Heartbroken family's tribute to pillar of north Derbyshire community

Tributes have been paid to a pillar of the north Derbyshire community who has died following a four-year battle with cancer and after contracting Covid-19.
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Doug Bradbury, who passed away at the age of 82 at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, was a lifelong resident of Clay Cross and from humble origins became internationally known as a Master Farrier.

The great-grandfather set up his own farriery and forge in Clay Cross and later opened a private museum in the town which was dedicated to the farriery craft, the UK Horseshoeing Museum.

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In 2017, Doug was awarded an MBE for his services to the farrier profession, which was presented to him in May 2018 by HRH Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace.

Doug Bradbury receives his MBE from HRH the Princess Royal.Doug Bradbury receives his MBE from HRH the Princess Royal.
Doug Bradbury receives his MBE from HRH the Princess Royal.

His family said in a statement this week: “He had a wicked sense of humour, an infectious laugh and was a great story teller.

“Over the past few years he attended a lot of dinners and groups to deliver his much loved talk ‘The life and times of a farrier’ which was always a crowd pleaser.”

Doug leaves behind his wife and ‘absolute rock’ Joan – the pair had been together since they were 14 and were married for 63 years – son and daughter-in-law Neal and Karen, daughter and son-in-law Gale and Paul, grandchildren Kirsty, Abigail, Thomas, Callum and Rebecca and great grandson Finlay Douglas Bradbury, named in his honour.

Master farrier Doug Bradbury in his forge.Master farrier Doug Bradbury in his forge.
Master farrier Doug Bradbury in his forge.
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Having been born at Clay Cross in 1937, Doug went to work in the pit straight from school at the age of 15.

He worked in the blacksmith’s shop and the experience of tending to ponies above and below ground meant Doug was able to leave the pit in 1967 and set up his own farriery business in Clay Cross.

He travelled to horses with his mobile forge and clients brought horses to his forge at home.

Doug trained 15 farrier apprentices and mentored many through to examination.

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He became a livery man of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF) livery company in 1986 and gained freedom of the city of London.

When Doug passed his FWCF (Fellowship of Worshipful Company of Farriers) in 1986, he had reached the highest level of technical competence that can be achieved by a farrier.

His family said: “He is known worldwide, and has traveled to far off lands to help educate farriers or shoe horses on assignment.

“He lives in rugged country far from the top racetracks and showgrounds but the farrier world certainly beat a path to his door.

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“His reputation is one of generosity and knowledge; he is known as a man who has the ability to not just do top work but to be able share what he knows.”

When he retired at 65 in 2002, Doug was able to dedicate more time to the museum. It now attracts people of the horse world from far and wide.

He always joked that he and his wife met ‘over the bacon slicer’, Joan was working for the butchers where Doug was a delivery man while he was working at the colliery.

Doug was followed into business by son Neal and grandson Thomas.

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His interests included spending time with his family, photography, painting and travel.

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