Liquorice

Liquorice tin in an 'art nouveau' style from about 1900. The castle ruins are shown after the Victorians have turned the site into a park. The top of the keep shows a 'window' shaped hole which was knocked through the archaeology to create a distant view of St. Giles. The weakened wall later collapsed.

This local liquorice tin's design must have been commissioned by a company who felt the need to enhance the appearance of the ruins. An extra tower has been added on the right and three 'windows' make the keep more interesting. The only 'window' visible from the west was the result of the Victorians' attempt to make a 'picturesque' view of the distant spire of St Giles. For this, they happily sacrificed the archaeology by knocking a hole through the remaining wall. The weakened structure later collapsed. [The finials of the octagonal tower of All Saints have been turned into a very European looking spire - The church would not be visible from this angle]

A re-use of a Borough emblem merged with the de Lacy heraldic 'knot' to sell locally made liquorice flavoured beer

The newly adapted emblem of W. R. Wilkinson & Co Ltd liquorice in the 1990s with a generic castle representing Pontefract in the top right quarter. The emlem or 'seal' was created by the company in the 1940s.

Hand stamp for liquorice Pontefract cakes made at 'F.D' [ Frank Dunhill's].This hand stamp was also used on the wax of the first secret ballot box in Britain at Pontefract in 1872.

Commemorative plate with W. R. Wilkinson & Co Ltd liquorice emblem which includes Pontefract Castle symbolised by the tower on the top right quarter [the broken bridge 'Ponte-fract' is on the bottom left quarter] 1984. The business was established in 1884 and the original factory was based in a malt kiln in Southgate, Pontefract. The company was bought out in 1894 and became a limited company in 1924. A year later a former brush factory in Monkhill was rebuilt as a 'garden factory’. In 1961 the company merged with the Sheffield based Bassett Group, their biggest rivals.

The Castle painting by Alexander Keirincx used in sepia on a beer label.

Handstamp for Pontefract cakes made by W. R. Wilkinson & Co. The stylised castle of a wall between two towers has an owl perched on it. The owl is a reference to the Saville family who owned land around Pontefract and Leeds. Locally, it is commonly thought that the emblem on most 'cakes' is based on the siege coins minted at Pontefract Castle in the Civil War. There is no evidence that this is in fact true. The emblems of the castle and owl later appeared in the company's 'seal' developed in the 1940s.

A liquorice Pontefract Castle hand-stamp for confectionery company Robinson & Wordsworth. The emblem of the castle differs from rival producers W. R. Wilkinson & Co Ltd by showing a flag instead of an owl on the castle battlements.

'Dunhills Original' handstamp for liquorice Pontefract Cakes. The stylised castle of a wall between two tower has an owl perched on it. The owl is probably a reference to the Saville family who owned land around Pontefract and Leeds [It is also a symbol used by Leeds]. Locally, it is commonly thought that the emblems on most 'cakes' are based on the siege coins minted at Pontefract Castle in the Civil War. There is no evidence that this is in fact true.

Handstamp for Pontefract cakes made by W. R. Wilkinson & Co. The stylised castle of a wall between two towers has an owl perched on it. The owl is a reference to the Saville family who owned land around Pontefract and Leeds. Locally, it is commonly thought that the emblem on most 'cakes' is based on the siege coins minted at Pontefract Castle in the Civil War. There is no evidence that this is in fact true. The emblems of the castle and owl later appeared in the company's 'seal' developed in the 1940s.

Photograph showing the match between the 'F.D.' [Frank Dunhill] liquorice Pontefract cake stamp and the wax stamp sealing the first secret ballot box used in Britain in 1872. Dunhills company emblem was then of a castle with an owl perched on it.

Transport label for confectionery company Ewbanks Ltd. Thomas Firth set up Pontefract’s second liquorice factory based in Elephant Yard, in 1810. The founder was eventually succeeded by Mr David Longstaffe, who later sold to Mr Robert Ewbank and Mr W. R. Horsfall. Under Mr Ewbank’s direction the company grew and expanded. In 1913 the business was purchased by a group and formed as a private limited company. In January 1961 the business merged with the toffee manufacturers Arthur Holland of Southport and closed four years later.

The image shows road works on Thornes Wharf and a Hillabys liquorice van making deliveries. Entrepreneur John Hillaby established the Lion Liquorice Works, Pontefract in 1850. The company grew their own liquorice and by 1893 were the biggest producer in the world. In 1943 the company were taken over by rival producers Joseph Bellamy & Sons Ltd of nearby Castleford.

The image shows a life size model of boat painted 'Castleford Sweets The World Over' and 'Bellamy'. In 1870 Joseph Bellamy started manufacturing in Leeds, but in 1899 moved to Castleford. They became known for their mint imperials, French almonds as well as chocolate covered liquorice allsorts. In 1935 Joseph Bellamy & Sons Ltd became incorporated.The business was run in turn by the Bellamy family until it was taken over by John Mackintosh Ltd in early 1964.

The image shows the loading bay at Joseph Bellamy & Sons Ltd confectionery works around 1960. In 1870 the company started manufacturing in Leeds, but in 1899 moved to Castleford.They became known for their mint imperials, French almonds as well as chocolate covered liquorice allsorts. In 1935 Joseph Bellamy & Sons Ltd became incorporated. The business was run in turn by the Bellamy family until it was taken over by John Mackintosh Ltd in early 1964.

Princess Margaret visits Pontefract. This press photograph shows her at Trebor Bassetts, Monkhill Confectionery Works, escorted by Chris Marshall, the Managing Director, and the Mayor and Mayoress of the District. They are standing by the liquorice hedge outside the canteen. Photograph courtesy of the Pontefract and Castleford Express.

Photograph of W. R. Wilkinson & Co Ltd liquorice cakes and a hand stamp.

Ariel view of W. R. Wilkinson & Co Ltd liquorice factory, Pontefract.

W. R. Wilkinson & Co Ltd factory, Pontefract.

Liquorice roots being dug in a local park.

Liquorice roots being dug in a local park.

Photograph of liquorice root grown in Pontefract.

The image shows the liquorice factory of W. R. Wilkinson & Co Ltd with houses in foreground.