Dear Customers,
Our doors have been closed to the public for some years. We continue to sell online and as well as shipping all around the world, we offer a click and collect option for the collection of our full range of goods, including Barbour clothing.
All items can be ordered via our web site www.saddler.co.uk and if desired collected from 23, High Street, Chesham, Bucks., HP5 1BG at a mutually convenient time, within a day or two of ordering.
We do not charge for delivery to UK addresses and orders worth over £30 and placed before 2.00 p.m. will usually be delivered the next working day, via Royal Mail's Special Delivery pre-1.00p.m. service.
If you have an urgent enquiry, do call 01494 775577 (9.30am - 5.00pm Mon-Sat) and we will do our best to help. We commonly email actual jacket measurements to help our customers buy online with confidence. If you would like this form of assistance please email sara@saddler.co.uk.
Best wishes,
Sara & Paul
23 High Street
Chesham
Buckinghamshire
HP5 1BG
United Kingdom
Closed on the High Street. Online we remain open 24/7 and can be reached by phone Monday-Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm
Use this address for correspondence and returns - or just to shop!
VAT Reg 349 0389 34. Company Reg in England 01579441
UK: 01494 775577
International: +44 1494 775577
The best email for help is help@saddler.co.uk
Herbert Harry Cox, the first Cox the Saddler, was born in 1862, the son of William and Betsy Cox of Hemel Hempstead.
Herbert came to Chesham in the 1890s highly recommended as an apprentice to William Lacey, saddler and harness maker, the third of that name and craft, who had no children but wished to ensure that his family's business should continue at Lacey's Yard. It takes five to seven years for a saddler to learn his craft, but in a sense he is learning all his life.
The earliest deed of the building housing Cox the Saddler was drawn up in 1649, the year that Charles I was executed, and it is believed that the premises has always been a saddler's. Some of the shop's old beams have been uncovered, salvaged centuries ago from broken-up ship's timbers.
The Lacey family, who stitched saddle and harness under this roof from the late eighteenth century, could not have chosen a better successor than Herbert Cox, who worked for the farms all around Chesham, especially on the Hertfordshire side and remembered them all. He eventually took over the business in 1911.
In later years he transferred the enterprise to his younger son Wilfred, but continued to work diligently at his stool at the back of the shop until the age of 85, always wearing his bowler hat.
In the early years, saddles were the main work as they were in great demand
for farmers, riding enthusiasts and the local breweries. Also advertised were
whips, brushes, chamois leathers and every stable requisite... dog collars,
leads and chains... portmanteaux bags and all kinds of fancy leather goods...
manes and tails pulled, also heels clipped out... rates according to amount of
work and the behaviour of the animal.
During the Second World War, Wilfred gave priority to the repair of footballs, new ones being almost unobtainable. He too showed a remarkable tenacity for hard work, continuing with a few saddlery odd-jobs until the age of 89 and attributing his good health in old age to a trade which was always a challenge and a way of life. He entrusted his business to his son Desmond who became a founder member of Chesham Round Table, chairman of the Youth Centre and a trustee of our educational charities.
In the 1950s, Desmond took on his cousin Richard Hearn as an apprentice. Over a period of forty years Richard developed the gunroom, saddlery, workshop and clothing facets of the business, remaining at Cox's until March 1996. It was with great sorrow we heard of Richard's passing on 29/4/2022. We all remember him with great affection and gratitude for his craftmanship and the generosity he showed in sharing his knowledge with the family. We are proud to have been able to offer our customers access to hundreds of repairs carried out by Richard's skilled hands.
In 1980 Desmond Cox sold the business to handbag manufacturer David Heistercamp, who in turn transferred the business to Keith and Sandra Jeffrey in 1989. Their son Paul took over as manager in 1995. After the death of Keith Jeffrey in 1999 their daughter Sara Clark joined the business as Marketing Manager, using her IT skills to create the Cox the Saddler Ltd. web site www.saddler.co.uk
Although Cox the Saddler has been a limited company since 12th August 1981, it retains the atmosphere of a friendly family business, committed to service and customer satisfaction as always.
from stories by Dr ARNOLD BAINES, JULIAN STEPHENS and PHIL COX
Compiled by PETER HAWKES
THIS IS OUR ACCOUNTANT'S ADDRESS AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR CORRESPONDENCE OF ANY KIND. THERE IS NO COX THE SADDLER RETAIL OUTLET AT THIS ADDRESS.
Milweye Court
73 Southern Road
Thame
Oxfordshire
OX9 2ED
Company No. 01579441