SAD DEATH OF LAWRENCE BURTON
The TTA is sad to report the death of honorary member Lawrence Burton. Lawrence was very well-known to many members of the TTA, particularly the older generation. His passing came just before he would have celebrated his 90th birthday.
After a lengthy career in the tiling industry, he was in more recent years the chairman of Pilkington’s Lancastrian Pottery Society, reflecting his keen interest in industry heritage and history.
Bob Howard MBE, TTA director, said: “Lawrence was a great supporter of trade associations and very knowledgeable on ceramics and standards.
He appeared as an expert on the antiques road show to advise on Poole Pottery.”
Brian G Newell, TTA director, said: “Lawrence was not only chair of Pilkington Tiles for many years, he was very active in standards work – BSI, CEN and ISO. He was a very remarkable gentleman.”
Mike Wheat, a former industry colleague, commented: “This is sad news of Lawrence’s death. He was a pioneer of the industry and very widely respected throughout the ceramic tile world.”
I worked at Pilkington Tiles at Clifton Junction for ten years, from 1967 to 1977 working in various roles from warehouse man to forklift truck driver and eventually in the garage. I remember Lawrence getting a new company car a brand new white Triumph P.I. 2.5. That car was treated as a sensation being one of the first petrol injection cars to arrive on the scene.
I used to take it to the supplying dealer when its service was due, after all these years I still rate that car as one of the best
cars I have ever driven . Sad to learn of his passing, I will always remember Lawrence in his dark blue pin stripe suit, and that he would have time to engage with you even if we were on : the shop floor : .