Stevenson Bros | About Stevenson Brothers and Customers Comments
Twin brothers Marc and Tony Stevenson, were inspired by their Uncle James Bosworthick, who had served his apprenticeship in the Chatham Naval dockyard in the 1940’s. Whilst there he started making toys from offcuts and soon built up a reputation for rocking horse making.
With specific goals to reintroduce the rocking horse as a today item and to become the best rocking horse makers in the world, they established their business in 1982. Today they are based in the beautiful villages of Bethersden and High Halden in Kent, with a large showroom full of interesting new and old rocking horses. They have a rocking horse Hospital for horses in need of restoration.
Each horse is numbered and dated on a brass plate and can be fitted with a secret locking compartment. They have made over 7,500 horses and are collected in many countries, offering door to door delivery worldwide.
Customers comments
17th August 2009
Dear Marc, Tony and Sue,
Thank you so much for delivering "Catkin" safely to us. The rocking horse is a magnificent work of art and has lived up to all our expectations. From the moment we first arrived at your showroom and placed our order, through the period of construction and then on to the wonderful day when she arrived the process has been enjoyable, highly efficient and friendly. The superbly finished oak carcase, the exquisite accessories and the outstandingly beautiful embroidery are a fine tribute to British and Kent craftsmanship and it is comforting to see such excellence in a world that is often disposed towards mediocrity. The smooth and safe movement is wonderful and all who first see and then ride the beautiful animal are fulsome in their praise. Please pass on our appreciation to all those involved in her construction. As a christening present she has been exceedingly well-received, as an object of beauty there is non finer and as an heirloom her place is certainly assured!! Our experience in purchasing the rocking horse from you has been a most pleasurable experience and in consequence we recommend your company without hesitation or reservation to anyone considering a similar purchase. Thank you once again.
With best wishes,
Margaret & Keith
Sue and Mark,
I just wanted you both to know that the rocking horse arrived to our home in Great Falls, Virginia on March 6, 2009. Our daughter's face lit up the room. The rocking horse is beautiful and perfect. We love it. Thank you for including the blanket and the signed rocking horse book.
The rocking horse you produced are exceptional and we are glad that we waited years to get the rocking horse we always wanted.
I also want to mention that Thunderbolt Global Logistics, LLC., based in Baltimore, Maryland, was professional and helpful all the way from the time the old rocking horse left our home to the when the new rocking horse arrived to our home. They took care of everything and having the horse delivered to Baltimore makes it so easy. If you have the opportunity to do more imports to the US, I would highly recommend Thunderbolt Global Logistics, LLC.
Thank you so much to Sue for being wonderful and understanding this past year. Thank you so much for all your patience and your staff for producing a high quality rocking horse - worthy of an heirloom for any family. We will treasure this rocking horse and hope to some day visit your shop.
Sincerely,
Pisey
09 March 2009
MAKE A WISH
THANK YOU
On behalf of Make-A-Wish Foundation UK I would like to thank you and all of the staff at Stevenson Brothers for their amazing contribution towards making Ethan’s wish day a success.
Not only did you meet and exceed all our expectations despite the short notice we gave you to make the horse to Ethan’s spec. Each and every time I called, your staffs were very helpful and full of great creative ideas to ensure a magnificent finished product.
The rocking horse totally blew the family away and I had to agree when I saw the photos that were kindly sent to me. But is was not just the sheer skill of your craftsmanship that blew us away, it was the effort made to make Ethan and his family welcome. The tour of your workshop was of great interest to the family and the care you took of them whilst they were with you was second to none.
It is always a pleasure to write to companies who make that extra effort to support us in our efforts to make someone’s wish come true. Be proud of your contribution that has meant you have truly made a difference to Ethan and your efforts are very much appreciated by Make-A-Wish too.
30th Janurary 2009
Dear Marc,
Churchills Charger
A note of thanks to you and your team for such a beautiful rocking horse. It is indeed a ‘very fine rocking horse’.
The Humidor is a work of art and the embroidery on the Shabraque is beautiful. A special thanks to Jean Stevenson for the very kind gift of the Churchill Silver Crowns (a gift from Uncle James Bosworthick), which gives a lovely finishing touch to the stand.
Giorgio is already enjoying the horse and we have no doubt that as he gets a little older he will while away the hours on Charger. Thank you for making our gift to Giorgio a very special one.
With kindest regards
Pina & Keith
1 December 2008
Dear Marc,
Just a little note to thank you and let you know how absolutely thrilled I am with my gorgeous ex-show dapple grey horse. I am excited that he could have been to Badminton and Burghley, but equally could have galloped straight out of a Dickensian shop window. I love his antique patina, mixed with gleaming new tack, shiny flowing mane and tail and beautiful polished beech stand with personalised plaque. I think he has the prettiest, most exquisite head and his dappling is gorgeous. My parents are coming to see him for the first time on Sunday – he arrived last week just as I arrived back home from my Mums 70th Birthday celebrations, so timing was perfect. He looks stunning against the oak beams on the landing of our barn conversion and is truly a work of art. He is a very special present and I love the fact that I will be able to keep my precious family mementos in his tummy. I will really love and treasure him and now just have to think of the right name!
With very best wishes,
Katherine Dawson.
14 December 2007
Dear Marc & Tony
Just a note to thank you both so very much for making such a wonderful job of ‘Guinevere’ my beautiful burr oak rocking horse.
When she arrived I just couldn’t wait to get the bubble wrap off to see her, I felt like I was back in my childhood. Oh! The excitement! When I rode her for the first time it was a dream come true, and we rocked far and wide back into all those wonderful childhood memories. When I am not riding her I have a special teddy that likes to sit upon her back. Phil, my husband, has had a ride too and I must admit it is amusing to see him rocking to and fro!
‘Guinevere’ is my mother’s name as well as mine, and as I lost my dear mum this year the horse has been made in her memory. I intend to keep some of my mum’s treasures in the secret locking compartment and this beautiful horse will, I am sure, become a family heirloom in years to come, and my mother’s memory will live on with her.
I cannot thank you enough for the care you have taken in making sure everything was just how I wanted it. I wish you both, and all your staff, very best wishes for Christmas. I am sure many more of your beautiful rocking horses will delight your customers this Christmas.
With special thanks
Lynne Guinevere Buller
02 November 2007
Dear Marc,
Our rocking horse (complete with Rosie’s hair in tail) turned up a few weeks back and we are delighted.
I have been meaning to write for a while but between work and a house that’s part way through a major renovation I’ve not had a second and hence the rather second-rate email.
From our first trial-ride at Badminton through to our visit to your workshop, if has been great to know we’ve investing in a piece of world class (home-grown) craftsmanship. The horse looks excellent and will doubtless provide years and years of enjoyment and happy memories - only thing we need now is the inspiration on the right name - am sure we’ll get there soon.
Thanks again to you and all the team at Stevensons.
Regards
Ed & Holly
18th September 2007
Dear Marc,
It is a rare event that makes me lost for words, but you and your team have made this event happen!
When we first made contact with you several months ago requesting some help with a fitting tribute to my cat Ozzie, I knew instantly you were ‘the man for the job’.
Your passion and enthusiasm is inspiring, but above all, your sensitivity and understanding of what I was looking for enabled me to believe you could deliver an amazing tribute to a very special cat.
After the first conversation with you, you understood what this meant to me and I felt that I was handing you an enormous task as this meant so much to me.
There were several tears the evening prior to the collection of Ozzie’s ashes (and Winergy) as we had never been parted dead or alive. To some it would be an easy task handing over a ‘tacky’ wooden box to a complete stranger, but believe me it was not. Your driver knew the importance and told me not to worry as he knew that this was very important and it would be kept safe. Can you imagine how I felt when you took the trouble to call me to say Ozzie had arrived safely and was sat on your desk. To say that I was relieved would be an understatement.
Some weeks later I received the sketches of Ozzie and it was truly incredible how you had caught the true character especially as you only had photos’ to work from. You caught the larger than life personality and put it on paper. Tears were shed yet again!
On the day we came to collect Ozzie I would never have imagined that the carving would exceed my expectations, not only have you and your team captured Ozzie’s general shape but you have caught the character that made him one in a million. The carving had come alive. From the tip of his tail to his love heart nose, my boy is with me again.
Words seems so inadequate when you and all of your team have made such a perfect carving for me. You have turned my dream into reality and my tears into smiles and for that I cannot thank you and your team enough. Every day Ozzie makes me smile and that is just what I was looking for.
Thank you also for restoring ‘Winergy’ and turning him into Ozzie No.2.
With love and heartfelt gratitude for all that you have done.
Lucy x
20th March 2007
Hi Marc and Tony,
Having just returned from a few days away it was wonderful to find that my Snowflake had been safely delivered. She is really beautiful and I am so pleased with her.
My grandaughter aged 18 months was here when she was delivered and so was the first to ride her. I must confess when I got back last night I couldn’t resist having a go myself, and it was really great. I look forward to many years with her. Thank you for making my dream come true, I have wanted a dapple for a very long time.
Once again thanks
Ann Mercer
14th June 2006
Dear Tony
I can’t thank-you enough for the most beautiful job you have made of converting our rocking horse from the bow stand to the Victorian safety stand. It’s stunning!
As you know Granny bought the full-sized rocking horse on the bow stand for my children as a surprise in 2000 because, I think, it was exactly like the one she had as a child. Unfortunately it proved quite difficult for my rather boisterous girls to play safely on it! You very kindly suggested that it could be put on a Victorian safety stand instead and you’re right: it is a complete success. I understand it was a tricky job because of the conformation of the original horse but it has worked really well and the design of the stand itself is lovely: it looks entirely in keeping and I don’t think anyone would realise anything has been altered. The ’step’ on the runner means the girls can both get on independently. They are playing happily and safely on it at this very moment, I’m happy and Granny’s happy too! What more could you ask?
With very best wishes
Sarah S
12th June 2006
Dear Sue
Thank you for the message regarding my horse. He is simply gorgeous and I love him to bits already. I have named him Durmast. I know this is a type of oak tree and it was also the name of an acute admission ward at Severalls Sanatorium, where I worked until it closed.
So many happy memories of working there, so I thought it was a very apt name for my horse.
Thank everyone for me for a true masterpiece.
Best Wishes
RH
17th April 2006
Dear Marc and Tony
It has only taken me two months to write and thank you for the perfectly glorious horse which came galloping into my drawing room while I was in South Africa. This in no way reflects my excitement and pleasure in finally owning one of your magnificent beasts.
My husband is very po faced that I have purchased such a thing “on a whim” - but an ambition to own a rocking horse, which has lasted for 60 years, is not a whim is it?
I am absolutely overjoyed -- as are my 8 grand children.- You have no idea how much more delicious a glass of wine is when sipped upon a rocking horse!
Everyone keeps asking me what the horse is called - but there really is only one name for him -- Stevenson.
Huge thanks for helping me realise a lifetime’s dream.
Penny Snell
17/02/2006
I remember you saying when we first ordered a rocking horse, that your ethos was that the entire end to end process should be enjoyable - well it has definitely been that.
"Windsor" is a very popular attraction in our lounge and is enjoying his wardrobe of coats and verity of riders!
Thank you once again for making the experience extra special.
Mrs C
02/09/2005
Dear Sue and the team
We can not tell you how thrilled we are with Lauren’s horse. ’Gracie’ as Lauren has named her, is stunning and already a real part of our family. Lauren has spent every minute since Gracie arrived sitting on her, stroking her main and feeding her rice cakes!
Thank you all for making our little girl so happy and for a treasured family heirloom.
Kind Regards
Paul, Aletia, Lauren and (of course) Gracie x
30th August 2005
Hi Sue
Thank you very much for the email. Windsor, the rocking horse, arrived safely on Friday and is really lovely - we are v. pleased with him & I have enjoyed riding again.
Will call in & see you at the next Windsor show.
Thanks again for the enjoyable "end to end" process of getting my dream horse, It has been perfect.
Regards Nichola
11June 2005
Hi Sue
Mrs L M would just like to say how fantastic your Rocking horse is. Having spent many years looking for the best I think we chose the right one.Many thanks.
20 Dec 2004 Colorado Made it!
Hello Sue, yes it is here and it is the most beautiful work of art/sculpture I have had the pleasure to enjoy in my own home. You were absolutely correct. It is fantastic beyond belief. Thank you very much for your intervention and catalyst in getting it delivered the following day. It arrived in absolute perfection. The packers did a very professional job in crating it and protecting it with bubble wrap. Please pass that along as well. It is stunning beyond all my expectations. Perhaps when one sees all the beautiful horses in the shop, it is difficult to discern the beauty of any one horse. However, the moment the bubble wrap was peeled off Colorado dominates all the attention. Please do convey my deep appreciation and admiration to the Stevenson Bros. and anybody else who had a hand in creating such a magnificent work. We shall treasure it until we die. As an artist, I have total respect and admiration for the carvers and designers. Every square inch to include the leather, paint and hair is perfection. Even the rocker/pedestal is no less a pleasure to see and marvel. No doubt that depth and the subtleties that go with great works are well understood. I feel extremely privileged, grateful and fortunate that I will have it, along with the grandchildren, to enjoy for all time.
Thank you very much. A O
Many many more to be added soon.....
