Tailor - Edward Butcher

Edward (ted) Butcher, a bespoke tailor, whose workshop stood at the end of his garden in Highbury Terrace, Halstead, is seen here sitting cross-legged on his work bench sewing one of his made to measure suits. He guaranteed that if any button came off he would replace it for free. Just after World War II postmen were issued with blue serge uniforms plus an extra square yard of matching material. These were taken along to Ted would double seat the trousers for the rural cycle postmen at a charge of 2/6 (12.5p) per pair. He always had plenty of work which resulted in him pinning a notice on his workshop door stating "No work wanted for 10 years". Often he became annoyed by people pilfering loose buttons from his bench so he would nail some of them down (the buttons not the customers!), enjoying a surreptitious giggle as they tried to scratch them up. Mr Butcher died in 1969 aged 81.