62 years
Supporting local football
A local team in kit sponsored by John Brown Hardware, photographed with the shop van and a board marking 62 years of trading.
Nailsea connections
Community
The shop's connections with Nailsea: local recognition, a park opening, local sport and coverage of John's hundredth birthday.
01
2011
Legend of Nailsea
In 2011 readers of Nailsea People voted John their Local Legend. He was 85, and was chosen from more than 30 nominees.
“I do feel honoured to have been chosen and very proud to think that the people of Nailsea think that I am worthy of the title.”John Brown, Nailsea People, 2011
The prize included a professional photo shoot, which produced the portrait of John holding a John Brown Hardware bag. The campaign billboard congratulated him on serving the local community for over 50 years.
At the time, Maggie said that most afternoons John could still be found in the shop, chatting to customers and “doing” the watches.
John credited Alice, the staff and the shop's loyal customers for the success of the business.
Sources: Nailsea People, Local Legend winner report, 2011 · Nailsea People, Local Legend voting report, 2011
02
2015
30 April 2015
Opening Millennium Park
On 30 April 2015 John opened Millennium Park, the public green space on the site of the former Nailsea Glassworks, across the road from the shop.
No photograph of the opening is in the shop's archive yet.
Sources: North Somerset Times, “Glassworks site officially opened”, 6 May 2015 (as cited by Wikipedia) · J D Wetherspoon: The Glassmaker pub history
Supporting local causes
Helping local fundraising
Supporting local causes has long been part of John Brown Hardware, with John regularly donating prizes for community fundraisers.
In 2024, John Brown Hardware donated raffle prizes for a concert supporting the RNLI in its bicentenary year.
Nailsea and Winscombe folk clubs came together at 2nd Nailsea Scout HQ for the RNLI 200 concert. Nailsea People named the shop among the businesses and residents who contributed prizes.
03
In the local press
2011
Nailsea People
Voting for Local Legend opens
More than 30 people were nominated. John took an early lead with 10 per cent of the vote.
2011
Nailsea People
John voted Local Legend
John won the readers' poll. His prize was a professional photo shoot for the Nailsea People billboard campaign.
6 May 2015
North Somerset Times
Glassworks site officially opened
Report of the park opening. Known from its citation; the article itself is not yet in the shop's archive.
Date to be confirmed
Local newspaper
Historic newspaper article
A cutting held by the family. A scan has not yet been added to the archive.
04
100
26 October 2025
John's 100th birthday
“We have always had tremendous support from Nailsea.”John Brown, North Somerset Times, 2025
20 October 2025
North Somerset Times · Article
Owner of Nailsea's oldest business turns 100 years old ↗ (opens North Somerset Times in a new tab)
Local newspaper profile of John, his father Charles and the shop's early years.
26 October 2025
BBC News · Article
Owner of Nailsea's oldest shop celebrates 100th birthday ↗ (opens BBC News in a new tab)
Written profile of John's centenary and his long relationship with customers.
27 October 2025
ITV News West Country · Video
Legend of Nailsea marks his 100th birthday ↗ (opens ITV News West Country in a new tab)
Broadcast report on John's centenary.
These links open the publishers' own pages. Their photographs and video are not reproduced on this site.
The archive is still growing
Have you kept a cutting or a photograph?
If you have newspaper cuttings, photographs or memories connected with John, the shop or the Glassworks park opening, we would be glad to hear from you.