Master saddler retires after lifelong career
WEST Sussex Master saddler Geoffrey Dean is retiring after a life-long career in the saddlery trade, during which he has won numerous top awards at the annual Society of Master Saddlers competitions.
When he first left school at 15 he knew that he wanted to work with leather. His first experience of leather work came when he helped his father in his boot repairing business, but he wanted something beyond that.
Attracted by the idea of making leather saddles and harnesses, he applied to be an apprentice at Rices, the saddlers in Oxted, Surrey and spent the next five years as an appretice learning the trade.
For full story see Sussex Horse World, West Sussex Gazette February 3