A brewer retired this week from Taylor's after nearly 40 years' dedicated service to the Knowle Spring brewery.

David Henfray, 65 on Tuesday, joined the award winning brewery in March 1960 and has worked as the fermentation manager and more recently as the brewery's night man.

Peter Eells, head brewer, explains that this quaintly named position entails overseeing all the overnight brewing processes. Pointing proudly at a wall cram-med with certificates, he adds: "David has been instrumental in winning all the awards along this wall plus those three and all the ones in my office and all the CAMRA ones."

David's departure brings an end to the Henfray family links with the brewers. David is the third generation of his family to brew the famous Keighley beer. David's great-grandfather, Anthony, originally from Newark, was the first Henfray to brew in Keighley and worked as a maltster in the early part of the century.

David, of Haworth, says: "He came to the area in 1907 but I don't know when he worked here. I never knew him as working here, only from what I hear from the family talking.

"Uncle Rupert was also a brewer here. I used to come and see him."

David, who admits to drinking the odd lager and lime, says he has seen a lot of changes in the brewing processes over the years but adds that the beer is still of the best quality.

He says: "It's as good now as it's ever been."

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