Yet award-winner at its head still finds time to serve the local community.
John Batchelor has been named ETN/SMS Bench Saddler of the Month for June.
The award, presented in conjunction with the Society of Master Saddlers (SMS), recognises those who uphold the highest standards of leathercraft skills.
John grew up above his family’s Essex saddlery shop. His grandfather, Alfred Edwin Batchelor, had founded A.E. Batchelor & Son in 1919 as a boot and shoe retailer and repairer.
In the mid-1930s, the business expanded into saddlery, a trade John’s father, also called Alfred, had mastered while training at Bliss & Co.
“My father always described himself as a harness-maker,” recalls John. “In his early days in the shop, he mostly did harness repairs for local farmers’ and landowners’ working horses and some saddlery for the hunting community.
“In 1939, he joined up and was in the Royal Army Service Corps serving overseas as a saddle sergeant.”
A career in saddlery
John officially began his career in saddlery on 20 September, 1963 when he started a four-year apprenticeship under the National Joint Saddlery Apprenticeship Council.
Learning under his father, he honed his skills in the family business.
During his training, John studied at Cordwainers College in Hackney, making wallets, handbags and luggage. The following year he transferred to the first-ever saddlery course given by Norman Evans.
This intensive two-year programme earned him City and Guilds of London Institute qualifications in Rural Saddlery Part 1 and 2, and a Supervisory Studies Certificate from Cordwainers Technical College.
John gained further experience working at Bliss & Co in London with saddler Stan Wall. Here he made general purpose, jumping, show and pony saddles - all in London tan, as well as racing saddles with pigskin seats and silk panels.
“I still have one of the saddles I made at Bliss,” John says, “it has a pigskin seat, pigskin print skirts and flaps, and doeskin knee pads.”
Then it was time to return to the family workshop at A.E. Batchelor & Son in Epping to complete his apprenticeship.
Flourishing business
John repaired saddles, did leather re-seats, linen overlays on serge panels, stitched jute rugs on the treadle sewing machine, and repaired top boots, head collars and bridles.
“There were five repairs boxes that [we] rotated round. I used to try to find an easy job on Saturday mornings before sweeping up in the workshop, then going off to play football or cricket in the afternoon.”
The business flourished, employing around 20 staff at its peak.
John’s mother ran the shoe shop, later followed by his wife Hilary. And with his interest in sport, John oversaw an expanded department selling football kits, cricket equipment and tennis, badminton and squash racquets on which they also did re-string repairs.
In 2005, after 86 years in Epping High Street, A.E. Batchelor & Son relocated to a farm unit near Ongar. Today, John continues his craft in this workshop while his son Anthony fits and supplies saddles across Essex and neighbouring counties.
“Anthony brings me back saddle and bridlework repairs to the workshop where I have my apron on, sitting on my stool, at my bench, where it started all those years ago,” says John.
Time-honoured methods
John finds great satisfaction in the variety of his work, with each day presenting new challenges.
Over the years, the materials have evolved - from traditional London tan leather and jute webbing to polyester and power staplers. However, the tools of the trade have remained largely the same, their time-worn handles still fitting comfortably in his hands.
“A lot has changed over the years,” he explains. “I would hammer in blue cut tacks but now use a power gun stapler.
“I used to roll our own threads from hemp onto a rolling pad on my thigh - three, four and six cord - and finish them off by running bees’ wax up and down it, before running it across a naked flame to give a square end to put through the needle eye. Now I take my thread off a reel and cut the length I need with my straight knife.”
Beyond saddles, John has crafted leather items such as church bell mufflers, and an archer’s quiver and straps for an exhibition at Hampton Court.
He takes immense pride in transforming flat pieces of leather into durable, functional items that will last for years.
Serving the community
Outside saddlery, John served as a retained firefighter for 32 years with Essex County Fire & Rescue Service, rising to deputy station commander.
He is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers and a great supporter of his local community, chairing the Epping Town Centre Partnership and Theydon Trust which provide social housing.
Although he enjoyed riding a cob named Toby in Epping Forest as a child, John’s busy schedule eventually led him away from the saddle. However, his dedication to the craft and his community remains unwavering.
John Batchelor’s story is one of tradition, skills and commitment. As he sits at his bench, apron on, tools in hand, he continues the legacy of craftsmanship that has defined his family for more than a century.
How to nominate a bench saddler
Everyone is invited to nominate bench saddlers they feel deserve to be named ETN/SMS Bench Saddler of the Month. Candidates for the award must be a member of the SMS and based in the UK or overseas.
To nominate a bench saddler (or more than one), email editor@equestriantradenews.com and tell us why this person deserves to be put in the spotlight. Please include the bench saddler’s name and business name too.
