Butchers to Close!!

The village of Tunley has lost its one remaining shop with the news that the family butchers N T Weaver and Sons is to close at the end of May after being in business for over 70 years.  It has nothing to do with the credit crunch but brothers Colin and Michael Weaver who have both been part of the firm since leaving school have decided to retire.

The news has come as a blow to their many customers throughout the area. Veronica Hoskins from Timsbury said, “ This is really sad news.It has always been a pleasure to go to the shop.They have provided consistently high quality meat and I have found them really friendly and obliging.”

Colin and Michael’s father Norman set up the business in the present premises in 1938 and Colin joined in 1958 and Michael four years later.The two brothers combined their work in the shop during the 1960s with a milk round and Colin also delivered the post in Tunley for two years when the mail was based at Timsbury Post Office.

In 1986 a second business was set up in Southdown Bath run by Michael with the help of John Bryant. When it closed in 2001 the two of them returned to work at Tunley to join up with Colin and his assistant Alan Burrows who has been with the firm for the last 24 years. Since that time all four of them have worked together.

Colin said that they prided themselves on their high quality meat and their home made faggots and sausages. They were one of the few local accredited butchers who could sell the products that they made to other shops. He admitted that they found the big increase in paperwork tiresome and claimed that regulations have helped to kill off the industry.

Michael is now planning to run his own taxi service and hopes to have more time to play golf. Colin who is actively involved with Timsbury Cricket Club will continue to help with youth development there and will have more time to devote to his other interests, walking and model aircraft.

Both brothers admit that after so many years running the business there are aspects they are going to miss. Colin said, “ We have always had a great relationship with our customers and have enjoyed the banter and the chats. We have tried to maintain the friendliness of a traditional village shop”.

weavers

Left to right  Michael Weaver, John Bryant, Alan Burrows and Colin Weaver

Report and Photo by Malcolm Tucker


Page published on: 18th May, 2009
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