The Team

Name: Paul Cleasby Position: Director Profile: A Cumbrian through and through Paul started working for Abbeyhorn in 1980 as an apprentice hornworker. However in 1991 in true Victor Kiam style “He liked the company so much he bought it”. Paul takes an active role in the company by hand producing the more bespoke items such as our horn chairs and tables, attending the various Trade Fairs we visit and (attempting) to keep us all in line. When not steering this glorious ship called Abbeyhorn Paul enjoys spending time with his delightful young daughter, snooker and motorbikes.
Name: Chris Mason Position: Factory Manager Profile: Another Cumbrian bred worker, Chris joined the team in 1997 as an apprentice hornworker and rose to stardom as Factory Manager when Graham deserted us. Chris is the talented silversmith who produces all our silverwork and is creative enough to take the unusual designs that barmy customers send us and turn them into practical bespoke end product. It is Chris that cracks the whip to ensure the production schedule keeps on track and the production team know what they are doing. To unwind from whip cracking Chris enjoys tending his vegetable garden, gardening in general (his own and other people’s) and DIY.
Name: Jennifer Gibbons Position: Hornworker Profile: Jen, yet another Cumbrian, came to Abbeyhorn in 2004 and is the only female in the factory - after all there has to be someone to show the guys how it’s done! Jennifer is a general all rounder but specialises in producing our stag handled items, backing our horn brushes and producing the more traditional items in our range. When not working she enjoys climbing the fells of Cumbria with her two Jack Russell’s, fine dining and socialising.
Name: Graham Bowles Position: Hornworker Profile: Born in Farnborough, Kent Graham saw sense and relocated to Cumbria in 1973. In 1977 he joined Abbeyhorn as an apprentice hornworker before working his way up to Factory Manager in 1994. Graham deserted Abbeyhorn in April 2005 to become a meter reader for a utility company but could not stay away and soon returned to the nest in November 2005 to become one of the production team. Graham’s main responsibility is sawing up the horn - it takes a skilled eye to see the potential of each piece of horn. Outside of Abbeyhorn Graham enjoys walking, cycling, DIY, politics, steam trains and his Grandchildren (not necessarily in order). He is also a Red Cross trained First Aider and very active in the Charity.
Name: Chris Street Position: Hornworker Profile: Our ‘other’ Chris started working for Abbeyhorn in 1999 but left due to ill health. He returned to the fold, fighting fit, in 2008. Another all rounder Chris also specialises in the moulding of shoehorns and walking sticks and is currently learning the skills of sawing up the horn. In his spare time Chris enjoys camping and caravanning with his children and gardening.
Name: Tracey Harris Position: Office Manager Profile: One of the three non-Cumbrian members of staff, Tracey was born in Sunderland but settled in Cumbria after a three-year tour of Australia. Tracey joined Abbeyhorn in 2002 as an office assistant but was promoted to office manager when her predecessor left. Tracey’s roles include maintaining the accounts, processing payments, product costings, HR and payroll to name but a few. To unwind Tracey enjoys pottering about her allotment, camping and canoeing and voluntary work for the Cumbria Bridleway Society (even though she does not ride!)
Name: Pauline Hodgson Position: Sales & Marketing Profile: Yet another Cumbrian, Pauline came to Abbeyhorn as an interlude in 2004, seven years later she is still here. Pauline wears many hats at Abbeyhorn but by far her favourite is dealing with the customers. It is usually Pauline’s cheerful voice you’ll hear when you call us. Pauline multitasks wonderfully covering the packing room, the general office tasks not to mention keeping our existing customers happy and seeking out new ones. When not multitasking for Abbeyhorn, Pauline ejoys socialising as well as going for extensive walks in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside.
Name: Doris Holmes Position: "Angel" Profile: Doris worked for the previous owner of Abbeyhorn and the current owner full time for many, many years before retiring. Sadly we won’t allow her to disappear entirely and call on her twice a year to cover the telephones when Pauline and Tracey go “to play Viking” in York. Doris is a little dynamo and the office is always sparkling and ship shape when we return.