Burton History: Wright & Son Carpentry Workshop

Article by Chris Bennett

This article will primarily focus on providing some information on a building situated on the main road through the village of Burton, as told by the present owner Mr John Wright.

The first photograph (below) shows the workshop and gated entrance directly behind the car and from estimating the age of the car would think this was taken in the 1940’s. The second photograph shows the front of the workshop (taken in 2022) a business premises which operated a carpentry/joiner’s workshop throughout the mid/late c19^th up until about 2012.

As told by John (Bn.1944)

“I can only recall from family history as far back as my great grandfather Isaac Wright owning and working at the workshop, it is possible earlier generations may have also been involved in the business, but that is unknown to me. At this time, I am told the family also owned the Old Forge (see photo below) which was across the road (now part of Chestnut Cottage and a separate dwelling known as Chestnut Forge) Both our businesses worked together mainly to make wagon/cart wheels for agricultural vehicles. In those days the wheels were made of wood and had a metal band placed around the outer edge. The family did employ a blacksmith who also did traditional tasks such as shoeing local working horses. The Forge actually closed in the 1950’s”

The Old Forge

John went on to say “the carpentry business remained in the family with my grandfather Edward, known locally as Eddie, then my father Royston, who I did work with and learn the trade. I should also mention my family business was also the local undertakers, as in those days the deceased generally didn’t go to a mortuary or chapel of rest, they were more often than not kept at the family homes, and we provided the coffins. However, the business premises did have basic facilities to store the bodies on site, although no refrigeration in those days.

At this time my parents and family lived in the cottage known as West View, which is situated on the side of the hill off the main road in Burton almost opposite the junction to Toll Down Road. I later moved to the cottage next to our workshop with my family.

Going back to our work as carpenters, we tended to do non-standard fit windows and doors for local houses. We had quite a lot of machinery such as circular saw, planning machine, band saw and a morticing machine, some of which were belt driven and powered by a petrol engine which was at the rear of the premises. I actually took over the business from my father in the 1970’s. In later years I also went on to make and instal kitchens and bathrooms. For bigger jobs I would have other tradesmen come onto the job with me. I have also done a renovation of a holiday home in Lynton on the north Devon coast. I eventually gave up full time work in about 2010, now only doing the odd few jobs around the area for a few more years after this”

John added “when I was about 30yrs old I took up glider flying from the airfields at Colerne and Hullavington, and was a member of the Bannerdown Glider Club. The (below photograph) shows the wooden glider which I and a friend (Trevor Hope) refurbished and was the glider in which I did my first solo flight. It was an ex-RAF two-seater (side by side) cockpit glider. As it was a former RAF glider, we were able to keep the official emblem and colour scheme of the service. I really enjoyed flying, moving on to glass fibre constructed gliders and kept this up for about 30 years or so”