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Thank you for this- I have much enjoyed remembering the business which was very much part of my childhood and, given that I am an only child , this conversation is the first I have had about it for many years. My father died in 1971 and my mother in 2001

Olni/ Linell- I have just read your posts. My name is Peter Hartill and I am the son of William Norman Hartill and Margaret Hartill( both deceased). My mother' s maiden name was Potts and her father was James Potts who I think founded James Potts and Son Ltd which made garden tools at premises in Wrights Lane , Old Hill , Cradley Heath. After my grandfather died the company was run by my father.

Matters are confused that my Mother had cousins Edward and Cecil Potts who also made garden tools from premises in nearby Halesowen - that company was called George Potts & Sons Limited but I am not sure whether it was a brother of my grandfather who set it up

Both companies stopped trading in the late 1960's as British manufacturing went into decline.

Hope this helps a bit

Peter