19th century Grantham funeral bier will remain in town after restoration

Peter discovered the connection with the town when he began the bier's restoration. He said: "When I removed the wheels from the axles, I discovered that every axle shaft within the wheel hub had been stamped 'R. W. Anderson, Grantham', and on the opposing side '1895'."

This immediately sparked Peter's interest and so, on top of the restoration project, he now found himself ensconced in research into the background of the Grantham carriage builder.

Peter said: "I started to research the company of R. W. Anderson with the help of the local library, Grantham Journal and Lincolnshire Archives."

From his research, Peter worked out that Mr Anderson's works were situated where Costa Coffee Shop now stands.

Peter has traced the Anderson family back to Newark in 1821 when Richard William Anderson Senior was born. His occupation was listed in the 1841 Census as being a 'coachsmith'.

In September 1855, Mr Anderson Senior moved to Grantham and set up a company called Jackson and Anderson at 21 Welby Street. Five years later, he started the R. W. Anderson Carriage Builders Company.

In 1872, Mr Anderson, wife Sarah, Richard Junior and his sister moved with the company to the St Peter's Hill premises, rented from the Grantham Co-Operative Society for £40 per year.

Mr Anderson Senior continued to run the business until his death in June 1878, leaving widow Sarah and the 17-year-old Richard Junior.

Sarah died in 1893 and Richard Junior married his wife Emelia Kate around 10 years later. He continued to run the business until his sudden death in June 1923, aged 62.

Peter intensified his research further into Richard Junior and found that he had been of some importance within Grantham.

Peter said: "At his death, he had officiated as a local preacher for over 20 years. He served the town in a public capacity as a town councillor in November 1888, unopposed [but] retired after one term of office.

"He served in the fire brigade for 27 years and for 17½ years was captain."

The Andersons are all buried in the family grave in Grantham Cemetery.

The accompanying photographs of the 1895 R. W. Anderson funeral bier show the dramatic transformation that Peter's restoration has achieved.

Peter said: "It had been painted in a drab brown and was somewhat rickety. The wheels had some woodworm infestation. The steelwork was rusty and there were numerous bolts holding the assembly together."

Peter began the restoration in February this year, removing all the steelwork which he sent away for sandblasting, undercoating and powder coating.

The restored bier has original woodwork in part oak, painted black, Osmo-oiled mahogany/redwood side panels, with additional sapele side rails to clean up the frame.

It has the original rollers, a new sapele handle, wooden wheels with metal rims, and all nuts, bolts and washers are now in stainless steel.

Peter said: "I have endeavoured to change very little on the bier, other than where I have needed to strengthen or enhance the original frame."

So pleased with the bier's restoration was former owner Robert Holland, that he thought it would fitting to keep it within the town and so bought it back off Peter.

The bier can be utilised in a funeral instead of a hearse, for walking funerals in villages, green burials and anywhere where there is suitable access for it. Contact Robert Holland Funeral Directors for further details on 01476 594422.

The bier's restorer Peter requested that anyone with information or pictures pertaining to its history, or that of the Anderson business and family, should email Peter at peter.moles@btinternet.com