A North Herefordshire craftsman whose recollections of past times were heard by millions of radio listeners has died. Arthur Morris, 89, former village wheelwright and carpenter at Brampton Bryan, carried on working until last year. His last order for timber, for a carpentry job, was in November. Many who sought information on 'old ways' were welcomed at Arthur's workshop including BBC Radio, which included the veteran in a programme, "The Century Speaks'. One of Arthur's two sons, Clive Morris, recalls: "Being a character, he was awkward — never had a car. He used his bike and would have to be collected by customers. He didn't have a phone — you had to go and see him."

Different pace

Arthur grew the family vegetables and kept bees, wound the church clock and did repairs at the church (where he was a worshipper) in addition to a six-day working week of long hours. But, as Clive points out, the pace was different. "Work was not stressful and retirement age meant nothing. Arthur carried on through his 70s and 80s," said Clive.

Arthur was apprenticed to a local wheelwright as a boy after leaving Leinthall Earles school. He attended school with his future wife Marion and they were married in 1943 and had two sons, Clive and Neil who lives in Australia. Arthur was invalided out of wartime service with the RME after succumbing to rheumatic fever. He was a long-serving stalwart of the Royal British Legion and a served as secretary of the former Brampton Bryan branch.

Arthur died at home after a few months of illness. More than 120 people attended his funeral and burial at Brampton Bryan Church on March 31. Instead of floral tributes mourners gave £320 to church funds. Arthur Morris is survived by his widow, sons and four grandchildren.

Master Craftsman Arthur Morris dies, The Hereford Times, May 1 2003 (courtesy of the Harley Archive)