riding several times a week and used to follow the hunt by car.

“He still liked to get out to our pubs and chat to people.

"In his younger years he was not very social but he became much more so in later life.”

Major Bartholomew resisted takeovers by large corporations and as other breweries were swallowed up, or closed, he was determined to see Wadworth flourish.

He also increased the number of tied pubs and by 2001 the business owned 262. In 1974 he restored the shire horses to the firm and enjoyed seeing them do well in shows.

His son said his father would not have wanted an elaborate funeral ceremony involving his coffin on a dray, but the horses would be outside St John’s Church when a thanksgiving service is held at 2.30pm on Friday, February 26.

Mike Gaiger, director of Gaiger Bros, led the tributes from other business people in the town.

He said: “He was a loyal friend to our company and many local companies and combined the highest standards in business with warmth and humour. Our company had no finer friend and we will miss him.”

The major’s wife Noreen died in 2004 but he was supported by devoted staff Andrea Alexander and Lisa Harding.

He was a parish councillor for 26 years.