Tim Parker

Tim was not just a general supplier as well as bobbin supplies but also the founder of the Havant Lace Fair.

Some of Tim's bobbins were engraved with TP.

Tim and his wife Ann were often accompanied by Clive the Gorilla, at lace days.  For more information scroll down past the bobbins to hear from Clive.

Sue Gatehouse writes:
Being a member of Poole Bobbin Lace Circle back in 1980 it was hard not to buy a bobbin from Tim as he often had a sales table at Poole.  ​Beautiful slim, silky bobbins. 
From Tim's website when it was active:
I started making bobbins in 1978 whilst a full time teacher and gradually increased the range of lacemaking materials stocked to a point where I became regarded as a 'general supplier' rather than a bobbinmaker. Dissatisfied with the 'modern trends' in craft education I decided in 1988, after 20 years of service, to leave teaching and, with Ann, make the business our full-time employment. Despite a health set back a few years ago we continue to offer you a comprehensive range of high quality materials and equipment for lacemaking and are continually looking for new items to add to the range. I no longer make my own bobbins but, as you will see, do stock a wide range of high quality mass produced bobbins. Whilst we try to be available during the week to maintain an efficient mail order service and prepare for lacedays at the weekends we do take 'time-off' to fulfil our passion for gardening, I apologize to those of you who have to speak to our answer phone whilst we are enjoying our 'time-off' in the garden or on our allotment.
Tim
 Picture
From Tim's website, via the wayback machine
​I'm really pleased that you've visited me here on my Web Page. Let me tell you a bit about myself.

My name is Clive and I live with Tim and Ann. I am a 'gorilla' and I go everywhere with them. This year Tim made me a new jacket, especially for our holiday in the Alps.  We went skiing and had a wonderful time at Filzmoos.Next year I would liketo have a trip in a hot air balloon with our friend Pauline, it will be a bit cold but I will have my flying jacket to wear.

When Tim and Ann go to Lace Days and meetings I always go with them. I sit on the counter and keep an eye on all you lacemakers. Lots of you I know really well now as I've been meeting you for a good few years. I usually wear my clip-on magnifying glasses and encourage you to buy a pair. These glasses are rather important to me, as every time Tim sells a pair, he gives me 25p, together with other money from lacemakers I have now been able to send three donations of £200pound each to the Howletts and Port Lympne Foundation.

Some of you may know about the Foundation, but for those of you who don't I'll tell you a bit about it.

I'd like to hear from you all. You can send messages to me through Tim, using his e-mail address and putting 'For Clive' in the subject line.

Clive

Every year, over 500 gorillas are slaughtered in the Congo alone. In 1987 John Aspinall, acting for the Howletts and Port Lympne Foundation, signed an agreement with the Congolese government to set up an orphanage in Brazzaville zoo grounds to rescue infant gorillas from poachers and provide a rehabilitation centre with the aim of returning groups of young gorillas to the wild state. In 1989 Mark Attwater, a former Howletts Animal Park keeper, and his wife Helen went to the Congo to start this venture.

Gorillas Breeding in Britain

The Howletts and Port Lympne Founadtion was ideally placed to launch the Congo project. It began in 1958 when John Aspinall thought it was necessary to form self-perpetuating colonies of gorillas with the object of one day releasing them back into the wild.

Gorillas are gentle, sociable giants. They cannot fight back without our help. They cannot thank us in person, but we all know how much they need our help and how they would thank us if they could.