COLIN PEPPER, KESWICK

Last updated 20:21, Thursday, 17 July 2008

A CRAFTSMAN who kept alive one of Cumbria’s most famous traditional industries after Keswick’s School of Art closed in 1984, died suddenly on Friday at the age of 68.

Colin Pepper

Colin Pepper, of Latrigg Close in Keswick, was just 15 when he left Lairthwaite Secondary Modern School to take up an apprenticeship at the School of Industrial Arts at Greta Bridge.

The School of Art, now an Italian restaurant, was founded by Canon Hardwick Rawnsley, vicar of Crosthwaite Church and a noted environmental campaigner of his day.

It was the brain-child of Canon Rawnsley and his wife Edith, who were aware of unemployment in the town during the winter months and felt that craftsmanship was more important than monetary rewards.

The school, which employed around 12 local craftsmen, closed in December, 1984 just after marking its centenary.

But Mr Pepper was determined to keep alive its traditions and, together with Ronnie Wise, set up a business at High Hill which Mr Pepper continued to run until his retirement four years ago.

Although retired, he carried on a reduced scale operation from his garden shed, more as a hobby.

But his talents were to be found in churches and private homes over a wide area and one of his last jobs was to engrave a plaque for the recent visit of the Queen to Redhills near Penrith.

Mr Pepper was Keswick born and bred, the son of a stonemason, and went to Crosthwaite, Brigham and Lairthwaite schools before starting work at the School of Industrial Arts where he was to stay for the next 30 years.

Several items he made there are to be found in Hexham Abbey and crosses, candlesticks and plates from the School of Arts are in numerous churches all over the country.

The School of Art made classic designs, notably the rope-edged trays, and it was a blow to the Keswick area when it closed.

Mr Pepper and Mr Wise re-opened the industry under the name of Keswick Metalcrafts because they did not want to see this historic skill die.

Mr Pepper and his wife Renee went to local shows to promote the business and display the quality of the items he made, but one of the problems with repeat business was that his stainless trays were made to last.

Mr Pepper’s eldest son Andrew said: “He loved his work and it was all he wanted to do. Everything was made individually and he received special commissions.

“You would struggle to find a seat in the town which did not have a plaque which my father placed there.”

After his retirement in 2004 Mr Pepper worked for a couple of hours a day at his home, mainly as a hobby.

In his younger days he was an active sportsman. At 6ft 2in he was a natural to keep goal for Braithwaite and he also kept wicket for the village cricket team, with whom he had a connection going back over half a century.

He helped to build the cricket pavilion and half of the team were colleagues at the School of Art, men like Ian Hindmarch, John Bainbridge, Chris Bland and Stephen Mandale.

Mr Pepper made his debut for Braithwaite on May 21, 1958 against Embleton.

He was vice captain from 1960-62, treasurer from 1974-1990 and president from 1998 until his death.

Club captain Gilbert Pyke said: “Braithwaite will not be the same without him. Without his unstinting involvement the club would not be what it is today.”

Sons Andrew and Kevin both play for the club and together with their father looked after the ground. Last Saturday’s game was postponed as a mark of respect.

In addition to his sporting interests Mr Pepper was a member of the Old Folks’ Do fund raising committee and he and his wife used to be keen members of the RAFA Club. He was also involved in making the floats when Keswick had an annual carnival.

Mr Pepper met his wife Renee at Braithwaite Youth Club. “He went to play a football match and ended up with a bride,” she said. They were married for 45 years.

Mr Pepper is survived by sons Andrew and Kevin and their partners Pat and Sandra and was able to give away his daughter Linda at her recent marriage to Christopher. He also had two granddaughters, Catherine and Jessica, all his family living in the Keswick area.

Mr Pepper enjoyed a glass of sherry with the family and holidays in Britain. On his retirement he fulfilled a dream by buying a motor home in which he and Renee toured the country.

Following the funeral at Crosthwaite Church on Monday, at 11.45am, Mr Pepper’s ashes will be spread on the cricket ground alongside those of his old colleague Billy Burns.