A family business in Winsford is celebrating its 150th anniversary by supporting St Luke’s.

John Bownes Ltd has donated £2,520 to the hospice which was raised as part of an auction to celebrate the company's historic milestone.

The business has been selling tractors and farm machinery in Winsford since the 1950s but the family started out as grocers and tea merchants in the town 150 years ago.

Company director John Christopher Bownes said: “As a family we have supported St Luke’s for many years. We know several people who have been supported by St Luke’s over the years, but the main connection is my Auntie Kathleen Bownes who passed away at the hospice nine years ago.

"She had cancer and was so well cared for at St Luke’s. We very much appreciated everything they did for us as a family.

“We decided to hold a charity auction in aid of St Luke’s seeing as we are marking a special occasion for the business and the family.

Northwich Guardian:

Andy Bailey from St Luke's Hospice with John Christopher Bownes, John Edward Bownes and John Daniel Bownes

"One of our manufacturers donated a four-day trip to the factory in Finland and JCB also gave a VIP tour of their factory. We also auctioned tractor hire, digger hire and servicing for JCB equipment and I was so pleased to raise so much for St Luke’s.”

Three generations of the Bownes family are still involved in the running of the business with John Christopher’s father John Edward still involved as a company director as well as his son John Daniel and daughter Laura Heath.

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The business has been based at Court House Farm in Swanlow Lane since 2000.

Andy Bailey, partnerships manager at St Luke’s Hospice, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Bownes family and the business for their continued support of St Luke’s. This significant donation will support the care of patients and their families at the Hospice.

“We offer our congratulations to the family on their 150th anniversary of operating a business in Winsford, what an incredible achievement!”