Ginsters - History

History

Geoffrey Ginster was born in West Bromwich, West Midlands, as was most of the family. During the war he served, like his brother Frank, in the tank regiment. The family business, Ginster Bros had been trading for many years from Longwood Lane, Walsall. After the war Geoff approached his father and asked if he could receive his inheritance early as he wished to move down to the West Country. He started a clotted cream business in Devon, which became so successful during the early 1960s that he was approached by the Milk Marketing Board, who expressed a wish to buy him out. Mr Ginster refused. At the time, the government agency, which controlled the production and price of milk until 1994, was extremely powerful and - without a monopolies watchdog - could make strict demands that firms would follow. In this instrance, the Board told Mr Ginster that if he did not sell, there would be no future supplies of milk for his business. He was forced to sell. He then moved across into Cornwall and decided to make Cornish Pasties. Geoff Ginster later sold out and retired from business in the late 70s, living out his retirement at Sidbury on Hill, Devon before passing away in August 1990. He left a wife, two sons and a daughter.