In Memoriam: Penny Ferris 1949

In Memoriam

Penelope Anne Ferris 1949 - 2014

Sadly Penny passed away on 10th October 2014 following a short illness.
She will be greatly missed by her very many loyal friends and customers.
This page will be maintained for the foreseeable future as a tribute to her memory.

The funeral will be held at Rothbury Parish Church on Tuesday 21st October at 10.00 am.

Some History:
John Ferris

Penny's father, John Victor Ferris, started his professional career as a coach trimmer for the Ford motor company.
Following a visit to the beautiful Coquet valley in the early 1950s he decided to settle here permanently. He set up his own business in Brewery Lane, Rothbury in 1953 before moving to the current premises in Sun Buildings two years later. In those days coach trimming invariably meant leatherwork and this was his stock in trade but the business soon extended to general upholstery and saddlery. Penny joined the business in 1972. Following John's death in 1985, Penny took over the business, maintaining the standards of craftsmanship and personal service which were her father's hallmarks.

^John with one of his more distinguished projects- the complete interior refitting of a 1930s Rolls-Royce.

^Penny and John with one of the many buttonbacks which passed through the shop over the years.

Extremely rare 1950 Rover P4 'Cyclops' drop-head coupé, the only known survivor of only three ever made. This car was lovingly restored by Bill Henderson and the project was featured in 'Classic Cars Magazine', September 1992.
Penny remade all of the interior leatherwork using scraps of the original material as colour guides. She was also responsible for the extensive repair to the hood.