A WELL- known butchers is celebrating 125 years serving the community across three generations of family tradition.

Hancocks Butchers was founded in 1900 when Queen Victoria was still on the throne and in the year the Central Line on the London Underground was opened.

The traditional butcher’s shop is a trusted legacy of quality and community spirit, and has proudly served Monmouth through a century and a quarter, encompassing world wars, recessions and a rapidly changing retail landscape.

To mark the occasion, Hancocks of Monmouth have invited the community to join them on Wednesday, October 8, for a birthday celebration at the shop.

As a thank you to customers, there will be 12.5 percent discount across the shop on the day to mark the 125th anniversary, and a chance to sample their homemade prize-winning sausages.

Founded by ‘grandfather’ Alderman Charles Hancocks, who used to drive cattle up to 18 miles on foot from Ross-on-Wye or Hereford Market at the beginning of the last century, the original shop was bought for £20 and 10 shillings.

In the 1950s, the shop passed down to ‘father’ Reginald Hancocks who survived tuberculosis and the removal of one lung, and expanded the business to add a greengrocers and fishmongers.

‘Son’ and current owner Howard Hancocks took over in 1973, modernising the business and butchering techniques, winning titles such as South Wales Butcher of the Year and Burger Master of Wales, as well as numerous sausage awards and trophies.

Howard said: “It is hard to believe that I started working in the shop, aged 16, in 1959 – time flies.

“We are proud that Hancocks of Monmouth remains a stalwart of the high street today. The customers coming through the shop doors over those years number into the tens of thousands and many of my regulars have become friends.”