Tributes to much-loved cobbler
The man known as "The Brownhills Cobbler" has died at home after more than half a century mending the shoes and boots of the people of the town. The man known as "The Brownhills Cobbler" has died at home after more than half a century mending the shoes and boots of the people of the town. Thomas William Drinkwater's funeral will be held on Thursday at St James' Church in the town. The 74-year-old established The Brownhills Cobbler in Silver Street in 1954 with his late brother Leslie, who died five years ago. The expert tradesman died suddenly at home in Clayhanger Road after suffering a heart attack overnight on Sunday. Tributes were today paid by family members who held their relative, a life-long bachelor, in high esteem. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Thomas William Drinkwater's funeral will be held on Thursday at St James' Church in the town.
The 74-year-old established The Brownhills Cobbler in Silver Street in 1954 with his late brother Leslie, who died five years ago. The expert tradesman died suddenly at home in Clayhanger Road after suffering a heart attack overnight on Sunday.
Tributes were today paid by family members who held their relative, a life-long bachelor, in high esteem.
Nephew Stephen Drinkwater, aged 43, of Brownhills, said he and his brother David, aged 37, of Norton Canes, thought of Mr Drinkwater as a second father.
Their dad suffered a leg injury during war and it was to their uncle Tom they often turned to to help mend broken bicycles and other tasks their father was unable to do.
Stephen Drinkwater said: "When me and my brother were little and for many years after, Tom and my dad were always a pair, they were a real team and Tom was like a second dad to the two of us.
"A lot of people knew him and many called him the Brownhills cobbler.He was a private person and a master of his trade."
The brothers moved their business to Silver Court in 1960 and Mr Drinkwater continued to work at the shop, in High Street, until the Friday before his death.
He was a regular at The Old Swan pub in the village of Stonnall, near Brownhills, and called in most nights for a drink or two before last orders.
Mr Drinkwater said: "He sort of became one of the fixtures and fittings of life and it is ever so weird now as he is not here anymore. It's come as a big shock."
The funeral procession will leave the family home and drive past the pub and the shop, where it will pause for a moment of reflection, before carrying on to arrive at the church for 2pm. Family and all friends welcome.
Stephen's son, Richard, aged 17, was today manning the shop.
