Stroud Saddlery has been established in the "Heart of the Valleys" milling town of Stroud, in the South Cotswolds since 1982.

In June 2002, Stroud Saddlery moved out of the town, one mile away to the outskirts at Cainscross.

A dedicated team of experienced and well trained staff all realise that excellent service, quality, choice and value for money are key factors in keeping the customer happy.

Stroud Saddlery has grown from strength to strength since those early days and Laurence now has an impressive workshop, retail shop and a saddle room. A dedicated team of experienced and well trained staff all realise that excellent service, quality, choice and value for money are key factors in keeping the customer happy. Laurence holds the following qualifications and responsibilities;

• Master Saddler
• Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter and Assessor
• Assessor of the City and Guilds Skills Tests for bench saddlers
• Member of many different Society Committees dedicated to improving the saddlery trade
• Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Saddlers
• Was granted The Freedom of the City of London in 2005 in acknowledgement of services to his trade
• Former President of the Society of Master Saddlers
• Stages 1, 2 and 3 BHS Horse Knowledge and Riding Certificates

In the workshop he employs;

• Issi, a Master Saddler who had gained the Higher National Diploma in Saddlery Technology and the Cordwainer's Diploma from Cordwainer's at Capel Manor College previously. She has achieved her Worshipful Company of Saddlers Millennium Apprenticeship and her Advanced Modern Apprenticeship. Issi has also won prizes at the Society of Master Saddlers Annual Saddlery Competitions.
• Jo, a Qualified Saddler and Harness Maker since early 2007. She has gained her Foundation Modern Apprenticeship and her Advanced Modern Apprenticeship along with her portfolio for her Millennium Apprenticeship.
• Emily, a Qualified Saddler and Harness Maker who had gained the Higher National Diploma in Saddlery Technology at Cordwainer's along with achieving her Millennium and Modern Apprenticeships in early 2007. Emily has won The Master and Apprentice class with Laurence at the Society of Master Saddlers Annual Saddlery Competition 2008.
• Lauren, our newest apprentice who started her Foundation Modern Apprenticeship and her Millennium Apprenticeship in 2008. She has now completed her Skills Test Level 3 in Bridlemaking.

The college based training on the Modern Apprenticeship is provided by Mark Romain at The Saddlery Training Centre. Please contact Mark if you would like to know more about becoming a saddler.

Laurence employs Carolyn Allen, a Society Of Master Saddlers Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter whom he trained himself and who has got her BHS AI.

To become a saddle fitter at the moment you need to be a member or be in the employment of a member of the Society or BETA and you need to take the Introductory Course in Saddle Fitting provided by the Society which gives the basic knowledge. Then you need to do a minimum of three years experience fitting in the real world preferably under the guidence of a Master Saddler and Qualified Saddle Fitter. At the end of this the prospective saddle fitters take a further four day course with a one day exam afterwards including theory and practical. Registered Qualified Saddle Fitters are also obliged to take a Refresher Course every other year to keep them up to date.

Laurence and his saddlers combine the skills of traditional craftsmanship with the very latest innovations and designs in Saddlery.

Laurence supports the local Swindon Robins Speedway Team and the Eastbourne Eagles Speedway Team

The well stocked and competitively priced retail shop is run by friendly and knowledgeable staff to help with your needs and requests, nothing is too much trouble.

We provide for everyone - Beginners to Advanced