This “force to be reckoned with” was well-respected and kind.
Polly Dickson, who with her husband Brian founded Derby House, died on 18 April. She was 81.
Polly and Brian set up their saddlery shop in Newburgh, Lancashire in the 1970s. It was to become one of the most famous names in equestrian retailing.
Derby House quickly built a strong reputation for selling high-end, top-quality products.
Anyone who visited the shop will remember what a maze it was. As well as the saddlery department catering for anything and everything equestrians could ever need, upstairs was a ski department, evening dresses and magnificent outfits for lead rein classes.
In the early days, the Derby House team attended shows where they became well-known and liked among the other traders while being in fierce competition with them.
Polly required reps to wear shirts and ties while working on the stand. Everyone was expected to work hard.
When Polly and Brian’s son Paul finished school, he joined the business and masterminded the Derby House mail order catalogue. The business thrived and the mail order side grew rapidly.
Christmas parties
Polly was a strong, capable, resilient woman who was a force to be reckoned with but well-respected and kind.
Known at work as Mr and Mrs D, Brian and Polly would throw a big party for their staff on Christmas Eve after the shop closed. Mrs D would have spent the day cooking, and ensuring that each member of the team had a present chosen especially for them.
Mr D was responsible for the drinks. One year, he discovered Jägerbomb and served it in half pint glasses straight. The Dicksons’ drinks cabinet was a treasure trove!
Sad loss and retirement
Polly and Brian loved to travel. They adored the sun and after selling the Derby House business, they retired to Cyprus.
Their son Paul died in July 2016, both Polly and Brian struggling immensely with the loss. Brian was never the same, and he died a couple of years later.
Riding and diving
Polly was a good rider and continued to enjoy time in the saddle until last year.
In 2010, she passed her PADI [Professional Association of Diving Instructors] open water diving course. She swam in the sea most days, and did so until the water got too cold last autumn.
Her passing reunites a great Derby House team, and marks the end of an epic era in equestrian retailing.
With thanks to Jenny Hammett
