A POIGNANT tribute has been paid to a former brewery stalwart as he made his final journey.

Workers at Timothy Taylor lined the road outside the firm's Knowle Spring base as the funeral cortege of Allan Hey passed by.

Mr Hey had spent his whole working life – 57 years – at the Ingrow brewery.

"He has a unique place in the history of Timothy Taylor," said managing director, Charles Dent.

"Allan started as a brewers' apprentice and went on to become production director, which was unusual in the brewing industry generally.

"Under his stewardship, our Landlord ale started to win significant prizes in the 1970s and 80s and gathered its reputation in the ensuing years.

"Allan kept the brewing principles of his predecessor to ensure that Landlord became the well recognised brand it now is."

Keighley-born Mr Hey, who died aged 89 at Steeton Court Nursing Home, joined Taylor's shortly after the start of the Second World War when he was just 14 years old.

In 1943 he enlisted with the Royal Navy and served on cruisers and minesweepers in the Mediterranean, and during the D-Day landings was aboard the Flower-class corvette HMS Campanula.

He returned to the brewery after the war and following secondment spells with brewers’ chemists Heron & Crosbie – where he learned the technical processes of analysing beer and yeast – and Boddingtons in Manchester, he was appointed assistant brewer at Taylor's.

Mr Hey became head brewer in 1966, a post he held for 29 years, during which time the company won countless awards from the brewing industry and the Campaign for Real Ale.

He also served on the board of directors and became production director in 1995.

His retirement from the brewery the following year coincided with that of the then chairman and joint managing director Lord Ingrow, grandson of the founder.

Together they had clocked-up 117 years' service, and for three decades had acted in harness – a unique partnership achievement in British brewing.

To mark the milestone, a commemorative beer was produced called The Management Special – 'Management' being Mr Hey's nickname at the brewery.

Mr Hey's daughter, Gillian Lund, said: "The brewery was his life. He loved it there.

"Apparently it is traditional for staff to stop work and gather at the entrance in respect and it's a lovely tribute for my dad."

Mr Hey, with his late wife Olwyn, also used to run the former Knowle Spring Country Club.

Monday's (Nov 10) funeral service, at the Knowle, was followed by a private cremation at Oakworth.

Mr Hey leaves his daughter and a granddaughter, Hayley.