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PB the Cairn
Lochwinnoch
The purpose of the site is to help those new to the village to connect with its past and for those who have left for pastures new to remember what was left behind
Furniture
Ornate Joseph Johnstone Chair
Plain design of Joseph Johnstone chair
John McKenna
John McKenna was one of the highly skilled craftsmen who worked at Joseph Johnstone Viewfield Chair and Cabinet Works.
Carving by John Walker
An example of just how skilled the craftsmen at Joseph Johnstone's were. This carving was produced by John Walker. The photograph was provided by his granddaughter Averil Webb who was in Pat's class at primary school.
Its a great shame that proper terms have been basterdised to create an offensive connotation. Mr Walker suffered a childhood accident which made him unable to speak. The medical expression for someone who cannot speak is dumb. Mr Walkers nickname as a consequence was Dummy Walker. Clearly he is not "dumb" as in stupid, but was a highly gifted craftsman. Back then nicknames were common because so many folk had the same name, they were actually a necessity. So I am sure his was simply a recognition of his medical condition. Today it would be considered offensive, but as this site is trying preserve a historically factually correct record I have retained his nickname.
Its a great shame that proper terms have been basterdised to create an offensive connotation. Mr Walker suffered a childhood accident which made him unable to speak. The medical expression for someone who cannot speak is dumb. Mr Walkers nickname as a consequence was Dummy Walker. Clearly he is not "dumb" as in stupid, but was a highly gifted craftsman. Back then nicknames were common because so many folk had the same name, they were actually a necessity. So I am sure his was simply a recognition of his medical condition. Today it would be considered offensive, but as this site is trying preserve a historically factually correct record I have retained his nickname.
Chair for Princess Anne
This chair was designed for Princess Anne who was born in 1950. It was presented to the Queen on her visit to Scotland in 1952. It was designed by Basil Spence who can be seen pondering some sketches in the next photograph. William Hamilton was the chairmaker and he is shown in the photograph after Basil Spence. Thomas Hunter was the carver and Alex Simpson the upholsterer.
Sir Basil Spence
Sir Basil Spence considering aspects of the chair design he was working on for Princess Anne.
William Hamilton
William Hamilton who was the chairmaker of Princess Anne's commemorative chair hard at work on one of his day job chairs for Joseph Johnstone.
Letter from Martin Charteris Assistant Private Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II
This letter conveys thanks to the staff at Joseph Johnstone for producing the commemorative chair. It reads as follows:-
Palace of Holyroodhouse
30th June 1952
Dear Lady MacGregor,
The Queen was delighted with the chair and was full of admiration for the skilled workmanship, and the beautiful and original design which had gone to its making. Her Majesty is sure that it will give The Princess Anne great pleasure.
The Queen would be very grateful if you would convey her sincere thanks to the Scottish Furniture Manufacturers for their charming gift and her appreciation to Mr Basil Spence for the design, and to the craftsmen who executed it so faithfully and well.
Yours sincerely
Martin Charteris
Assistant Private Secretary
Palace of Holyroodhouse
30th June 1952
Dear Lady MacGregor,
The Queen was delighted with the chair and was full of admiration for the skilled workmanship, and the beautiful and original design which had gone to its making. Her Majesty is sure that it will give The Princess Anne great pleasure.
The Queen would be very grateful if you would convey her sincere thanks to the Scottish Furniture Manufacturers for their charming gift and her appreciation to Mr Basil Spence for the design, and to the craftsmen who executed it so faithfully and well.
Yours sincerely
Martin Charteris
Assistant Private Secretary
Description of Chair for Princess Anne.
This letter is an outline of the chair to be presented to the Queen for Princess Anne. It reads as follows:-
Chair For H.R.H. Princess Anne.
This chair is presented to her Royal Highness Princess Anne by Scottish Furniture Manufacturers with their humble duty and the hope that it may give her pleasure. It has given great joy to those who have had the privilege to design and make it.
The Chair was designed by Basil Spence OBE, ARSA who chose for his motif two swans which are royal birds. Their wings and entwined necks form the back and arms. The wood used is sycamore.
Although the chair is essentially a craftsman’s work, it could not have been made without the most modern methods of production, the wings being carved out of laminated sheets of plywood.
The chair was made by Joseph Johnstone Limited of Lochwinnoch, the chairmaker was William Hamilton, the carver was Thomas Hunter and the upholsterer Alex Simpson.. The garnets used for the eyes were given by Wilson Sharp of Edinburgh. The seat was designed and printed by Robert Stewart instructor of Textiles design at the Glasgow School of Art
June 1952
Chair For H.R.H. Princess Anne.
This chair is presented to her Royal Highness Princess Anne by Scottish Furniture Manufacturers with their humble duty and the hope that it may give her pleasure. It has given great joy to those who have had the privilege to design and make it.
The Chair was designed by Basil Spence OBE, ARSA who chose for his motif two swans which are royal birds. Their wings and entwined necks form the back and arms. The wood used is sycamore.
Although the chair is essentially a craftsman’s work, it could not have been made without the most modern methods of production, the wings being carved out of laminated sheets of plywood.
The chair was made by Joseph Johnstone Limited of Lochwinnoch, the chairmaker was William Hamilton, the carver was Thomas Hunter and the upholsterer Alex Simpson.. The garnets used for the eyes were given by Wilson Sharp of Edinburgh. The seat was designed and printed by Robert Stewart instructor of Textiles design at the Glasgow School of Art
June 1952
Letter giving feedback on chair presented to Queen Elizabeth II for Princess Anne.
A letter giving feedback to Joseph Johnstone for the commemorative chair. It reads as follows:-
Scottish Furniture Manufacturers Limited
58 Kent Road, Glasgow C1 . Douglas 4689
4th July 1952
Dear Mr Johnstone,
I enclose copy of letter of address to Her Majesty the Queen which accompanied the chair when it was handed over by Lady MacGregor last week when the Queen was at Holyrood house, and copy of letter from the Queen’s Secretary acknowledging the Chair.
I enclose copies for each of the workmen who helped to make the chair, and perhaps you would be kind enough to hand them over.
Lady MacGregor asked me to tell you that the chair was very much admired at Holyrood house. Meanwhile arrangements are being made for the release of information to the press in general, and it is not unlikely that we may both be troubled by them shortly.
Yours sincerely,
Scottish Furniture Manufacturers Limited
58 Kent Road, Glasgow C1 . Douglas 4689
4th July 1952
Dear Mr Johnstone,
I enclose copy of letter of address to Her Majesty the Queen which accompanied the chair when it was handed over by Lady MacGregor last week when the Queen was at Holyrood house, and copy of letter from the Queen’s Secretary acknowledging the Chair.
I enclose copies for each of the workmen who helped to make the chair, and perhaps you would be kind enough to hand them over.
Lady MacGregor asked me to tell you that the chair was very much admired at Holyrood house. Meanwhile arrangements are being made for the release of information to the press in general, and it is not unlikely that we may both be troubled by them shortly.
Yours sincerely,
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