Alfred (1878 - 1955) and Norman (1911 - 2006) Bucknell

Alfred (1878 - 1955) and Norman (1911 - 2006) Bucknell

Alongside craftsmen and women who came from elsewhere to live in and around Oakridge, a significant number of local people were recruited to work with Gimson and the Barnsleys. They became skilled craftsmen in their own right. Alfred and Norman Bucknell were two of those locals.

Photographs L - R, T - B :-

1. Alfred & Norman Bucknell at work
2. Alfred Bucknell, his Wife Gertrude and baby Noman
3. Alfred Bucknell, a pair of wrought iron and polished steel fire-dogs, circa 1905
4. Alfred Bucknell, Polished brass Chamberstick with punched decoration
5. Alfred Bucknell, Handle Set
6. Alfred Bucknell, Handle Set
7. Alfred Bucknell, Handle Set
8. Alfred Bucknell, Sconce
9. Alfred Bucknell, polished steel Altar Cross
10. Alfred Bucknell, Bellows
11. Alfred Bucknell, Brass Fratilary Scone at Owlpen
12. Alfred Bucknell, Polished steel Candlestick
13. Gimson's own dog Collar, finely chased, punched and engraved brass, with leather lining by Alfred Bucknell
14. Alfred Bucknell, Polished Steel Fire Irons
15. Alfred Bucknell, Grille in Great Hall at Owlpen, briar rose design
16. Alfred Bucknell, Fire Trident
17. Alfred Bucknell, Oak Leaf Candle Sconce
18. Alfred Bucknell, Polished steel Fire Dogs c. 1905
19. Alfred Bucknell's Dove on the Font Cover at Christchurch, Chalford

When Gimson started designing metalwork in about 1900 he saw some hinges that Alfred Bucknell, son of William the village blacksmith at Tunley, had made for Alfred Powell. (Architect and painter of Wedgwood pottery.

Gimson and Alfred set up a forge in Sapperton in the wheelwright's yard, on the site of the present village hall. (Designed by Ernest Barnsley). A succession of local apprentices were taken on including Fred Messenger, Fritz Whiting and Harry Gardiner.

Ironwork including firedogs, sconces and candlesticks were exhibited at Debenham and Freebody’s in 1907.

Gimson wrote to Philip Webb describing the work: 'The fire-dogs were made by the young village smith and were pierced and chased on his anvil. My smiths all think such things rather trivial & are much happier with their forges & hammers – as who wouldn’t be!’.

By 1910 there were several blacksmiths and they were producing not only handles and fittings for furniture, but exquisitely designed candlesticks, sconces and lanterns, with the finest punched and chased details.

When Gimson died in 1919, Alfred Bucknell set up independently as a wheelwright and smith in Waterlane and continued creating masterful metalwork in the same tradition.

Some of Alfred's finest work can be seen at Rodmarton Manor and also in the Dove in copper and silver plate for the font at Christchurch, Chalford.

In 1930 his son Norman joined him, having previously been apprenticed to Peter Waals (formerly Gimson's head cabinet maker) and continued the tradition, making cabinet fittings for Waals.

He also made sconces and architectural fittings for Norman Jewson (architect & former pupil of Gimson) as well as continuing to make designs by Gimson.

Around 1957, after his fathers death Norman moved to Lypiatt, and then on to Bisley where he retired in 1994. He died at the age of 95 in March 2006.

In Oakridge Lynch today the tradition of high qualty Craft Blacksmithing continues with William Pankhurst and his Forge at Woodbine Cottage (Tel 01285 760236).
http://oakridgecommunityarchives.org/items/show/430

Oakridge History Group

See Also :

The Alfred and Norman Bucknell Gallery
http://oakridgecommunityarchives.org/exhibits/show/a-celebration-of-the-work-of-a/the-alfred-and-norman-bucknell

Useful Links :

http://gimson.leicester.gov.uk/gimsonpage/gimson-as-a-maker/metal-working/

Obituary :

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/mar/08/obituaries.mainsection