Charles J. Ockenden

  General Notes:

George Ockenden ran New Road Brewery from approximately 1878 until he died in 1900. The Address given in the 1899-1900 Pike's Blue Book directory was 'Ockenden G and Son (Ockenden, C), New Road Brewery, High St, Crawley'

George's son Charles J. succeeded him in running the breweries. The Ockenden breweries were bought by Southdown and East Grinstead Brewery in 1907. Southdown and East Grinstead retained Charles J. as manager. It is likely however, that the brewing actually ceased at the two breweries afterthey were sold.

In Pike's Blue Book of 1911-1912 'Ockenden, C J' is listed as ironmonger at 1 Post Office Road, Crawley (although in the street lists at the beginning of this directory 'Ockenden, C J' is listed as the Manager of 'Southdown Brewery Stores' at 1 Post Office Road).

John Sprake in the late 1960s was head brewer at Youngs, the brewery was owned by his grandmother's (nee Ockenden) father. His father's uncle was Charles Ockenden. Mr Sprake's aunts Katherine & Emily Ockenden died c1950 and were the last of that name. The Sprake family was involved with several brewing businesses.