Category: History

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Wycliffe Church & Robert Mouseman Thompson

We’d be lying if we said John doesn’t enjoy a good walk and this week, John & Paul came across another lovely church!

Along the South bank of the River Tees, Wycliffe & more importantly for us –  Wycliffe Church. Some say there aren’t many places more peaceful  and beautiful than The Hamlet of Wycliffe.

Evidence suggests that a church existed here in earlier times, unfortunately no traces remain prior to the present church which was built sometime in the 13th century. Appearance suggests that it was built sometime between 1250 – 1260 and the rear flat room may have replaced the original high pitched one during the 15th century.

Partially restored in 1850 by The Rector, The Revd J Erskine – Rector appealed for funds for a substantial restoration. The present floor was laid in 1892. Although the church is around 800 years old, its content represent the craftsman of 13 centuries – we’re mainly interested in the 20th Century.

Accompanying the work of craftsmen dating back to the 7th Century, you’ll unsurprisingly find the work of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson.

The relationship between Wycliffe church & Robert Thompson began in 1949. Originally supplying the Choir stalls and pews in 1949 Mouseman left his mark in the church. The Rectors’ Board was erected in 1997, again made by the Mouseman.

Wycliffe Church is only 5 miles from our Barnard Castle showroom & just over 50 miles from Kilburn, North Yorkshire.

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Mouseman at Darlington train station

In today’s post, we like to give special mention to Ron Cowen of York, the kind benefactor of a lovely Mouseman Bench to Darlington Railway station.

Mr Cowen who’s son served with the Yorkshire Regiment 1st Battalion at Catterick Garrison had the piece commissioned  by  Robert Mouseman Thompsons Craftsmen Ltd from  Kilburn, North Yorkshire.

The bench now takes pride of place at Darlington railway station on platform 1  and is the perfect place for our travelling troops to await their trains.

We love finding pieces of Mouseman history around the Barnard Castle area. If you know of any, or indeed amazing pieces from other craftsman – please get in touch! We’re always keen to learn about the history of these great craftsmen!

 

Mouseman Bench at Darlington train station
Mouseman Bench at Darlington train station
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Douglas Pittuck & Barnard Castle

Douglas Pittuck was born in Plumstead, London and educated at Wallington Grammar School where he was taught art by Tom Nash, a friend of Stanley Spencer.

Whilst employed at New College Oxford, he was allowed time to attend art classes at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art in the 1930’s. After the war he returned to the Ruskin full time with the aid of an ex-serviceman’s grant and studied under luminaries such as Eric Ravilious.

He began a 25 year career as an art teacher at Barnard Castle School in 1948. He remained an active artist and was one of the “Four Teesside Painters” formed in 1951.

DOUGLAS FREDERICK PITTUCK OIL – MARKET CROSS, BARNARD CASTLE
DOUGLAS FREDERICK PITTUCK OIL – MARKET CROSS, BARNARD CASTLE

 

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Barnard Castle Round Table Derek Lizardman Slater Chair

Found in the back of a store room in the 17th century Old Well Inn in Barnard Castle was a dilapidated oak chair bearing an inscription and plaque carved in high relief was a lizard type signature.

The chair was immediately shown to us – well we’re in there most days!

We were pleased to be able to identify the piece as a work by Derek Lizardman Slater who trained with Grainger at Acorn Industries in North Yorkshire.

It was impossible for us to pass by an opportunity to restore an historic piece of furniture and with help from our upholsterers the chair has now been refurbished to its full glory and has been returned to the Round Table for display.

Derek Lizardman Slater, who as mentioned trained with Alan Acornman Grainger was a fabulous crafts man. You can see below the detail of his Lizardman signature. He originally carved a fish as his trade mark but later changed to his signature lizard.

If you have any pieces that you would like identifying we would love to hear from you please send us over some pictures and any information you have via our ‘Sell an item to us’ page. We look forward to seeing your pieces!

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Robert Mouseman Thompson & Hutton Magna Yorkshire

Researching the works of the Mouseman can be very rewarding and close to us in Barnard Castle we have found yet another link to the famous craftsman Robert Mouseman Thompson of Kilburn.

One hundred years ago Hutton Magna and its neighbour West Layton like many small Yorkshire villages comprised some 55 houses yet 34 men went to fight in the first world war and 12 of them all from Hutton Magna did not return, with one family losing three brothers.

Most villages remembered their dead by erecting a stone monument  however Hutton Magna decided to raise £800.00 for a wooden lychgate at the entrance to the churchyard.

It was built by Robert Mouseman Thompson and like other very early pieces doesn’t have a mouse, the gate was unveiled on April 19th 1921 amid great ceremony.

The lychgate is situated in the high street next to The Oak Tree Inn and we recommend a visit to both !

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About Colin Beaverman Almack

Yorkshire has a fine pedigree of quality oak furniture – largely thanks to the influence of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson, the acclaimed furniture maker from Kilburn, North Yorkshire who was part of the 1920’s revival of craftsmanship inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement led by William Morris, John Ruskin and Thomas Carlyle. His trademark was a carved mouse on each of the pieces of his furniture and this tradition was adopted by his ‘disciples’, who followed his style of working in Yorkshire oak.

There are a number of skilled craftsmen that have left Robert Thompsons and have traded with their own unique signatures and one of these was the master cabinetmaker and wood carver Colin Beaverman Almack, who was trained by Robert Thompson in the 1940s. His trademark was a beaver and he went on to found his own workshop in the nearby village of Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe in 1960.

We are pleased to announce that we have recently acquired from two private estates a number of Beaverman pieces purchased from Colin in the 1970’s

These pieces include a lovely adzed oak drop leaf dining table with 8 dining chairs including 2 carvers each chair carved with a harp designs to the backs  and the carvers also having Yorkshire rose carvings.

Today Beaver Furniture can be found in private homes and public buildings across the globe, from Europe to Australia. Specialist commissions have included work for Eton and Ampleforth Colleges and the Chapter House at London’s Southwark Cathedral.

The Fine Detail of Colin Beaverman Almack
The Fine Detail of Colin Beaverman Almack