Newsletters

Remembering John Cartwright
2nd April 1936 – 25th July 2015
Robert Thompson’s ethos of creating beautiful furniture using traditional materials and techniques has been kept alive for over 100 years by a direct line of family members working in the business and a tradition of master craftsmen tutoring younger apprentices. Sadly, this year, we said goodbye to an important and much-loved member of the family as John Cartwright, Robert Thompson’s grandson, passed away.

The son of Percy and Elsie Cartwright (Robert Thompson’s daughter), John was born in 1936 in Kilburn and lived in the village all his life. On leaving school at the age of 15, he followed his brother, Robert, into the family business where he worked under the supervision of his grandfather Robert Thompson.

After spending two years on the shop floor learning the trade, he found his niche in the drawing office where his artistic flair was channelled into designing furniture. Many of the designs used today were influenced by John Cartwright.

He had particularly fond memories of the time he spent with Robert Thompson in the years before his grandfather’s death in 1955. John enjoyed exploring the Yorkshire countryside and would often visit and admire his grandfather’s work. Latterly, he spent many hours at our timber yard, tending to the oak butts and looking after the grounds.

The family tradition of course continues with all of John’s sons - Peter, Giles and Andrew - working in the business along with myself and my son Simon.

A memorial bench will be placed in the garden of the Mouseman Visitor Centre overlooking the workshop where John spent so many happy years. The lasting legacy of John Cartwright is in the furniture and designs he created, which will continue to give pleasure to people, far and wide, for years to come.   Ian Thompson Cartwright

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