 Dave Holland - Director
Manufacturing methods were very traditional (this was in the fifties) which, although I didn’t appreciate it at the time, gave me an excellent grounding in craft skills. By the end of this period I had gained a broad insight into typefaces and layout which has stood me in good stead ever since. In 1967, with my wife and three children I "dropped out” and moved to Devon taking a farm labourers job with a tied cottage, determined to eventually become self sufficient. It didn’t last! Poverty forced me into taking a job with a Plymouth firm of sign makers which I stuck at for a further three years before buying an Alexander engraving machine and setting up shop in a barn at the back of the house in 1973.In 1980 I struck my first medal, it was on hot copper between a pair of hand cut dies and struck with a seven pound sledge hammer. I can well remember the excitement of that first medal. In 1985 I was joined by my son Matthew. We bought a reducing machine which meant that I had plasters to cut and more freedom to develop sculptural ideas. At this time I am semi retired and living in France where I still support the business under Matthew’s management.
|
 Matt Holland - Director
When I was about ten, Dad had a workshop of his own and I was amazed by the beautiful things he could make, in almost any material. He seemed to have a natural understanding of such things even if he had not done them before. Later on I realised that he was a ‘craftsman’ (and an excellent artist) and I was inspired by his skills. Now, having learned all I can from him (since joining the Mint in 1985) I find it very satisfying to be able to produce medals from design, sculpting and die making, to striking and finishing, and knowing that they will last for thousands of years.
Want to know more?
Bigbury Mint - The First 25 Years
This book tells the intriguing story of how David Holland and son Matthew became involved in the world of Medallic Art. Their enthusiasm for life and determination to make a truly wonderous product is infectious. Click here to buy this book
|
 Kate - Office Manager
Kate does everything that could possibly need doing in the office, including marketing, purchasing, sales, credit control, banking and account management. She has a degree in Combined Studies and speaks fluent French.
|
 Juanita - Sales Team
Advises customers, takes the phone orders, and enters them onto the computer. She checks that order of precedence of the military medals are correct. Juanita lived in Peru for a while, and speaks fluent Spanish.
|
 Trudi - Ribboning Team Leader
‘Ribboning’ involves the sewing (or ‘mounting’) of the medal ribbons to a broach bar so that they can be worn. Trudi has become particularly skilled at ‘court-mounting’ medals as well as regular ‘swing’ mounting. She also makes up ribbon bars.
|
 Margie - Quality Checker and Packing
When all the orders are completed, Margaret painstakingly checks them through to make sure that no mistakes have been made. She very carefully packs them up and sends them out, keeping records of when they were sent.
|
 Fiona - Silver Smith
Fee has been working for the company for various periods since 1988. With a degree in Silversmithing, she oversees the finishing work and controls the final quality of the medals. She also does any hand engraving that is required. Fee also has her own business which produces wonderful jewellery.
|
 Diane - Finisher
Di has worked for Bigbury Mint since 1994. She does the majority of the polishing and finishing work on the medals, including hand polishing, barreling, bead-blasting and patinating. She has recently been awarded the NCFE level 1 certificate in Creative Craft (In Jewellery). Di enjoys gardening and walking her dogs.
|
 John - Production Team Leader
John served as a Weapons Electrical Artificer in the Royal Navy, and joined us here in 2001. He manages the workshop from day to day, ensures the smooth flowing of orders through the workshop and is responsible for striking all our medals. He maintains and sets up all our machinery and tools. When he’s not doing this, he’s running Plympton Cricket Club.
|