History of R.H Bunners Montgomery
Mrs Mary Bunner, Mr John Blower (left) & Mr Basil Phillips. (1967?) (Mrs B, Blower, Basil)
Bunners, officially R.H. Bunner & Son Ltd was established in 1892, as R.H. Bunner (Robert Henry Bunner).
Based in Montgomery on the Welsh/English border.
He founded the seed business in Montgomeryshire and established the popular Montgomeryshire Late Flowering Red Clover.
In 1903 Bunner established a Massey agency for farm implements. Those implements which Bunner sold at the beginning of the century were of course horse drawn. He introduced a wooden frame horse drawn binder from the United States, the first one ever to be seen in Wales. Mechanical tractors were introduced during the first war, when Bunner realised they were the coming thing in farming and lost no time in putting them on sale.
Also in the early days bicycles were a strong selling line and Bunner became one of the earliest Raleigh dealers in the county. Ever one to grab at an opportunity, after the 1914 war people began to think about cars instead of bikes.
Mr Bunner opened a garage and began to sell and repairs cars, dealing with new and second-hand models. In 1939 he sold his first combine harvester, again the first of its kind in Wales.
Based in Montgomery on the Welsh/English border.
He founded the seed business in Montgomeryshire and established the popular Montgomeryshire Late Flowering Red Clover.
In 1903 Bunner established a Massey agency for farm implements. Those implements which Bunner sold at the beginning of the century were of course horse drawn. He introduced a wooden frame horse drawn binder from the United States, the first one ever to be seen in Wales. Mechanical tractors were introduced during the first war, when Bunner realised they were the coming thing in farming and lost no time in putting them on sale.
Also in the early days bicycles were a strong selling line and Bunner became one of the earliest Raleigh dealers in the county. Ever one to grab at an opportunity, after the 1914 war people began to think about cars instead of bikes.
Mr Bunner opened a garage and began to sell and repairs cars, dealing with new and second-hand models. In 1939 he sold his first combine harvester, again the first of its kind in Wales.
Back left Alice Dodman, Mary Bunner, Clara Dodman, Mrs Mary Bunner, Ann Yewdall, Mrs Amy Higgins (Mrs Bunner’ sister)
The sale of petrol on the forecourt started back in the 1920’s with deliveries made in two gallon cans, the sale of petrol & diesel continues today.
R.H. Bunner’s son, Allan came into the business in the 1930’s after a spell working the farming industry. In 1939 the title of the business was changed from R.H. Bunner to R.H. Bunner & Son. In 1947 the founder passed away and his son become the principal.
However, in 1953 Allan passed away and his wife succeeded him as head of the firm, with John Blower becoming Manager. In 1959 Bunners became a limited company. R.H. Bunner & Son Ltd.
As mentioned in the (Blue book) If you look carefully at the front windows of the shop you will find one very fascinating relic of the past. At the top of each window display area there are a backdrop screen of arranged brass cartridges. However, recently the display in the right window has been removed.
R.H. Bunner’s son, Allan came into the business in the 1930’s after a spell working the farming industry. In 1939 the title of the business was changed from R.H. Bunner to R.H. Bunner & Son. In 1947 the founder passed away and his son become the principal.
However, in 1953 Allan passed away and his wife succeeded him as head of the firm, with John Blower becoming Manager. In 1959 Bunners became a limited company. R.H. Bunner & Son Ltd.
As mentioned in the (Blue book) If you look carefully at the front windows of the shop you will find one very fascinating relic of the past. At the top of each window display area there are a backdrop screen of arranged brass cartridges. However, recently the display in the right window has been removed.
Mary Bunner & Ann Yewdall 16 May 1949 (Mary & Ann)
This year Bunners will celebrate its 130th anniversary. Today the business is still a traditional family business run by Ann Yewdall & Mary Bunner (R.H. Bunner’s Granddaughters, along with Thomas Yewdall (Ann’s husband), Rob (Tom & Ann’s son). And it's great to see the next generation, 5th Generation (Rob’s children) beginning to work in the business.
The business now sells a range of lines from kitchenware, toys, gifts, homeware, traditional hardware, gardening, garden furniture, plant pots, Polaris Quad bikes, lawnmowers.
In an age of streamlined merchandising and out of town retailing, Bunners is a unique portal to a way of shopping that has been lost by many towns.
Today the business is slightly different from what it began as, however the style and character of the later days can be seen throughout the shop.
The business now sells a range of lines from kitchenware, toys, gifts, homeware, traditional hardware, gardening, garden furniture, plant pots, Polaris Quad bikes, lawnmowers.
In an age of streamlined merchandising and out of town retailing, Bunners is a unique portal to a way of shopping that has been lost by many towns.
Today the business is slightly different from what it began as, however the style and character of the later days can be seen throughout the shop.