This is the History of
Northern Briar Pipes
Click here to see Northern Briars Pipes
Northern Briar was
started by Ian Walker' Grandfather, George Walker, who in 1931 became the factory
foreman at Duncan Briar's. After a nine year apprenticeship he
was in charge of training the staff of pipe makers and pipe finishers.
In 1958 Ian's Grandfather
and Ian's Father, Peter Walker, started a pipe repair service, repairing pipes
for tobacconists' all over the United Kingdom.
In 1972 Ian left school
and started work in the family business. His first day at work he had
to sweep the floor of the workshop for an hour, make coffee, and only then
was he allowed to polish some pipes!! Then his dad told him to go
home, change clothes and go to his grandfathers house where he spent the
evening making silver rings for pipes from a silver sheet.
In 1983 his parents
bought a Tobacconist Shop in Heaton Moor, Stockport England where he was now
doing pipe repairs and beginning to make pipes for the shop. A little
later he started making pipes for other local tobacconist' in the area.
In 1999 Ian did his
first trade show for Tobacconist and Pipe Clubs all over the United Kingdom.
Last year he made the pipe for the 2005 British Pipe Smoking Championship.
He had to make 50 pipes that were all the same.
In 2006, he did his
first show overseas in Chicago where Skip saw his work and decided they
would be a great addition to
our current selection of English Pipes we now carry at The Briary.
Later this year Ian will be taking his Northern Briar Pipes to exhibit in
Dortmund, Germany.
Click here to see Ian Walkers Northern Briars Pipes
