Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2009 | Page 108
life
LOCAL BUSINESS
a look at our local Island businesses
business-news
The Royal launch
our local
businesses...
200 years in business
of Watts, so when given the chance to buy
Watts Lawrence jumped at it.
Today the business is managed by
Lawrence’s Daughter, Kathryn BoarerDirector, who on leaving school began an
apprenticeship at lalllows boatyard.
Royal warrants were held by Edward Watts
AJ Edward Watts and Sons was started in
1809 by Edward Watts, although records
show that his father, also Edward Watts had
been a Cowes builder.
Edward Watts junior served a seven-year
apprenticeship with a painter and glazier
before setting up his own painting
company.
He died in 1860 and was succeeded by his
two sons, James Fowler Watts and George
Watts.
George was joined by another family
member, again called Edward Watts who
died in 1918, when the running of the
company passed to W.R. Watts and H.R.
Tuffin, who ran it until 1939, when Mr.
Tuffin retired.
W.R. Watts was joined by yet another
Edward Watts and they ran the company
until 1945, when W.R. Watts died and
Edwards Sister, Clare Rayner joined the
compa