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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A LOCKSMITH... • 37
The company boasts an extensive
portfolio of projects, many of which
illustrate their dedication to keeping
alive traditional skills in this 21st century
where technology increasingly seems to
rule.
This quality craftsmanship can be
seen in famous historic buildings
including the Westminster Abbey, the
House of Lords and House of Commons
and Buckingham Palace. Work has
been carried out on the brasses at the
impressive 17ft staircase at Longleat and
on the Royal Yacht Britannia as well as
other ships. Projects regularly include
numerous listed buildings, restoring
and manufacturing locks, keys and door
furniture for churches, castles, stately
homes as well as antique furniture and
safes in the UK and overseas.
Past projects include the repair and
overhaul of a 250 year old lock and
furniture on the 8ft oak door of the
main entrance to historic Aston Hall in
Birmingham.
‘I am very proud of what
my father achieved and
am determined that we
will keep up the high
standard he set now
and in the future’
Just a small selection of Neil’s tasks
have involved taking a pattern from a
150 year old safe manufactured by E.
Cotterill & Co and producing a key to fit
the mechanism. Also handmaking six
keys for an E. Cotterill lock more than 150
years old - and a small padlock made of
925 silver at a height of just 25mm with
working internal parts for a jeweller in
London.
It is in working on such prestigious
projects that sets them apart from most
locksmiths.
‘BREAD AND BUTTER WORK TOO’
They also undertake the reproduction
and repair of locks, keys and other
architectural furniture as well as standard
“bread and butter” lock and keysmith
jobs.
“We offer a complete locksmith service
including supply of plant keys, and our
own cast key blanks, and can turn our
talents to pretty much anything to do with
locks and keys,” says Neil, whose father
was honoured at being approached by the
Master Locksmith’s Association (of which
they are a member) to teach. That in itself
is an acknowledgment of the value of their
skills and they regularly are approached
via the MLA to work for other Locksmiths
and Architects.
As for the future, Neil firmly believes
that there will continue to be a demand for
the company’s specialist skills.
“There is no substitute for what we
do – we are probably one of the few
remaining bastions of this kind of highly
specialised work in the country or indeed,
worldwide.
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“I am very proud of what my father
achieved and am determined that we will
keep up the high standard he set now and
in the future.”
So given their clear commitment to the
past, it is certain that the future too, looks
bright for Keith Carrier & Son.
Keith Carrier & Son
Specialists in Lock and Key Restoration
and Reproduction, Architectural
Ironmongery and Plant Key Suppliers.
Unit 9, Ward Street, Willenhall, West
Midlands, WV13 1EP.
Tel / Fax 01902 605818
e-mail [email protected]
www.carrierlocks.co.uk