Banner & Son
In 1867, Hugh Banner came to Crosby from East Lancashire with nothing more than a bag of tools and founded his own firm. Originally a builder, he built the family house in Mersey View with his yard next door. Legend has it that he did all his calculations and clerical work, not in books and ledgers, but on the walls of his office!
In 1902, Thomas Banner, one of Hugh's ten children, took over the family business. He moved the yard to Carnegie Avenue then later to Coronation Road in the center of Crosby village. The name was changed to Thomas Banner and Sons. A trade mark of his houses was that they all incorporated stone in their construction.
In 1930, Thomas' sons became the third generation to run the business. David and Eric Banner ran the firm for 42 years from 1930 until 1972
In 1972, the yard at Coronation road was the subject of a compulsory purchase order which led to the construction of the Crosby village by-pass. The firm had to re-locate and was able to move to new premises in the ancient village of Little Crosby. Brian Banner, David's son, who had been with the firm since completing a stonemasonry course at the Liverpool College of Building in 1956, then took over the business. The new yard, named Delph Masonry Works, was founded on the site of a sandstone Quarry used as far back as the 17th century
Following his City and Guilds training at York, Neil Banner, the fifth generation of stonemasons, joined the firm in 1987. Now a Partner in the business, Neil is looking forward to the next millennium and to the next hundred years. His daughter, Alice is 8 years old but you never know.............