Tributes to boss of herbal tablets family firm Man who led Black Country sweets maker dies aged 81
THE Black Country man behind the secret recipe for a famous herbal tablet has died. The public have been sucking on Grays’ Herbal Tablets for close to 190 years without a clue about how they are made.
And the mystery will continue following the death of Ted Gray, boss of confectionary firm Edward Gray of Dudley, known locally as Teddy Gray’s. He died on Friday, January 13, aged 81.
His family have pledged to honour the great-grandfather’s wish to keep the ancient recipe under wraps.
Daughter Julie Healey – now at the helm of the firm with cousin Philip Guest – said: “We could never reveal it. From the start, the recipe has only been known to family members. He mixed it himself to keep it secret. I do believe they are the best herbal sweets out there.”
She added: “We’ve never claimed they have medicinal qualities, but all the family use them to ease coughs.”
The company, which employs 38 workers, also produces boiled sweets, fudge, toffee, nougat, toffee teacakes and even rock, but those products play second fiddle to the herbal tablets.
“We sell millions of them,” said Mrs Healey. “I remember when we had kiosks at Dudley Zoo and the queues for them were massive.”
Ted, dubbed “The King of Rock”, joined the family firm aged 15 as a sugar boiler and, after national service with the RAF, took control of the business in his 30s. Right up until he was diagnosed with fluid on the brain in 2012, he played an active part in the firm, launched by his great-grandfather.
His sister Betty still does the books for the firm at the age of 88.
Mrs Healey said: “He was a very caring man. He was thoughtful and they all say he was a wonderful boss. His biggest achievements were keeping the company going – and keeping the herbal recipe a secret. His wife, Pat, is just numb. We expected it, but we didn’t expect it this soon.” The company, which has shops in Dudley, Wednesbury and Bewdley and market stalls in Bilston and Blackheath, is still very much a family affair. Mr Gray’s son, John, is a sugar boiler, as is Mr Guest’s son, Mark. Mr Guest’s wife, Debbie, also works for the business and Mrs Healey’s husband, David, heads sales.
Mr Gray leaves a wife, three sons Edward, John and David and daughter Julie. He has two grandchildren and one great grandchild.