Jowett Wagons: Three generations of master craftsmen - photo-feature by Cath Muldowney
Philip Jowett was an apprentice joiner in Bradford in the 1960s, built his first cart at age 16, and his first bow top wagon at 18.
Fast forward to the present day, and Bentham in North Yorkshire is home to Jowett Wagons, a family business incorporating three generations of master craftsmen. Now joined by son David and grandsons David, Joby and Tom, the family produce the finest quality, exquisitely decorated bow top wagons, drays and associated items.
The workshops are filled with a variety of vehicles at varying stages of their creation, and everything is hand crafted from scratch on site, often using original heritage tools - only the axles and springs are bought in. Even the undersides of the wagons are carved and painted with the same attention to detail as the more visible parts.
The raw materials are mainly ash, oak and sapele, sourced from specialist suppliers, and hand-picked by David to ensure its quality. As each craftsman’s carving is slightly different, if one man starts the carving on a wagon, then they alone have to finish it - and a wagon can take from three to twelve months plus to complete!
Until Joby joined the business, the wagons and carts were sold unpainted, but now he adds the beautiful final finish with intricate hand painted designs and gold leaf decoration.
Jowett’s main customers are from the Gypsy and Traveller communities, and whilst there was a time when shiny trailers massively outnumbered traditional wagons on places like Fair Hill, now the iconic bow top wagon is celebrated and treasured, and its numbers are gradually rising again.
This should ensure that Jowett Wagons, their passion for their craft, the family bond, and the brotherly banter continue for generations to come.
Photographs and words by Cath Muldowney for the Travellers’ Times
This article first appeared in issue 74 of the Travellers’ Times Magazine. You can subscribe to the next issue here: Magazine Subscription | Travellers Times
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