"Corona" Cordials Taken Hot

From the collection of

Archif Sgrin a Sain Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive

Established in 2001, the National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive holds an unrivalled collection of films, TV and radio broadcasts, video tapes and sound recordings relating to Wales and the Welsh, from 1898 to the present day. The collection spans multiples formats and genres, both professional and amateur.

"Corona" Cordials Taken Hot

Archif Sgrin a Sain Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive
1938-01-01
Silent

It's so easy to drink reviving Corona Cordials because the Corona man delivers right to your door.

If a man's been out in the rain, and returns sodden to his study, a Corona Cordial served hot will offer the same comfort as a hot toddy. That was the hope of the original Mr Thomas and Mr Evans, grocers, when they set about manufacturing soft drinks in the 1890s as an alternative to alcohol for thirsty Rhondda miners. Failing to get pubs to stock their drinks, they sold door-to-door very successfully (via the 'Corona man') and introduced flavours that would appeal to children.

The Corona drinks were manufactured initially in Porth, Rhondda, and later at factories in e.g. Pengam, Maesteg and Bridgend. The factory in Porth was known as the 'Welsh Hills Mineral Water Factory'. Since 2000, the building has housed a recording studio known, appropriately enough, as 'The Pop Factory'. Corona was sold in 1958 to The Beecham Group, which kept the company brand and production continued in south Wales until in 1987 the company was bought by Britvic Soft Drinks and the Welsh Hills plant was closed, production being transferred to Bolton, Lancashire. The Corona brand was withdrawn in the late 1990s.