August meeting - Kirby Tibbets Leather
Cliff Kirby Tibbets - Leather.
In 150 Jabez Cliff left Stafford and moved to Walsall making saddles and leather breeches. In 1793 saw the beginning of bridles and saddles, they moved to Lower Forster Street in 1890. Along with his two sons Samuel and George all died during the typhoid epidemic that swept across Britain. His wife and daughter kept the business going until Mary married a skilled bridlemaker Frederick Tibbets in 1882. In 1960 Jazeb Cliff Tibbets amalgamated with J A Barnsley and sons of Walsall thus creating the saddlery brand Cliff-Barnsley. The company made many sports items and leather belts as well as riding saddles and luggage. 1948 Cliff Tibbets was knighted by King George VI for his service to the town of Walsall. In 1990 the company was later honoured by Her Majesty the Queen who awarded Jabez Cliff and Co the Royal warrant as saddlers and Loriner. In 2014 Jabez Cliff enters administration bringing to and end of 200 years of saddle making tradition in Walsall. Being local to our meeting place we had several members of our Guild who had worked for Jabez Cliff and shared fond memories.
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