‘I want to ensure their stories are told’ - Marge Bradshaw

Katie Rooke in conversation with photographer and socially engaged artist, Marge Bradshaw, about one of her current projects ‘Brewsters’ - a social documentary series exploring the experiences of women working in beer and brewing.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m a professional photographer based in Bolton. I shoot the usual kind of commercial and private photography (like brand, family, events, weddings etc) but I also work on creative and community projects which tend to have a social documentary focus. I’ve been fortunate to have previously had my work exhibited at Open Eye Gallery Liverpool, Museums Northumberland, Bolton Museum and Gallery, The Photographer’s Gallery, and the Science Museum London. I live with my husband and stepson, and in my spare time you’ll find me down the pub or up the hills on a trail run. 

Tell us a bit about your BREWSTERS project

BREWSTERS is a year-long social documentary series which explores the experiences of women in the north of England who work in beer and brewing. Since January I’ve been visiting women who work across the industry to photograph and interview them about their experiences. Whether you’re a brewer or beer sommelier, if you’re reading this and would like to take part, please get in touch. The project is open to anyone identifying as women, non-binary, or trans. I’d particularly like to hear from women of colour and queer women who are currently under-represented in the series so far. 

Rachel, Director, The Beer School, Westhoughton

What made you want to focus on women in beer and brewing, and in the north of England specifically?

As someone interested in both beer and heritage, I’d read Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol by Mallory O’Meara last year. Until then, I’d absolutely no idea about the history of women in brewing, and it inspired me to explore the role of women in 2023. (For anyone who doesn’t know, brewing was traditionally an activity primarily undertaken by women until they were banned from alcohol production in the mid-18th century). 

My social documentary work usually shares the stories and lived experience of people who aren’t usually heard, so I floated the idea of BREWSTERS with Rachel Birch, Director of The Beer School in Westhoughton and it became clear that the project had potential. It’s only restricted to the north for financial reasons – I’m self-funding the whole project and fitting shoots around other travel and work projects. So if there’s anyone out there who’d like to sponsor or support this work which would allow me to geographically extend it, then please do get in touch.

Jules, Hop Hideout, specialist beer shop and tasting room, founder and director of Sheffield Beer Week

What are you hoping to achieve with BREWSTERS?

My aim is to document as many women as possible who are actively working in beer and brewing, to raise the profile of the contribution women make to this industry, and to ensure their stories are told. Once I’ve got as far as I can, my intention is to pitch it to national media publications and to cultural sector institutions like museums and galleries to hopefully share, display and archive the work for future generations. 

What have you learned from the project so far? Have you been surprised by anything you've discovered or encountered?

Although I already had some knowledge about beer, I’ve certainly learnt a lot about brewing and also the supply chain. I think it’s surprised me how many women actually work right across the industry, in such varied roles from wholesale through to brewing. When we sit and have a pint in a tap room or take a few cans from a fridge to enjoy at home, it’s highly likely that women have played a crucial role in making that happen somewhere along the line. And I think we need to shout about that a bit more. 

Julie, co-founder, Neptune Brewery, Liverpool

Are you a beer drinker and if so, what is your favourite beer to drink right now?

Yes indeed. We’re well served by some excellent breweries here in Bolton – Blackedge, Northern Monkey and Rivington Brewing Co are three of my favourites. If I’m not down my local at The Beer School in Westhoughton, you can often find me at Rivington’s tap room (which has possibly the best brewery view you’ll find anywhere in the north). I’ve just started getting into sours, and Rivington do a great 6.5% peach and apricot fruited gose called Something Like a Discoball, so that’s my favourite right now. 

Find out more about BREWSTERS and express an interest to be involved.