Frederick W. Bothroyd – Watchmaker and Jeweller – 5 Zetland Road, Loftus is listed in the 1901 Census, but not in 1891. Jayne tells us: ”The image is of Frederick William Bothroyd standing proudly in his shop. His brother Herbert Bothroyd shared the premises and operated a cycle shop, hence the tires in the front window. F.W. Bothroyd set up his watchmaking/jewellery business at Loftus in c1890 on the High Street. He moved premises to Zetland Road by 1894, first at 27 Zetland Road and then at 5 Zetland Road until 1914.” This image possibly dates from the mid 1890’s. This is based upon records which indicate he married in 1892 and by 1901 had three children, the eldest being Richard 6 years of age. The site is now occupied by a cafe and amusement arcade. Interesting that the next door way to the right of the image leads to ”refreshment rooms”. Barrie Durrent advises: “I have a 20 inch wall clock made by F. W. Bothroyd. It was given to me over 40 years ago, by an old resident of Loftus , Wilf Swales, who died many years ago. I was told that the clock once hung in Loftus Town Hall and was scraped as it no longer worked. I cleaned it found out what the problem was and had it repaired by a friend from the British Museum. I have recently had the clock cleaned and the repairer asked me if I knew anything of the clocks history and a Google search led me to your wonderful archive. My wife was born in Loftus and I have some beautiful memories of Yorkshire and my son spent most of his school holidays with his Grandparents at Ings Farm.” John Dickinson tells the Archive: “I inherited a F. W. Bothroyd clock from my Great Grandad (a Mr George Bower who lived in Skelton), I think it originally came from Brotton Working Men’s Club, I think he came by the clock due to refurbishment of the Club. The clock is 12 inches in diameter which is in a hexagon wood moulded wood case which extends down to incorporate a Pendulum which is 4 inches in diameter which is brass. From being a young boy I loved this clock when we visited Grandad and Grandma’s and we’d sit there just listening to the clock ticking away no Radio or television on just the clock ticking.”
Image courtesy of Loftus Town Council; many thanks to Jayne, Barrie Durrent and John Dickinson for the updates.
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