HARRY TAYLOR. EARBY BLACKSMITH.

[Stanley]

HARRY TAYLOR. EARBY BLACKSMITH.
[Obituary from Barnoldswick and Earby Times, 25th of November 2005]

TRIBUTES have been made to a well respected Earby blacksmith who has died at the age of 84.

Mr Harry Taylor, of Bawhead Road, best known for owning and running the Richard Taylor and Sons blacksmith business at Victoria Mill, died peacefully but suddenly at home after a long illness

Mr Taylor lived and worked in Earby all of his life. He was born on Longroyd Road and while still an infant moved to another property on the same road, a house his son Shaun now lives in with his own family.

He never moved far from his place of birth, underlining his love for Earby and the people in the town. He leaves three children, Deborah, Karen and Shaun, and grandchildren Kyle, Ben, Aimee, Roman and Olivia.

Shaun said: "Dad went into the smithy after leaving school, first going under a shire horse at the age of 14. He took over Richard Taylor and Sons from his own father with his brother Joe, before going on to own it himself. He worked there right up until Vokes Mill [Victoria Mill] was closed and demolished in 1987. As children we used to go to see dad at the smithy and we loved watching him work. He was so skilled and just had a knack for the job."

In a family with close military links, Mr Taylor joined the Army and served in Burma during the Second World War. He was also a regular at Green Street Club, Barnoldswick, where he could often be found conversing at the bar, and a season ticket holder at Burnley FC right up until his death.

Until his retirement, he was one of the only remaining blacksmiths to still make his own horseshoes rather than follow the trend of importing them. His most famous equine client was Grand National runner Pendle Lady, whom he shod before the famous race. [Owned and trained by Watson at Southfield, West Marton]

Throughout his later years, Mr Taylor suffered from a progressive lung disorder caused by the nature of his work, but despite suffering from mobility problems he was still able to enjoy life, attending the luncheon club at New Road Community Centre and always attending the town's Remembrance Day services.

The Royal British Legion provided Mr Taylor with a scooter to aid his mobility and his children are keen to thank them for this gift as it gave him the opportunity to get out and about in the town he loved.

A funeral procession led by a horse and carriage will leave Foster's Chapel of Rest at 1 p.m. on Monday, and as a tribute to his life's work it will pause outside the site of the old smithy on Victoria Road. A service will then take place at Mount Zion Church followed by burial at Earby Cemetery. All those who knew Harry are welcome to attend the service and join the family at Earby Conservative Club.