Shop Front Stories
OBJECT: Jewellery
LOCATION: The Bath House
Hidden behind the present day shop of the Bath House is a story of a different business in Ambleside. It links to this little group of objects – brooches, hat pin, and cup – which were made by Cecil Tabor sometime during the period 1910-1929. These items are just an example of some of the pieces made for selling to customers from his place of work, which was Hird’s jewellers, originally based here at the Bath House on the Ambleside Market Place. These objects from Cecil, along with the tools of his trade, are now in The Armitt’s collection having been donated by a family member in 2000. The hat pin and brooches include different colours of Ruskin pottery which are set in a circular, silver setting. The cup is brass and decorated with a raised relief featuring ivory leaves and a stork. In another image, you can just see Hird’s jewellers tucked into the corner next to the Queen’s Hotel. Today, the buildings still look much the same, but the names and functions have changed. Hird’s jewellers has now become a shop for luxury perfumes, skincare and fragrances.
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Cecil was not a local of Ambleside though. He was born on 21 April 1860 in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, but he married Jane Appleton on the 8 August 1886 at St John's Church, Bootle, near Liverpool. He must have arrived in Ambleside pre-1906 and worked at Hird's jewellers as a jeweller and watch and clock repairer for some 20 years. He was a member of the Methodist Church and head of St John's Ambulance for many years. In the museum are photographs of him in his St John’s Ambulance uniform and a chain with 46 medals which was awarded to him between 1906-1936. He was clearly a loyal and devoted community member having spent many years employed with Hird’s and then some 30 years with the St John’s Ambulance. Cecil died in 1937 and is buried in the cemetery at St Mary’s Church.
Whilst stood in Ambleside Market Place, take a look around you and see what other evidence of old shops or businesses you can find. Here’s a clue, see the old buildings over the road… This is the place for which Ambleside was granted a Market Charter in 1650. For the next two centuries this area would have been bustling every week with traders selling local produce, livestock and textiles. When you are ready, follow the road round the corner until you see the Salutation Hotel. Just past this, in front of the Tourist Information and Post Office, will be our next trail stop point. The walking time is approximately two minutes.