Our family-run blacksmith business first moved to Lynn Road in Stoke Ferry in 1909. Here my husband's Great-Grandfather, Thomas Bonnett, ran the business with help from his sons until his death in 1922. One of his sons, Thomas Brainsby Bonnett (pictured in shirt-sleeves in the photo), had been running his own blacksmith business at Ruskington, in Lincolnshire, but then came home to help his mother
and brothers run the business until his death in 1952. His daughter (my mother-in-law) then continued to run the business, helped by two staff, until her son (my husband, John Stocking) was old enough to take over. We all ran the business together, evolving it into the hardware store and metalworks it is today, until in 2005 tragically John died unexpectedly. Since then, myself and my two sons, Chris and Paul, have been continuing with the family tradition. Over the years our business has changed and expanded to keep up to date with demand. Originally two forges were in constant use but, with the decline in demand for this type of work, the first forge was dismantled in the 70's to make way for a sales area. As we expanded and needed more office space the second forge had to go and has since become the main office. Unlike the 'big boys', 'Bonnett's' has a passionate team of wonderfully enthusiastic, hard working people who love what they do. If we haven't got it or don't know the answer, we will look to find someone who does.
- Janet Stocking - Partner
