Shaws celebrate their 130th anniversary by giving away 130 jars of 'the best piccalilli in the world' to the good people of Huddersfield …

From 12 midday until 3pm on Friday 6th September at the Old Market Hall Gate Courtyard, Wakefield Road, Huddersfield HD5 9AN *

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As a thank you to the town that has been home for 130 years, Shaws will be handing out a free jar of their famous Piccalilli to the first 130 people to come to their Old Market Hall Gates from 12 midday on 6th September. It is part of an afternoon of anniversary games, quizzes and celebrations, hosted by the Shaws team, in the courtyard of the former Victorian wool mill that they have occupied since 1913.

“We've been a part of Huddersfield history since 1889. We are part of its fabric, history and community,”says Shaws MD Jan Docker, proudly. “A birthday celebration wouldn't be complete without gifts and without including the people of Huddersfield; and our piccalilli – a Victorian high tea staple, particularly well loved with a stand (pork) pie – was the obvious choice.”

“We have always made a version of piccalilli, just as all “northern town” picklers did,” she continues.“Our current one is based on an original Shaws family recipe, which we updated in 2012 to reflect changing tastes for smoothness, rather than acidity, but were careful to keep the crunchy vegetables of the original. We have been told that it is the 'best piccalilli in the world'. We tend to agree.”

Still family owned and recently joined by Annie Shaw, the sixth generation of the pickling dynasty, Shaws chutneys and relishes was started by teetotal insurance broker George Shaw, who opened his first Relish Works in Huddersfield's Fitzwilliam Street. From here he sold an extraordinary array of products, besides the original Shaws Relish, including baking powder, patented medicines, marrowfat peas and face creams. All were delivered by immaculate skewbald pony and traps, known locally as “Shaws Circus”. In 1913, they moved to the larger premises of Storths Mill in Wakefield Road, where they still manufacture all their products. There was never any question of moving out of Huddersfield. Nor is there 130 years later.

“Throwing the anniversary party in our Old Market Gates Courtyard was the natural choice too,” explains Docker,“Just 10 years younger than Shaws, they were built in 1879 and stood at Huddersfield's Old Market Hall in Victoria Lane until 1971, when they, along with the building, were earmarked for demolition. My uncle, Terence Peace, rescued them and reinstated them at the factory, further sealing our place at the heart of Huddersfield's industrial history.”

Drop by the Old Market Hall Gates on 6thSeptember, early enough to grab your free jar of Piccalilli, and say “Happy Birthday” to the Shaws team.

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Editors' notes …

The history …George Shaw founded Shaws Relish Works in Fitzwilliam Street, Huddersfield as a General Merchants and Chemists in 1889. With his two sons, Walter and Vincent, they built up the family business through an array of products including relishes, jams and pickles, marrowfat peas and baking powder. In 1913, they moved into the larger premises of Storths Mill, a former Victorian wool mill on Wakefield Road, where they remain today. Walter's sons, Norman and Malcolm, joined the business after WWI and developed the pickle manufacturing operation, followed by Norman's son Martin in 1953, who was a master vinegar brewer. In 1967, with his father and uncle nearing retirement, Martin spotted a news story about Terence Peace, a local lad who had just passed his Chartered Company Secretary exams with flying colours. Terence joined Shaws as company secretary and within two years was a director, marking the start of a wonderful friendship that continues today. The two families remain united by pickle when Martin's sons, Matthew and Daniel - the fifth Shaw generation - joined the business in the 1980s, and were joined by Terence's son Jim Peace. 

The team today …Chairman Matthew Shaw was joined in 2011 by Terence Peace's niece, Managing Director Jan Docker. She is supported by her fellow Director (and cousin) Jim Peace, by Commercial Category Manager  Michelle Heaney Firth, by Lesley Atkins, Sales & Brand Manager and by operations Manager, Alex Woodcock. They have all recently welcomedAnnie Shaw to the pickling fold. The sixth generation of Shaws. Annie has been coming to the mill since childhood and after graduating from Huddersfield University with a degree in Business Studies with Environmental Management, joined the company as a graduate trainee, learning not just the ropes, but every fibre of the business that is in her blood. And the family extends beyond that blood: several members of the Shaws loyal team have been with the company for between 10 and 15 years.

The products … In 2013, Jan began honing the Shaws unwieldy retail offer from 26 products to two targeted ranges – the Everyday Range of four classic lines and the five gourmet combinations of the Heritage Collection. All Shaws products are gluten free, suitable for vegans and vegetariansand use only British sugar and vinegar.They are developed in the NPD kitchen at Storths Mill by food technologist Kate Pearson, and join original recipes created by Annie Shaw's father, Daniel, and grandfather, Martin. Until 1stOctober, 2019 Morrisons will be offering both the Devilish Chili Relish and Mighty American Style Relish in a price crunched '£1 jar'promo.

The stockists … The Shaws Everyday Range is available variously in Yorkshire branches of Asda, Coop and Tesco and in most Booths stores, and has a nationwide listing with Morrisons. Shaws also supply foodservice via distributors The FoodFellas and export as far as Australia, New Zealand and Barbados; as well as supplying products to sandwich, ready meal and pie producers. The Heritage Range is available in delis, farm shops and independents across Yorkshire. Shaws is a proud member of DeliciouslyYorkshire.

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