This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-13888377
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Back to work for fire-hit Crazy Coffins in Nottingham | Back to work for fire-hit Crazy Coffins in Nottingham |
(40 minutes later) | |
A coffin maker has said it will not let any of its clients down after a fire destroyed some of its factory and bespoke coffins. | A coffin maker has said it will not let any of its clients down after a fire destroyed some of its factory and bespoke coffins. |
Coffins lost in the blaze at Crazy Coffins in Bulwell, Nottingham, included ones in the shape of a mobile phone, a football boot and a narrowboat. | Coffins lost in the blaze at Crazy Coffins in Bulwell, Nottingham, included ones in the shape of a mobile phone, a football boot and a narrowboat. |
The firm also lost 25 to 30 standard coffins in the fire on Tuesday. | The firm also lost 25 to 30 standard coffins in the fire on Tuesday. |
"It was soul destroying, a very sad day," said the company's director, David Crampton. | "It was soul destroying, a very sad day," said the company's director, David Crampton. |
"But we were back in the next day, have started the clean up and partially started the production line." | "But we were back in the next day, have started the clean up and partially started the production line." |
The factory lost 7,000 sq ft (650 sq m) of workspace, including its fitting-up area, store room and a third of the coffin shop in the fire. | The factory lost 7,000 sq ft (650 sq m) of workspace, including its fitting-up area, store room and a third of the coffin shop in the fire. |
Plane coffin | Plane coffin |
The bespoke coffins cost between £1,500 and £6,000 and take up to 10 working days to finish. | The bespoke coffins cost between £1,500 and £6,000 and take up to 10 working days to finish. |
"We've lost a Viking boat that just needed its shields fitted to its sides, there was a yacht we were painting and a bottle car half built for a man who runs a brewery," said Mr Crampton. | "We've lost a Viking boat that just needed its shields fitted to its sides, there was a yacht we were painting and a bottle car half built for a man who runs a brewery," said Mr Crampton. |
The director said he expected the factory, which employs 18 people, to be back to full production in a couple of weeks. | The director said he expected the factory, which employs 18 people, to be back to full production in a couple of weeks. |
"The men here will turn things around pretty quickly. They are all joiners so doing the woodwork here will be no problem," he said. | "The men here will turn things around pretty quickly. They are all joiners so doing the woodwork here will be no problem," he said. |
The idea for Crazy Coffins came from a member of the public 15 years ago. | The idea for Crazy Coffins came from a member of the public 15 years ago. |
She telephoned coffin makers Vic Fearn & Company Ltd, which owns Crazy Coffins, and asked if they could make her a casket in the shape of a plane. | She telephoned coffin makers Vic Fearn & Company Ltd, which owns Crazy Coffins, and asked if they could make her a casket in the shape of a plane. |
"I thought at first she was very silly," said Mr Crampton, who has worked for the firm for 30 years. | |
"But within five or 10 minutes of putting the phone down I realised it was not such a stupid idea." | "But within five or 10 minutes of putting the phone down I realised it was not such a stupid idea." |
The coffin was built and sent to the client and the joiners thought nothing more of it until they started to get more orders for unusual coffins. | The coffin was built and sent to the client and the joiners thought nothing more of it until they started to get more orders for unusual coffins. |
Star Trek | Star Trek |
"It got into a newspaper and we were mentioned," said Mr Crampton. | "It got into a newspaper and we were mentioned," said Mr Crampton. |
"We now get about 20 requests a month, from which two might come to fruition." | "We now get about 20 requests a month, from which two might come to fruition." |
Despite tough economic times, Mr Crampton said the orders had continued to come in. | Despite tough economic times, Mr Crampton said the orders had continued to come in. |
"If someone wants something very special that says something about their life, cost doesn't come into it," he said. | "If someone wants something very special that says something about their life, cost doesn't come into it," he said. |
Commissions have included a torpedo for a Star Trek fan, a giant hotdog and a skip for a building contractor who "wanted to go out with the rubbish". | Commissions have included a torpedo for a Star Trek fan, a giant hotdog and a skip for a building contractor who "wanted to go out with the rubbish". |
Mr Crampton said custom-built models tended to be ordered by people before they died, to be made and kept in storage. | Mr Crampton said custom-built models tended to be ordered by people before they died, to be made and kept in storage. |
"They store them at their house, or we can store them, and sometimes, with permission, exhibit them," he said. | "They store them at their house, or we can store them, and sometimes, with permission, exhibit them," he said. |
Crazy Coffins' last exhibition, in France last year, attracted more than 250,000 visitors over 16 weeks, said Mr Crampton. | Crazy Coffins' last exhibition, in France last year, attracted more than 250,000 visitors over 16 weeks, said Mr Crampton. |
Previous version
1
Next version