Anniversary brew for property developer

l Paul Stephens (left) pours a pint of the anniversary ale marking his firm's tenth year of business, watched by St Austell head brewer Roger Ryman

January 11, 2007: Cornish property developer Poltair Homes has joined forces with St Austell Brewery to celebrate its tenth anniversary in style.

The fast-growing company has bought 900 bottles of special anniversary ale for redistribution in a variety of ways, starting with a bottle each to every one of the near-350 Poltair households across Cornwall and Devon. A crate of the bottles will be presented to the upcoming 350th purchaser and the remainder will go to new purchasers throughout 2007 plus various good causes.

These will include an auction among Poltair staff and the company’s associates and suppliers, with the highest bid for a crate being donated to a charity of the bidder’s choice. There will also be treasure hunts organised at Poltair sites.

The launch of the anniversary ale has prompted recollections of another great Cornish brewery name of yesteryear. Paul Stephens, who co-founded Poltair Homes with Gerry Barnicoat, is great-grandson of Christopher Ellis, the last owner of the Hayle brewery of Christopher Ellis and Sons Ltd.

In 2000, the show home of one of Poltair’s earliest developments – Rosevale Gardens at Luxulyan – was formally opened by St Austell Brewery chairman Piers Thompson, great-great-grandson of Walter Hicks, founder of his namesake brewery. The Hicks and Ellis companies merged in 1934 to form the present-day St Austell Brewery.

"We are immensely proud of our record of achievement at Poltair Homes and absolutely delighted to be able to link up with the St Austell Brewery to celebrate this anniversary in such appropriate fashion,” said Mr Stephens. "The two companies have fascinating historical links and are both promoting the very best of Cornish, so we look forward to continuing to work together in various ways as we celebrate further milestones.”