How It All Started

Mr William Pike, born in 1847, died in November 1931.

The excerpt featured ‘Death of Mr William Pike – Man of Many Trades and a Genius for Business

Forty years ago (1891), William Pike was known for miles around as a “maker of carriages for the nobility and gentry,” and many a smart pony-chaise did he turn out of his workshops, where he had the help of his sons as they became of working age.

Jon William Stables, in its current business, was formed in 1965 by the grandson of William Pike, Gordon Pike. He began with a successful fencing business and owned the first sawmill in Wiltshire. He was succeeded by Evelyn Pike in 1996. The business is still owned by Evelyn, and the day-to-day running is now handled by her son, Matthew Pike, who has been working in the business since 1988.

..excerpt is taken from ‘The Archive Photographs Series

– Trowbridge’, © Chalford Publishing Company, 1997.