The Mouseman of Kilburn

A few weeks ago we walked to the White Horse of Kilburn.
Today we visited the village to buy a wedding present for our friends who are getting married a week on Monday.

Living in Somerset, they visited Yorkshire for the first time last year, and we spent some happy days showing them around..https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2463080449514145535

They fell in love with the county, and so as a wedding present we wanted to give them a special Yorkshire gift.
I then remembered Robert Thompson. The Mouseman of Kilburn.

Robert was born in 1876. He lived in Kilburn where his father was the local joiner and wheelwright.
He taught himself to use the traditional tools of medieval craftsmen, and started making furniture based on styles of the 17th century. Made from English Oak.
His trade mark was a tiny mouse which he carved onto everything he made.  
( Started by a remark made by a fellow craftsman that they were as poor as church mice,)
Many churches and pubs in Yorkshire have his little mice hiding somewhere.

Robert died in 1955, but by then had built up a substantial business, which has expanded over the years, and is now run by his great-great- grand son, Ian Thompson- Cartwright.
The new altar table in Eaton College Chapel, designed by Oliver Stirling,  was made in the Mouseman workshop in 2018.

There is now a visitor centre and museum ( closed at the moment because of Covid 19)  This includes a great collection of his original pieces , and his original workshop.
Outside are piles of oak timber stacked up seasoning. ( see collage)
Will have to go back and visit another time.

We did however have a look round the show room where there was an original carved oak fireplace. It was beautiful, with a carved Yorkshire rose as well as two little mice.  ( see collage)

We did purchase a small chopping board for our friends, with of course the little mouse on the side.
I do hope they like it.